The Best Destinations in Rwanda

Aptly called “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is a vibrant and beautiful country. Its location near Congo in the heart of Africa has gifted her with stunning scenery featuring mountains galore. This along with its enticing cultural heritage makes Rwanda an incredible trip for anyone with a desire to explore. It is also a country with a tragic past and offers profound lessons from which to learn.

We offer you this guide to the best destinations in the country, to make your trip very memorable!

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Volcanoes National Park

Few places in Africa compare with excellent gorilla viewing more than Volcanoes National Park. But along with that epic exploration comes a hefty price, and reserving your spot months in advance is key. The recent price hike from $700 to $1,500 for gorilla permits by the Rwanda Tourism Board will stop many visitors from coming. However, if you can, it truly is an amazing experience! They strive for sustainability in tourism, and this way of traveling is the wave of the future.

The park is named after the dormant chain of volcanoes that make up the Viruga Massif - with Karisimbi as the highest peak at 4,507 meters (14,787 feet) above sea level. These lands are protected, largely due to the population of endangered gorillas and a rich mosaic of ecosystems in this montane forest land.

If you do decide to visit the gorillas, there are rules to follow. Gorilla viewing is restricted to one hour, and while picture taking is encouraged, flash photography is NOT allowed. Neither is eating or drinking during your visit. You'll be assigned to a small group of other fellow gorilla lovers (about 8 people total), to visit one of twelve gorilla tribes. Conservation is widely practiced with respect to viewing wildlife, so these restrictions are necessary.

The gorilla trek starts at the headquarters of the park at the entrance in Ruhengeri, where you will be welcomed with songs and dancing. You will meet your guide and then head out with your group to your gorilla tribe's location.

Even if you are not able to secure a coveted spot for gorilla viewing, do not despair. There are other treasures to behold in the park. Consider a cave exploring tour. The caves were formed 62 million years ago, and visits are organized through the RTB and start in Kinigi. Volcanoes National Park is also an important birding area with over 200 species of birds, including the Albertine rift. The rare golden monkey can also be found here.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

As one of Africa's largest and oldest protected rainforests, this National Park has one of the largest concentrations of chimpanzees and other primate species. Nyungwe is a 5-hour journey from Kigali, so you will want to spend at least one night in the area. This is an important place for biodiversity and is a high priority for forest conservation in Africa. With 1,000 plant species, 13 species of monkeys, and over 75 species of other mammals, it comes as no surprise that conservationists consider this a valuable
section of the continent. Sightings of Angolan colobi, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, and Dent's monkey are virtually guaranteed.

The bird watching is among the best in Africa, with over 300 species of birds, including the red-collared babbler. Orchid lovers will marvel at the 140 different types of orchids. About 120 species of butterflies can also be enjoyed.

As you can imagine, hiking here is second to none. As you venture out into the lush, mist-covered rainforest, the forest canopy holds all manner of incredible foliage and wildlife. Memorable moments include hiking to the Isumo waterfall and along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge. The rainfall is so plentiful here that the forest supplies up to 70% of the country's water.

Lake Kivu

This gigantic lake on the northwest border of Rwanda near the Congo should be high on your list. It is the largest body of water in the country; indeed, it may seem like an ocean as you can't see the other side from its shores. Gisenyi (Rubavu) lies on the shores of Lake Kivu, and is as close to a resort beach destination as there ever was in Rwanda.

Kibuye (Karongi) is another lakeside destination popular with tourists, and worth checking out as it is one of the most scenic towns in the country. Steep hills falling into the deep green waters of the lake make for a very picturesque town. Rwanda's environmental museum is housed here. Rent a boat and visit nearby islands, not least of which is Napolean Hat Island. Do you like bats? Then this is the island for you! Fruit bats aplenty make their home here, and you can see them up close and personal.

Lake Kivu is devoid of hippos and crocodiles - this makes the lake a natural choice for kayaking, as the waters are safe. You can't say that about any other lake on the continent of Africa! And while there are many great resorts, hotels, and lodges on the lake, outdoor enthusiasts will love the many options for camping, especially on the uninhabited islands.

Akagera National Park

This park is the only area of Rwanda that offers the potential for seeing the Big Five on safari: African lion, African elephant, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and African leopard. Although the most famous safaris of the Masai Mara and the Serengeti are not far away, save yourself an added trip through customs and visit Akagera for a similar safari experience. Giraffes, antelopes, and zebras are also prevalent, and more common for viewing. It is about a 2.5-hour drive east from Kigali.

