Rwanda Car Rental – Car Hire Rwanda, Get the Best Priced Hire Cars in Rwanda, Car Rental Packages in Rwanda, Taxi Hire Rwanda, Rent Car in Rwanda, Cars in Rwanda, Rwanda Car, Car Rental in Rwanda, Traveling Around RWANDA
The Car hire / car rental operators in Rwanda proffer many travel services in the country at reasonable rates and also propose exceptional experience while traveling through the country. The main object of the travel companies is to endorse Rwanda tourism and also to endow with competent guides, who can assist travelers in an exact way.
About Rwanda
Rwanda is a remarkably attractive travel destination boasting a wealth of safari attractions in abundance. Large numbers of tourists tour this country each year. They flock to Rwanda for traveling around the dazzling attractions and itineraries of this incredible land. Rwanda has all sorts of attractions such as, mountains, heritages sites, religious places, wildlife destinations, trekking spots, Genocide Memorial Sites etc. Car rental is an up-coming business in Rwanda, for exploring the country within the traveler’s budget.

REGISTERED CAR HIRE AGENCIES IN RWANDA
Agence de Voyage et Tourism
Avenue des Mille Collines
Phone Contacts: +250 252501388
Email: oida56@ahoo.com
Cite Tours & Travel
Phone Contacts: +250 252571277
Fax: +250 252571278
Email: cite&rwand1.com
Gorilland Safaris Ltd Tours
Phone Contacts: +250 252574565
Fax: +250 252519120
Email: gorillasnd@rwanda1.com
International Tour and Travel Ltd
SORAS Building
Phone Contacts: +250 252574057
Fax: +250 252575582
Email: itt@rwanda1.com
Kiboko Tours & Travel
Avenue de la Paix, Kigali Centre
Phone Contacts: +250 252520118
Fax: +250 252501741
Email: kiboko@rwanda1.com
Kigali Safaris S.a.r.L
Email: kglsafaris@yahoo.fr
Nord Sud International Travel & Tour Agency
Ave. de la Paix
Phone Contacts: +250 252570449
Fax: +250 252575349
Rwanda Eco-Tours Agency
Ave. De La, Gakingiro
Phone Contacts: +250 252500331
Email: info@rwandaecotours.com
Web: www.rwandaecotours.com
Satguru Travel & Tours Services
Ave. du Commerce
Phone Contacts: +250 252572643
Fax: +250 252573853
Email: stt@rwanda1.com
Socor Top Travel & Tour Agency
De la Revoulution
Phone Contacts: +250 252572552
Fax: +250 573853
Email: socor@rwanda1.com
The Travel Company
Phone Contacts: +250 252505151
Fax: +250 252577472 Email: info@thetravelcompany.rw
Traser (Travel Agency Service)
Phone Contacts: +250 252574990
Fax: +250 2525745564
Email: tnserw@yahoo.com
Zebra Country Tours
Cell: +250 788468152
Email: info@zebracountry.rw
Web: www.zebracountry.rw

BEST HOLIDAY PACKAGES IN RWANDA

There are numerous theme based holiday packages for memorable holidays in Rwanda. You can choose a right holiday or tours package in Rwanda and make your vacation memorable – an experience of lifetime.
Wildlife Holidays- Rwanda is rich in its flora and fauna with several wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and bird sanctuaries. It attractions wildlife lovers, wildlife adventure enthusiasts and vacationers from all over the world and offer them a mesmerizing experience of Rwanda vacations blending with thrills and excitements. Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park are the famous wildlife parks of Rwanda. Gorilla Safaris / Primate Safaris are unique ways to explore Rwanda wildlife and attractions. Mountain Gorillas remain the country’s prime wildlife attraction.
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Cultural & Heritage Holidays – For non-nature lovers, Rwanda has several cultural and historical treasures with countless activities covering Architectural heritage, festivals, traditional music, dancing, crafts and folklore. Cultural tours in Rwanda treat holidaymakers to a feast of unique cultures. The Tour also incorporates the cultural aspects. Being there in the lap of culture and heritage is something, which makes things all the more significant and worthwhile for the traveler. The country attracts a large number cultural buffs and heritage lovers. There are a number cultural and heritage sites in Rwanda attracting travelers and vacationers from all over the world. Traditional dances and music are particularly amazing in their unique style and movement of the performers. On your Rwanda tours and holidays you will certainly love to explore its cultural wonders.
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A Taste of The Hills – In a country of enchanting and captivating landscape, travelers are left wanting. Beautiful scenery and geographical charm in Rwanda are exceptional, hence the name, Land of a Thousand Hills”. Mountain climbing and hiking tours are common attributed to the hilly topography. Rwanda holiday travelers enjoy trekking and trekking by watching the beauty of the hills and the forests. There are several tour guides and agents to make arrangements and packages for enjoying mountain trekking.
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BEST SAFARI TOURS IN RWANDA

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Bird Watching Tours
If you are a curious bird watcher, bird watching tours in Rwanda are the best way for you to get close to the most amazing and stunning bird species of the country. Carry your camera with you and click some rare pictures of these colorful species amidst their melodious chirping. Bird sanctuaries such Nyungwe Forest and the Albertine Rift are some of the famous bird reserves which you must visit on a bird watching tour in Rwanda. Visitors cannot also miss to catch a glimpse of the rare acacia species including the Tabora Cisticola, Red-Faced Barbet, Black and Familiar Chats, Bennett`S Woodpecker, White-Headed, White-Winged and Broad-Tailed Warbler and Miombo Wren-Warbler.
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gorilla

Gorilla Safaris
The mountain gorillas are perhaps the top safari attraction of Rwanda. Tracking of these rare primates is done within Nyungwe Forest and the Pac National Des Volcanoes. Gorilla tracking can take up to eight hours because; you will have to walk through dense forest, swamps and hills. The mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered species in the world with a number shrinking to 700 mountain gorillas. The long dry season from June to September presents the best moment to go on Gorilla tracking safari. During this time, the ground is dry enabling easy walks in the dense forest. 40 permits are issued a day for tracking the primates and each permit goes for USD 500 @ person.
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Photographic Safaris
Photographic safaris in Rwanda are special types of safari led by professional photographers who are well acquainted with the best shooting spots in their area. Life all types of photography you’ll need patience and a little luck to get those images of a lifetime. But having an expert along will certainly help your chances. Wildlife photography requires special skills so if you’re serious about your photography, you should opt for one of these safaris.
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Olive Baboon

