Must-see tour Areas of Rwanda

While the name Rwanda echoes to many with sounds and visions of the 1994 genocide, the last 20 years have seen this landlocked country transform into one of Africa’s best-kept travel mysteries. The Land of a Thousand Hills may not brag of the big-game wildlife safaris of its East African neighbours, however the astonishing natural beauty of its landscapes and the resilience of its people captivate those who make an effort to visit. Here are five of Rwanda’s most charming destinations to get you inspired.

1. Kigali

To many, their Rwandan Gorilla Safari begins or ends in the capital Kigali. This remarkably neat city, set over a cluster of hills, comes as an astonishment to many tourists accustomed to the chaos of many African capitals. Its wide, leafy streets, magnificent restaurants and rubbish free walkways show Rwanda’s future direction, while its violent past is not overlooked at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. The exhibition hall not just powerfully points of details the 1994 genocide of about one million Tutsis and some Hutus within the country, but also serves as a place for survivors to remember friends and family and move on.

For a look into Kigali’s vibrant street-life, you shouldn't miss a visit to the Nyarmirambo district located in the southwest part of the city where Muslim porters from Kenya and Tanzania initially settled, making a vivid group offering a portion of the city’s best photographic opportunities.

2. Virunga volcanoes

Straddling the outskirts of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga Mountains are not just home to the charismatic mountain Gorilla, but as well offers some of Rwanda’s most stunning trekking experience. Adventure into the spectacular trails along the slopes of Virunga’s eight volcanoes to take in the dramatic views, ancient forests and rich  birdlife, or take off the to the air on a grand flight to gaze straight down into their craters. It was here that Dian Fossey did her Gorilla research at the Karisoke Research Center, set deep within the mountains, and her grave now lies nearby and can be visited on some trekking routes.

3. Lake Kivu

While Rwanda can’t claim a genuine ocean shoreline, it has Lake Kivu. This magnificent lake of turquoise water is one of Africa’s awesome lakes, settled within rolling hills patched-worked in crops and small villages. The town of Gisenyi boasts of a beautiful waterfront location on Lake Kivu’s shores, only a short drive from Volcanoes NationalPark, with a lot of resorts where you can rest your exhausted trekking muscles, and also hot springs just outside of the town. Kibuye father south is another peaceful beautiful spot where dug-out canoes slowly ply the waters and island excursions take you to remote towns set inside the Lake where life moves at an enticingly sleepy pace.

4. Congo Nile Trail

Gisenyi marks the start of the legendary Congo Nile Trail which stretches out 227 kilometers south to Rusizi. It takes in stunning lakeside agricultural scenery, including coffee and tea plantations, and is an extraordinary way for the adventurous to dig deep into the rural heart of Rwanda. The entire route can be travelled over a ten days hike or five days cycle, but shorter sections are equally rewarding for those short on time, offering a taste of this off-the-beaten path adventure.

5. Nyungwe National Park

Located in Rwanda's southwestern corner, the Nyungwe National Park covers 1,000 square kilometers of rich, untouched rainforest, home to a great biodiversity and the memorable Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safaris. It is believed to be one of the continent's oldest rain forests, traversed by climbing and biking trails that take you through its cool, misty interior to gushing waterfalls. A birder's heaven, it is home to more than 300 avian species, together with chimpanzees and Ruwenzori black and white colobus monkeys. Its renowned for the famous canopy walk which is definitely a highlight, offering visitors a bird-eye view of the forest canopy, set 50 meters over the ground.

From the jungle-clad inclines of the Virungas to the country’s rural heart encompassing Lake Kivu and the flawless streets of its cosmopolitan capital, Rwanda is a country firmly moving forward. While the past is always remembered, the confidence of this country is irresistible and its beauty will stay in your memory well into the future.