RWANDA SAFARIS - Gorilla trek, Culture, Nature and Wildlife tours.
ABOUT RWANDA
"The land of a thousand hills" Rwanda is a mountainous beautiful tiny landlocked country in central Africa, boarded by Uganda in the North, Tanzania to the East, DRC in the West and Burundi in the South. The country lies on the Eastern rim of the Albertine Rift and the Water shade between Africa's two largest river systems, the Congo and the Nile. Our major safaris to Rwanda include; Gorillas in the mist safari and the Uganda Rwanda Safari.
Geographical Summary Description.
Land - Area 26340km.
Location - 120km South of the Equator in the Tropic of Capricorn.
Capital Kigali - 380000 inhabitants.
Rainfall Annual average - 900-1600mm; rainy seasons March-May and
October -December.
Average Temperature - 24.6-27.6 C; hottest August and September.
Altitude - From below 1000 to above 4500m above sea level; highest point
is MtKarisimbi (4507m).
Terrain - Mostly Grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with
altitude declining from east to west.
Vegetation - Ranges from dense equatorial forest in the North West to
tropical savannain the east.
Natural resources - Some Tin, Gold and Natural Gas.
Main Exports - Coffee and tea.
National Parks - Volcanoes (North West); Nyungwe (South west); Akagera (East).
Human Statistics - 10 million; 53.8% female, 46.2% Male
Population
Life expectancy at birth Women 45 years, men 42 years.
Religion; Roman Catholic (majority), Protestant, Muslim, Traditional.
Official Language; Kinyarwnada, French, English, Swahili is also
widely spoken.
Education Primary, Secondary, Technical/Vocational, higher/university.
GDP per capita US$220
Administration.
Government The broad-based Government of National Unity, with three
branches: Executive, legislative, judicial.
Ruling Party; Rwanda Patriotic Front.
National Day 1st July.
National Flag Blue, Yellow and Green, with the sun in the top right hand corner.
Administrative Divisions; 4 Provinces plus Kigali City, sub divided
into 30 Districts and 416 sectors.
Religion: Christians 65%, Tradition 25%, Moslems 10%.
DETAILS
Time; GMT + 2hours
Currency; Rwandan franc
Main health risk; Malaria and Aids
Electricity; 230/240 volts at 50Hz
International Telephone Country Code; +250
Airport; Kigali International Airport
Nearest Seaports: Mombassa (1760km); Dar es Salaam (1528km)
Climate
Due to a combination of tropical location and high altitude of Rwanda
experiences a temperate year-round climate. Temperature is rarely
above 20 degrees Celsius during the day or below 15 degrees Celsius at
night throughout the year. The exceptions are the colder upper slopes
of the Virunga Mountains and the hotter low-lying Tanzanian border in
Akagera National Park. Throughput the country, seasonal variations in
temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country
receive in excess of 1000mm of precipitation annually. The dry season
is mostly between June to September and the rain season between March
to May.
Landscape and Territory.
Rwanda's high altitude forests are home to the Mountains Gorilla in
the Parc National des Volcans in the Virunga Volcanoes and to large
troops of primates in Nyungwe Forest, a large montane in Central
Africa,an area rich in biodiversity, .Akagera National Park is a
savanna park with elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Lake Kivu is a
beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep terraced hillsides. There are a
large variety of birds. Rwanda has a rich culture with its second
city, Butare, having the site of the cultural museum and the main
university of the country.
Other towns are Gisenyi, along the Congolese border, offering
beautiful beaches on Lake Kivu; further South is Kibuye, one of the
most beautiful places in Rwanda with panoramic views of Lake Kivu. "In
the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you
sweat," wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey,"are great, old
volcanoes towering up almost 15000 feet, and nearly covered with rich
,green rain forest-the Virungas".Situated in the far Northwest of
Rwanda ,the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this
magnificent mountains range -home of the rare mountain gorilla-and the
rich mosaic of mountain eco-systems, embrace evergreen and bamboo
forest, open grass land, swamp and heath. The park covers the Rwandan
side of Virunga Conservation Area.
Species:
The Park is most known for being home to a population of mountains
gorillas, Gorilla Gorilla Beringei, golden monkeys, buffaloes,
elephants, rare birds, and special alpine plants.
Activities:
Trekking can be arranged to hike two of the Virunga Volcanoes,
accessible from the Rwandan side, through the cultivated
foothills:Karisimbi (4507m)and Bisoke (3711m).The climb to the peak of
Karisimbi requires two days, with clients sleeping in a tent on the
mountain. It doesn't require technical skills, but clients have to be
fit and healthy as the walk is quite arduous and conditions can be
wet, cold and muddy.Bisoke is day's walk and although less steep than
Karisimbi still requires walkers to be fit. The paths go through
afromontane forest, bamboo, and woodland.
