Rwanda-Rwanda safaris, rwanda tours, where to go and when to visist | Rwanda national parks
RWANDA SAFARI AND TOURIST INFORMATION
Rwanda is truly a touristic destination basing on its interesting features regardless of how it has taken for it to recover from the recent political turmoil .the country is under a landslide development as result of great opportunities being put in place for one to experience the Beauty of Rwanda. Akagera National park, the game drives and chances of viewing the big five are worthwhile all is adventurous, Kigali city tour for the ride across the genocide memorial sites and amazing Kigali city with its architectural designs, Virunga ranges, its half day's hike is both physical, exciting and adventurous, Nyungwe forest for its amazing golden monkeys, parc national des volcanoes and Dian Fossey for the trekking of the endangered rare mountain gorillas. Rwanda is located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda in the North, Tanzania, and Burundi.
Size
Rwanda has a total size of 26,338 square kilometers,
Geography
Rwanda is located on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift, a western arm of the Great Rift Valley, on the watershed between Africa's two largest river systems that is the Mighty River Nile and the Congo River. Much of the country's land is mountainous and the highest peak is Karisimbi which is at 4,507m high in the volcanic Virunga Mountains which are protected by the Volcanoes National Park.
Population
The country has a population of about 10 million.
Money Unit
Rwanda’s unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr).
Getting There
All international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, just 10 Km from central Kigali. International flights and Airlines operating in Rwanda are SN Brussels, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express.
Passport and Visas
A valid passport with visa is mandatory/necessary to enter Rwanda. The following countries may visit Rwanda without visa for a period up to 90 days: USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong. Visas can be applied for online from the Immigration website or bought upon arrival.
What to do in Rwanda
- Gorilla Tracking Safaris
- Golden Monkey tracking
- Genocide Memorial tours
- City tours
- Cultural tours
- Bird watching
- Boat cruise
- Wildlife tours
- Dian fossey
Where to go in Rwanda/ Paces to Visit in Rwanda
- Virunga Mountains for Gorilla Tracking/Trekking in Parc Des Volcans
- Genocide Memorials site,
- Dian Fossey's Remains-Karisoke Research Center,
- Akagera National Park
- Nyungwe forest National Park
- Musanze Cave
- Gisenyi city
- Virunga Mountains
- Kinigi City
- Ruhengeli Town
- Lake Kivu
- Kigali city
When to visit Rwanda
The country can be visited at any time of year. The dry season range from mid-May to mid-October and this season is easier for tracking mountain gorillas. Peak season for gorilla tracking is July and August, traveling outside this time means it is easier to arrange a permit.
Wildlife
Akagera National Park is the main wildlife park where game viewing can be done. Rwanda has a wide variety of wildlife. These include the endangered mountain gorillas, herds of elephant and buffaloes, Giraffes and zebras milling in the savannah, more than a dozen species of antelope which include the chestnut-coated impala, the diminutive oribi, the ungainly tsessebe, the secretive bushbuck, the statuesque Cape eland etc.
Gorilla tracking safaris
Rwanda is a famous destination for mountain gorilla tracking safaris in Africa. Together with Uganda and Congo, the country protects the remaining few 720 mountain gorillas that thrive in the world. Gorilla Tracking is carried out in five gorilla groups within Parc Nationale des Volcanoes. Gorilla Permits can be arranged by a travel operator, or can be purchased directly through the Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) / The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks, at the headquarters in Kigali, or at their office in Musanze.
Language
French and English are recognized as official languages and the country’s indigenous language is Kinyarwanda and in additional to this. French is widely spoken throughout the country.
Public Holidays
Good Friday and Easter Monday, which fall on variable dates, are recognized in Rwanda. Other public holidays are:
1 January (New Year's Day);
1 February (National Heroes Day);
7 April (Genocide Memorial Day);
1 May (Labour Day);
1 July (Independance Day);
4 July (National Liberation Day);
15 August (Assumption Day);
1 October (Patriotism Day);
25 December (Christmas Day), and
26 December(Boxing Day).
