Why you must make a Rwanda Safari this year

Rwanda is found in East Africa in the west of Uganda in the Eastern rim of the Albertine rift valley and this makes it the smallest landlocked country in East Africa.Due to its peace and culture, it has become one of the rapidly growing countries in terms of both cultural safaris and gorilla tracking. This is happening after Rwanda experiencing genocide in 1994 which disorganized its tourism industry. Sometimes Rwanda is referred to as a ‘land of a thousand hills’ simply because of its beautiful numerous hills that leave visitors wondering whether it’s the highest point in the world.

 

Today the country receives more than  500 international tourists on a daily basis and it’s regarded as a safe place for adventure. Having a Rwanda Safari is very easy because the distances are relatively small and the paved roads are generally in good condition.

You will never regret having made a  Rwanda safari since your warmly welcomed by the local people and you get to visit the following places; five volcanoes in a row and the biggest concentration of mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe forest –a tropical rainforest with chimpanzees, Red-tailed monkey, large troops of Angolan Colobus, blue monkeys and Patas monkeys.

Visit the western and central Rwanda where there are steep mountains lying at evolutions between 1500 and 2500 meters above sea level. Lot of hiking opportunities through the beautiful sceneries is given by the Virunga volcanoes. In the Eastern parts of the country (boarder with Tanzania), lies the steep mountains. The lower lying terrain is part of the Lake Victoria basin, with the Kagera River. This wonderful Ecosystem is much protected by Akagere National Park.

Apart from being the cleanest country in East Africa, Rwanda is a tropical country and much of it lies in the African plateau. Therefore Rwanda has a tropical climate, with temperatures between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius during the day and between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius at night. Rain in Rwanda is experienced from March to May, and October to December.This known-calm climate favours tourism throughout the year.

Kinyarwandais and French are the mostly used languages in Rwanda, but English is also widely spoken. The currency is the Rwandan French (RFr). Beautiful things about Rwanda can’t be exhausted but making a Safari to the country is more ideal.

Nyungwe Forest National Park - Rwanda Safaris

Nyungwe Forest National Park extends for 1,000 sq.kilometers across the majestic hills in the southeast of Rwanda.The park is one of the oldest in Africa and its the largest block of the montane forest in central and East Africa

A bird at Nyungwe Forest National Park

The park's richness in floral diversity plus over 250 different types of trees,and a myriad of numerous flowering plants for example,the rare worldly giant lobelia and colourful orchids,makes it a desirable destination to tourists.

Nyungwe Forest National Park has over 13 primate species in total such as the human-like chimpanzees,handsome L'Hoest monkey,owl-faced monkeys,vervet monkeys,Grey-cheeked mangabey,olive baboon,Rwenzori colobus,Den't mona monkey,3 species of bush baby and different troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus.

The park is also a birding paradise with a wide collection of birds (over 300 bird species), among which 2 dozens are restricted to a few of the Montane forests on the Albertine Rift Valley.
One of the rare-to find bird but found at the park is the great blue turaco. This bird is not easily seen in Africa because it stays in specific places with specific conditions.It is a red and green bird that streams from tree to tree just like a psychedelic turkey.

Activities at the park
-Nature walks: walking through an extensive network of well maintained walking trails as you enjoy the beauty of the vegetation,i s one of the unforgettable adventures that he park provides.These trails lead to various waterfalls and viewing points in different corners of the park.
-Chimp tracking:this is done from the forest and its a guided activity.While tracking,several varieties of other smaller primate species are seen.
-Birding:serious birders may never want to leave Nyungwe Forest National Park due to the diversity of the bird species.With over 300 bird species,birders can spend more than 4 days just looking for some hiding birds.
-Taking photographs:One can take a beautiful photo with a chimp or in the trees of the forest.
Other activities include;scaling Mt. Bigugu,excursions to Lake Kivu and expedition to Kamiranzovu Marsh.

Accommodation at the Park
-Nyungwe Forest Lodge:
This is an Eco-lodge situated in the tea estate that overlooks Nyungwe forest.The lodge has comfortable rooms and health clubs.The rooms have en-suite private bathrooms with warm water.
-Gisakura Guesthouse:this is just 2 km from the park.

Alternatively,one can stay at Uwinka Rest House or ORTPN campsites.