Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas, Coffee, Gorgeous Landscapes and More

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Advisor - Arun Sastry
Curated By

Arun Sastry

  • Rwanda

  • Family Travel

  • Sightseeing

  • Wildlife

Cows eating grass with a volcano at the back.
Curator’s statement

Mention Rwanda to people, and most of the resulting responses contain the word "genocide." The reality is that that event happened over 30 years ago, and Rwanda is now one of the safest places in Africa, with excellent infrastructure – think roads, internet connectivity even in national parks and excellent hillside restaurants! The hilly terrain and the mist that comes with it makes for lovely vistas throughout the country, and are the habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas – see the movie "Gorillas In The Mist" for more on this. Rwanda is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, thanks to a sense of civic pride, where all citizens - whether a prince or pauper - are expected to take part in community cleaning activities every week. Finally, Rwanda grows coffee and so it takes its coffee seriously. If you are a coffee snob, you'd be seriously remiss if you skipped this ritual while in Rwanda!

The Fora Difference

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Where to stay in Rwanda

Kigali Serena Hotel

A well-priced and well-located home base in Kigali.

Heaven Boutique Hotel

Discover urban sophistication and Rwandan hospitality at this stylish boutique hotel, where modern design meets warm ambiance, offering a chic retreat in the heart of Kigali.

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Immerse yourself in Rwandan charm at this boutique gem, where contemporary luxury meets local culture, offering a unique retreat in the heart of Kigali.

Unlock perks by contacting Arun to book your trip.

Things to do in Rwanda

A green field and volcanoes at back.

  • Kimironko Market, Kigali: Walk through the market and see assorted produce and all local fabric in vibrant colors. Numerous on-site tailors will take any fabric you choose and make you a shirt, skirt or any other article of clothing you want!

  • Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kigali: A somber place to see and learn about the genocide that happened in the early 1990s. You will come out not only better educated about the history of Rwanda, but also with a deep appreciation of how its people have put aside their differences for the good of a country and made Rwanda what it is today.

  • Gorillas: Volcanoes National Park: A chance to see volcanoes where three countries - Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo - come together. More important, this is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Visiting the home of the gorillas requires visitors to secure permits in advance and hike up the trails with a guide. Seeing a family of gorillas is one of the most humbling experiences one can enjoy, especially when you realize how genetically close gorillas and humans are – 98% of DNA in common!

  • Golden Monkeys: Volcanoes National Park: The Volcanoes National Park is also home to the endangered golden monkey, found only here. Enjoy a lovely hike through farmlands - with gorgeous vistas of the volcanoes - to get to the bamboo forest where these cute monkeys reside.

Day Trips

Akagera National Park: Close to the Tanzanian border, this park offers safaris and an opportunity to see lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and assorted birds. My opinion is that if you want to do a safari to see these animals, there are other countries that are better suited. Rwanda's more unique offerings are the animals and landscape listed above!

Places to eat & drink in Rwanda

A board in a coffee shop that reads "All the world's coffee came from 7 seeds that was smuggled out of Arabia by Vaba Budan, in 17th Century pilgrim, to India"

Coffee

Question Coffee Bar: Excellent coffee spot that features coffee grown by women.

Lunch / Dinner / Date Night

Pili-Pili: A lovely place offering excellent local and international fare. The location atop a hill translates to lovely views of the hilly capital city.

Advisor - Arun Sastry

Travel Advisor

Arun Sastry

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Rwanda.