Higher up there is Afro-alpine moorland, grassland and marsh, giant
lobelia and senecio.Another important activity is tracking the
habituated rare Golden monkey of the Kabatwa group and Musongo Group.
Visits to "Old Karisoke"Dian Fossey Research Centre are available. The
walk takes about 6-8 hours in all and is a fascinating way to explore
the park and get a glimpse of the remains of this historic place.Dian
Fossey graveyard is located on Bisoke volcano, where she spent most of
her time when researching on gorillas. Four habituated families of
mountains gorillas make the gorilla tracking the most exciting
activity in the Parc des Volcans.
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK:
Named after river Kagera which runs along its eastern boarder. On the
boarder with Tanzania. Compared to other parts of Rwanda, Akagera
National Park lies at a relatively low altitude. And is different from
the cultivated hills that characterize much of Rwanda. The park is
scenically by swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of
the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile. This is
archetypal African savanna landscape of tangled acacia woodland
interspersed with open grassland.
Species:
Akageras attractions include herds of elephants and buffaloes emerging
from the woodland to drink at the lakes, then other mammals include
leopards, spotted hyenas and lions. Giraffes and zebras haunt the
savanna, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park,
most commonly the chest-nut coated impala but also the oribi and
bushbuck, as well as the ungainly tsessebe and then world's largest
antelope, the statuesque Cape eland. The lakes of Akagera are
inhabited by hippos and crocodiles, a part from some of the
continent's desert concentrations of water birds. The connecting
marshes are the haunt of the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek,
and the bizarre shoe bill stork.
Activities:
The Park offers well developed trials for game drives. An off the
beaten track chunk of bush where you can drive for hours without
passing any vehicle Also possible to arrange boat trips on the lake
Ihemaand along the Akagera river where you can see hippos, crocodiles
and many bird species.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK:
Advantage Safaris ltd has been organizing trips to Nyungwe and its on
of our preffered destination because of its rich fauna and flora.The
parkis situated 970kms across the majestic hills of the Southeast
Rwanda, this natural Park is the largest block of montane forest in
East or Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to
before the last Ice Age. It is located in the Southeastern Rwanda
bordering Burundi.
Species:
Nyungwe has a rich bio diversity the forest has ,more then 200
different types of tree, and a myriad of flowering plants including
the other-worldly giant lobelia and a host of colorful orchids.Nyungwe
is most alluring for its primates:13 species in all ,including the
chimpanzee, as well as the 'Hoest's monkey and hundred-strong troops
of the Angola Colobus.The most important ornithologicalsite in
Rwanda,Nyungwe harbors about 275 bird species of which two dozen are
restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift.
There are 270 species of tree and 70 species of animals.
Activities:
An extensive network of walking trails leads through the forests to
various waterfalls and viewing points. The main attraction is the
guided walk to view large groups of Black and White Angolan Colobus
Monkeys or Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are found in the huge afro-montane
forest of Nyungwe in Rwanda. This variety, Pan Troglodytes
Schweinfurthi, the same that is in Uganda, is long-haired and lives in
those forests where there is a rich, all year round food supply.
Mountain Gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans;
The Virunga Conservation Area, around the Upper slopes of the dramatic
Virunga volcanoes, comprises of three contiguous national
parks-Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Park National des Volcans
(PNV) in Rwanda, and Parc des Virungas, commonly called Djomba, in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. About 359 mountain Gorillas make their
home in trees afro-montane forests. In Parc National des Volcans on
the Rwandan side, where Dian Fossey worked, there are five habituated
gorilla families.
Tracking the Golden Monkey;
This monkey is one if the most endangered primates in Africa and it is
now thought that the only viable population of these monkeys is in the
Virunga Volcanoes .A smaller population may exist in the Nyungwe
forest in Southern Rwanda but this has yet to be verified .The golden
monkey is a distinct species of guenon-Cercopithecus Kandti and is
endemic to the Albertine Rift. Two groups are being habituated for
visitors in the Virungas.The Kabatwa group is found in the east of the
park, on the flanks of the Sabinyo volcano and has about 40 in the
group. The Musongo Group lives higher up on the flanks of the
Karisimbi volcano at an altitude of about 2800-3000 meters and has
about 100 individuals.
