Kigali and the gorillas, then Akagera's wildlife

When in Rwanda, live the Rwandan way of life and dig into the nation’s café culture. Since the country’s biggest exports are tea and coffee, you can’t afford to miss out on them because the tea sourced from Rwanda is low in tannins, and the coffee is delicious. We're sure you'll take home a few bags of coffee from this country to enjoy long after your trip is over. Begin your day with a tour of Kigali city. A hub of architectural design, art, and history, we recommend that you pay a visit (and your respects) to the Kigali Genocide Memorial where the names of the lives lost are displayed on a plaque. Kigali is home to a variety of museums that are filled with relics and artifacts about Rwanda’s history and is also a favourite spot for lovers of arts and crafts. We’re sure you’ll love every one of them, but do ask your guide about the must-sees. Feed your inner shopaholic with trips to the Kimisagara and Kimironko Markets. At Kimironko, you can roam the fabric markets and get yourself a new outfit stitched within one hour! Kimisagara Market, on the other hand, is a food lover’s paradise. Sample the local cuisine or pick up some fresh fruit for your onward journey – this market is your key to learning more about the local lifestyles. From Kigali town, we will travel to Volcanoes National Park, which takes its name from the chain of dormant volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountains that divide DR Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Home to the endangered mountain gorilla and the Dian Fossey Research Base, this national park comes alive with the calls of over 200 species of colourful birds and the chattering of the rare golden monkey. A walk into the lush forests comprised of bamboo, open grassland, swamp, and heath is sure to reinvigorate your soul and senses. During your two day-stay in the Volcanoes National Park, you’ll be given a presentation by the gorilla doctors at your accommodation detailing their experiences with the gorillas. You’ll gain a fabulous insight into the lives of these magnificent creatures, listen to some anecdotes, and learn a lot before you head out the next day for a gorilla trekking experience with a park ranger. The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is memorable, some even say life-changing.

Rwanda’s rhythm is palpable. Whether you're exploring urban settlements, watching silverback gorillas, or strolling down the Nyungwe National Park cable car, the community pulse lets you blend in with your surroundings. Our next stop is Africa’s oldest rainforest Nyungwe National Park, which is in the southwestern part of Rwanda along the border with Burundi. The National Park features 15 exploration trails alongside a host of other activities for visitors to engage in, such as the Kamiranzovu or Isumo Waterfall Walk and Chimpanzee trekking. While there are approximately 1,068 plant species to be found in Nyungwe, the park is a birdwatcher’s paradise with 322 bird species to gaze the skies for – butterflies are also a common sight with at least 120 species being identified in the past. Besides a chimpanzee trek, you can delight in taking an easy walk to see the colobus and the endemic L’Hoest’s monkeys. Nyungwe National Park is a must-see since it receives plenty of rainfall during the two wet seasons and is a water source for about 70 percent of the country’s population.

The final stop before heading back into urban city life is the Akagera National Park. The site was severely degraded by poachers and refugees of the 1994 genocide but has been given new life through extensive and innovative conservation efforts. Bordering Tanzania, the Akagera National Park is named for the Kagera River, which flows along its eastern boundary. That is home to the “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, African buffalo, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and 490 bird species. Akagera National Park can only be explored using a vehicle – whether you choose to drive yourself or are part of a safari team, the best way to see this 1,122 km2 forest is to have a tour guide accompany you. It’s a great way to learn facts about the different mammals and birdlife that are park residents. Another highlight of the Akagera National Park is a boat trip on Lake Ihema where you can spot hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds. Some birdlife to look for are the most sought after Red-faced barbet, Grey-crowned cranes, shoebills and several Nightjar species. Conservation efforts have meant that the game has been allowed to flourish within Akagera so game drives are warranted when visiting East Africa. A fantastic destination to soak in the vibe of Rwanda before heading home, Akagera National Park appeals to the novice and seasoned explorer and nature lovers alike.

After your stay at Akagera National Park, it’s time to head back into human civilisation and make your way home (or to another tourist destination) from Kigali. Safe and secure, Rwanda is arguably the best place for African montane birding, while simultaneously exploring more species of primates than you ever knew of. It’s not just the flora and fauna that satiate the soul – the Rwandan culture, people, and way of life make you appreciate the little things. From Intore dancing to Imigongo, every experience of Rwanda is difficult to be had in a single visit. If you leave Kigali on the last Saturday of the month, you will see locals participating in "Umuganda. It is a ritual in which all able-bodied people come together to work for the good of their neighbourhood and the whole country. Locals will set about giving their time and effort to public service projects such as litter clean-up, tree planting, building houses for the vulnerable, and more. It’s no wonder that Rwanda is Africa’s cleanest nation! With a wealth bank of photographs, stories, anecdotes, and other memories, we at IE would like to say ‘Urakoze’ (thank you) and ‘Urabeho’ (goodbye). We hope that Rwanda’s magic has inspired and coaxed you enough for another visit to ‘Le Pays des Mille Collines’.