bthere: Inflight Magazine Brussels Airlines

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Text Tabitha Lasley
Images Alamy

Rwanda special

10 Reasons to… visit Rwanda this summer

1 There’s so much to see
Known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’, Rwanda’s scenery is stunningly diverse. Despite the fact it’s only a little larger than Belgium, Rwanda’s landscapes range from the densely forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains to the rugged savannah of Akagera National Park. Stay here a week and you’ll get to see lakes, volcanoes, rainforests, rolling hills, tea plantations and banana groves.

2 You’ll be making a difference
Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans is home to half the world’s population of mountain gorillas. It’s widely acknowledged that coming face to face with these creatures is an incredible experience. What’s less well known is that part of the cost of park passes is ploughed back into conservation projects which benefit the surrounding communities.

3 There’s more than just gorillas
To the east of the country, Akagera National Park offers animal encounters of a completely different kind. Here you can spot zebras, giraffes, hippos, buffalo and hyenas as well as a dozen different species of antelope, including the orbi, the bushbuck, the impala and the Cape eland.

4 It’s a bird-watcher’s paradise
Some 670 species of bird have been found in Rwanda, and 280 of these can be found in the Nyungwe National Park, the country’s most important birding site. The largest stretch of montane forest left in central Africa, it’s home to giant hornbills, great blue turacos and red-throated alethes.

5 There’s lots of culture
Rwanda has a rich cultural heritage. Visit its National Museum for East Africa’s finest ethnographic exhibition, or the Royal Palace of Nyanza just outside Butare. Festivals this summer include the Gorilla Naming Ceremony in June, Liberation Day in July and the Kigali Pan African Dance Festival in August.

6 We can learn something from it
Although people here have put the 1994 genocide firmly in the past, they still recognise it as a significant chapter in Rwanda’s history. There are 200 genocide sites dotted throughout the country and a memorial centre at Kigali. Learning about the massacres is an essential part of understanding the country. Many people believe that, as a direct result, you’ll find a higher level of tolerance and understanding in Rwanda than anywhere else in the world.

7 Uganda’s next door
One of the best ways to see Central Africa is to combine your Rwandan trip with a visit to Uganda. You can fly into Entebbe from Kigali or hire a guide and take an amazing two-day road trip across the border. Uganda’s a real contrast to Rwanda – Queen Elizabeth National Park rivals Akagera for wildlife and, with its huge array of activities, it’s a must for outdoor types.

8 It’s action-packed
Adventurous types can climb the Virunga volcanoes, camp out by Lake Kivu and cross the border into Uganda for sailing, fishing, canoeing and white-water rafting on Lake Victoria and the Nile.

9 It’s set to get even better
Rwanda’s got even more exciting stuff in the pipeline. Get ready for guided night-time savannah trips and caving expeditions.

10 It’s possible to do it all
Rwanda’s more developed than people imagine. One of the safest countries in Africa, it has good roads and excellent mobile coverage. And, with a little help, it’s possible to pack everything in. Make the tourist office in Kigali your first port of call. They’ll suggest day trips, supply you with itineraries and recommend car hire and guides. www.rwandatourism.com