Rwanda is frequently referred to as the safest country in Africa, and it was recently named as the world’s sixth safest country for solitary travellers.
When many people reflect on Rwanda, their minds often go to its tragic history. However, since those dark times, the nation has made remarkable progress and has emerged as a resilient and united force.
While it’s essential to remember and understand a country’s history, we would be doing Rwanda an injustice if we failed to acknowledge its present beauty.
With a population of 12.95 million people, Rwanda, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” may be geographically small, but it holds a wealth of attractions for visitors.
Here are a few compelling reasons why you should consider visiting this country.
1- Rwanda is a very safe and clean country
It’s important to highlight that Rwanda offers a level of safety that surpasses many popular vacation destinations.
For years, it has earned the reputation of being the safest country in Africa, and a recent ranking by Usebounce even positioned it as the sixth safest country globally for solo travelers.
In Rwanda, you’ll experience a sense of security that exceeds that of many other places you might consider visiting. It’s common to witness women walking the streets late at night or groups of friends exploring dimly lit areas during a night out, further underscoring the country’s reputation for safety.
While you are not required to do this and should take precautions wherever you go, it is encouraging to see people do things that would typically make you feel nervous.
Rwanda’s environment is extremely immaculate, making it a pleasure to visit. Kigali, the country’s capital, is frequently referred to be the cleanest city on the continent, owing to littering fines, environmental initiatives, and collaborative projects. Umuganda, a national clean-up day held on the last Saturday of each month, is a well-known practise in which citizens from all over the country participate.
The fruits of your labour will be seen during your stay.
2- There are numerous activities to choose from
It’s difficult to grow bored in Rwanda because there’s always something new to do. You may head west to kayak in Lake Kivu or experience Kigali’s nightlife and eateries.
There are a variety of museums to assist you explore the country’s history, such as the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, or you can start on the Liberation History Tourism Trail using a digital app.
If you want to go on another walk, there are 32 of them scattered out around the country.
If you’re still not exhausted, you can trek to see gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park or chimps in Nyungwe National Park.
While many of these activities may be carried out in other countries, Rwanda’s small size is advantageous. In Kigali, anything more than a 15-minute drive is considered far! Volcanoes National Park is only a 2-hour journey from Kigali, unlike its neighbour countries where 10-hour drives are not uncommon.
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The three most popular parks are, in fact, less than five hours away.
Taking part in these activities in the land of a thousand hills also means that there will be some spectacular sights waiting for you – you’ll be looking for a roof or a peak at any given moment.
3- Rwanda is both opulent and exclusive
Rwanda is rightly positioned as a destination for luxury eco-tourism: luxury lodges abound around national parks such and The One&Only Resprts and popular tourist destinations such as Lake Kivu and Kigali.
It’s also easy to discover opulent restaurants in Kigali, such as Fusion Restaurant, that provide excellent service.
To be sure, the activities available in Rwanda will be on the more expensive side.
For example, the most popular tourist activity, gorilla trekking, will cost you $1,500 (€1,471). In other neighbouring countries, the activity costs between $400 (€392) and $700 (€686).
However, these prices signify Rwanda’s luxury status, making the country’s experience more exclusive to travellers seeking an extravagant experience all around.
4- Rwanda sustainable efforts are bearing fruits
With goals to build a climate-resilient economy by 2050, Rwanda has demonstrated that it is a clear leader in this area by demonstrating its commitment to sustainability via its development policies.
All around the country, single-use plastic bags are outlawed, and visitors are not allowed to import them. Although Rwandan gorilla trekking permits are pricey, by purchasing one you will be contributing to their preservation and the local people that surround the park by helping to support initiatives like constructing clinics and schools.