Rwanda is Beyond Gorilla Trekking Adventure

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Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Rwanda is so famous for the gorillas which are seen in Volcanoes National Park and these gorillas attract most of tourists to visit the land of a thousand hills only to trek gorillas. Many tourists do not know that Rwanda offers many other interesting activities that can be done in addition to the gorilla trekking experience. Apart from gorilla trekking safaris, there are a number of tourist activities that can be done in Rwanda in order to create unforgettable memories and these activities include the following;

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park. The chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is one of the most exciting wildlife adventures after the gorilla trek. The chimpanzees are man’s closest relatives sharing more than 98% DNA, so an encounter with them in their natural environment is very revealing as you will observe their unique characters, their community organizations, classes, and leadership structures. There is a lot of similarities between chimpanzee and human society organization. Chimpanzee trekking permits cost USD150 each and the permits should be booked in advance through a trusted tour company or direct through Rwanda Development Board.

Big five safari in Akagera National Park. During the game drives, one can be able to see the famous big five such as Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant in Rwanda.  Rwanda has the big five in Akagera National Park and you should not fly to another country with the aim of combining the big five safari with the gorillas yet you can see both of them in Rwanda. And Rwanda being a small country, you can do a safari trip to Akagera park and see the big five in one day and the following day travel to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Birding. Rwanda has been off the bird watching grid for a long time but birders are now discovering what a gem it is. This small country boasts more than 700 bird species meaning you can tick off as many birds in the shortest time possible. The mountain forests in the Albertine rift valley that runs through the western part of the country host many endemics of the Albertine rift and are the biggest pull for birders to Rwanda. These are supplemented by several other biomes and rich diverse habitats in Rwanda.

Biking along the Congo Nile trail. If you love biking, Rwanda is one of the best places for biking or cycling experiences. The amazing rolling landscape, cool weather, nice roads, a safe countryside, strict speed rules for motorists, many beautiful viewpoints and many interesting activities to do and places to see along the way.

The most popular biking or cycling trail is the Congo Nile trail in the mountainous western part of Rwanda that runs from Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south going along the Lake Kivu and winding up in the foothills of the Virunga mountains in the north. You can also safely bike in the well-organized capital City Kigali.

Go Kayaking or Boating on Lake Kivu. One of the most unique experiences on a Rwanda safari is visiting Lake Kivu, which feels worlds away from the dense, humid, rain forests of Nyungwe, Gishwati, and Volcanoes National Parks. Lake Kivu is nestled in Africa’s Great Rift Valley surrounded by jaw-dropping mountains with deep, emerald green waters covering a surface area of 1677 square miles.

As you get close it feels warmer, the air feels lighter and less humid. A new resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, the Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel surrounded by a natural landscape in Bwishyura.

From the resort, you can join in on a kayaking tour with a private guide. We highly recommend doing one at sunrise or sunset when the sun reflecting on the calm waters puts on a spectacular show. At dawn and dusk, the sound of local fisherman singing carries across the water as they paddle in unison.

If kayaking is not your thing, the resort also has two motorized boats that can take you on a luxurious cruise around the islands.

Community and Cultural experiences. Rwanda has a rich culture with many traditions. You can experience these traditions by visiting an organized local community in the countryside. You learn about their folklore, traditional dances, farming, artisan and many others. You can also visit several museums in the different parts of country that display cultural products and tell the history and culture of the Rwandan people. One of the museums is the Kings Palace Museum and you can make a stopover at this museum to understand more of the Rwanda culture when you are heading to Nyungwe Forest National Park for the chimpanzee trekking tour.

Tea and coffee plantation tours. Are you wishing to know more about tea and coffee? Rwanda is one of the right places to visit. Rwanda is a major producer of these two crops. You can visit a tea or coffee plantation and processing factory for an experience of plant to cup. You see and take part in the tea or coffee growing, harvesting and processing and finish up with a cup of tea or coffee of your own harvested plant. The tea and coffee tours can be added on to your chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking trips.

Canopy walk and monkey trekking in Nyungwe national park. The canopy walkway in Nyungwe forest national park has become one of the iconic attractions of Rwanda that features a lot in promotional magazines and Television adverts. It has also been rated as the best canopy walkway in Africa. The walkway gives you incredible views across an ancient mountain forest, and a chance to see monkeys and birds at eye-level as you walk in the canopy of trees. The canopy walk is a short tour of about 2 hours and is often done as an add-on to the chimpanzee or monkey trekking and nature walks in Nyungwe national park.

Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The Golden monkeys are also known as ‘the Old-world monkey’ and the only way to separate these primates from others is by their noses. There is a unique character about the golden monkeys and that is most of the monkeys have their nostrils pointing to the sides but if you look closely at the golden monkeys, their nostrils face upwards.

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda mostly takes place in the Volcanoes which is found in the Virunga Mountains and it has only one session per day which starts in the morning. Those who are willing to take part in the golden monkey trekking are advised to report at the headquarters by 7:00 am for a mini briefing about the trek before it starts and it is only 15 minutes away from the park.

The Golden monkeys in the Rwanda are divided into two troops and the largest is located in the Sabyinyo and this has 80 to 100 monkeys and it is the most visited troop in Rwanda. The other troop is located in the Volcanoes and it is slightly smaller in number.

The permits for golden monkeys trekking in Rwanda go for $ 100 Dollars each and the beauty about the golden trek in Rwanda is that it does not limit the age of the people who are to participate in the trek and the number of people.

The monkeys are easily found since most of them live just right below the Volcanoes Mountain and can be seen swinging from the bamboo trees in the forest. The easiest way to trek them down is by following the left-over bamboo shoots which are always left by the monkeys after eating. The monkeys also move out in the open and feast on the cones and food in the fields owned by the farmers near the forest making it easy for the tourists to see them as they swing back and forth.

Hiking in the volcanoes. Volcano hiking Rwanda has always been an essential element of many Rwanda adventure trips. Rwanda does not have high mountains for mountaineering and multi day hiking, but it has a share of 5 of the 7 major volcano mountains of the Virunga Mountain range which sprawl along the borders with Uganda and the D.R. Congo. The volcanoes provide some of the best day hiking you will ever do. The most popular of the volcanoes is the Mount Bisoke (3711m) which has a large beautiful crater lake at the summit. You can make an early transfer from Kigali to the park for a one-day hike in the Virunga mountains and get back to Kigali on the same day.

Water sports and activities. If you are a water lover, Rwanda has many rivers and lakes in some of the best settings. One of the best ways to explore Rwanda’s breathtaking landscape and lush countryside is by taking a boat or canoe trip down a stream on River Mukungwa in the foothills of the Virunga mountains. The canoe trip is a great addition to any tour to Volcanoes National Park such gorilla trekking.

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