How to sell Rwanda

Travellers visiting Rwanda tend to do so to go gorilla trekking. It is certainly one of the country’s main drawcards but delve a little deeper into the country and you will find it has so much more to offer.

You could be mistaken for being in a different country when visiting Rwanda as it is unlike other African countries, maybe even unlike any other country in the world. You can forget the raw, authentic and traditional Africa. The roads are impeccably maintained, rubbish is nearly non-existent and the feeling of safety is strong.

Rwanda is refreshingly different – a progressive Africa that is quickly moving forward, that is considerate of the environment and conservation, that values the expression of arts and culture and where things are going well.

Known as the “land of a thousand hills”, green is a word that best describes Rwanda. Not only green in colour, with the rich rolling hills that are ever present on the horizon, but green on sustainability and conservation.

Single-use plastic bags are illegal in the entire country and will be confiscated upon arrival. Dubbed the Singapore of Africa, you can clearly see why the moment you arrive in Kigali – it is astonishingly clean by any standards.

Rwanda is one of just two countries where you can see mountain gorillas and have a Big 5 Safari experience. Traditionally, travellers have visited other East African countries like Kenya or Tanzania and then added on Rwanda for the gorillas. Now, there is no need to jump around countries as Rwanda offers a diverse range of experiences.

Who goes to Rwanda

Rwanda is a destination that attracts adventure travellers, those who are keen to trek with gorillas and hike mountains. It is fast becoming a destination to watch for luxury travel also, so couples will find a romantic escape to Africa experience in Rwanda. The country is safe and well-developed so families and solo travellers can travel around the country with ease and peace of mind.

How to get to Rwanda

Kigali International Airport, but sometimes referred to as Kanombe International Airport, is the main airport serving Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Air access from Australia can be tricky with lengthy connections. Most popular routes from Australia are via Johannesburg is South Africa with Qantas or South African Airways, Qatar airways via Doha and Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi with limited transits. Other airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and the national airline Rwandair fly from East Africa into Kigali.

Top 10 things to do in Rwanda

A land of a thousand hills, Rwanda also has a thousand experiences to be had. Here are some of the must-do and see experiences in Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking

Today nearly half of the world’s 1000 remaining mountain gorillas live at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Virunga Mountains of central Africa. The best place to witness these mountain gorillas is during a visit to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. A permit with set you back USD$1500, of which the money is put straight back into the protection and conservation of the gorillas. It is advisable to hire a porter (cost USD$15) for your trek, not only for the unfailing assistance as your trek and climb, but to help fund a living to the once poachers that pilfered the national park. It gives them incentive to stay on the anti-poaching path.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial provides a better insight into Rwanda’s harrowing past. The memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. It is a place for remembrance and learning. While there are several memorials around the country, the Kigali Genocide Museum is the most popular to visit. A tour of the entire memorial takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes. The memorial is open seven days a week, however on the last Saturday of every month, the memorial is open from 1:00pm to 5:00pm due to Umuganda, when all Rwandans meet to undertake community work. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a guided experience. Visitors can choose to be guided by one of the staff witnesses or purchase the KGM digital guide which provides an audio-visual tour of the memorial. Costs start from USD$15.

Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

The largest tropical afro Montane rainforest east or central Africa, Nyungwe forest is probably the most preserved forest in Africa. Nyungwe Forest National Park was established as a national park in 2004 and some say it is the most important site for biodiversity in Rwanda. It is home to over 1000 species of creation after all. Nyungwe is located near Cyangugu town in South western Rwanda, about 225km and a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali. It is bordered by the Rwanda-Burundi border in the South. Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo lie on the west side of the park. It covers an area about 1020 sq.km and has an elevation of 1600-2950m above sea level. Roads that wind over hills and through tea plantations lead you to Nyungwe forest national park.  Here you can experience Kamiranzovu swamp, hiking trails through out, the forest canopy walk, birding, primate tracking and more.

Spot Big 5 in Akagera National Park

Located in North Eastern Rwanda, at the country’s border with Tanzania, is Akagera National Park. A common view around Rwanda, the mountainous scenery surrounding Akagera National Park is quite simply beautiful. The landscape inside the park ranges from low, wide, plains dominated by grass and cactus-like Euphorbia candelabra shrub that morphs into both thick and thin forests amongst rugged terrain that is so characteristic of Rwanda. It is here you can experience the Big 5, and more, in Rwanda. The game drive experience is a scenic one, with wildlife like elephants, rhino, buffalos and antelope species including; elands and topis. There are also Maasai girafffes, monkeys, savannah birds, civets, leopards, hyenas, as well as serval cats. While you can self-drive around the park (staying on the designated roads), it is recommended you hire a guide who is so knowledgeable about the flora and the fauna that is found in the park.

