14 Things to Do in Rwanda: Rwanda is an incredible destination and one of the magical destination on the continent, commonly known as a land of a thousand hills- this beautiful country has a lot to offer and below are the amazing things to do.
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Horse Riding at Fazenda Sengha
If you love horses as well as great views, Fazenda Sengha is a must visit place when in Kigali. Take a taxi up the rocky ground on Mount Kigali until you reach this horse ranch.
During your visit you will have a guide or two to show you the best views on horseback, to enjoy the experience make sure you wear long pants, borrow riding shoes and you must wear a helmet. You will go in a circle on the mountain until you reach the ranch again.
Caution: At the end of the day, expect your legs to be sore the next day.
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Safari in Akagera National Park
As the only savannah park in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the best place to go for a Big 5 Safari in Rwanda. A safari in Rwanda is really worth it as you get to see a ton of lions, plenty of hippos, zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos among others.
On a classic game viewing safari in an open land cruise, where the top lifts off and you can stand and enjoy the view.
While in Akagera National Park, you are not allowed to get out of your vehicle, there are no fences within the park, and you will never know when an angry hippos is going to charge use. Also note that there are few bathrooms throughout the park, so don’t worry about that.
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Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking is one of the best things to do in Rwanda, the country is best known for an encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas are only found in three countries that is Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park on the earth. The park borders the Congo, which means the gorillas actually freely roam between Rwanda and the DRC. However, because the DR.Congo is not currently safe, they typically stay in Rwanda.
The Rwandan park officials take great care of the gorillas, they live in their natural habitat, are free to move as they please, but the park trackers protect them from any traps or poachers. Both of these things are illegal in Rwanda, but have been an issue in the history of gorillas.
Trekking permits cost $1500 per person, but they are so worth it if you can afford it.
To take part in gorilla trekking, you must get your gorilla permit well in advance as there are limited number of permits per day.
In groups of 8 people, you are assigned one of twelve gorilla families on the day of your trek and this is done at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. Here you will be welcomed and entertained with songs and dancing from the local people, meet your group and guide, then be sent out to your respective gorilla group’s location.
The Actual Gorilla Trek
Gorilla families could be really far away from park headquarters, which is totally normal. Expect to drive about an hour away to your starting point. The actual hike through the forest takes approximately 2 to 6 hours, but varies depending on where your gorilla family.
The guides know where the families are because of the trackers. When you reach your family, you get one hour with them. Definitely, there is no touching allowed, human disease is the number one killer of gorillas. If you are sick you are not allowed to trek.
Sometimes the younger gorillas come up to you.
Caution! – Photos are allowed but flash photography is not
Guides actually can communicate with the gorillas through making noises, so it is actually safe that is if you are able to respect the gorillas and know if your presence is welcome.
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Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkey trekking is another amazing primate safari in Rwanda, done in Volcanoes National Park.
A golden monkey permit costs $ 250, which is considerably cheaper than gorilla trekking.
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Taste the Local Cuisine
Rwandan food isn’t really famous but it is worth trying while on a Rwanda Safari
There are so many delicious local foods to try out and the favorite food to most travelers is Sambaza, little fried fish. Some of the favorite resturants in Kigali to eat out at include The Hut, Bourbon Café, apyrus, Le Panorama (at Hotel des Mille Collines) and an incredible Indian restaurant called Khana Khazana.
Things to note when eating in Rwanda
- Your food could take up to nearly an hour to arrive, this is total normal. In fact, go ahead and expect it and enjoy your leisurely slow paced vacation
- If you are not eating at a hotel, and are eating at a local restaurant, beware: if you order fish, you might get a full fish, fins, head, and all.
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Visit Hotel Des Mille Collines
Renowned as Hotel Rwanda, this historical Hotel is a great place to stay at while on a Rwanda Safari. The hotel tells the story of how the manager took in a ton of refugees during the genocide, staying at the hotel in incredible.
It is a four-star hotel with a gorgeous lobby and pool.
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Lake Kivu
The beautiful Lake Kivu is the biggest lake in Rwanda on the northwest border, shared by Congo and it can be seen from Gisenyi. There are a lot of boat tours offered at Lake Kivu to enjoy the beauty of the lake.
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Glamping
At Lake Kivu, you can do glamping at Inzu Lodge. The lodge offers tent-style rooms or a bungalow. The bungalow has its own bathrooms and shower which is nice, the on-site restaurant is fantastic.
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Hot Springs
These beautiful hot springs are reached on a boat on Lake Kivu, here you get to enjoy a local leg, shoulder and arms massage done by the local people.
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Pfunda Tea Plantation
The Pfunda Tea Plantation is found in the neighborhood of Lake Kivu, approximately 9 kilometers from the town of Rubavu, employing hundreds of people and thus improving their daily livelihoods.
Here, visitors get to learn to tea is picked and learn how the green leaves picked from the tea estate are proceeds and packages for market consumption by the production team into black tea, green tea, and specialty tea.
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Historical Sites
Sadly, Rwanda is best known for the genocide that tore the country apart in 1994. Since then the country has healed tremendously and now there are many places that you can visit to remember what took place and see just how devastating it.
Some of the amazing historical sites to visit in Rwanda include Kigali Genocide Memorial, King’s Palace Museum and Rukari Palace Museum among others.
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Umuganda
Umuganda is a monthly community service day special to Rwanda. In the aftermath of the genocide, Umuganda allows the Rwandan people to serve their communities together in harmony.
Travelers are able to participate in Umuganda most especially if you are in Rwanda on the Saturday of Umuganda. This service is joined by the president of Rwanda.
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Local Shopping
As a traveler, you will absolutely love bringing home something new and local from your travelers in Rwanda. There is plenty of shopping at amazing prices in Rwanda. Some pieces to buy in Rwanda include circular goat fur rugs, woven carpets among others.
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Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee trekking is another exciting primate safari in Rwanda to enjoy, chimp trek is done in the southwestern forest of Nyungwe which is home to the largest chimpanzee population in Rwanda and one of the biggest populations in Africa.
Just like golden monkey trekking and gorilla trekking, you are allocated only one hour of being in presence of habituated chimpanzee family.
