There are lots of amazing places to visit in Rwanda. From towns and cities to wilderness regions including national parks, there are great destinations out there to visit during your holiday;
Cities;
- Kigali
- Butare
- Musanze
National Parks
- Volcanoes National Park
- Akagera National Park
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Gishwati National Park
Lakes & Rivers
- Lake Kivu
- Lake Muhazi
Regions
Kigali: The Heart of Rwanda
Start your journey in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city. Known for its cleanliness, safety, and progressive development, Kigali offers a blend of modernity and tradition. During your time in the city, visit Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda’s tragic past and its remarkable journey toward reconciliation and unity.
Kigali also features a number of local markets like Kimironko where you will see several things about Rwandan culture, buy traditional crafts, and sample local foods.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
It’s hard to imagine that just a couple of decades ago, Rwanda was in the midst of a horrific genocide that would leave more than 800,000 people dead in just 100 days. The country has come a long way from the devastating massacre, but the impact of this relatively recent history has left its mark on the lives of everyday people and generations to come.
Tourists can learn about this horrific event at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The haunting museum dives into the timeline that led to the 1994 genocide, bringing the horrors to life through halls of photographs, artifacts, and information. The main exhibit hall wraps around poignant sculptures and features stained-glass windows that cast a hopeful glow on the space.
The museum continues with another permanent exhibit on the history of genocide around the world and intervention efforts from international communities, helping to put the Rwandan genocide into context.
The museum also includes an emotionally charged Children’s Room dedicated to the youngest victims of the genocide. It keeps their memory alive through oversize portraits of the children, some of whom were just infants when they were killed, and personal details about the victims, like their nicknames and favorite books.
While heartbreaking, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important part of being a responsible tourist in Rwanda. Give yourself time to contemplate the experience and have a moment of silence for the 250,000 victims interred at this site at the memorial’s Gardens of Reflection.
Address: KG 14 Ave., Kigali
Gorilla guardian village
Also known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, gorilla guardian village, located near Volcanoes National Park, is the best cultural destination in Rwanda allowing travelers to experience traditional Rwandan life, including dance performances, music, and the chance to learn about local customs and practices.
For another encounter, you can visit Ingoma Nshya where you will experience the power of Rwanda’s women’s drumming group, who perform traditional drum music and dance, offering a glimpse into the country’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Lake Kivu
Palm-lined shores of Lake Kivu
Shared between Rwanda and the DRC, lies within the Great Rift Valley, and the Albertine rift eco-region. The lake covers an area of 2700 sq km and lies 1460m above sea level. It is 89 km long, 48 km wide, with an average depth of 220m and a maximum of 485m. it flows into the Ruzizi river which feeds Lake Tanganyika.
After all your outdoor adventures, you’ll be ready to kick up your feet—and there’s no better place to relax in Rwanda than at Lake Kivu. The 2,700-square-kilometer, emerald-green oasis, surrounded by misty mountains, is Rwanda’s largest lake.
Soak it all up from Rubavu, a resort town on the northern tip of Lake Kivu. It has a lively waterfront, sandy beach, and stunning resorts (including the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel). A few days in this peaceful town will leave you restored.
Get even closer to the landscape with Kingfisher Journeys. The tour operator can arrange a stunning sunset kayak trip with singing fisherman on Lake Kivu, as well as multi-day paddling adventures that will leave you in awe.
Historical Sites
Rwanda encompasses a number of historical sites in different regions but the most common ones are;
Nyanza Royal Palace: Located in the southern part of Rwanda, Nyanza was the historical seat of the Rwandan monarchy. The restored palace and traditional huts offer insight into the country’s pre-colonial history.
King’s Palace Museum: Explore more about Rwanda’s monarchy at this museum, where you can learn about the royal customs and see the impressive long-horned cattle, known as Inyambo, associated with Rwandan kings.
The fresh milk hut at the King’s Palace Museum
If the country’s impassioned conservation efforts don’t convince you that Rwandans have a reverence for animals, a visit to the King’s Palace Museum certainly will. The star attraction at the museum (one of Rwanda’s eight national museums) are the inyambo (sacred cows) and their staggeringly large horns. Throughout the day, traditional singers lull the cows into a mellow state by belting poems—a ritual that’s unique to Rwanda.
The museum itself is just as interesting as the four-legged creatures out back. It showcases a replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof, royal hut, and fresh milk hut traditionally run by an unmarried woman.
Tourists can also explore the colonial-style home that was once the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa in the mid 20th century. The interior design is particularly striking, blending Rwandan patterns with European-style furniture (some of which was actually owned by the king).
Address: Nyanza Road, Nyanza District, Southern Province
Ethnographic Museum
One of Africa’s best collections of ethnological and archeological artifacts can be found in Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum, located about 130 kilometers south of Kigali in the district of Huye. Belgium gifted the museum to the city in 1989 in honor of the 25th anniversary of Rwandan’s independence.
The Ethnographic Museum’s seven galleries take tourists back in time to precolonial Rwanda. You’ll see an impressive collection of woven baskets, traditional garments made from animal hides and woven grass, spears and bows, musical drums from hundreds of years ago, and old farming tools.
Tourists can step inside an authentic royal home and learn how it was constructed. The museum also hosts live handicraft demonstrations.
Address: RN1, Butare
In conclusion, Rwanda offers an extraordinary mix of wildlife, culture, history, and natural beauty. Whether you’re trekking through dense rainforests, relaxing by a serene lake, or immersing yourself in vibrant local traditions, Rwanda is a destination that promises adventure and discovery at every turn.
Kibuye
At Kibuye, to its south, tourist activities are centered on a modern lakeshore guesthouse overlooking pine-covered hills seemingly transplanted from the Alps. Different again is Cyangugu, close to Nyungwe Forest, whose more subdued tourist development is compensated for by a stirring setting of curving inlets winding into narrow valleys.
Gisenyi
Gisenyi, the most developed of these resorts, lies less than an hour’s drive from the Volcanoes Nationalpark, and is set on a sandy beach lined with swaying palms and colonial-era hotels that exude an atmosphere of tropical languor.
King’s Palace Museum
While on a Rwanda safari, make sure to visit the King’s Palace Museum, which was the official residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa until the mid-1900s. This museum showcases a magnificent colonial-style mansion. You will also like the flavor of fresh milk derived from bovines with elongated horns.
The Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum, situated in the Huye area of Rwanda, approximately 130 kilometers south of Kigali, contains a remarkable assemblage of items encompassing both ethnology and archeology.
The Ethnographic Museum showcases a remarkable assortment of woven baskets, traditional attire crafted from animal hides and woven grass spears and bows, ancient musical instruments, and antique farming tools. These exhibits provide visitors with a captivating glimpse into precolonial Rwanda.
Explore the Prominent Urban Areas
During a safari in Rwanda, you have the opportunity to see different towns throughout the country, each offering unique sights and activities. Some recommended destinations are Kigali City, where you can embark on a guided tour and visit several tourist attractions, including as the prominent Nyamirambo mountain and the culturally rich Muslin Quarters. Explore the town of Gisenyi, which boasts a plethora of attractions to behold. Some of the activities offered include access to the public beach, an exhibition showcasing a diverse range of African artworks, and further options.