RWANDA AS A DESTINATION

Rwanda is a mountainous area which lies in the central part of Africa and is divided by the Rift Valley. There is an extensive mountain range extending from the north to south. There are many attractions in Rwanda which are spread throughout the country. Rwanda attractions mainly include national parks, museums, falls and lakes. Kigali, the capital does not have many tourist attraction spots. The most interesting Rwandan attraction is the A'Kagera National Park which is located on the eastern part of the country. The national park comprises of a variety of wildlife animals and is the home of more than 500 kinds of birds. It comprises of Lake Mungesera and the Rusumo Falls. 

The Parc des Volcans is one of the last sanctuaries where one can find the mountain gorilla. This region also has two active volcanoes. Lake Kivu is another popular Rwandan attraction which provides the opportunity for a variety of water sports and excursions on the lake. The Rugege Forest has some rare species of wildlife animals. 

The surrounding city of Butare also a host of Rwandan attractions and one can find some interrsting craft shops, a botanical garden and museums. Beaches also form an essential part of Rwandan attraction. Tourists can visit an extensive range of beaches in Rwanda and have lots of fun

1. The Gorillas in the Virunga Mountains 

The gorillas in these mountains are shared with countries like the Uganda and Democratic republic of Congo. These three countries share the few remaining gorillas in the world. People frequent Parc National Des Volcans to track these humble giants that have endured civil and world wars. People come from allover the world to spend one hour with these great apes. Looking through the eyes of these humble giants (Gorilla), gives you a feeling that triggers a question in your mind that goes "Why, why, why, not protect" they are really exhilarating. More information about the gorillas 

2. Genocide memorial 

Rwanda has tow genocide memorials one is Ntarama church that is about 5 km down a right-hand fork that branches off the Nyamata road roughly 20 km outside Kigali. This church has been left empty just as it was after removing the bodies with scraps of personal items like clothes on the floor. Next to this church is a building where other people seeking safety where massacred. The other church is just is at Nyamata 30 km from Kigali which was a site of horrible massacre. The bodies where also removed although blood stains remain on the walls. A courtyard was dug outside the underground chamber and that's where the skulls of many victims are being displayed. While visiting this memorial you will be told to sign a visitor's book from which you might spot lots of people's names that are familiar. 

3. Kabgayi Church museum 

3 km from Gitarama along Butare road lays the massive cathedral of Kabgayi. This is the oldest in the country dating back in 1925. This was the first settlement area of the Catholic Bishop. With a huge size and peaceful interior the church is worth a visit and there is a small museum besides it. 

4. Akagera National Park 

Named after the Akagera River running along its eastern boundary, Akagera NP is warm and low-lying with undulating plains supporting a cover of dense broad leafed trees with acacia woodlands and grasslands. 

The park harbours over 20 mammal species. The eastern side is wet and it is known to harbour almost the largest number of hippos is Africa. Other animals to view on the lakes on the eastern side are crocodiles, Lions, leopards and black rhinos which are present in small numbers. You can go for boat trips on Lake Ihema to view some of these animals. For birders this is another paradise on earth, the birdlife is extraordinary: not only the rarities that will have passionate birdwatchers in ecstasy but also Africa's most inspiring concentration of big waterbirds. A visit in this park is truly rewarding 

5. Nyungwe forest 

It is a montane forest that is remarkably rich in biodiversity with 75 mammal species, 120 butterflies, 275 birds and over 100 varieties of orchids. The forest is well known for its primates and chimpanzee tracking can be arranged at a short notice and at small fee. Other primates in this forest include several other monkeys L'Hoest monkeys. The roads to the forest are good and with excellent rent houses and campsite to provide the necessary services to you while in the forest. A nature walk through this forest can be truelly rewarding. 

6. Musanze cave 

Musanze is believed to have been constructed by a local king and that it has been used a refugee on several histories whereas during the 1994 Massacre it was used as a killing site and recently the place is still littered with human remains. Musanze the now Bat colony is located in Ruhengeri 2 Km from the Gisenyi road. It has an entrance a large as a cathedral. The entrance is littered with marked black volcanic rubble and at the opposite end there lies a natural bridge formed from the lava flow from one of the Virunga Mountains. 

7. Hotel des Milles colline; 

A hotel in Kigali that is attracting people's attention of recent due to the "Hotel Rwanda" movie and its contribution to Rwanda. The Hotel is known to have housed and protected over 1,268 people under the management of Paul Rusesabagina. Paul took over management of this hotel afew days after the start of the genocide and this was as after the European managers had been flown out. Paul and his wife used to bribe the Hutu Interahamwe Militia with money and alcohol to keep them from killing the refugees. 

8. Rusumo Falls 

The falls is located at the Eastern part of Rwanda at the boarder with Tanzania. Its is an amazing and spectacular falls that is a part of the distant headwaters of the river Nile. It's not worth missing while crossing the border of Rwanda with Tanzania. 