Wildlife Safaris
Wildlife safaris in Rwanda offer an extremely captivating opportunity to savor wildlife tour with various national parks in the country. The best national parks in Rwanda for wildlife safari tours are Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Pac National Des Volcanoes. You will not only love these tailor-made wildlife holidays in Rwanda but will also keep coming back to Rwanda to re-visit these places. After all wildlife in Rwanda has a class of its own.
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Itore Dancers

Cultural Tours
Rwanda is one country that is teeming with unique vibrancy cultures. This diversity in culture has made the country a very popular cultural tourist destination. Cultural tourism in Rwanda has always attracted travelers from all over the world. It includes various facets like architectural heritage, food, festivals, religion, languages, fashion, dance, and music. Traditional dances and music are amazing in their unique style and movement of the performers.
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OTHER SAFARI TOURS IN RWANDA
- Hiking Safaris
- Chimpanzee Tracking

Best Time for Rwanda Safari Holidays
Rwanda is an all-year safari destination although the lengthy rains which come between April and May should be avoided if possible. Similarly the short rains in November may make gorilla and chimp tracking challenging, but it is perfectly feasible to travel at this time of year.

Africa Holiday Safari Options with Guide for Africa:
African Adventure Safaris: Tanzania Holidays | Kenya Safaris | Mozambique Safari Tours | Safaris in Botswana | South Africa Safari Holidays | Mauritius Vacations | Zambia Safari Holidays | Namibia Honeymoons | Honeymoon in Zanzibar | Seychelles Holidays | Rwanda Gorilla Safaris | Safaris Uganda | Malawi Tours

RwandAir

RwandAir is the national carrier of Rwanda and its head office is on the grounds of Kigali International Airport in Kigali, Rwanda. It operates flight services to Southern Africa and East Africa and soon Central Africa. RwandAir was established on 1 December 2002 and started operations on 27 April 2003. The national carrier is acquiescent with International flight regulations and is a registered IATA member. It flies to Cyangugu / Bukavu (KME) – Rwanda, Nairobi (NBO) – Kenya, Entebbe (EBB) – Uganda, Bujumbura (BJM) – Burundi and several international destinations. RwandAir aircraft fleet includes Boeing 737-500, Boeing 737-800, Bombardier CRJ200LR and Bombardier Dash 8-102
Contact Address;
Centenary House – Avenue de la Paix
Tel: +250 252 503687
Fax: + 250252 503686
Sales Off: +250782154018
Email: info@rwandair.com
Website: www.rwandair.com/
OTHER AIRLINES TO RWANDA
Air Burundi – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
(8Y) Avenue des Mille Collines
Tel: +250 572113
Fax: +250 572113
Air Canada – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Acquire your airline ticket to Rwanda online.
Air France – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Air France is Paris-based. It has its main hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Check its schedule travel to Rwanda and book your flight online.
Air Tanzania– Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250 72643, 73079
Fax: +250 72231
Akagera Aviation – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Kanombe Airport
Tel: +250 520927,
Mob: +250 08308382
Fax: +250 520928
British Airways (BA) – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250 577777 / +250 578560
Cameroon Airlines – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250 75492 / +250 78135
Fax: +250 78135
Continental Airlines – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
The American top carrier, Continental started operations to Kigali on 09 August, 2010.
Delta Airlines
Emirates – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Ethiopian Airlines – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
(ET) Centenary House Place de la Constitution
Avenue de la Paix
Tel: +250 575045 / +250 570440
Fax: +250 570441
Kenya Airways (KQ) – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Avenue des Collines
Tel: +250 577972 / +250 501652
Fax: +250 576426
KLM – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
KLM Royal Dutch Airline started its flight operations to Kigali, Rwanda on 1^st November, 2010.
Lufthansa – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Silverback Cargo Freighters – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Kanombe Airport
Tel: +250 516322
Fax: +250 516322
South African Airways (SA) – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Boulvard de la Revolution
Tel: +250 577777 / 578560
Fax: +250 578565
SN Brussels Airlines (SN) – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Hotel des Mille Collines
Tel: +250 575290 / +250 252 573082
Uganda Airlines – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250 78333 / +250 78332
Fax: +250 73031
US Airways – Flights to Kigali, Rwanda

Amahoro Staduim

sky to produce captivating moods. Below are some of the most south after places in Rwanda.
KIGALI CITY
Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is located geographically in the heart of the country. The city offers a remarkable mix of rural and urban town overflowing on contrasting hilly terrain. Today, Kigali is home to close to one million dwellers. It is a beautiful and one of Africa’s cleanest cities. The capital is the starting point of most holiday tours to Rwanda. Among the various tourist attractions in the capital are Kigali Memorial Centre (a well known grave sight and one of the most reputed destinations in the city), The Muslim Quarter, and the crafts market (which displays a variety of local art and crafts depicting the local and cultural heritage Rwanda). If you are a sports lover, you can not miss the Amahoro Stadium on your Kigali city

Kigali Memorial Centre

tour.
GENOCIDE MEMORIAL CENTRES
During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, over a million people were murdered. Some 250,000 perished on the streets and in the houses, churches and hospitals of the capital alone. After this 1994 unspeakable awfulness, several burial places in the country were established as memorial sites. They include Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre located 2km north of Gikongoro. This is formerly a technical school where 60,000 persons tried to seek shelter from a rampaging militia group; the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre in Kizali where 250,000 genocide victims were buried; the Kigali Genocide memorial

Historical Musanze Cave

centre is the burial site for most of the victims containing ten mass graves; and the Musanze Cave in Ruhengeri which also has human remains still litter the inner part of the cave. Several of the survivors of the genocide have been trained as guides at the centre.
MUSANZE CAVE
Situated in Ruhengeri 2km off Gisenyi road, Musanze cave is a legendary cave with size of a cathedral and houses an amazing bat colony. The huge ditch out of which the cave opens is marked black volcanic rubble creating a touristic impression, and at the other end there is a natural bridge which was created by a lava flow from one of the Virunga volcanoes. Musanze is said to have been constructed by a former local king and

