Tourism
Rwanda is a land of great diversity and beauty. Popularly known as ‘the land
of a thousand hills’, Rwanda has six volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and
numerous rivers, some forming the source of the great River Nile.
The landscapes in this green country are truly breathtaking. Many a visitor
to Rwanda has remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without
equal on the African continent. Spectacular volcanoes and dense tropical
forests dominate the north of the country, while gentle hills and valleys,
calm lakes and turbulent rivers in both savannah and dense tropical
vegetation dominate the rest of the country.
Rwanda boasts a wide variety of wildlife. The Parc National des Volcans, in
northern Rwanda is home to the world’s largest number of endangered
mountain gorillas. Numbering in the hundreds, the gorillas live in a protected
area, free from poachers. The gorillas can be viewed in their natural
mountain habitats at a fairly close range.
A staggering 670 different bird species have been recorded in Rwanda. For
botanists, the gorgeous wildflowers of the forests and mountains are capped
by more than 100 orchid species in Nyungwe alone.
The Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda is teeming with wildlife both
large and small. They range from Lions, Giraffe, Elephant and Hippopotamus
to Hyena, Impala and Gazelle. There is a rich variety of bird life at Akagera
as well.
Rwanda also has water bodies, which are ideal for water sports and fishing,
particularly Lake Kivu in the west of the country and Lake Muhazi in the
east. Lake Kivu also offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an
archipelago of beautiful islands.
Rwanda, in a nutshell, is a nature lover’s paradise. It is also one of the
friendliest of countries. A warm welcome is complemented by comfortable
facilities, fine food and a rich cultural heritage.
Source: www.rwanda1.com