Other Things to Do in Rwanda Apart from Gorilla Trekking
While gorilla trekking is the major highlight on visitors’ to-do lists in Rwanda, the country has a variety of other exciting outdoor adventures to offer, ensuring an enjoyable and memorable African safari experience for all types of travelers.
These activities include exploring Nyungwe Forest National Park for thrilling Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk experiences, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to learn more about the country’s dark history, exploring Lake Kivu, embarking on thrilling Akagera game drives to spot the Big Fives in Rwanda and other wildlife species, visiting cultural villages such as the Iby’Iwacu Cultural village to get insights in Rwanda culture and traditions, embracing Rwanda hikes like the Mount Bisoke hike and Mount karisimbi hike, biking along the Congo Nile Trail, birding in Rwanda diverse natural habitats, among others ensuring an immersive Rwanda safari experience.
Let’s have a look at some of these top things to do in Rwanda, apart from gorilla trekking in detail.
1. Explore Volcanoes National Park Beyond Gorillas
Volcanoes National Park, an iconic tourist destination in Rwanda, one of the four homes to the endangered mountain gorillas offers much more than just trekking these incredible large primates in their natural habitat. This park is an excellent destination for hikers, primate lovers, nature enthusiasts, and birders in Rwanda.
Apart from mountain gorilla trekking, other tourist attractions in Volcanoes National Park include the vibrant golden monkeys tracking, Mount Bisoke hike, Mount Karisimbi climb, Dian Fossey tomb and Karisoke research station, Birding, and nature walks.
Mount Bisoke Hike is one of the popular adventures enjoyed by visitors specifically hiking enthusiasts to Volcanoes National Park, leading them to the summit 3,711 meters above the sea level active volcano. This one-day Rwanda hike takes about six to seven hours to complete. It comes with rewarding views of the surrounding volcanoes and a crater lake at the summit formed by past volcanic activities.
Golden Monkey trekking is another great wildlife experience only happening in Volcanoes National Park across the country. The park is home to two habituated golden monkey troops with each comprising about 100 individuals. Golden monkeys are loved for their distinctive striking appearance and playful nature which makes tracking an exciting wildlife experience.
With over 200 bird species inclusive of those e that are endemic to the Albertine Rift, Volcanoes National Park is a prime destination for birding in Rwanda.
2. Discover Rwanda’s Lakes: Lake Kivu and Beyond
Rwanda is home to about 40 lakes ensuring visitors ample opportunities for enjoying water adventurous activities including swimming, canoe boat rides, kayaking, and fishing, among others. The major lakes in Rwanda that are much sought after by visitors seeking to relax Include Lake Kivu and the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Lake Kivu situated in the western province along the borders of Rwanda and Congo is the deepest and largest freshwater lake in the country with a variety of water activities to offer. These include a boat cruise, kayaking, fishing, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. The shores of this majestic lake are excellent spots for relaxing, dining, and scenic walks.
Twin lakes of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo: situated near Musanze in the northern regions of Rwanda are another popular destination for travelers seeking to relax in a more picturesque and serene environment. Visitors to these lakes can enjoy boat rides on the calm waters, stunning views of the surroundings, spotting a variety of Rwanda bird species, nature walks, relaxation by the shores, interacting with the local fishermen, and fishing, among others ensuring an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Hiking or Cycling Along the Congo Nile Trail:
The Congo Nile Trail, which stretches along the shores of Lake Kivu, is a must-do for cycling enthusiasts to Rwanda. This 227-kilometer trail offers exceptional opportunities for hikers it cycling enthusiasts to experience the breathtaking countryside of Rwanda which features stunning landscapes, vibrant villages, forests, water bodies, and farms, among others offering a great Rwanda safari experience.
3. Visit Rwanda’s National Parks for Safari Experiences
Rwanda is home to four African savannah parks offering great wildlife experience. Apart from Volcanoes National Park, other national parks in Rwanda include the Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Gishwati Mukura National Park.
Akagera National Park situated in the eastern province of Rwanda is a stunning savannah park known for its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife. It is home to the Big Five in Rwanda including the lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinoceros ensuring a thrilling Big Five safari in the country. Other wildlife in the park includes both small and large mammals like the Hippos, giraffes, and zebras.
