Attractions of Rwanda

To help inspire or plan your trip to Rwanda, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Rwanda which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Wildlife attractions in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park The Volcanoes National Park is a forested area in the Virunga Mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is Rwanda's premier tourist attraction, with the mist-covered volcanoes of the Virungas being one of only two locations in the world where you can track a habituated family group of mountain gorillas (the other is Bwindi National Park in Uganda). It was here that Dian Fossey lived and died studying and protecting the gorillas, her efforts made famous in the film 'Gorillas in the Mist'. The opportunity to trek to a gorilla family and spend an hour in close proximity observing these remarkable creatures is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences on Earth. Currently seven of the park's gorilla groups are habituated to tourists with eight permits available for each group every day. The park is also home to 75 other mammal species including elephant, buffalo and the endangered endemic Golden Monkey, a troop of which has also been habituated and can be tracked in the bamboo forests on the lower volcano slopes.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is a forested area in the Virunga Mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is Rwanda's premier tourist attraction, with the mist-covered volcanoes of the Virungas being one of only two locations in the world where you can track a habituated family group of mountain gorillas (the other is Bwindi National Park in Uganda). It was here that Dian Fossey lived and died studying and protecting the gorillas, her efforts made famous in the film 'Gorillas in the Mist'. The opportunity to trek to a gorilla family and spend an hour in close proximity observing these remarkable creatures is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences on Earth. Currently seven of the park's gorilla groups are habituated to tourists with eight permits available for each group every day. The park is also home to 75 other mammal species including elephant, buffalo and the endangered endemic Golden Monkey, a troop of which has also been habituated and can be tracked in the bamboo forests on the lower volcano slopes.

Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park Akagera National Park provides a traditional East African safari in a Rwandan setting, located in the savannah landscape along Rwanda's eastern border with Tanzania. Though quite a small park (and not in the same league as the famous East African reserves), it has populations of many of the African mammals of interest including elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippos, as well as small numbers of leopards and lions. There are also excellent bird watching opportunities with some 530 species noted such as shoebills and red-faced barbets.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park provides a traditional East African safari in a Rwandan setting, located in the savannah landscape along Rwanda's eastern border with Tanzania. Though quite a small park (and not in the same league as the famous East African reserves), it has populations of many of the African mammals of interest including elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippos, as well as small numbers of leopards and lions. There are also excellent bird watching opportunities with some 530 species noted such as shoebills and red-faced barbets.

Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest Nyungwe Forest covers some 1000 km² in the southwest of Rwanda and is an area of huge biodiversity. Primates are the main attraction here, with some 13 species identified, including some habituated groups of chimpanzees and colobus monkeys that can be viewed on guided treks through the park. Other primates include L'Hoest's monkey, owl-faced monkey, silver monkey and red-tailed monkey. It is also an excellent place for bird watching with some 270 species found here. There are many walking trails throughout Nyungwe Forest which can be explored on guided tours. Several of these depart from the Uwinka reception centre which include the chance to walk along the new 200 metre canopy walkway which offers spectacular views of the forest. The longest trek in Nyungwe is the Congo-Nile Divide Trail, a 3-4 day trek along a ridge that forms the continental divide between the Congo and Nile watersheds.

Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest covers some 1000 km² in the southwest of Rwanda and is an area of huge biodiversity. Primates are the main attraction here, with some 13 species identified, including some habituated groups of chimpanzees and colobus monkeys that can be viewed on guided treks through the park. Other primates include L'Hoest's monkey, owl-faced monkey, silver monkey and red-tailed monkey. It is also an excellent place for bird watching with some 270 species found here. There are many walking trails throughout Nyungwe Forest which can be explored on guided tours. Several of these depart from the Uwinka reception centre which include the chance to walk along the new 200 metre canopy walkway which offers spectacular views of the forest. The longest trek in Nyungwe is the Congo-Nile Divide Trail, a 3-4 day trek along a ridge that forms the continental divide between the Congo and Nile watersheds.