Sights are the National Parks of Akagera, Birunga and Nyungwe Forest, the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans, the tomb of Diane Fossey, national monuments to victims of the genocide in Gisozi in Nyamata and Ntarama, the National Museum of Rwanda Butare and the Twa pygmies. But the waterfalls Les Chutes the Ndaba.
In the north facing Parc National des Volcans, also known as: Virunga Park, named after one of six rainforest-covered volcanoes and is home to mountain gorillas. The silver black gorillas are probably the reason to travel to Rwanda. In Africa, two mountain gorillas sanctuaries. One in Uganda and in Rwanda. In Rwanda, the great apes live primarily in and around the volcano Sabyinyo. The mountain gorillas, sometimes three times as big as an adult, unfortunately, are threatened with extinction. There are now only about 674 copies worldwide. After U.S. biologist Diane Fossey was able to draw international attention on mountain gorillas in Rwanda, it went better with every year the population. She has lived here 18 years, until she was murdered. With the genocide in 1994, in Rwanda came to an abrupt end to the growing population. The genocide hundreds of thousands fled towards the border with neighboring Congo. And hence to the habitat of the gorillas.
A visit to the gorillas is therefore bound by strict rules. They should not suffer the visit. In Rwanda, currently four groups of gorillas visiting. Each group are admitted daily 8 visitors (32 people in total per day). To visit the gorillas is a Gorilla Permit required. The permit costs about U.S. $ 500. The fee is used to gorillas in the park to protect and guard.
Along the border with Tanzania is the Akagera National Park, named after the Akagera River, which meanders through the park. According to Rwandans the source of the Nile. Here live elephants, zebras and impala, as well as lions, leopards and hyenas. In the lakes and rivers, large groups of hippos and crocodiles live. Lake Kivu is located in western Rwanda on the border with the Congo. The beautiful lake with its many peninsulas is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and enjoying the view. The Nyungwe National Park, located in the southwest, is a beautiful tropical mountain rainforest where over 100 species of orchids occur. Here live several species of monkeys and over 275 species of birds. The park is easily accessible and there are many well maintained hiking trails.
Kigali is located in the center of the country. It is a small but beautiful city. The traces of the civil war are still visible. Just south of the city lies the genocide memorial in Nyamata and Ntarama. Butare is the national museum.
