Rwanda is the smallest country among the East African countries and it’s bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi as well as The Democratic Republic of Congo. In the world history today, Rwanda has the record of those countries with the worst massacres ever where several lives were claimed and destruction of property. Currently, Rwanda is one of the most economic growing economies on the African continent with a very clean and organized city.
Many adventurous tourists in the world today visit Rwanda for its various tourist attractions and activities and tourist services due to its natural beauty and human hospitality from its people. Here are some of the reasons as to why you should also consider visiting this country highly praised in the media for putting their past dark history and embarking on a quick recovery program;
The Mountain Gorillas
These endangered species of wildlife are only found in Africa! The population is distributed between the Virunga region of Africa in the whole world and are shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Virunga National Park ), Uganda‘s Mgahinga National Park ) as well as Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park. The other half is located in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda.
While Uganda’s Bwindi National Park holds half of these species ( half of 900 species), Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a home to about 280 mountain gorillas ( just half of the remaining creatures).It takes you only two hours to drive from Kigali- Rwanda’s Capital city to the Volcanoes National Park.
To track mountain gorillas, you must be in groups of 8 individuals and only these can be permitted to visit a specific group of mountain gorillas and can be allowed only an hours stay with the creatures. Mountain gorilla tracking is one of the most amazing wild life encounters one can have in a life time. While on a gorilla trek, expect to view Dian Fossey’s grave yard, an American scientist who initiated the fight towards the protection and conservation of mountain gorillas in the 1960’s and was later on killed from this national park.
However, when planning your mountain gorilla expedition, you should not ignore the tracking gear( long sleeved shirt, heavy boots, long trousers, raincoat and jackets , among others), your gorilla trekking permit( a document that allows you into the park) and can be obtained from Rwanda Development Board-RDB as well as the gorilla trekking regulations that must be put into serious consideration like; standing some distance away from the animals, avoiding a trip when sick, avoiding making unnecessary noise while with the gorillas, avoiding the use of too much flash light when photographing these animals and don’t share your food with them among others.
The Genocide Memorial Museums
Rwanda suffered a great massacre in 1994 known as The 1994 Genocide that claimed lots of lives and property ( it was a war between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes of Rwanda and lasted for about three months).
Following tis outbreak, various mass graves were established in which these innocent lives were buried and in addition to this, The Rwanda Government established several memorial ground/ sites for the commemoration of these lost lives.
Among these memorial genocide grounds we have the Gisozi Memorial ground( Kigali memorial Center), the Nyamata memorial genocide, Ntarama memorial genocide and many others. This genocide marked the worst times of Rwanda ever in the African history and today, the Rwanda government together with its individuals work so hard to against the occurrence of such a massacre in the country. And this so far has been achieved through its established political measures and with the help of the United Nations Organizations Rwanda has been able to register peace and calmness.
The survivors of this political unrest together with the other Rwandese, put a up a national day on which they all remember and honor the lost lives of individuals during the genocide, in which they also continue to render help by donating for the well being of some of the victims of the 1994 genocide attack.
The Chimpanzees
Rwanda is a country blessed with so many natural wonders in addition to your mountain gorilla trekking g trip, you can always enjoy chimpanzee tracking.
These close relatives of human beings, too are an endangered species of wildlife and can be found in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Natural Forest.
Nyungwe forest has one of the oldest tree species in the region that stand several meters above the ground. The fresh leaves, fruits and shoots in the forests that enables the survival of many chimpanzees in the forest.
Like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees to live in groups between 10 members to 50 members and always mobile in search for food.
Chimpanzees have 98%of their DNA similar to human beings and therefore most of their behavior is the same as humans,(clapping, caring for the young ones, eating amongothers). If coming for a chimpanzee tracking trip, don’t forget acquiring your chimpanzee tracking permit from Rwanda Development Board- RDB, long trousers, long sleeved shirt, heavy jacket, and rain coat as well as the heavy jungle boots for a wonderful tracking trip.
The Improved Infrastructure
Rwanda is now a base to visit East African destinations: Located in the heart of central and East Africa with easy access to bordering countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi , Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. Rwanda is an ideal location for travel within the region for conference and leisure tourists
Despite the 1994 genocide that claimed so many lives in Rwanda, Rwanda is one of the most developed and clean countries in Africa. Since this political unrest, Rwandan government took it to their responsibility to re-establish the country and in peace full conditions. The great economic transformation in Rwanda is by her developed infrastructure both in the rural and urban areas of the country.
As to this, the Rwandan government, in its struggles for a better living in the country aimed at improved social, economic services as well as the infrastructure and with this the country has been able to establish big hotels, hospitals, education centers, ICT centers, a good and efficient road network, water and rail way transport as well as air transport among others.
And currently Rwanda has the best improved infrastructure (roads, airports, schools) in East Africa. Rwanda’s road network system is so developed and matches with the international road network standards. And due to this efficient and effective transport network, one can easily access the various tourist attractions in the country, especially to the forest areas, national parks where possible Unique assets: It offers tourists a one of a kind journey home to one third of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas, one third of Africa’s bird species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserves, resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.
Safe and easy to get around with short distances to diverse destinations: Rwanda is a thriving, safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Africa . All major attractions are located along a circuit within 1-5 hour drive from the capital , Kigali. In a short vacation, a tourist can reach volcanoes, rain forests, savannah, islands, lakes and the beautiful city of Kigali.
In addition to her well-developed transport network system, Rwanda is established with fully furnished hotels in various kinds that is; the very expensive luxurious hotels to the small income budget hotels. And all these do offer wonderful services to all their customers especially the travellers. These hotels are evenly distributed in the city center and even in the major national parks in the country. And this explains the rising numbers of visitors in Rwanda most especially the tourists.