Rwanda, according to the Travel Show on BBC has one of the fastest growing tourism economies in the world and its major attraction is wildlife. Rwanda is naturally gifted with beautiful sceneries that make it one of the top safari destinations in Africa. In a press release by the World Bank on February 19th, 2023, it is stated that nature-based tourism accounts for over 80% of Leisure and business visitors in Rwanda. Let us take you through the top 5 Self Drive Destinations in Rwanda.
Travelers on various online platforms like TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and social media emphasize that you have not visited Africa if you haven’t been to Rwanda. The best way to discover Rwanda is by renting a car for self-drive since it is convenient, flexible, and cheaper than hiring a car with a chauffeur.
The Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is home to the famous mountain gorillas and is the most visited destination in Rwanda. It is located in the north-western part of Rwanda and is a 3 hours drive from Kigali City. The most popular activity at the Volcanoes is gorilla trekking.
It is home to over a third of the world’s population of critically endangered mountain gorillas and is listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tracking gorillas usually takes between 4-6 hours and you get to spend an hour with each habituated family. You can give back to the community by hiring a porter to help you carry your bag or steady you during the hike.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is located just 2.5 – 3 hours from Kigali in the eastern part of Rwanda and is known for its savannah plains, wetlands, and lakes boasting diverse wildlife. It’s one of Central Africa’s largest protected wetlands and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Akageras is one of the most popular Self Drive Destinations in Rwanda.
Popular activities here include self drive or guided game drives where you get to see the Big Five. If you are planning to do a self-drive in Akagera, consider hiring a guide at the visitor centre to increase your chances of finding certain animals.
You can also book a guided night game drive to spot nocturnal animals. You can also take part in birdwatching, sport fishing at Lake Shakani boat cruises at Lake Ihema.
Lake Kivu
Located on the Boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda and one of Africa’s great lakes. The distance of Lake Kivu from Kigali is(please insert accurate)and is a (also insert accurate)hours drive. Visitors can go on boat trips to the many islands, go fishing or hike one of the trails around the lake to enjoy its emerald-green beauty.
You can even join water sports activities such as stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking with local fishermen entertaining you along the way. Also, visit one of the nearby fishing villages on the shores of the lake and enjoy the famous fried whole tilapia
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the south eastern part of Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift and is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is famous for chimpanzee trekking and you get an opportunity to see the rare Golden monkey.
It is one of the biggest montane forests remaining in Eastern Africa and you can take part in guided treks, canopy walks, and bird-watching tours. If you are adventurous, opt for a canopy walk of 160 meter including a 90-meter-long suspension bridge with fantastic views over the rainforest on a height of 70 meters.
You can even join water sports activities such as stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking with local fishermen entertaining you along the way and visiting one of the nearby fishing villages on the shores of Lake Kivu.
The King’s Palace Museum
This is located in Nyanza District In the southern province and is approximately 88km from Kigali City. The King’s Palace Museum is one of Rwanda’s six national museums and tells the history of the monarchy and the traditional culture of Rwanda.
One of the main attractions within the museum is a beehive-shaped replica of the King’s Palace in the 15th century. Another cultural attraction are the sacred long-horned cows, known as Inyambo cattle. The cattle keepers sing to the Inyambo by belting poems – a unique ritual in Rwanda
As you venture on your self drive trip, remember to try out local cuisine and support community-based initiatives to have a memorable experience.