Volcanoes Mountain Gorilla

has on several occasions been used as a refuge.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Mountain gorillas remain Rwanda’s best known tourist attraction. These magical creatures live in the high-altitude forests of Volcanoes National Park. Tourists pay $250 an hour to spot these endangered creatures. Gorilla safaris are the pinnacle of all the wildlife experiences available in Africa and Rwanda is with no doubt the best place for this. People are limited to spend only one hour with the Gorillas and expect to hike for two to four hours to see them. These incredible primates are of four groups that have been habituated over the decades; it’s a thing not to miss in Rwanda. Don’t miss

Nyungwe L'hoest Monkey

spending an hour with these magical creatures.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a national park in south western Rwanda, located south of Lake Kivu on the border with Burundi. Nyungwe Forest is the largest block of montane forest in East and central Africa and forms part of the rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift.
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Akagera National Park lies in the enchanting scenic low-lying grasslands and woodlands in the eastern region of Rwanda. It was gazetted as a protected area in 1934. One of the

Akagera National Park

largest and most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is one of the country’s finest game parks that shelter to a rich and diversified variety of flora and fauna. Giant African elephants and buffalos are also popularly concentrated in the woodland zones and are commonly seen around the lakes for quenching. Other animals include Giraffe and zebras, dozens of antelopes, the cape eland, the Oribi, bushbuck, Tsessebe, etc. Birding is also spectacular. The park is one of Africa’s most inspiring concentrations of big water birds. Akagera being one of the finest options to explore the unseen wildlife in Rwanda offers the best destination for wildlife

Rapid Rusumo Falls

safaris.
RUSUMO FALLS
Rusumo Falls is a waterfall located on the Kagera River on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania, part of the most distant headwaters of the river Nile. The falls gained international fame during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as thousands of dead bodies flowed underneath the bridge while a simultaneous stream of refugees crossed over it, fleeing into Tanzania to escape the fighting. This was one of the first mass outflows of the Great Lakes refugee crisis.
LAKE KIVU
Lake Kivu is the largest of numerous freshwater lakes that shimmer in the valleys of Rwanda. This beautiful 2,650 sq km freshwater expanse lake is enclosed by the steep terraced hills that are characteristic of rural Rwanda and sitting on its shores are the three lakeside towns of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi; the

Lake Kivu

perfect tourist transit points between the Chimpanzee tracking destination of Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south, and gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans in the north. Its irregular shores form numerous inlets and peninsulas and myriad forest-fringed waterfalls.
Lake Kivu is a celebrated birding area. Bird life around the lakes is fantastic including large numbers of pelicans, crowned cranes, malachite kingfishers and much more. Camping is common around the lake shore as well as the neighboring resort towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu.
BUTARE CITY

Butare Catholic Cathedral

Butare is located about 135 Km south of Kigali. It is an attractively compact and peaceful town with a reputation of being the intellectual and cultural centre of the country. Butare was the largest and most important city in Rwanda prior to 1965, when it lost out to the more centrally located Kigali as the capital of the country. However, Butare is still regarded to be the intellectual and cultural pulse of Rwanda. The town hosts several academic institutions including the National University, as well as the famous National Museum which houses one of the finest collections in East Africa and displays the rich cultural history of the Rwandan people. Other Attractions in Butare include the largest Cathedral in Rwanda and the National University of Rwanda.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RWANDA

Rwanda National Museum

The National museum of Rwanda is located in the town of Butare approximately 135 km from the capital city of Kigali and occupies an area space of 2,500 square meters. The museum is considered to be one of the finest ethnographic museums and man made wonders of Rwanda and East-Africa. The structure of the museum is artistically designed with expressions to symbolize the way of life in Rwanda. It reflects well the time spirit at the end of 19th Century when the East-African Kingdoms came in contact with the first Europeans. The rich insights about Rwanda’s traditional life and culture and the subsequent development during history will contribute to a better understanding of African history.
NYANZA ROYAL PALACE
Nyanza Royal Palace is an impressive and enormous domed structure created entirely with standard materials. This ancient Royal Palace of the Rwanda monarchy is situated within the town of Nyanza approximately 35km north from Butare inside the Southern Province with the nation. The palace sits on top of a hillock with commanding views. The palace is really a basic art-deco 1950s Italianate bungalow residence splashed in pale green. The interior is really sparse with some grand fire-places. The most interesting rooms are the sleeping quarters and inside of bathroom which must happen to be splendid regalia on this component from the continent in its glory days.

Rwanda Flag

Coat of Arms

Rwanda Basic Facts – Time zone, Location, Topography, Neighbours, government, Weather in Rwanda, National Flag, Commercial banks in Rwanda, Major Cities and Towns,  Languages and Religions; Rwanda National Parks.
Location: Rwanda is a country located in central and eastern Africa.
Size: 26,338 sq km (Land: 24,668 sq km / water: 1,670 sq km)
Nickname: Land of a Thousand Hills
Neighbours: It shares international borders with Tanzania in the east, Uganda in the north, Burundi in the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west.
Topography: Mountains dominate central and western Rwanda, with the Albertine branch of the Great Rift Valley running from north to south along the country’s western border. The Virunga volcano Mountains in the north-west have the highest peaks; this includes Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest point at 4,507 metres. Central is dominantly hilly.
Capital City: Kigali
Main Towns: Butare, Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Cyangugu
Weather in Rwanda: Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, with lower temperatures than is typical for equatorial countries due to the high altitude; two rainy seasons one from February to April; and from November to January.
Government: Constitutional republic headed by a democratically elected President. Current Head of State is H.E. President Gen. Paul Kagame since 1995.
Independence: 1 July, 1962
Provinces: Eastern, Kigali, Northern, Western and Southern
National Colours: Blue, Yellow and Green
Population: 11,055,976 residents
Languages: French and English (Official), Kinya-rwanda (National)
Economy: Rwanda’s economy is agricultural based with products including coffee, tea, bananas, beans, sorghum, pyrethrum, potatoes and livestock.
Rwanda National Parks: Nyungwe National Park, Akagera National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Banking: Access Bank Rwanda, Bank of Kigali, Banque Populaire du Rwanda, Commercial Bank of Rwanda, Compagnie Générale de Banque, East African Development Bank, Fina Bank (Rwanda), Housing Bank of Rwanda and Kenya Commercial Bank.
Safari Attractions: Lake Kivu, National Museum,  Rusumo Falls, Musanze cave, Nyungwe forest, Akagera National Park, Kabgayi Church museum, Genocide memorial Centers, Virunga Mountains, Mountain Gorillas
Currency: Rwanda Franc
Time Zone: Rwanda is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Dialing code: +250

Nyungwe Primate

Wildlife
Nyungwe National Park hosts a wide diversity of amazing animal species, making it one of the prime conservation areas in Africa. The park harbors about 13 different primate species and 85 mammal species. Many of these safari animals are restricted-range species specifically dominant in the Albertine Rift eco-region on the African continent.  Several primates are found in the dense regions of the forest. Some of them include popular Chimpanzee, Hamlyn’s Monkey, Angola Colobus, Olive Baboon, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Silver Monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Red-Tailed Monkey, Golden Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Vervet Monkey. It is a perfect destination for primate tracking.

