Top things to do in Rwanda before or after your gorilla trek
But this spellbinding country offers so much more for those who take the time to spend a few extra days before or after their mountain adventure. In this article, we’ll introduce some of the top things to do in Rwanda, whether you’re after a classic safari experience, a lakeside retreat or want to better understand the genocide of the 1990s.
Go sightseeing in Kigali
Sprawling across several hills in the heart of Rwanda is the friendly capital, Kigali, which is one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa. It’s home to international embassies and consulates, which has resulted in an abundance of globally-inspired restaurants and a pulsing nightlife. While most travellers only see Kigali from a car window as they make a beeline for Volcanoes National Park, there are plenty of reasons to linger a little longer.
Not to miss is the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which documents the atrocities that took place in Rwanda in 1994. It was established not only in memory of the victims but as a place to educate both locals and tourists about the impacts of inciting hatred and the importance of promoting peace.
If you want to pick up traditional handicrafts, such as woven baskets and woodcarvings, head to the lively Caplaki Crafts Village. Brightly coloured textiles are piled high at the Kimironko Market, alongside fresh produce and household goods, while the Inema Arts Center showcases local artists.
Occupying the former Presidential Palace is the Rwanda Art Museum where you’ll find contemporary paintings and sculptures, as well as exhibits about the country’s past. Also within the grounds is the debris from a presidential aircraft that crashed here in 1994, making the Rwanda Art Museum one of the top attractions in Kigali.
After a strenuous (but rewarding) trek to see the mountain gorillas, perhaps all you want to do is relax and Lake Kivu offers this in spades. Sprawling across 2,700 square kilometres, this sparkling oasis features emerald-green waters surrounded by mist-shrouded mountains that are best admired from one of the lakeside towns.
Near the northern tip of Lake Kivu is Rubavu where you’ll find a sandy beach and inviting waters, all just an hour from Volcanoes National Park. Once a colonial beach resort, Rubavu is clustered with beautiful old mansions, several of which are now occupied by bars where you can enjoy sundowners at the end of the day.
From Rubavu, the Congo Nile Trail extends 227 kilometres south to Rusizi, taking in terraced slopes blanketed in agricultural fields. Best explored on foot or by bicycle, this legendary route is a great way to experience the “real Rwanda” as you pass through small villages and banana plantations.
If you prefer to admire the beguiling surroundings from the water, why not rent a boat to cruise to one of Lake Kivu’s islands, the largest of which is Idjwi. Multi-day kayaking trips are another idyllic way to explore this majestic part of Rwanda at your leisure.
In the far south of Rwanda is Ngungwe Forest, a richly biodiverse tract of montane rainforest that is preserved within a national park. It's home to more than 1,000 known plant species and 300+ birds, as well as 75 different types of mammals.
Nyungwe’s most famous residents are its population of chimpanzees, which have been habituated in the high-altitude landscapes. Guided treks to come face-to-face with these primates are rapidly becoming one of the top activities in Rwanda and permits are just a fraction of the cost of gorilla trekking.
Aside from spotting Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, owl-faced and colobus monkeys, you can also experience the only canopy walk in East Africa. Stretching for just over 90 metres, it offers a unique view of the canopy high above the forest floor and offers spectacular panoramas of the surrounding mountains. If you’re not into heights, there are plenty of other hiking trails to explore, including the popular Igishigishigi Trail.
While some tourists make a quick stop in Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas before or after an East Africa safari, you can also enjoy a classic big-game viewing experience in Rwanda. Hugging the country’s border with Tanzania is Akagera National Park, which was originally founded in 1934 and is now one of Rwanda’s top tourist destinations.
Akagera encompasses magnificent tracts of savannah, montane woodlands and wetlands that provide a habitat for zebras, giraffes and hippos. Populations of lions and rhinos are steadily on the rise and your chances of seeing elephants and Nile crocodiles are high.
Birdwatchers will find no shortage of inspiration, with more than 480 different species recorded within the park’s boundaries. Just as impressive as the animals that reside in Akagera are its landscapes themselves, ensuring that a safari in Rwanda is sure to be memorable.
At this open-air museum in Nyanza, you can walk through a replica of a Rwandan king’s palace dating from the 15th century. Complete with a thatched roof, this beehive-shaped dwelling lies alongside a fresh milk hut, which would traditionally have been managed by an unmarried woman.
Also forming part of the complex is a colonial-style residence that served as the home of King Mutara III Rudahigwa during the mid-20th century. Its rooms elegantly combine traditional Rwandan design aesthetics with European-style furnishings, with several pieces personally owned by the king.
Behind the palace live a herd of long-horned inyambo cattle, which are considered sacred as descendants of the king’s herd. In times gone by, they played an important role in ceremonies and were elaborately decorated with jewellery. Throughout the day, you can listen to singers lulling the cows with traditional poems in a ritual that is unique to Rwanda.
A visit to the King’s Palace Museum can easily be combined with a stop at the Ethnographic Museum, which is located near the town of Butare. It was gifted to Rwanda by the Belgians on the 25th anniversary of independence and now boasts one of Africa’s most impressive collections of cultural artefacts.
Across several galleries, you’ll be transported back to Rwanda in the centuries prior to colonisation, with animal hide garments, woven baskets and traditional spears on display. Also exhibited are antique agricultural tools and musical instruments dating back hundreds of years. A highlight of any visit is seeing one of the live handicraft demonstrations.
Little-known Gishwati Mukura National Park lies near the shores of Lake Kivu on a ridge that divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas. It was designated in 2015 to preserve one of the few remaining montane rainforests in Central Africa after severe depletion by cattle ranching and subsistence farming during the Rwandan genocide.
Today, the forest is home to around 60 different species of trees and a troop of around 20 chimpanzees. Guided treks offer sightings of these playful primates, as well as golden, L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys. The birdwatching in Gishwati Mukura National Park is also exceptional, with several species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift calling the forest “home”.
A visit to Gishwati Mukura National Park is not just about discovering the region’s natural wonders but also its cultural riches. Community-based activities abound, including handicraft and beekeeping demonstrations, farm stays and the opportunity to learn from traditional healers.
Topics: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in the “Land of a Thousand Hills”
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