Visitors to the park enjoy the best game drives in Rwanda, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, and guided nature walks. Akagera Nationa Park is also home to over 500 bird species making it a top birding hotspot in Rwanda.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the well-preserved and oldest rainforests in Africa offering a completely different type of wildlife experience. This park is home to a significant population of chimpanzees offering the excellent chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda.
Nyungwe Forest National Park offers the best canopy walk experience in East Africa. Canopy walks in Rwanda are among the top activities sought after by visitors to the Nyungwe forest.
Other activities enjoyed by visitors to Nyungwe Forest include guided nature hikes, birding, game drives, and primate tracking, ensuring an incredible Rwanda Safari experience.
4. Cultural Tours and Experiences
Rwanda’s rich history and culture are integral to its national identity, and there are many cultural sites and experiences to explore throughout the country.
The top 10 cultural sites in Rwanda include Kigali Genocide Memorial, King’s Palace Museum, Inema Arts Center, Ethnographic Museum, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, Murambi Genocide Memorial, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Kandt House Museum, Rwesero Arts Museum, Ntarama and Nyamata Memorial Churches, Gisuma Cultural Center.
These sites offer a blend of history, art, and traditional culture, giving visitors a well-rounded experience of Rwanda’s rich heritage.
Some of these sites are best seen while on a Kigali City Tour. This takes you to visit the popular cultural sites found in the city in the city including the Kigali Memorial Center, Nyamirambo Women’s center, and Kandt House Museum.
The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, located near Volcanoes National Park, immerses visitors into Rwanda’s traditions. Visitors to this destination can participate in a variety of local activities including pottery making, banana beer brewing, hand craft making, drumming, singing, traditional dance performances and preparation of local dishes offering a great way of getting deep insights into Rwanda’s Culture and tranditions.
The Ethnographic Museum situated in Huye is one of the best places to learn about Rwanda’s diverse ethnic groups and historical traditions. The museum features exhibits on traditional Rwandan life, crafts, and artifacts, providing context for understanding the country’s cultural heritage.
5. Birdwatching in Rwanda
Rwanda is home to over 700 bird species inclusive of the rare and endemic bird species making it a great destination for birding in East Africa. Its diverse habitats ranging from forests, savannahs to wetlands, lakes and rivers a make it a birding haven. Nyungwe Forest National park hosting over 300 birdspecies is one of the great birding hotspot in Rwanda with its birds best seen during guided nature walks and canopy walks.
6. Hiking and Adventure Tourism
Rwanda also referred to as a land of thousand hills is great destination for hiking enthusiasts. Popular hikes in the country include a Dian Fossey Grave hike, Mount Bisoke Hike, and Mount Karisimbi hike.
A Dian Fossey Grave Hike was established in honour of the legendary primatologist, Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life in conservation and studying of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. She was buried at the Karisoke Research station Gorilla cemetery and the hike takes you through the lush forest trails featured with a variety of plant and animal species.
Mount Karisimbi Hike is suitable for professional hikers to Rwanda because of the challenges it offers. It stands at an height of 4,507 meters above the sealevel and its hike takes two days taking you through a diverse of terrains and lush forests.
7. Visiting Genocide Memorials and Sites of Reflection
Rwanda’s tragic history of the 1994 genocide is an important part of the nation’s story, and several memorials and sites throughout the country offer opportunities for visitors to reflect on this dark chapter. These include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Murambi Genocide Memorial, Nyamata Genocide Memorial, Ntarama Genocide Memorial, Bisesero Genocide Memorial, Nyanza Genocide Memorial, Rebero Genocide Memorial, Gisenyi Genocide Memorial, Ruhanga Genocide Memorial, Kibungo Genocide Memorial, Kaduha Genocide Memorial, Rukumberi Genocide Memorial, Nyange Church Genocide Memorial, Mukarange Genocide Memorial, Shangi Genocide Memorial, Nshili Genocide Memorial.
These sites honor the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and provide places for remembrance and education.
Rwanda is much more than just gorilla trekking. While the country’s mountain gorillas are undoubtedly a major draw, Rwanda offers an abundance of diverse experiences that allow visitors to explore its stunning natural landscapes, rich culture, and incredible wildlife. Whether you’re interested in hiking, birdwatching, cultural immersion, or wildlife safaris, Rwanda promises an unforgettable adventure. With its commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism, Rwanda offers a unique opportunity to experience both the beauty and the resilience of this remarkable country.