Great Blue Turacos

Birdlife
Nyungwe National Park is one of the most sought ornithological destinations in Africa. It harbors over 300 bird species of which two dozen are particularly confined in the montane forested areas in the Albertine Rift. The highlight of a birding safari in the park is spotting the great blue turaco – an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from place to place like a demonstration of graceful turkeys.
Accommodations
The park offers accommodation in a great luxury a Rest house in a natural forest setting and a campsite situated along the main road. It will take two to three days for Birdwatchers and chimp trekkers to explore the natural beauty of the park. Accommodation is available in Butare and Cyangugu. Click here for more information.

Activities

• Forest nature walks – A nature walk through this forest can be truly rewarding.
• Birding Tours into the dense zone of the forest
• Primate trekking

Nyungwe Forest Walkers

RWANDA NATIONAL PARKS

Akagera Primate

Akagera National Park – Akagera National Park is situated in the east of Rwanda. Named after the Akagera River running along its eastern boundary, Akagera National Park is warm and low-lying with rolling plains supporting a cover of impenetrable vegetation with acacia woodlands and grasslands. Akagera Park is home to a whooping 20 rare mammal species. The eastern side is dominantly wet most time of the year and it is known as the centre stage for the largest concentration of hippos in Africa. Other animals to be found on the eastern side of the lakes include crocodiles, Lions, leopards and black rhinos whose populations however are not equally high. For Rwanda safari travellers, boat trips on Lake Ihema to observe the animals are popular and can be arranged at any time on request. For birders this is another paradise on earth, the birdlife is astonishing. Birding is spectacular in Akagera National Park. The park is one of Africa’s most inspiring concentrations of big water birds. A visit in this park is truly rewarding

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe National Park

– Nyungwe forest is an astonishingly diverse montane forest whose wildlife pride is evident with a rich biodiversity of 75 mammal species, 270 birds and over 100 varieties of orchids. The forest is well known for its primates and chimpanzee tracking. Other primates in Nyungwe forest include several monkey species such as L’Hoest monkey. Nature walks and Game drives through the forest offer some of the most captivating experiences and adventurous moments in Rwanda..

Volcanoes National Park –

Volcanoes Gorillas

Volcanoes National Park was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. It lies in the North Western part of Rwanda. This park was the first park to be formed in Africa in the year 1929. It was conserved to mainly protect the gorillas from poachers. This park borders the Democratic Republic of Congo’s  Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda. It is famous destination for Mountain Gorilla tracking in Rwanda. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. The park is best known for the Mountain Gorilla. Other animals include the golden monkey, Spotted Hyena, black-fronted duiker, buffalo and bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare. Close to 180 bird species have been recorded in the park, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the neighbouring Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.

Several Safari Activities are available in these National Parks;

• Bird Watching Tours
• Boat Rides
• Game Drives
• Forest Walks
• Mountain Climbing
• Photo Tours
• Primate Tracking (Chimpanzee & Mountain Gorilla Tracking)
• Private Game Safaris
• Sightseeing
• Sport Fishing

Map of Rwanda

For more travel information visit our Guide to Rwanda page

Also Africa’s oldest National Park, occupies of 125 sq km of mountain forest; it borders Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and home to the world famous mountain gorillas.

A Rwanda Gorilla

Parc National des Volcans, a celebrated natural habitat compounding five of the eight Virunga volcanoes (Karisimbi (4,507 m), Visoke (3,711m), Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo (3,534)) is managed by Rwanda’s Tourism and National Parks office (ORTPN). The Park boasts a rich variety of ecosystems teaming with carefully blended evergreen rainforests and bamboo, scanty grassland, swamp and heath. This kind of plant cover has made it the most reliable option for gorillas tracking in Rwanda and the region as a whole present with five habituated gorilla families.

Biodiversity

Parc National des Volcans take pride in its Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). Other animal species also present here include: golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, Spotted Hyena and bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare. There are about 178 bird species recorded, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.

Popular Safaris in Parc National des Volcans

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla tracking tours – Musanze offers the base point for gorilla tours. There are four habituated groups open to tourists, and permits a total of 32 entries in a day. Vehicles are hired for this purpose from Musanze town. Tourists usually spend precious moments playing with the gorillas. Musanze is also only a 45-minute drive away from Gisenyi and the stunning Lake Kivu.

• Golden monkey visits.
• Karisimbi volcano trekking- this is a two day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
• Bisoke volcano trekking – one day.
• Caves and Lake Excursions.
• Dian Fossey tomb trails.

A breathtaking trail through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers inspiring sites. Many tourists’ trails enter the park and get trapped in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with sounds of colourful rare bird species and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with roaming buffalo and elephant populations.

Park Accommodation

Kinigi Guest House on the foot of Mount Sabyinyo with luxury accommodation in cottages for two, four or eight people is now open for bookings. It also offers a good restaurant and bar. Hotel Muhabura in Musanze also offers cheap accommodation in reasonably priced single and double rooms. The hotel also has a sound restaurant and bar and phone facilities.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in southwestern Rwanda, and lies adjacent to Lake Kivu in the southeast bordering neighbours Burundi. This National park was gazetted in 2004 and extends to approximhttp://www.guideforafrica.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1911&action=editately 1,000 sq km in the rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps of Nyungwe areas.

This park also lying across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda is the largest block of montane forest in the Great Lake Region of Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. Nyungwe Park boasts a uniquely rich centre of floral diversity; this forest-dominated park has more than 200 different tree species, plus a multitude of pinnacle vegetation including the other-worldly giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.

