Rwanda, The Land of a Thousand Hills, is a country that is debunking myths about travel in Africa and making a big comeback as a great destination for exclusive and intimate travel. I visited Rwanda on the completely wrong assumption that it would be similar to Uganda yet my facts about Rwanda could not have been more wrong. Most people will only know two things about Rwanda: it has gorillas and there was a tragic genocide. There is so much more to the country. So much that you should not go uninformed, let me share some fun and interesting facts about this tiny landlocked country in East Africa.

There is a remarkably low level of crime in Rwanda generally. You are however encouraged to be cautious just like in any other destination. Therefore, personal security and safety of personal belongings is key. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda served by Kigali International Airport (sometimes called – Kanombe international airport) where most tourists arrive. Kigali is also known as the cleanest city Africa with little or no traffic jams like most other African cities.

Rwanda boasts of its three national parks of; Akagera national park, Volcanoes national park, Nyungwe Forest National Park. Recently there has been an addition of a fourth park known as Gishwati – Mukura. These parks are home to many wildlife species. There is a variety of birds in the national parks and agricultural lands with Nyungwe forest and Volcanoes National Park being home to Albertine Rift endemics.

Distance from Kigali to Nyungwe forest National Park is around 225 Km and takes around 6 hours. This is because of the winding road where you will drive mostly 50 km/h. The road also has lots of trucks continuing to DR Congo and Burundi.

Distance from Kigali to Volcanoes national park is 80 Km and takes about 2 hours. The reason is that the road is winding with so many corners. You will most likely drive at 40 km/h most of the way. The heavy trucks carrying merchandise also contribute to the slow movement.

Distance from Kigali to Akagera National Park is about 120 Km and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Akagera national park is located in Eastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania. The terrain is generally more flat compared to other parts of the country.

Distance from Kigali to Butare (Huye) is 142 Km and takes about 3 hours. Butare (Huye) is on the way to Nyungwe forest. It is a major stopover because it houses the Ethnographic museum and the national University of Rwanda.

Distance from Butare to Cyangugu is 155 (southern Lake Kivu shore) takes about 3 hours. Cyangugu located on the southern shore of Lake Kivu sometimes provides accommodations for people exploring Nyungwe forest for chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk and Colobus trekking.

Distance from Ruhengeri (Musanze) to Gisenyi (northern Lake Kivu shore) is 62 Km and takes about 1 hour. This is a more straight with few corners. It generally does not have too much traffic.

Distance from Kigali to Kibuye (mid Lake Kivu shore) is 130 Km and takes about 3 hours. Kibuye is an excellent weekend gateway from Kigali. The drive is mainly pleasant with manageable traffic and hills.

Kagera Safaris will arrange your African vacation to Rwanda according to your interests; gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Bird watching, Culture and community experiences, Mammals, Nature & Photography, Mountain Hiking or Forest Hikes.