Dreaming of where to go on holiday in Africa in the coming year, start to have your second thoughts right to visit Rwanda. The story of the country, which faced horrific genocide in 1994 is an inspiring one and you’ll not be the same to listen to the people and create your own story.

Big land of 1000 hills for exploring

Though somewhat smaller than the US state of Maryland, you might not think there’s a vast landmass of steep hills, and volcanoes, covered by tropical forests and lakes to explore. Luckily, Rwanda has got many opportunities to explore its heritage. The town of Musanze in the north is at the base of Volcanoes National Park organized and safe at night with clean restaurants, and ATMs. The surrounding hills and twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo provide great road trips in the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes. Take a journey along the northern shores of the Great Lake Kivu. Go exploring in the resort towns such as Gisenyi and Karongi with plenty of adventures and fun travel time. Private beach escapes and islands for those dreaming of paradise, cycling trails along the Congo-Nile River Ridges; there’s beauty and adventure to be found in the greenery tea plantations and Nyungwe Forest canopy walk in the southwest part of the country.

Celebrate culture and history and embrace the future

The numerous museums and sites honoring the genocide against Tutsi in 1994 provide sorrow and delight at ago whilst looking into the history and culture of the three ethnic tribes and their current identity. Kigali’s capital city itself is a vibrant, living example of peace and tranquility, innovation, and digital development that have transformed into a hardworking class of people that say the future looks good. You’ll create your own stories after a tour of the Kigali genocide memorial or the Ntarama churches and be the ambassador of good change forever. The city bars, restaurants, art centers, hotels, and schools are first class; the staff is known to keep the privacy of their guests, and streets at dusk turn into lively meeting venues for locals, and new experiences are created every day. Discover the ancient Rwandan monarch displayed at the King’s Palace Nyanza just 94 sq. km (2-hour drive) south-west of Kigali or the gorilla Guardians village in Musanze for an immersive experience with energetic Intore dancers and ex-poachers. The neighborhoods of Kigali such as Nyamirambo entice tourists with enticing sights, sounds, and aromas as well as intriguing shops and sightseeing locations.

Gorillas and big five viewing

These are the best wildlife experiences you’ll ever have on safari in Africa. Luckily, Rwanda provides some of Africa’s exclusive gorilla trekking and Big Five Safaris. Though rated as expensive, it’s worth noting that there has been the recovery of wildlife species such as black rhinos and lions and the increasing Virunga gorilla population. In this regard, take to Rwanda wildlife safaris in Rwanda a mindset of conservationists. Get ready for the adventure – hike on foot in search of gorillas and spend 1 hour with them on the volcano slopes is an encounter of a lifetime. Game drives in search of Big Five animals: over 20 rhinos and lions now thrive along with giraffes, zebras, impalas, and bushbucks in the plains of Akagera – the only savanna-protected area of Rwanda. Along the river, Akagera is swamps and lakes that provide boat safaris to observe elephants, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles, and over 500 species of birds including shoebill stork.

Hikes in the Great Virunga Mountains

People that love to spend time outdoors in the mountains will be happy to visit Rwanda and stop at the top of Mount Karisimbi, the tallest of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes that straddle the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These are the most beautiful volcanoes in Africa and day hikes except the Karisimbi hike allow you to immerse yourself in nature with the history of Dian Fossey and gorilla conservation. The Bisoke volcano hike, the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike, and the golden monkey tracking are available for visitors who are fit to hike up to 3700 meters above sea level. Easy hiking trails are also found around Musanze town and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, Mpanga eco forest park, and in the Nyungwe Forest National Park for tropical birds and the canopy walk for nature photographers.

Family fun with local farmers at the new Giswati Mukura National Park

Situated 167 sq. km (3-hour drive) north-west of Kigali city and not far from Lake, this park contains two tropical forests in the Albertine rift valley where local farmers have decided to restore natural forests, which they were degrading through cultivation. Thus, the creation of Rwanda’s 4^th protected area – Giswati Mukura National Park home to over 120 species of birds, species of birds including Albertine rift valley endemics, Eastern chimpanzees, golden monkeys, serval, genet, civets, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and over 250 species of plants. All this biodiversity is now being protected through community and adventure activities such as chimp tracking, hiking, and visiting a local farmer’s home. The options for those intending to travel with children in Rwanda are also available at Lake Kivu Gisenyi resort town which is just less than 1-hour drive away from the park as well as in the community around Akagera National Park

Improved public transport, Innovation, and digital development

Rwanda is becoming a major innovation hub succeeding at digital development and environmental protection. From e-waste and pollution-free strategies to the state-of-the-art Kigali Convention Center, the city is one of the cleanest and most organized cities on the continent and is what makes Rwanda a safe haven for family holidays than you might think. People call it the rising star of Africa and you’ll have no trouble with cashless pay for public transport, cycling and navigating the streets, and walking at night without worry about safety. If you’re an artist, tech freak, or environmentalist, you’ll adore this little city and take part in the monthly campaign where all people including his excellency Paul Kagame participate in the cleaning of villages across the country.