Nyungwe Wildlife

Nyungwe’s biodiversity is amazing. The Park has a wide diversity of animal species, which has made it a priority for conservation in Africa. Its strategic location in a region where several large-scale biogeographical zones intersect terrestrial biomes has provided a great span of microhabitats for varied species of plants and animals. Nyungwe is home to over 13 different primate species (25% of Africa’s total) including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian and 38 reptile species.

Nyungwe Safari Chimp

The several primate species resident in Nyungwe include L’Hoest’s Monkey, Golden Monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Olive Baboon, Silver Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Grey-cheeked, the Common Chimpanzee as well as delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus. Many of these animals are restricted-range species that are only found in the Albertine Rift ecoregion in Africa. The famous African Big Five i.e. Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard were relatively common in pre -colonial times, however only leopard are now regularly seen due to the 1970s extreme poaching. Nyungwe does however have many smaller predators including the golden cat, wild cat, serval cat, the side-striped jackal and three types of mongoose. Antelope types here include bushbuck and three types of duiker formerly prone to poaching.

Nyungwe Birds

Nyungwe, a great haven for bird watchers and photographers is an extensively renowned ornithological site in Rwanda harbouring over 275 species of birds. The avian highlight of Nyungwe is the great blue turaco – an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from tree to tree like a procession of streamlined psychedelic turkeys. Up to 24 of these bird species are endemic to the montane forests.

Nyungwe Vegetation

Nyungwe vegetation is made up of a complex matrix of Albertine Rift montane forest. The Park is known for its rugged terrain and complex mosaic of dense vegetation types from tall dense forests to open, flower filled marshes. A varied topography with varied soil types providing micro habitats for both plants and animals. Fertile heavy soil supports more than 200 different tall tree species. The southeastern portion of Nyungwe is compounded with bamboo and open herbaceous interspersing throughout. The Afro montane forest of Nyungwe National Park is the oldest of its type in Africa. However, Nyungwe has lately become a constant threat from anthropogenic and environmental stresses.

Nyungwe Albertine Rift Forest

Nyungwe Forest located in the Albertine Rift is a high-altitude, mountainous rainforest in southern Rwanda established as a forest reserve in 1933. It covers approximately 970 sq km of conservation area. It occupies a zone punctuated by a series of mountain ranges beginning at the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda and Congo, extending south into eastern Congo’s Lendu Plateau. Bordering Burundi’s Kibira National Park, Nyungwe is one of Africa’s the largest remaining mountainous rainforests.

Nyungwe Safaris Opportunities

• Nyungwe forest National Park is most alluring for its primates. Over 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, rare golden monkeys, the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey and Rwenzori colobus.
• Monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest
• Encounter a uniquely rich flora and fauna with over 200+ tree species, 100 varied orchids and 300 bird species (including 23 Albertine Rift endemics).
• Fantastic Chimpanzee tracking opportunities
• Rwanda Safaris Montane Forest tracking

Rwanda, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas is a small landlocked country, it borders on Uganda in the north, on Tanzania in the east, on Burundi in the south and on Congo in the west. Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The country is dominated by a central plateau made up of steep mountains and deep valleys and has therefore received his subtitle “Land of thousand hills”.

Rwanda Mountain gorillas are more prominent in high altitude areas and at times this becomes difficult for some gorilla trekkers in the gorilla zones. To achieve enough enjoyment, you should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water to endure this difficulty.

The Virunga Volcanoes

Virunga volcanoes in the country are the major habitat to these rare mountain gorillas. The undulating slopes create an ideal setting for the best exciting wildlife experience ever in Africa. It is an awesome moment in Rwanda whenever you come closer to a group of gorillas munching bamboo in their unhampered natural habitat, led by a silverback approximately thrice the size more bulky than an average man.

The presence of the Gorillas in the virungas is largely attributed to the late Dian Fossy who shot a documentary entitled, “Gorillas in the mist”, set in Pac Des Volcans. Unfortunately, she died shortly after much of her research had been done and was buried at the Karaoke at her research centre in the Virungas. The critics and the general public concluded that, “Gorillas in the Mist” served to raise international awareness of the plight of the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla population has increased from 250 in 1970’s to about 400 in 2001, where almost half of the world’s mountains Gorillas are residents in the virunga. There are four groups of habituation gorillas in sizes of 7 of 250 individuals which can be visited by up to 32 tourists daily.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA

Gorilla Tracking in Nyungwe

Rwanda gorilla tours entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, conducted by expert gorilla trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. Expect your gorilla trek to be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate.

Rwanda Gorillas trekking tips for an eventful excursion

• Keep the voice low when you come closer to the gorillas.
• If a gorilla charges at you, do not panic, stand motionless, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions.

Gorilla Safari Regulations in Rwanda

• To regulate the possible transmission of diseases, tourists advised to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. This is for the good of your health and animals. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas.
• Viewing time is limited to one hour.
• Maximum 8 visitors per group.
• Littering the park is strictly prohibited.
• Speedy and noisy movements that may frighten the gorillas are prohibited.

Rwanda Gorillas

What you need for an enjoyable Rwanda Gorilla safari

• Study walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. You may find raingear useful.
• Bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden.
• Camera Photography without use of flash is permitted
• Sunglasses may also be helpful especially in times of more sunlight
• Binoculars help to enhance visibility

Mountain gorilla trekking permits for mountain gorillas and Golden Monkeys safaris in Rwanda are booked and issued by the country’s tourism body office – Rwandaise du Tourioure et des parcs Nationaux (ORTPH). The Rwanda Tourism Board is headquartered in Kigali or Ruhengeri. You can contact the tourism body with the following address;

Rwanda Tourism Board

P.O BOX 905

Kigali, Rwanda

Phone: +250-576514 / 573396

Fax: +250- 576515

Email: reservation@rwandatourism.com

Fees for mountain gorilla permits

With effect from 1st June 2007, the fee for gorilla visits will cost US$500 per person for non-nationals, US $250 for foreign non residents and 20,000 Frw for Rwandan citizens. This is inclusive of park entry fees. It is advisable to organize your own transportation to take you up to the park boundaries.

