Rwanda is a country that enchants it’s visitors with the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of many colorful birds and the chattering of the rare golden monkey, alongside the grunts and rustling from one of the most important residents, the endangered mountain gorilla. Gorilla trekking safaris are an unforgettable experience that offer a morning hike through the dense forest before finally reaching these creatures to spend an hour observing them in the wild. Gorilla trekking is quite challenging, but almost anyone can do it and the reward outweighs the challenge!

Rwanda will provide a truly magical introduction to the wonders of the African bush. Rich swampland, shimmering lakes, rugged grasslands are all entangled with wild acacia woodland. Nyungwe Forest is one of Rwanda’s biodiversity hot spots with 13 primate species, and offers a variety of activities for travelers, including black and white colobus monkey trekking, swamp walks, waterfall hikes, birding (275 species have been identified in the park and 35 are endemic), nature walks to view the 140 orchid species and raised canopy walk.

Abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes have resulted in tourism becoming one of the biggest sectors in the country’s economy. Rwanda received much international attention due to its 1994 genocide, in which 800,000 people were killed. Since then the country has made a remarkable recovery and is now considered a model for developing countries.

Accommodations within Rwanda range from budget to luxury and include the Kigali Serena, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Lake Kivu Serena, Comoran Lodge, Nyungwe Forest Lodge and others.

Cultural activities center on museums, city tours, traditional lifestyle re-enactments, markets and traditional craft making. Travelers will enjoy searching for a traditional Rwandan basket or contemporary crafts such as jewelry; another favorite souvenir is Rwandan coffee, which can be purchased in Kigali at Bourbon Coffee.

Rwanda is Africa’s most densely populated country and safari travelers will have the opportunity to interact with local Rwandans throughout their visit.