RwandaTourism in Rwanda revolves almost exclusively around the mountain gorillas found in the Virunga Mountains. With easier access and more habituated family groups than Uganda, Rwanda has become a popular gorilla trekking destination. If you are planning a safari to East Africa we can highly recommend a side trip to see the endangered mountain gorillas. Other attractions of interest include treks to see the fascinating and beautiful Golden Monkeys, the Dian Fossey Memorial and Research Centre, the Genocide Memorial and Museum and the vibrant and colourful local markets and villages. |
Rwanda is a land of great diversity and beauty. Popularly known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers. The landscapes in this green country are truly breathtaking. Many a visitor to Rwanda has remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without equal on the African continent. Spectacular volcanoes and dense tropical forests dominate the north of the country, while gentle hills and valleys, calm lakes and turbulent rivers in both savannah and dense tropical vegetation dominate the rest of the country.
"In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat," wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, "are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas". Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions. Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning an ascent.
The bustling market town of Ruhengeri has a memorable setting at the base of the Virungas. On the outskirts of town, the natural bridge at Musanze - a solidified lava flow - is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. Also within easy day tripping distance of Ruhengeri are the seldom visited but lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago.
Nyungwe Forest is a high-altitude, mountainous rainforest in southern Rwanda established as a forest reserve in 1933. The conservation area consists of ove 1,000 sq kms and spanning an altitudinal range from 1600 to 1950 m. (5200–9680 feet). Contiguous with Kibira National Park in Burundi, Nyungwe is one of the largest mountainous rainforests remaining in Africa. Just recently the Nyungwe forest received National Park status, making it East Africa's largest protected high-altitude rainforest.
Nyungwe's biodiversity is astonishing by African standards and is one of the most endemic species-rich areas in all of Africa. Along with its biodiversity, Nyungwe is an important water catchment for Rwanda and contains many natural resources integral to Rwanda's human populations. Rwanda is one of the most heavily populated areas of Africa with over 8 million inhabitants in a country the size of the state of Vermont (USA) and this places Nyungwe under constant threat.
The park contains oer 300 species of birds, many of which are found only in dense forest. Thirteen types of primates reside here, including rare owl-faced monkeys and hundreds of endangered eastern chimpanzees. Black and white colobus monkeys travel in groups of up to 400 individuals. Groups this large are extraordinary for this species or any arboreal primate. Many other mammals such as leopards, servals, genets, hyrax, bush pigs, and duikers live in Nyungwe, but they are less numerous and tend to be much more difficult to observe. An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points.
Set at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park could scarcely be more different in mood to the breezy cultivated hills that characterise much of Rwanda. Dominated scenically by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile, this is archetypal African savannah landscape of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland.
Plans are afoot to re-stock the park after wildlife numbers were decimated in recent times. Until that tme vistors should not expect too much..
Currently tourism in Rwanda revolves predominantly around the mountain gorillas, but in time Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park will hopefully take their rightful place and even even more for the visitor to Rwanda.
Other activities on offer include visits to:
- Trekking for Golden Monkeys on the slopes of the Virungas
- Community projects, basketwork and pottery
- The genocide memorials
- The lava flows outside Ruhengeri town
- Lakes Kivu, Burera, Ruhondo and Karago
- Vibrant and colourful local markets and villages
- Areas of interest to ornithologists – Rwanda boasts 670 species of birds
- Dian Fossey memorial and research centre
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1
Today you arrive in Kigali , where we will meet you and transfer you to your lodge.
Overnight: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Dinner)
Days 2 and 3
Early start to Ruhengeri, to start the Gorilla tracking for these 2 days. The next two days activities may be amongst the most exciting and challenging of our entire expedition. The Mountain Gorillas in the Parc Nationale des Volcanes are part of a worldwide population of just 600 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong either one of four habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.
The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts.
Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to base. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world's truly memorable experiences – a look into one of these magnificent creatures eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. It also brings home the poignant fact that they are on the edge of extinction, and that our presence here contributes to ensuring their continued survival.
Overnight: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge on the first night, Serena Kigali on the second night (Full Board)
Day 4
Depending on flight times you will enjoy a morning tour of the city, followed by an early lunch and a transfer to the airport for our flight out . Early morning flight (6am) also an option depending on your next connection time).
Dramatic. Thrilling. Poignant. The wildlife experience of a lifetime.
The lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible.
The lodge, situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, the chain of 15,000 ft volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, affords wonderful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. Guest cottages and the main lodge building have been beautifully constructed and appointed and the lodge is the perfect base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of Africa.
The lodge is built and operated by Governors' Camps . The lodge is owned by a Community Trust, SACOLA, which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park. Governors' Camp Rwanda Ltd would like to thank the African Wildlife Foundation and Gaylord and Cathy Layton of Tayside Associates LLC for the vital role they played in the development of Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Governors' Camp encourages all clients of Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge to find out more about African Wildlife Foundation at www.awf.org
Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises five double cottages, two suites and one family suite. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster a dressing room and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water.
The main lodge building comprises reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.
The main attraction of Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is its proximity to the Virungas and the Parc National des Volcans where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible. There are, however, a myriad of other excursions on offer including treks to see the fascinating and beautiful Golden Monkeys which are found in the bamboo forests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains and who provide an entertaining viewing as they leap from tree to tree and frolic in the open clearings of the forest.
For all your safari planning enquiries (or for more information on any of our safaris or destinations) please complete the Enquiry Form below. Please give as much information as you can on what you have in mind, where you would like to go, what you are interested in, and if possible, an idea of your budget. Thank you.
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