Top 9 Must-see Tourist Attractions in Rwanda 2025

Planning to visit Rwanda this holiday? Get ready for a memorable adventure! Discover top-rated tourist attractions in Rwanda that cater to all types of travelers.

Rwanda is an East African Country with a rich tapestry of wildlife, history, and culture suiting all travelers safari needs, taking you from its four national parks to forests, museums, serene lakes, vibrant cities among others. Here are some must-see destinations in Rwanda.

Top 9 Must-see Tourist Attractions in Rwanda

 Volcanoes National Park:

The Volcanoes National Park is one of the iconic tourist attractions in Rwanda with hundreds of visitors flocking to the country each year to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas and wildlife.

The park is featured with 10 habituated gorilla families with each family tracked in a group of 8 individuals. Being a famous enjoyable activity by a lot of tourists, a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1500 per person restricted to only Adults above 15 years of Age.

The fee paid for gorilla trekking is mostly used to fund projects in charge of conserving of the endangered mountain gorillas for future generations.

Akagera National Park:

Akagera National Park is the only home of the Big Fives of Rwanda sighted during game drives and animal tracking. They include an African elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion and Leopard. The park is also a habitat to a variety of other animal species such as zebras, hyenas, bush kobs, antelopes, duikers, impala, oribi, giraffes, topis and so much more.

Primate species include golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey among others. The park is a birding destination for bird lovers with a variety of different bird species inclusive of water-wading birds which are beautifully sighted during nature walks.

Nyungwe Forest National Park:

Nyungwe National Park located in the southwestern regions of Rwanda has a diversity of primate species holding up to 13 different species of primates which mostly include the chimpanzees and golden monkeys.

It is the right destination for chimpanzees documented to hold approximately 500 individual chimpanzees sighted in the bamboo forests. The park is a good destination for nature walks featuring canopy covers and splendid views of chimpanzees and other primates, bird watching, butterfly views, and different animal views.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Center: 

located in the heart of Rwanda, Kigali, built to commemorate the 1994 massacre that took place in the country claiming the lives of thousands, and holding the remains of 250,000 victims.

Taking strolls in this haunting museum, you catch glimpses of paraded skulls and bones, photos and audio of victims crying, short videos about the event, artifacts, and information elaborating about the genocide, offering you a very emotional but rewarding experience.

The main purpose of the center is to teach people and the upcoming generations about the horrors caused by genocides so that it won’t ever happen again anywhere else in the world. Visiting the center before proceeding to your adventure to other tourist attractions in Rwanda, within or outside Kigali is one way of showing respect for Rwanda’s culture and history.

The King’s Palace Museum:

This is a beautiful grass-thatched beehive-shaped traditional hut found in southern regions in Nyanza town, built during the reign of King Rudahigwa Mutara III with the support of the Belgium government.

It is featured with traditional artifacts of Rwanda though most of them were stolen during the genocide and the king and queen were also killed during this tragic event.

At the back of the hut, you will sight long-horned cattle descending from the king’s herd. Keepers up to date, sing for them, carefully attend to them concerning keep up with their transnational norms. There are usually cultural dances and performances at the museum making it a very good tourist destination.

Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey:

Dian Fossey was a legendary primatologist who played a big in the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas by protecting them from poaching and sensitizing people in close distance with them their importance to the Eco system.

She extensively researched and studied about them for 18 years with funding from National Geographic providing us with most of the facts that we know about them.

However, she was mysteriously murdered by poachers who were hunting down gorillas in 1985 and buried in Virunga mountains next to the gorilla graveyard. Today, her graveyard is one of the famous tourist attractions in Rwanda for wildlife enthusiasts.

The Congo Nile Trail:

This trail is one of the best and the longest cycling trails in Africa covering a distance of 140 miles located between the Gisenyi and Rusizi districts of Rwanda taking 10 days for one walking on foot to get over it and 5 days to cycle through it.

The trail is featured with stunning features such as tea plantations, rolling hills, beautiful villages, lake kivu views, and sightings of wildlife in Nyungwe National Park the trail.

it is equipped with accommodations and camping sites well maintained and ready to offer tourists an amazing experience during their cycling or walking adventures along it making it one of the best tourist attractions in Rwanda

Lake Kivu:

This is the largest freshwater lake in Rwanda, one of the greatest lakes in Africa. It is the major source of flesh fish for the country characterized by crystal clear water, stunning views of botanical gardens, beaches, and resorts, and one of the major tourist attractions in Rwanda.

The lake is a perfect destination for water adventurous activities such as boat cruising, swimming, water rafting, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, sunbathing, and nature walks.

Kigali, Rwanda’s Capital City

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, stands out as a major tourist attraction due to its blend of historical significance, vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and modern amenities.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a profound site where visitors learn about Rwanda’s tragic past and the country’s journey towards healing and reconciliation.

The city’s cleanliness and safety make it an inviting destination, while its hills offer stunning panoramic views. Kigali’s modern infrastructure includes upscale hotels, diverse restaurants, and lively markets like Kimironko, where tourists can experience local life and cuisine.

Cultural institutions such as the Rwanda Art Museum and Inema Arts Center showcase Rwandan art and heritage. Kigali also serves as a gateway to Rwanda’s natural attractions, providing easy access to Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest, and Akagera National Park.

The city’s role in sustainable tourism and community projects adds an enriching dimension to the visitor experience. Overall, Kigali’s combination of historical depth, cultural vibrancy, and modern convenience makes it a key attraction in Rwanda.

Hiking Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke

Mountain Karisimbi is one of the tallest mountains of Africa, rising up to 4,500m, located in volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and stretching up to Uganda Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It only takes a hiker 2days to to get to its peak offering stunning scenery of Virunga ranges, forest canopies, and Nyiragongo volcanoes. A tourist can combine gorilla trekking in the volcanoes with mountain hiking in Karisimbi for an adventurous safari in Rwanda.

Mount Bisoke is shorter than Mount Karisimbi making it very easy to hike taking only one day to reach its peak, forth, and back. At its top, you find a giant crater lake making it a perfect destination for cooling off after a hike, the mountain offers uninterrupted views of Volcanoes National Park and Virunga volcanoes.