Volcanic Lakes-Kivu, Bulera, Ruhundo;
There are five volcanic lakes on the borders of Rwanda and Uganda with
own special attractions. Lake Kivu, on the Rwanda/Conga border, the
largest, is like a giant inland sea with some interesting lakeside
towns.Kibuye and Gisenyi are a relaxing retreat for swimming, canoeing
and water-skiing. The twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhundo are attractive
places to visit after gorilla tracking in PNV in Rwanda. Akagera has
beautiful undulating plains with dense, broad-leafed woodland, lighter
acacia woodland and rolling grassland with an extensive series of
lakes linked by papyrus swamps forming a sprawling wetland. The game
in the park includes elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions and
different antelope. Butare is a pleasant university town which
contains the exceptional National Museum which has a fine display of
the history of the people and the country. The Roman Catholic
Cathedral, built in memory of Princess Astrid of Belgium, is the
largest in the country. At Nyanza, nearby, there is the court of the
former King. Kigali has been the capital of Rwanda since 1965.An
attractive city; it spreads over a number of hills. The main shopping
and commercial area is around the Hotel Mille Collines, with the
government district on the neighboring Kaciyiru Hill. The markets, the
handcrafts, the Muslim quarter and a new genocide memorial being guilt
in Gisozi are some of the main places of interest.
Nyungwe Forest;
This massive montane forest, in Southern Rwanda, the largest in
Central Africa, has 13 species of primates including Chimpanzee,
Rwenzori Colobus and Hoest's Monkey. The Colobus live in large groups,
including a four -hundred strong semi-habituated group thought to be
the largest troop of arboreal primates in Africa. Around 300 bird
species, 24 of which are regional endemics and over 100 varieties of
orchids and butterflies are other attractions.
The remains of Dian Fossey's Karisoke Research Center-"Old Karisoke"
Dian Fossey set up a research center in the Virungas in the early
sixties and begun the well documented habituation of the gorillas
there. She became well known internationally through the film
"Gorillas in the Mist." Although Fossey was killed in 1985, the canter
continued to operate in the forest with other researches until
1992.During the ensuing civil war in Rwanda it was destroyed and
although rebuilt in 1993, it was destroyed again. Since then it has
not been rebuilt .The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International now runs
its research on the Gorillas in the forest from the Karisoke Center in
Ruhengeri town. Visits to Old Karisoke are available as one of the
activities in the Virungas.Old Karisoke is located in a between meadow
between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes with the Mikeno volcano in
the distance. Remains of the old building can be seen as well as
graves of some of the research gorillas that have died over the last
30 years. Including the famous Digit which was killed by poachers, as
well as that of Fossey herself. The walk takes about 6-8 hours in all
and is a fascinating way to explore the park and get a glimpse of the
remains of this historic place .Prior booking required and should be
done when booking a safari.
How to reach by flight;
Rwanda is serviced by many international airlines which fly into
Kigali International Airport .In particular amongst the airlines are
SN Brussels, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and
Rwandair Express. The Airport is located 10km from central Kigali the
capital city.
When to visit;
Advantage Safaris organizes trips to Rwanda throughout the year. The
long dry season from June to September is the best time for Gorilla
tracking and other forest walks are less demanding during their drier
months. The period from November to Mach is the best time for birds as
paratactic migrants supplement resident species. The wet season is
also good as the scenery is much greener and the sky less hazy, very
good for photography.
Passport and visa;
A valid passport is mandatory. Visa can be obtained upon arrival and
costs 60 USD.The following nationalities do not require entry visa:
USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong.
Health requirements;
A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. Much of Rwanda
lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be such a major concern,
but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly
recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral
water can be bought in all towns.
Currency;
The unit of currency is the Rwandan franc (RFr).One Dollar US is
exchanged at about 550 RFr .The US Dollar is the hard currency of
preference. It may be impossible to exchange travelers' cheques away
from the capital. Credit cards are usually only accepted at the major
hotels in Kigali.
Language;
In addition to the indigenous language of Kinyarwanda, French and
English are official languages. French is spoken widely throughout the
country. In the capital and other tourist centers, many people speak
English.
What to dress;
We recommend light and practical clothes supplemented by light
sweaters for the cool evenings and heavier clothing for the Parc des
Volvans and Nyungwe. When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to
protect against stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes. Water proof
rain jacket is important.
What to bring;
Remember sun protection, sunglasses and hat. Binoculars will greatly
enhance game drives, and birding,, adequate stock of film.
Telephone;
Rwanda has an excellent cell phone network covering almost the entire
country. International phone calls can be made easily. Appropriate SIM
cards for the network are readily available in many places, even in
remote towns, and cell phones can be purchased or rented from major
shops in Kigali. Most towns of nay size will have several internet
cafes and computer centers.
Roads;
All of the major centers are connected with good road infrastructure.
The fine road network, with little traffic, offers wonderful
opportunities for long bicycle trips across the verdant hills and
valleys. Mountain biking and hiking can be enjoyed on the thousands of
kilometers of fine rural trails linking remote villages,
criss-crossing the entire country.
Gorilla Tracking;
We do arrange gorilla permits for our clients (ORTPN) / The Rwanda
Tourism Board, at the headquarters in Kigali, or at their office in
Ruhengeri.
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