Rwanda

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 

Mark Twain

Nestled in the heart of Africa, Rwanda, known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, reveals itself as a hidden gem for travelers seeking a luxury experience immersed in pristine nature. This landlocked nation, despite its small size, stands out for its unique topography, ranging from towering mountains to cultivated valleys, creating a diverse and enchanting landscape.

Unparalleled Faunal and Floral Diversity

Rwanda’s national parks, guardians of its extraordinary biodiversity, are jewels embedded in this African country. Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park are natural sanctuaries that welcome a surprising variety of flora and fauna.

Volcanoes National Park: Kingdom of the Gorillas

In the northeast of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is an integral part of the Virunga Massif, sharing its majesty with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This sanctuary hosts six extinct volcanoes, whose peaks pierce through the clouds. The lower slopes are shrouded in dense bamboo forests, creating a magical setting. Besides being famous for mountain gorillas, the park protects other species such as the golden monkey and the elephant.

The park is famous because Dian Fossey made the park her base in the 1970s and 1980s and her research changed the way this great ape species was viewed and protected; today the Volcanoes National Park is thus considered the best place in East Africa to track gorillas.

Nyungwe Forest National Park: Extraordinary Biodiversity

Heading southwest, we encounter Nyungwe Forest National Park, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and chimpanzee monitoring. This park is the realm of a dozen primate species, including the Ruwenzori colobus and the L’Hoest’s monkey. Birdwatching enthusiasts will find a paradise with over 300 bird species, 29 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.