Start your journey at the south end of the park, then drive north. There are a few places to stop along the way for picnicking or resting. Just be mindful when you are having your picnic lunch - you'll never know when you may run into a 'wild' resident who may get too close! If you choose to stay overnight, you have three options: camping in the park, the Akagera Game Lodge, or Ruzizi Tented Camp.

Akagera's story is remarkable. After the genocide of 1994, people fled here to survive and much of the natural resources (as well as most of the animals) were depleted. Since then, the national park is enjoying an incredible revival, and tourism is back in full force, always with conservation at the forefront of local's minds. The habitat is rich again with biodiversity in the form of lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains, and woodland. Kigali

Kigali

The capital city of Kigali is the heartbeat of Rwanda. It's long rolling hills dotted with houses are punctuated with small skyscrapers to mark the city's skyline. Motorbikes buzz around and the entire city is clean and quite safe. Wide, tree-lined boulevards and lovely squares are a joy to stroll around. The locals are warm and welcoming, should you need assistance or just want to have a friendly chat.

Its location in the center of Rwanda makes for the perfect home base as you plan your other activities around the country. Good roads link to the rest of the country and the city enjoys a progressive vibe, with just over a million residents.

Kigali is known for their lunch buffets. For a set price, you can enjoy a wide assortment of different African cuisine. Dine on fried fish, vegetables, meat stews, soup, rice, cabbage salad, and even French fries! Food prices are inexpensive, from 2,000 to 3,000 Franc (approximately $2.50 to $3.50 USD). An afternoon at Kimironko Market is just the thing to do after a satisfying meal. Browse hundreds of stalls selling clothing, fabrics, food, electronics, and other gadgets. The fabrics in particular offer incredibly beautiful and bright patterns, perfect for making your next dress. You can even pay a little extra to have the dress or other garment made for you!

Kigali also has an emerging arts scene. Stop by the Kigali Cultural Village, where local artisans and food vendors exhibit and trade or sell their goods. Shopping malls and office buildings give this city a truly cosmopolitan feel.

Of course, no visit to Rwanda would be complete without going to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is a heart-wrenching experience, but one not to miss and an important part of the country's history. The memorial is a center for education and peace-building and honors the memory of over one million Rwandans who were killed in 1994. Burial gardens and permanent exhibitions form a meaningful homage to those who died, while also providing a profound education to tourists.

Support Local Women by Shopping

During your travels in Rwanda, you will no doubt run into several cooperatives and social enterprises, with many things you can buy to take home as a token of your time here. Where else can you buy something as gorgeous as a colorful bag for as low as five dollars? Hand-made items such as woven baskets, earrings, and crafts are available. Each purchase goes to help local women to support their family, while also providing them business skills and English training.

The best times to visit Rwanda are the dry months, June through September. But no matter what time of year you decide to go, the beauty of Rwanda is everywhere, from its rolling hills to the smiles of the people you will meet here. But don't forget its tragic past; the genocide that happened less than two decades ago still lingers here and is an important part of the country's heritage. Since then, the country has united and prospered, and welcomes tourists with open arms. Respect this deeply humbling aspect of Rwanda in the people you encounter, and you will have a wonderful time.

Top Ten Scariest Places on Earth

There are many places in the world that for some unexplained reason just gives people the creeps. Whether you are a horror movie fan, believe in ghosts, or just want to challenge yourself, visiting a creepy place is a unique experience that you should try. Here's a glimpse of some possible spots for a visit that could boast being the scariest place on Earth. 

Island of the Dolls, Mexico 

If you have a doll phobia, you might want to avoid this place. Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls) is hidden deep in the canals of Mexico City and can only be reached by boat. Although it is quite a challenge to get here, many tourists flock to this island to see thousands of creepy dolls mostly hanging from trees and mutilated. 

Legends claim that the occupant of the island found a girl who drowned in the area. Shortly after that, he found a doll. This prompted him to collect baby dolls, as well as Barbies, which he hung around the island. The number has astonishingly reached to more than a thousand. 

Aokigahara Forest, Japan 

Forests usually invoke a sense of peace among travelers. However, Japan's Aokigahara Forest is different. This unusual place sits at the foot of the picturesque Mount Fuji and is one of the most popular suicide destinations in the world. 

