Top Places to Visit in Rwanda in 2023: Rwanda has a diverse range of landscapes and attractions, from lush rainforests to parched savannas. Although this landlocked country is technically small enough to travel in a day, winding roads, occasionally inclement weather, and arduous treks make many of Rwanda Safari activities impossible to reach. Having saying that, these breathtaking sites are well worth the trip. Here are some places you can visit in Rwanda in 2023;
Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo, one of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountain Range, offers some of the most spectacular vistas in the country. The summit is shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the day-long walk up the craggy mountain is renowned to be challenging but wonderfully spectacular.
IIe de Cyuza
Ile de Cyuza is a lovely island on Lake Burera located in the Musanze region’s twin lakes. It takes two buses, a motorcycle, and a boat to get to the island from Kigali, but the volcanic vistas are well worth the effort. Adventurers may camp on the island, relax on the lakeshore, and immerse themselves in Rwanda’s countryside.
Nyungwe National Forest, located in southern Rwanda, is difficult to get but offers a beautiful rainforest, many tea farms, hundreds of bird species, chimps, and waterfall treks. Public transportation from Kigali to the park is available, however owing to the park’s vastness, private transportation is suggested.
Sorwathe Tea Plantation
The Sorwathe Tea Plantation, located midway between Kigali and Musanze, provides lunch, tea tastings, breathtaking vistas, and a tea manufacturing tour. Unfortunately, public transportation is not an option for getting to the plantation, and the lengthy winding route is rather steep and rocky during the rainy season. Having saying that, the tea and surroundings are very excellent.
Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is Rwanda’s highest volcano, located between the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Karisimbi is a two-day walk at above 4,500 metres. Trekkers may stay in primitive cottages halfway up the mountain and enjoy breathtaking views of Rwanda and Congo.
Cyangugu Town
Cyanagugu, the major town of the Rusizi district in southern Rwanda, may be reached by car in up to seven hours from Rwanda. The roads are improving, but potholes after a rainstorm and sluggish vehicles may make this a long ride. The sparkling clean waters of Lake Kivu, however, and the vistas into the Democratic Republic of the Congo are unparalleled.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only big five safari park, with vast landscapes, marshes, and outstanding wildlife. Though the southern gates are only a two and a half hour drive from Kigali, the northern side of Akagera has the greatest views of the park.
Visit Kibuye Town
Kibuye, a lakeside town just a few hours from Kigali, is readily reached by public transportation from Kigali’s Nyabugogo Bus Terminal. However, the most picturesque lakeside property in the area is located just outside of town and needs a private taxi or motorcycle.
Explore Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile track, which runs along the Rwandan side of Lake Kivu, can take several weeks to trek, cycle, or paddle. However, the vistas are spectacular from anyplace along the trail.
Hike Mount Bisoke
Rwanda’s only Crater Lake is just a day journey away on Mount Bisoke, albeit it requires a bus, vehicle, and climb to get there. Hiking parties are occasionally lucky enough to witness gorilla families on their journey up this volcano, and panoramic views of the Musanze area are almost assured.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Gishwati Mukura, Rwanda’s fourth national park is made up of two different woods, the larger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura, totalling 34 square kilometres plus a buffer zone.
The woods are located on the slope that separates the Congo and Nile water catchment zones, along the extraordinarily bio diverse Albertine Rift in the country’s west. It is made up of 60 different tree species, including native hardwoods and bamboo.
Gishwati is home to a troop of 20 chimps who coexist with golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Blue Monkeys. Birds are well represented as well, with 232 species seen at Gishwati and 163 in Mukura, including Albertine Rift Endemics and forest specialists.
The park is now undergoing extensive landscape rehabilitation. The park’s activities will commence in 2019, and will include a guided nature trek, guided chimp and monkey tracking, Rwanda bird watching, and a visit to the waterfalls.
