Remarkable Places to Visit in Rwanda

Remarkable Places to Visit in Rwanda

Once scarred by brutal genocide and plagued by political turmoil for much of the 20th Century, Rwanda has now left the dark days behind and blossomed into one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. Although Rwanda is famous for its many volcanoes, there are many other remarkable places to visit on your next vacation to this fascinating unexplored land.

Perched on a hill overlooking Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum is made up of three monuments, memorial gardens and an interior section of eight rooms housing artefacts and documents from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda that resulted in the deaths of up to 250,000 people, mostly Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

The cemetery at the museum contains the remains of people collected from all over Rwanda who died during the genocide. Every family in Rwanda has a story about their loss in this tragic event.

There are also other memorial sites about the genocide within Rwanda: Ntarama Genocide Memorial Center, Nyamata, Nyarubuye, Murambi Memorial Center and Bisesero Memorial Site. These places also provide a solemn, enduring site of commemoration for survivors and for families who suffered such heartbreaking loss.

A major tourist attraction in Kigali is the Presidential Palace Museum which is the former home of the late Juvenal Habyarimana – Rwanda’s last president before the 1994 genocide.

As well as enjoying the cultural and historical displays, you can explore all the rooms and grounds of the stately home including a chapel, gym, banquet room, a nightclub and even a python pit. Also on view is a wreckage from the Falcon 50 presidential plane which was shot down on 6 April 1994 killing the president and all 12 on board.

Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, located in the Musanze district near Volcanoes National Park, showcases the lifestyle, activities, artefacts, culture and history of the local people.

During your visit, you can join drumming and dance demonstrations, learn secret potions from the medicine man, listen to stories from the elders or taste local banana beer. Don’t miss the hands-on experience of learning local pottery techniques, basket weaving or hunting skills. One of the highlights is participating in a traditional wedding ceremony and its aftermath.

At the end of your stay, don’t forget to purchase locally handmade crafts at the center to take home as mementos or gifts, and to support the community.

Mountain gorilla naming ceremonies, called Kwita Izina, play an important part in Rwanda’s culture and tradition. In September each year, at the end of a week-long program of activities, a naming ceremony is held for newly born baby gorillas in the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve.

Each baby is given a different name to reflect the infant’s story and heritage and to harness good luck and protection. The purpose of the naming ceremony is to make it easier to identify and monitor each mountain gorilla.

This event is not only a celebration of gorillas but also serves to raise aware of the importance of the protected species and their habitats.

Baby namers are carefully chosen to include individuals both globally and locally who have made a great contribution to conservation efforts both in Rwanda and the world.

Kwita Izina also raises much needed funds through ticket sales for the ceremony, and invites the Rwandans to celebrate and preserve their natural and cultural heritage.

Other Remarkable places in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

Virunga Conservation Area is shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a habitat of different fauna and flora. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is part of the Virunga massif that hosts different mammal species and endemic plants. The National park is famously known for its gorilla trekking activities. It is the best place in Rwanda to track the endangered Mountain Gorilla.

Primatologist Dian Fossey dedicated twenty years studying the Mountain Gorillas at Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla tracking is a whole year activity. However, it is best in the dry season months of June to September where trails are drier. Tracking gorillas is considered less strenuous than Bwindi in Uganda. The rangers will do their best to make it a memorable experience. You are allowed only one hour to interact with the gorillas.

Golden monkey tracking is another activity that is available in the park.

Akagera National Park

The savannah reserve has been revamped. It is a Big five destination, thanks to the successful conservation collaboration with African Parks. It is home to a number of mammals and flora. Akagera National Park is a scenic and diverse protected area in Rwanda. It is a habitat of a variety of animals such as elephants, Lions ,black rhino, buffalo, impala, antelope and zebra.

Boat trips along Lake Ihema will bring you close to the hippos wallowing in the water and crocodiles resting along the river banks. The wetlands are home to a variety of water birds like herons, cranes, fish eagles and storks.

Other destinations that you can Visit in Rwanda include Nyungwe Forest National Park and Lake Kivu.