last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Rwanda
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Location Map of Rwanda
Rwanda
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rwanda has no sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Butare
Also sometimes called by its new name, Huye, Butare was once the colonial capital of Rwanda. The city, with its academic focus, is home to a cathedral and, most notably, the National Museum of Rwanda. The Genocide Memorial in Gikongoro is just a few kilometres away.
Also sometimes called by its new name, Huye, Butare was once the colonial capital of Rwanda. The city, with its academic focus, is home to a cathedral and, most notably, the National Museum of Rwanda. The Genocide Memorial in Gikongoro is just a few kilometres away.
Cyangugu
A town south of Lake Kivu that can serve as a starting point for visiting Nyungwe National Park or the Nyakabuye hot springs.
A town south of Lake Kivu that can serve as a starting point for visiting Nyungwe National Park or the Nyakabuye hot springs.
Gisenyi
This town on Lake Kivu (and an extension of Goma in the DRC) offers a few beaches and opportunities for boat trips and other water activities.
This town on Lake Kivu (and an extension of Goma in the DRC) offers a few beaches and opportunities for boat trips and other water activities.
Kibuye
This is the other "lakeside resort" on Lake Kivu with a stunning panorama of the lake. Nearby, a memorial to the civil war and the Ndaba waterfalls.
This is the other "lakeside resort" on Lake Kivu with a stunning panorama of the lake. Nearby, a memorial to the civil war and the Ndaba waterfalls.
Kigali
Rwanda’s capital is a pleasant city, despite its million inhabitants, with a wide range of services and shops particularly appreciated by expatriates. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is its main point of interest.
Rwanda’s capital is a pleasant city, despite its million inhabitants, with a wide range of services and shops particularly appreciated by expatriates. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is its main point of interest.
Genocide Memorial
Several towns and villages in Rwanda have a Genocide Memorial. Besides the main one in the capital, there are also memorials in Gikongoro, Ntarama, Nyamata...
Several towns and villages in Rwanda have a Genocide Memorial. Besides the main one in the capital, there are also memorials in Gikongoro, Ntarama, Nyamata...
Nyanza
This southern city is home to the former palace of the Rwandan monarchy, now converted into a small museum.
This southern city is home to the former palace of the Rwandan monarchy, now converted into a small museum.
Ruhengeri
This is the starting point for Volcanoes National Park and its gorillas, or the (developed) caves of Musanze.
This is the starting point for Volcanoes National Park and its gorillas, or the (developed) caves of Musanze.
Natural Heritage
Congo Nile Trail
This 230 km trail running parallel to Lake Kivu lets you explore this part of Rwanda by 4x4, bike/MTB, or on foot.
This 230 km trail running parallel to Lake Kivu lets you explore this part of Rwanda by 4x4, bike/MTB, or on foot.
Lake Kivu
A large border lake between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the Rwandan side, it offers a few beaches, as well as boating and fishing opportunities around Gisenyi and Kibuye.
A large border lake between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the Rwandan side, it offers a few beaches, as well as boating and fishing opportunities around Gisenyi and Kibuye.
Virunga Massif
These mountains in the far southwest of Uganda, shared by Rwanda and the DRC, are a region of volcanoes and parks home to gorilla populations. You can hike here or climb the main volcanoes.
These mountains in the far southwest of Uganda, shared by Rwanda and the DRC, are a region of volcanoes and parks home to gorilla populations. You can hike here or climb the main volcanoes.
Akagera National Park
A reserve bordering Tanzania with giraffes, elephants, hippopotamuses, zebras, gazelles, monkeys, birds, and more. In the past, the site was temporarily adapted to accommodate civil war refugees.
A reserve bordering Tanzania with giraffes, elephants, hippopotamuses, zebras, gazelles, monkeys, birds, and more. In the past, the site was temporarily adapted to accommodate civil war refugees.
Nyungwe National Park
This is a vast high-altitude forest park located in the southwest, on the border with Burundi. It is known for its monkeys and birds. You can go trekking and canopy walking here.
This is a vast high-altitude forest park located in the southwest, on the border with Burundi. It is known for its monkeys and birds. You can go trekking and canopy walking here.
Volcanoes National Park
This is the country’s main attraction, with its volcanoes and, above all, the mountain gorilla populations living in this high-altitude forest site. It’s also where the research centre founded by Dian Fossey is located. Hiking is possible here.
This is the country’s main attraction, with its volcanoes and, above all, the mountain gorilla populations living in this high-altitude forest site. It’s also where the research centre founded by Dian Fossey is located. Hiking is possible here.
Must-see & highly recommended
Volcanoes National Park
★★★★ This is the country’s main attraction, with its volcanoes and, above all, the mountain gorilla populations living in this…
Recommended
Virunga Massif
★★★ These mountains in the far southwest of Uganda, shared by Rwanda and the DRC, are a region of volcanoes and parks home to gorilla…
Worth a look / Other
Congo Nile Trail
★★ This 230 km trail running parallel to Lake Kivu lets you explore this part of Rwanda by 4x4, bike/MTB, or on foot.
Kibuye
★★ This is the other "lakeside resort" on Lake Kivu with a stunning panorama of the lake. Nearby, a memorial to the civil war and the Ndaba…
Lake Kivu
★★ A large border lake between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the Rwandan side, it offers a few beaches, as well as…
Genocide Memorial
★★ Several towns and villages in Rwanda have a Genocide Memorial. Besides the main one in the capital, there are also memorials in Gikongoro…
Akagera National Park
★★ A reserve bordering Tanzania with giraffes, elephants, hippopotamuses, zebras, gazelles, monkeys, birds, and more. In the past, the site…
Nyungwe National Park
★★ This is a vast high-altitude forest park located in the southwest, on the border with Burundi. It is known for its monkeys and birds. You…
Butare
★ Also sometimes called by its new name, Huye, Butare was once the colonial capital of Rwanda. The city, with its academic focus, is home to…
Rusumo Falls
★ These are waterfalls about fifteen metres high on the border with Tanzania.
Cyangugu
★ A town south of Lake Kivu that can serve as a starting point for visiting Nyungwe National Park or the Nyakabuye hot springs.
Gisenyi
★ This town on Lake Kivu (and an extension of Goma in the DRC) offers a few beaches and opportunities for boat trips and other water…
Kigali
★ Rwanda’s capital is a pleasant city, despite its million inhabitants, with a wide range of services and shops particularly…
Nyanza
★ This southern city is home to the former palace of the Rwandan monarchy, now converted into a small museum.
Ruhengeri
★ This is the starting point for Volcanoes National Park and its gorillas, or the (developed) caves of Musanze.