Top Luxury Accommodation Hotels Rwanda

1. Kigali Serena Hotel
Tel: +250-597100
Fax: +250-597101
Email: reservations@serena.co.rw
Website: www.serenahotels.com
2. La Palisse Hotel
Tel: +250-58343579
Email: lapaliceho@yahoo.fr
3. Novotel Umubano
Tel: +250-576530
Fax: +250-576541
Website: www.novotel.com
4. Top Tower Hotel
www.toptowerhotel.rw
Tel: +250-08487540
5. Bloom hotel
Tel: +250 -08820921/ 08423814
Website: bloomhotels@yahoo.fr
6. Gorillas Hotel
Tel: +2150-501717
Fax: +250-501716
Email: gorillashotel@hotmail.com
7. Alpha Palace Hotel
Tel: +250-582981
Fax: +250-84134
Email: alphapalace@rwanda1.com
Website: www.alpha-palace.com
8. Hill Top Hotel and Country Club
Tel: +250-08551616
hilltopcountryclub@yahoo.com
9. Stipp Hotel Kiyovu
Tel: +2250-08305683 / 08305682
Fax: +250-587031
Email: stipphotels@rwanda1.com
Website: www.stippag.co.rw
10. Hotel Le Printemps
Tel: +250-08307133
Fax: +250-582142
Email: agrimak@rwanda1.com
11. Royale villas
Tel: +250 – 08300379
Email: info@royalevillas.rbo.rw
Website: www.royalevillas.rbo.rw
12. Hotel Ninzi Hill
Tel: +250-587712 / 5 87713
Fax: +250-587716
ninzi@rwanda1.com
Email: ninzihill@yahoo.fr
13. Hotel Des Milles Collines
Tel (250) 597100
Fax (250) 597101
reservationmillecollines@millecolline.com
Website: info@millecollines.net
14. Ishema Hotel
Tel: +250-546857 / 08558501
Fax: +250-08684542
Website: www.shyiradiocese.org
15. Impala Hotel
Tel: +250-570180
Fax: +250-08304866
Website: www.impalaHotel.rw
16. Hotel Chez Lando
Tel: +250-582050 / 584328
Fax: +250-584380
Email: chezlando@hotmail.com
Website: www.hotelchezlando.com
17. Petit Prince Hotel
Tel: +250-531307 / 351306
Fax: +250-08301159
petitprincehotel@yahoo.fr
18. Hotel Faucon
Tel: +250-532061 / 531112
Fax: +250-500180
Email: faucon@yahoo.fr
19. Gorilla’s Nest Hotel
P.O.Box 106 Musanze
Tel: +250-546954
Fax: +250-546955
gorillanest@yahoo.fr
20. Virunga Hotel
Tel: +250-546904
Fax: +250-08524481
Email: info@virungatravel.com
Website: www.virungatravel.com
21. Hotel Isimbi
Tel: +250-572578 / 572581
Fax: +250-575109
Email: isimbi@hotmail.com

REGISTERED TOUR AND SAFARI AGENTS IN RWANDA

Gorgeous Landscape in rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked East African country that is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Rwanda travel introduces to a young democratic state known as a land of a thousand hills, hills  that enhance its scenic beauty, richness in flora and fauna plus a breathtaking green savannah. The country is home to some of the rarest animal species like the silverback mountain Gorillas coupled with unique birds and insects in the tropical forest of Nyungwe.
Like most of the developing African countries, Rwanda is still characterized by poverty. However, economic lateralization and civil stability have paved way for a consistent high annual economic growth rates since 1995.
Its major city Kigali – the capital isn’t much to look at but offers comfortable places to get your feet wet and take care of any administrative details before heading off into the hills. If you’re headed to see the Gorillas you’ll need to drop by the regional parks office to register.
Geography

Lake Kivu

Rwanda is amazing. The country is located in Equatorial Africa and on the eastern rim of the Albertine Rift, a western arm of the Great Rift Valley, on the watershed between Africa’s two largest river systems: the Nile and the Congo Rivers. Much of the Rwanda’s land surface of 26,338 sq km is imposingly mountainous; Karisimbi at (4,507m) is the highest point in the volcanic Virunga chain and is compounded by the Volcanoes National Park. Lake Kivu, the largest body of water is but there are other numerous lakes, namely Burera, Ruhondo, Muhazi and Mugesera.
Economy
Rwanda travel spree brings you a country that has numerous booming  businesses that have shaped its economic base in the future. With tourism inclusive, this has already led to infrastructure development and increase in forex earning.
Getting to Rwanda

Kigali International Airport
All international flights touch down at Kigali International Airport located in Kigali just 10 Km from the centre. International flights arriving in Kigali are with SN Brussels, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express. There are also daily flights from Entebbe airport in Uganda, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Additionally there are connections twice a day from Nairobi, and several flights a week to Bujumbura. Rwandair also has daily flights to Bujumbura and 3 flights weekly to Kilimanjaro. Uganda several bus companies make the 8 hour journey from Kampala in Uganda to Kigali.
Getting Around in Rwanda
Rwanda has a good road system, and plenty of modern, well-maintained minibuses serve all the main routes from dawn ‘til dusk. Minibuses leave when officially full – which means when all the seats are occupied, unlike neighbouring countries where many more are squeezed in.
The most efficient are the minibuses privately run, scheduled services operated by Okapi Car, Trans Express 2000, Atraco Express and Virunga Ponctuel. Motorcycle taxis (taxi-moto) are also popular, especially in Kigali, a normal journey will cost from 40c-$1.
Weather in Rwanda
The average daytime temperature is around 24°C, except in the higher mountains, which take up a lot of the country, where the range is 10°C to 15°C. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in temperature are relatively insignificant. Hence Rwanda can be visited at any time of year. It rains more frequently and heavily in the northeast, where the volcanoes are covered by rain forest. The summit of Karisimbi (4,507m), the highest peak in Rwanda, is often covered with sleet or snow. The driest spell runs from July to September and the wettest season is from February to May. Peak season for gorilla tracking is July and August. Tourists are usually welcomed warmly in Rwanda, and the country is largely considered safe for visitors.