Since the mid-20th century, many people have ended their lives in this forest, and the number keeps increasing every year. In 2002 alone, there were more than 70 suicides in the forest. The year after, over a hundred bodies were found at this site. 

It is easy to get lost in the 4,000-hectare forest of Aokigahara. Now, police have put numerous signs in the area to dissuade suicides. Volunteers cleaning the area often find the corpses. However, there are still unrecovered bodies in the virgin forest. 

According to authorities, there are only three kinds of people who visit the forest. First, are the tourists who want to appreciate nature. Second, curious people who are there for the thrill. The last type includes people who do not want to leave the forest. 

Hill of Crosses, Lithuania 

Although crosses might not necessarily seem creepy, the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania adorned with 100,000 crosses will definitely chill you to the bone. This eerie site was a popular destination for pilgrims. Here, you can find many designs and sizes of crosses. Most of them were placed here by pilgrims who wished for a miracle, which is a tradition which dates back to 1831. 

Hanging Coffins, Philippines 

Coffins are usually buried six feet under the ground. However, in Sagada, Philippines, the case is different. Here, the dead are not buried. Instead, they are hanged along the side of a towering cliff. This tradition can be traced back to over two thousand years. The Igorots made their own coffins, and when they died, they were lifted next to their ancestors in the coffins they made themselves. 

According to belief, the higher the body is hoisted up, the more they are closer to the spirits of their ancestors. The Igorots are said to be fearful of being buried underground because they thought they might rot quickly. By hanging the coffins on a cliff, they believed that their bodies stayed safe. 

Overtoun Bridge, Scotland 

In the mid-1860s, a philanthropist and industrialist built a mansion named the Overtoun House. This castle has a bridge that towers 15 meters above a creek. Weirdly, this bridge has a bizarre effect on dogs. This bridge inexplicably is known to cause dogs to leap to the creek below, which usually leads to either injuries or death. In the 1990s, a story of a border collie was picked up by the media which made this bridge a famous tourist destination. 

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan 

If there's an entrance to hell in this world, it may be in Turkmenistan. The Gates of Hell started to burn in 1971 when a drilling rig punched a hole to the ground which caused natural gas to escape. To put a stop to this environmental issue, the Soviets set it on fire, and it has not stopped burning since. 

Capuchin Catacombs, Italy 

Palermo in Italy boasts one of the most morbid places on earth. Although it may look like any other building from the outside, the Capuchin Monastery is home to over 8,000 impeccably-dressed corpses. The oldest corpse here passed away in 1599. Additionally, the catacombs are divided into corridors which host different people. There is a dedicated wing for professionals, religious pillars, and many other groups. 

Alcatraz, California 

Alcatraz has been many things: a fortress for the civil war, home for birds, and a prison. In 1946, prisoners attempted to escape from the area and started a hostage crisis. As a result, over 18 people were injured, and five people were killed including three prisoners and two officers. Since then, it has had a haunted reputation. According to people, Al Capone, who used to be an inmate, can be heard playing the banjo in the prison cell. Another mobster, Alvin Karpis, is said to haunt the kitchen and bakery. 

Amityville House, New York 

For fans of the films and the book, visiting the Amityville Horror house is a must. This home is shrouded by a scary tale. In 1974, Ronald DeFoe killed all six members of his family in this very house. Its neighbors have also reported paranormal activity in the vicinity.

Pripyat, Ukraine 

Abandoned cities are famous for standing still in time, and Pripyat is no different. In fact, Communist propaganda can still be seen on its walls and clocks still point to 11:55, the very moment the power got cut off. The ghostly ton of Pripyat was abandoned more than three decades ago due to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster which killed 30 people. Pripyat was the closest town to the disaster, and over 49,000 people were forced to leave. It even has schools, a hospital, parks, and many more establishments. 

Now, the area's wildlife is thriving despite its radiation levels. Fortunately, animals have not exhibited mutations. However, there are some plants which glow due to the high nuclear level in the area. 

An Experience of a Lifetime 

If you want to deviate from the usual vacations involving pristine beaches and world-class resorts, spooky places might be a great choice for you. Experience paranormal activity, take a stroll in suicide destinations, and immerse yourself in past prisons; the possibilities are endless.

Have you been to any of these places? Do you have other ideas to ad to our list? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.