9. National Museum, 

This is located in Butare city in Huye and it is known to be the most tourists' attraction in Butare. The museum is known to have probably the finest ethnographic collection in the whole of East Africa. It has spacious rooms that allow the exhibitions to be appreciated and enjoyed. Exhibitions provide information not only on pre-colonial history but also on the process of development of the country (Rwanda) to her modernity today. AT the museum you can organise for the Ntore dancers to entertain you in the traditional dances of Rwanda. 

10. Lake Kivu 

Located in the Albertine rift and apart of the Great Rift Valley, Kivu is a large fresh water deposit that marks the western border with DR Congo. This lake is a tourist's centre with fresh waters safe to swim. It has nice beaches with splendid landscapes and the sunset is usually astounding. You can spend a weekend on one of the beaches.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN KENYA

1. Masai Mara National Park

.Having been declared the seventh natural wonder of the world, the Masai Mara is awe inspiring in its great scenic beauty and abundance of natural wildlife. It is charming and one of the most well known of Africa’s game reserves. BorderingTanzania it is also host to the annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti that is a spectacular wonder in its self. Over a million wildebeest thundering over theMasai Mara plains in search of grazing land, territorial conquest and mating absolutely breathtaking!

.The Masai Mara National Park has been the inspiration to some critically acclaimed film and books and it has also inspired the hustle and bustle of excited tourists and nature lovers. The Masai Mara is within the Great Rift Valley and is named after the charismatic Kenyan tribe, the Maasai. The Masai are spread across the Tanzanian and Kenyan border and are easily recognized by their red cultural attire. In theMasai Mara National Park one may even spot the usually rare Black rhino, the reclusive leopard and what can be found in great abundance are hippo and the Nile crocodile.

Travellers must take into consideration while planning their trip that the rainy season is between April and May and then again in November. As a result of this some areas may be inaccessible.

2. Mount Kenya

This notable landmark is situated just north of the equator and holds second place in the category “Africa’s highest mountain”, measuring in at 17,058 feet. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano located almost 200 km from Nairobi, attracting thousands of local and international climbers annually for the arduous climb to the peak. Even though some might have assumed otherwise, Mount Kenya is actually easier to climb than its Tanzanian cousin, “Mount Kilimanjaro”.

Formerly known as Mount Kirinyanga, Mount Kenya it is one of the few places within close proximity to the equator that still maintains glaciers. Mount Kenya is situated in Mount Kenya National Park and offers dramatic natural beauty and game viewing. The mountain also offers a diversity in fauna and flora that differs dramatically in concentration from the foot of the mountain, along the slopes and at the mountain peak. Mount Kenya National Park also has a variety of endangered animal species well worth seeking out, such as the Albino Zebra, Sunni Buck and theMount Kenya Mole Shrew. 

3. Amboseli National Park 

This is one of Kenya’s most popular national parks and is located at the foot ofMount Kilimanjaro, making it the main feature of photographic safaris in Amboseli National Park (240 km from Nairobi). This national park in Kenya is home to over 50 species of animals, over 400 species of birdlife, as well as being the homeland of the Maasai tribe - known for their synergistic existence with their environment. A unique feature of Amboseli National Park is that it is drained by swamps and springs fed by underground rivers created by the melting snow from Mount Kilimanjaro. 

4. Tsavo National Park

Split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, this is Kenya’s largest national park, spanning 21 000 square kilometres. Tsavo National Park boasts 1000 different species of indigenous African plants, 60 African mammal species and 4 African rivers. The African Big Five includes lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard and can be found here amongst the graceful African antelope, gazelle, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and host of smaller African animals. 

The diverse eco-systems found in Tsavo National Park are fascinating and range from Semi- Desert, Savannah and Acacia Woodlands to Forests and Riverine Vegetation. Another interesting feature of the Tsavo National Park scenery are theBaobab trees, which are one of Africa’s most enigmatic trees known to have a lifespan of over a 1000 years.

5. Lake Naivasha 

This fresh water lake is a tranquil place to relax for both tourists and locals and also provides fertile ground for fruit, vegetables and vineyards with a large bird population. The Lake was named Lake Nai’posha meaning rough water by the Masai people because when the wind becomes particularly strong it produces high waves and was mispelt by the British to Naivasha. The lake is surrounded by forested areas and abounds in African animals. The Hell’s Gate National Park is situated on the banks of Lake Naivasha. Sunsets spent on the boating trips are superb offering peace and serenity. 

6. Equator

Kenya is one of the few countries in the world enjoying both North and South Hemispheres, separated by the Equator. The Equator in Kenya is situated nearMount Kenya, featuring memorable photo safaris at the Equator line, encompassing the centre of our planet Earth. African weddings and honeymoon safaris are also popular at Mount Kenya, overlooking the Equator, symbolising the union of two individuals at the Equator. 

7. Nairobi
The capital city of Kenya, Nairobi is the powerhouse of East Africa. Nairobi is also the gateway city to safaris in East Africa; and is regularly visited by world-renowned dignitaries, as well as UN relief aid workers focusing on Somalia, Ethiopia and neighbouring Sudan.

Nairobi tourist attractions include the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Snake Park and shopping at the bustling African markets.