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. Kigali is a small, friendly, beautiful city with a huge variety of trees and flowers situated to the east of Lake Kivu. Kigali (KGL) is well served even by airline majors such as Air France. There are direct international flights to Kigali International Airport from Paris, Barcelona, London, South Africa and Ethiopia. Flights from America, Canada, Australia and most other African countries fly to Kigali via O R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. There are numerous daily flights between Kigali, Johannesburg and other centres in neighboring countries.
Flights to Kigali from any other country are relatively affordable. However what makes the difference with any flying experience is the quality of flight services rendered and the perceived value for money.
Kigali (KGL) is the most important city and the main administrative center of the country. Visit the Virunga Volcanoes and the numerous national parks in Kigali. While in Kigali, you can also plan to visit other popular destinations, including Nairobi and Bujumbura.
Airlines flying to Kigali
• Ethiopian Airlines- operate 1-stop flights to Addis Ababa from Kigali International Airport to O.R.Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.

Rwandair Express, the National Carrier

• Rwandair Express- Non-stop flights to major world cities. Rwandair Express recommences flights between Kigali & Johannesburg.
• South African Airways –operates 1-stop flights to Entebbe from Kigali international Airport to O.R.Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.
Recently Rwandair introduced a 5th weekly flight between Kigali & Johannesburg, and changes in the arrival time to 16h45 to give better connections (to) intercontinental passengers departing from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Flights to Kigali from UK and Ireland
These are the cheapest flights to KIGALI found by our customers over the past 2 months.
• Fly from London to Kigali on Ethiopian Airlines @ 306€
• Fly from Dublin to Kigali on KLM @ 613€
• Fly from Madrid to Kigali on Ethiopian Airlines @ 450€
• Fly from Bilbao to Kigali on Air France @ 526€
• Fly from Paris on Air France @ 526€
• Fly from Johannesburg on South African Airways @ 264€
Airports in Kigali
• Gregoire kayibanda, Kigali
Kigali International Airport
Kigali International Airport (IATA: KGL) is the principal airport serving Kigali City. It is the main air gateway to and from the country. The airport is situated in Kanombe, at the eastern edge of Kigali, approximately 14km, by road, east of the central business district. The Airport has 3 terminals. The main two storey terminal was built to replace the single storey building, now housing the VIP terminal. The main terminal can handle 6 small to mid-size aircraft, but it can also handle up to a Boeing 747 jet. There is also a cargo terminal located at the Kigali Airport. Recently, there were upgrades to the tarmac and support systems made in 2002.

Kigali International Airport

Rwanda is a small sovereign landlocked country of lovely and various landscapes found in the Great lakes region of East-central Africa. It is bordered by Uganda in the north, Burundi in the south, Democratic Republic of Congo in the west and Tanzania in the east.
This small country of unimaginable beauty placed a few degrees south of the Equator is home to approximately 10.1 million people. This beauty defies its violent past and may continue to defy it forever.
The country supports the densest population in continental Africa; most of whom engage in activities meant for survival (subsistence agriculture) appearing dominant.
Several travelers here have been surprised by the fact that Rwandans are now harmoniously living together only 16 years after the genocide that plugged the social fabric of the country into tatters. Form this time, the country has received substantial international notice due to its 1994 genocide, in which between 800,000 and one million people were killed.
Geography
A verdant country of fertile and hilly terrain, the small republic bears the title “Land of a Thousand Hills“. The countryside is covered by grasslands plus small farms extending over rolling hills, with areas of rugged mountains that extend southeast from a chain of volcanoes in the northwest. The divide between the Congo River and the Nile drainage systems extends from north to south through western Rwanda at an average elevation of approximately 2,740 m. On the western slopes of this ridgeline, the land slopes abruptly toward Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River valley constituting part of the Great Rift Valley.
The eastern slopes are moderate, with hills extending across central uplands at gradually reducing altitudes, to the plains, swamps, and lakes of the eastern border region.
The Virunga volcanic mountains have high altitude forests, world-famous mountain gorillas, and Lake Kivu offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of islands.
Therefore the country is also fondly known as “Land of a Thousand Hills”. It is here that the longest headstream of the River Nile in Nyungwe Forest is located. It is separated from the DR Congo by Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Valley to the west.
Weather and Climate
Despite its proximity to the equator, the climate in Rwanda is cooled by the high altitude. It is warm throughout most of the country but cooler in the mountains. There are two rainy seasons: mid January to April and mid October to mid December.
Kigali – the Capital
Kigali is capital city of Rwanda and is located in the center of the country. This is a small, welcoming, pleasant city with an enormous variety of trees and flowers situated to the east of Lake Kivu. It is at the heart of the most important commercial and industrial region of the country. The emphasis is mainly on the coffee and cattle-breeding industries. Kigali has few sights in the form of museums or historic buildings. It is the home to the Genocide Museum, which documents the 100-day massacre in 1994. You will therefore have plenty of time to get to know the Rwanda people and their rich and very interesting cultural background. Visit a local restaurant, talk to people in the street and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of this magnificent city.
Wildlife in Rwanda
Rwanda has fantastic wildlife. Prominent wildlife habitants here include;

• AKagera National Park - covers over 2,500 sq km of savannah to the west of the Kagera River with a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 species of birds. This park is devoted to game preservation and has lions, zebras, antelopes, hippos, buffalos, leopards, apes, impalas, crested herons, fish eagles, cormorants, giraffes, elephants, elands and warthogs.
• Parc National des Volcans. This is one of the last sanctuaries of the mountain gorillas

Getting there
International routes are available from the surrounding countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. Travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution, owing to political instability. There are also daily services from Kampala in Uganda and Bujumbura in Burundi to Kigali.
Do not miss the Rwanda National Ballet, famous for its traditional dances and singing.
Places of Interest

• Kibungu-, in the east of the country, is in the centre of a region of lakes and waterfalls, including Lake Mungesera and Rusumo Falls. Gisenyi is the main centre for excursions in the Parc des Volcans. It also offers many opportunities for water sports or for excursions on the lake.
• Rugege Forest which is home to many rare species of wildlife.
• Nyakabuye thermal waters
• Butare an intellectual capital bordering Burundi. Its most famous tourist attraction is the superb National Museum, which houses perhaps the finest ethnographic collection in East Africa. Butare also boasts craft shops and a botanical garden.
• The Virunga Volcanoes between Ruhengeri and Gisenyi.

