Despite the 1994 genocide, the physical beauty of Rwanda has remained unique among the African countries. This country, which is also referred to as the country of a thousand hills, has an area of 26,338 square kilometers and a population of 8 million people. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. It is bordered by Burundi in the South, Uganda to the North, Tanzania to the East, and Congo to the West. The natural beauty and various tourist destinations in this country have continued to attract many visitors all year-round. The climate of this country is friendly and you can visit the country any time of the year.
The top tourist destination in this country is the tracking of the rare mountain Gorilla. Tracking of these rare primates is done within Nyungwe forest and the Park National Des Volcanoes. Gorilla tracking can take up to eight hours because you will have to walk through dense forest, swamps, and hills. There are forty permits issued each day for tracking the primates. Apart from tracking the Gorilla, you will also see other wild animals such as the elephant, buffalo, hyena, bush pig, bush buck, and giant forest hog. There are over 180 species of birds recorded in the park.
Nyungwe National Park receives abundant rainfall averaging 2,000mm annually. This rain forest is the oldest in Africa and it boasts a high level of diversity. The forest is also the top destination for bird watchers in the whole country. Today, this park is a home to over 280 different types of birds. About 500 chimpanzees live in this forest. One thing you should know about these mammals is that, male chimpanzees live within their community in which they were born, unlike the females who migrate into another community after reaching adolescence. Thirteen species of primates have been recorded in this park, the Ruwenzori colobus monkeys being the most famous. These monkeys move in troops of 400 (the largest recorded troop of primates in Africa).
The long dry season between June to September is the best time to go on Gorilla tracking safari. During this time, the ground is dry allowing easy walking in the dense forest. It is also fun to drive on rocky roads during the dry season when there is no mud. The risk of malaria is also lowest during the dry season. Other top destinations include; Lake Kivu and the genocide memorial sites. It would also be interesting if one would include a cultural tour on the itinerary.