Believed to be one of Africa’s oldest forests and sat in the southwest pocket of Rwanda, is the breathtakingly beautiful Nyungwe National Park and Forest. This lush and vibrant green rainforest covers over 1,000 square kilometres and its dense bamboo, grasslands, tea plantations, swamps and bogs make the perfect home for a diversity of wildlife – from chimpanzees to rare species of bird.
Located in the west of the country, dominating the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the sixth largest lake in Africa, Lake Kivu. Covering more than 2,500 square kilometres, the lake is particularly deep (with a maximum depth of 485 metres) because of its position on the rift valley and exposure to volcanic activity. Along the lake border are a series of towns that are well worth a visit, especially as it sits on route between two wildlife destinations in Rwanda – the Volcanoes National Park and the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
The capital of Rwanda is different to many other African cities. Whilst it is fast-growing and home to the largest business centre in the country, Kigali is also referred to as a ‘garden city’, with quite a relaxed atmosphere. Instead of skyscrapers shaping an intimidating concrete jungle, Kigali’s low-rise buildings, colourful markets and tree-lined avenues attract tourists from across the world to explore what the city offers.
It is estimated that only around 800 mountain gorillas remain in the wild today and the Virunga Mountains that straddle the countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home more than half of these incredible primates. The Rwandan section of the park is called the Volcanoes National Park and whilst it is one of the most biographically diverse areas on the planet, the main attraction is to trek through the jungle to come face-to-face with the majestic gorillas.