City stay at Kigali Serena Hotel

On a boulevard in the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, in a secure location just a five-minute walk from the CBD, lies Kigali Serena Hotel. The 5-star property boast features you have come to expect from the Serena Hotels Group mixed with a rich blend of Rwandan heritage, art and culture. The 148 sophisticated rooms and suites at Kigali Serena Hotel provides a private and peaceful retreat with a host of leisure amenities. Location is key at the Kigali Serena Hotel, in the city’s business and social epicentre. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the Central Business District and ten kilometres from Kigali International Airport. It is a short walk into the town centre which is a buzz with shopping, restaurants and bars.

Experience culture and community at Red Rocks Rwanda

Red Rocks Rwanda is an Ecotours company and a social enterprise that is all about the community, and beyond thus promoting sustainable tourism through community and conservation programs. They bring under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and support community development projects that help people help themselves through their initiatives. You can stay at Red Rocks in their budget accommodation ranging from a hostel room and an ample tranquil campsite. You can choose from a bed in a room (single, twin, Double), big safari tents, or a campsite with tents available for hire. Bathrooms are shared and have hot showers, soap, and towels provided.

While there, engage with the local resident artists and buy some handicrafts or join the women for dancing, drumming and banana beer making. There is also the opportunity for basket weaving, farmland tours and so much more.

Tea Plantations and the Pfunda Tea Factory

Visiting a tea plantation may not be the most obvious of things to do in Rwanda, but in the province of Gisenyi, one of the best activities to partake in is just this. During the rainy season Pfunda plantation‘s tea production is in full swing, and a tour of the premises allows visitors to amble amongst the surrounding crop fields and soak in some knowledge on the art of tea making, from picking and drying, to cutting and shipping. Pfunda is one of the most sustainable tea companies in the region, employing local community members to ensure that the region feels the direct benefits of the business.

Singing Fishermen of Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and located on the country’s western border. The atmosphere around the lake is relaxed and communal. The two biggest towns on the Rwandan side of the lake are Kibuye and Gisenyi, and both are excellent locations for solo excursions. Gisenyi, the bigger of the two towns, shares a border with the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and thus has a larger selection of restaurants, bars, and general activities. However, kayaking, hikes, boat rides, and more are available from both towns. Buses run from Kigali to Kibuye and Gisenyi fifteen times a day, leaving from the Nyabugogo Bus Terminal every thirty minutes starting at 7 am. It is here you can see the famous Singing Fishermen of Lake Kivu as they head out in their three-hulled fishing boats. With characteristic long poles attached to their bows and sterns, these fascinating boats become slowly silhouetted against the darkening sky. In small groups, they seek the deep water a few kilometres out into the lake from where they cast their nets and fish throughout the night.

Cultural Experience at Gorilla Guardians Village

In Musanze you will find the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village), an award-winning venture that was founded in 2004 and is owned entirely by local communities. Since its inception, the Gorilla Guardian Village has significantly helped in improving the livelihoods of communities living near the Volcanoes National Park, which houses the mountain gorillas. The venture offers employment to hundreds of former poachers and potential poachers, thereby curtailing human pressure on the Volcanoes National Park. Set in a replica of the traditional Rwandan palace, here you’ll be regaled by Rwandan Intore dancers and drummers, Batwa pygmies will showcase their bow and arrow skills, while a little village walk will introduce you to the local community’s way of life.

Visit the Palace and the King’s Cows

The King’s Palace, located in Rwanda’s Nyanza ya Butare district, was the traditional seat of Rwanda’s kingdom. This historical location was of key importance during the colonial era. The ancient palace has been reconstructed in Rukari and visitors can now explore the replica King’s Palace, built using traditional materials and methods. Learn about the evolution of farming and building through the centuries, and then venture into the grounds to meet the long-horned cows, known as Inyambo. They’re beautiful to look at, with a stately elegance you don’t generally expect from cows, until you learn they’re part of the royal heritage, used in many important ceremonies. You can find out about the breeding techniques and listen to the amahamba songs the shepherds sing as part of the grooming process.

Make friends with locals

At first, the Rwandan people appear shy and withdrawn, but if you open up and talk to them you will find a friendly and often cheeky nature with them. The best way to immerse yourself in a country is to talk to the people who live there. Try and learn some of the local lingo, which helps and impress when you can greet people in their own language.

How to book Rwanda?

Travel agents can book through their dedicated Africa wholesaler in Australia, including packages with tour operators utilising fully escorted tours and FIT package options. When booking direct, it is recommended you use trusted companies such as Amahoro Tours. Where Wild Things Roam Travel have packages for Rwanda for travellers looking to be more involved with the conservation and community experiences in Rwanda.

How to learn more about Rwanda?

You can contact Visit Rwanda via the website www.visitrwanda.com for any queries. There is an upcoming Rwanda Rwanda Training Session with Amahoro Tours & Red Rocks Rwanda via Zoom webinar on Wednesday 12 April at 8:30am. To register, please click HERE. If your office wants one on one training, please email contact@capturedtravel.com