The rapidly growing city of Kigali is the national capital as well as the country’s most important business centre and main port of entry; geographically located at the heart of Rwanda. Kigali was founded in 1907 under German colonial rule; however it attained the capital city status in 1962 after Rwanda gaining independence.
Kigali city maintains the green face with a satisfyingly organic shape created by the verdant shapes over which it sprawls. The low-rise city centre engulfs a busy market, with several souvenir stalls displaying a wide range of local crafts.
The city is naturally blessed with a moderate high altitude climate that belies its tropical location strategically located with an hour’s drive to the main tourist sites, thus the city provides a welcoming and comfortable introductory encounter of the attractions of the magical country.
Excursions in and around Kigali offer a first impression of what Rwanda looks like. The many hills seem to stretch forever, usually featuring a lush green colour due to the abundant rainfall from the two main rainy seasons. Of course, visits to some of the historical genocide sites are possible.
City Geography
Kigali is built in hilly country, sprawling across about four ridges and the valleys in between. Government administrative buildings tend to be on the tops of the ridges. The highest of these is Mt. Kigali, with an elevation of 1,850m (6,075 ft) above sea level. The city poorer residents are dominantly valleys.
Kigali Administratively
Administratively, Kigali city is divided into three administrative centres called sectors, namely Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge.  It contained parts of the former province of Kigali Rural. It is governed by a city council who institutes an executive committee to implement development plans for the city. The executive committee consists of a mayor and two deputies.
TRANSPORT IN THE CITY
Public transport in Kigali is engineered by taxi minibus called matatus, with a number of well designated transport routes, connecting the main hubs of the city centre such as Nyabugogo, Kacyiru and Kimironko.
Kigali also harbors an efficient International Airport and surface well maintained roads connecting to Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi.
Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
After the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, several memorial sites have been established to honour those who lost their lives and serves as a place for people to grieve those they lost. Kigali Memorial Centre site is the burial site for over 250,000 victims of the Infamous 1994 Rwanda genocide. Since most victims couldn’t be identified and were even devoured by wild animals, many were buried in mass graves like this one in Kigali.
Other Tourist Attractions

• Nyamirambo Muslim quarter
• Amahoro National Stadium
• Vibrant Markets at Kaplaki and Kimironko
• The pottery project of the Batwa
• The parliament building of Rwanda

HOTELS IN KIGALI
The city has a range of hotels catering to all tastes and budgets, and a variety of restaurants whose menus reflect the country’s historical links with Belgium and the African cuisine. They include;

• Kigali Novotel
• Kigali Serena Hotel.
• Hotel Des Mille/ Hotel Rwanda

Gisozi Genocide Memorial

Gisozi Genocide Memorial
Situated in Kigali in Gasabo district, the memorial is approximately 35kilometres away from the metropolis centre of Kigali. Opened in April 2004 to mark the genocide’s 10th anniversary, here the remains of around 250.000 sufferers are actually reinterred in a cemetery. It also contains a cemetery; a home of exhibition within the Genocide section; a library and plans are underway to teach the history of genocide. In the course of the genocide week which is commemorated every single initially week of April annually, the centre runs an open event the place survivors with the genocide tell their stories and thereafter documentaries and films are shown.

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

Nyamata Genocide Memorial
The Nyamata Genocide Memorial is positioned about 35 kilometres south of your capital city of Kigali inside Bugasera region; this former catholic parish church just like the manifold of other churches was viewed as being a secure haven by the fleeing sufferers only to be murdered in cold blood. 24,000 folks misplaced their lives between the 10th and 12th April1994 alone.

Bisesero Genocide Memorial
Situated about 31 kilometres from the lake side town of Kibuye within the Karongi District

Bisesero Genocide Memorial

which harbours Lake Kivu from the western Province is Bisesero Genocide Memorial site. Here more than 27,000 brave sufferers of genocide are buried; these had been killed immediately after a courageous and hard resistance in self defence until they have been betrayed by French soldiers.This town was Marjory habited by Tutsi who had been pastoralists and this earned them the nickname abasesera from which the location derived its name.
Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial
Lying 35 kilometres from your southern city of Kibungo inside the Eastern province of Kirehe district is Nyarubuye genocide memorial. Nyarubuye memorial was originally a catholic church which had housing for priests and nuns (Benebikira sisters) and a school. Through 20.000 sufferers of Tutsi origin happen to be killed here in

Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial

2 days i.e. 14th and 15th April of 1994.
They had been killed inside the houses of catholic sisters and priests in which they had sought refuge. It can be these houses that now make up the memorial internet site.
Ntarama Genocide Memorial
The Ntarama Genocide Memorial is positioned about 30 kilometres south of your capital city of Kigali inside the rural city of Bugasera. This church was viewed like a protected haven by some five.000 people today quite a few girls and young children with their belongings e.g. clothes and suit instances. But now the safety of Ntarama is doubted

Murambi Genocide Memorial

as a few of the most brutal murders took spot there as numerous tried to flee the killings in vain. To-date souvenirs of attempted flights are visible in a child’s white sock lying on the floor and its contents are a reminder from the gory violence that took location at this web site during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
Murambi Genocide Memorial
Situated in an outdated secondary institution about 30 minutes drive in the National Museums Institute of Rwanda, Butare, in the Nyamagabe District, Southern Province is Murambi genocide internet site. It can be from the classrooms that property the old secondary school that through 800 bodies lie untouched after the genocide and it really is believed that 400 individuals ended up killed here in only 3 days. Murambi doubles as being a historic internet site due to the fact it is situated within the former zone Turquoise location in which French soldiers had their headquarters. Games such as volleyball have been played on top from the mass graves containing individuals victims just before they ended up exhumed and decently buried. It may be the only web site with about 850 untouched bodies from the victims laying there for exhibition within the classrooms buried in dignity and 1 of the most visited memorial sites.

Park has a wide range of ecosystem ranging from open grassland, bamboo forest, swamp to Heath. You will appreciate the beauty of the green flora in the park. Songs of colorful birds and sounds of golden monkeys can be heard during an adventurous thrilling trek through cascading trails of the virungas. The panoramic view of the mountains is catching, beautiful to the eyes and mind.

During a guided nature walk, you will see herds of Buffaloes and elephants hunting for the day’s food. At the base of the Virungas stands a market town of Ruhenyeri and beyond the town is a natural bridge at Musanze. Evidence of volcanicity can still be seen by mere looking at the ragged terrain of the country side creating a attractive scenery.

Ruhenyeri contains several small hotels and guest houses offering good quality facilities and services at pocket friendly rates. Various lakes also live peacefully in its historical town including Rhondo, Karago and Burera lakes.