When visiting the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, one should not miss out on the magnificent opportunity to visit Rwanda’s
Parc National des Volcans (PNV) consisting of 125 Km2 of mountain forest and home to the six Virunga Volcanoes and the
world famous mountain gorillas.
Protected within the PNV, the lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for
what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world: gorilla tracking. The exhilarating
climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are
immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and the chattering of rare golden
monkey.
Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an
average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors.
Parc National des Volcans is managed and protected by the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN).
Access begins in the lively town of Musanze, situated at the base of the entrance of the park. Musanze has long been the
base point for gorilla visits and entertains a stunning backdrop of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Mikeno, Sabyinyo, Mgahinga and
Muhabura volcanoes.
Musanze is a 90-minute drive from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. One can get to Musanze from Kigali either by private
vehicle or by public taxi minibus. If you intend to make a gorilla visit, you will need to organise your own transport from
Musanze town to the park boundaries, where you will continue your trip on foot. Vehicles can be hired for this purpose in
Musanze town. Musanze is also only a 45-minute drive away from Gisenyi and the stunning Lake Kivu.
The Kinigi Guest House on the foot of Mount Sabyinyo is now open. It offers very comfortable accommodation in cottages
for two, four or eight people. It also offers a good restaurant and bar. Hotel Muhabura in Musanze town also offers
comfortable accommodation in reasonably priced single and double rooms. The hotel also features a reasonable restaurant
and bar and fax and telephone facilities.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Nyungwe Forest National Park which is situated in the majestic hills of southwestern Rwanda, is the largest ‘island’ of
montane forest remaining in east and central Africa. This rich and ancient center of unparalleled biodiversity and natural
wonders is uniquely accessible to the casual visitor.
Nyungwe is celebrated for its rich variety of flora and fauna. There are at least 200 tree species found in the forest, along
with hundreds of different flowering plants, including wild begonia, more than 100 species of orchid, and sensational giant
lobelias.
Of the large mammals, primates are the most visible, with 13 recorded species. Of particular interest are the Angola
colobus – delightfully acrobatic arboreal monkeys which move in troops of several hundred – and an estimated 500
chimpanzee. Other primates one might encounter are L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, grey-
cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey.
Nyungwe is also home to more than 275 bird species, making in the regions most important birding site. They include the
spectacular Rwenzori turaco, the secretive red-chested alethe, and several iridescent sunbirds. Equally remarkable are the
perpetually honking giant hornbills that crash through the forest canopy, and the stunning great blue turaco, an outlandishly
blue, red and green bird.
Nyungwe lies at an elevation of between 1,600 metres and 2,950 metres, and enjoys an agreeably cool. An extensive
network of well maintained forest trails leads to a number of waterfalls and viewing points.
A comfortable rest house and perfectly situated campsite lie alongside the main road, and the reserve can be visited as a
day trip from smarter hotels in the towns of Butare and Cyangugu.
CULTURE
TRADITIONS OF RWANDA
The earliest known inhabitants of Rwanda were pygmoid hunter-gatherers, ancestral to the modern Twa people who today
comprise only 0.25% of the national population. Some 2,000 years ago, agricultural and pastoralist migrants from the west
settled in the area. Oral traditions recall that prior to the 15th century a ruler named Gihanga forged a centralised Rwandan
state with similar roots to the Buganda and Bunyoro Empires in neighbouring Uganda. Comprised of a cattle-owning
nobility and agriculturist serfdom majority – the precursors respectively of the modern-day Tutsi and Hutu – this powerful
state was able to repel all early attempts at European penetration.
The earliest known inhabitants of Rwanda were pygmoid hunter-gatherers, ancestral to the modern Twa people who today
comprise only 0.25% of the national population. Some 2,000 years ago, agricultural and pastoralist migrants from the west
settled in the area. Oral traditions recall that prior to the 15th century a ruler named Gihanga forged a centralised Rwandan
state with similar roots to the Buganda and Bunyoro Empires in neighbouring Uganda. Comprised of a cattle-owning
nobility and agriculturist serfdom majority – the precursors respectively of the modern-day Tutsi and Hutu – this powerful
state was able to repel all early attempts at European penetration.
Lucky visitors may chance upon spontaneous traditional performances in the villages of Rwanda. The finest exponent of
Rwanda’s varied and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles, however, is the Intore Dance Troupe. Founded several
centuries ago, the Intore – literally ‘The Chosen Ones’ – once performed exclusively for the Royal Court, but today their
exciting act can be arranged at short notice through the National Museum in Butare. A more modern form of Rwandan
music is the upbeat and harmonious devotional singing that can be heard in any church service around the country.
A wide range of traditional handicrafts is produced in rural Rwanda, ranging from ceramics and basketry to traditional
woodcarvings and contemporary paintings. A good selection of crafted artifacts can be viewed in the main market or street
stalls in Kigali, while an excellent place to peruse and purchase modern art works is the capital’s Centre for the Formation
of Arts. A distinctively Rwandan craft is the cow dung ‘paintings’ that are produced by a local co-operative in the village of
Nyakarimbi near the Rusumo Falls border with Tanzania. Dominated by black, brown and white whorls and other
geometric abstractions, these unique and earthy works can be bought in Kigali, but it’s worth diverting to source to see how
the paintings are reflected in local house decorations.
Intore Dancers
Music and dance plays an important role in the traditions of all Rwanda’s peoples .The Rwandan people have a variety of
music and dance which range from acts that demonstrate epics commemorating excellence and bravery,
humorous lyrics to hunting root. Traditional songs are often accompanied by a solitary lulunga, a harp-like instrument with
eight strings. More
celebratory dances are backed by a drum orchestra, which typically comprises seven to nine members, and collectively
produce a hypnotic and exciting explosion set of intertwining rhythms.
Lucky visitors may chance upon spontaneous traditional performances in the villages of Rwanda. The finest exponent of
Rwanda’s varied and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles, however, is the Intore Dance Troupe. Founded several
centuries ago, the Intore – literally ‘The Chosen Ones’ – once performed exclusively for the Royal Court, but today their
exciting act can be arranged at short notice through the National Museum in Butare. A more modern form of Rwandan
music is the upbeat and harmonious devotional singing that can be heard in any church service around the country
Arts & Crafts
A wide range of traditional handicrafts is produced in rural Rwanda, ranging from ceramics and basketry to traditional
woodcarvings and contemporary paintings. A good selection of crafted artifacts can be viewed in the main market or street
stalls in Kigali, while an excellent place to peruse and purchase modern art works is the capital’s Centre for the Formation
of Arts.
A distinctively Rwandan craft is the cow dung ‘paintings’ that are produced by a local co-operative in the village of
Nyakarimbi near the Rusumo Falls border with Tanzania. Dominated by black, brown and white whorls and other
geometric abstractions, these unique and earthy works can be bought in Kigali, but it’s worth diverting to source to see how
the paintings are reflected in local house decorations.