Rwanda is one of the most rewarding tourist destinations in Eastern Africa. Featured here are the most stunning places to visit in Rwanda. We’ve chosen some of our favourite destinations from across the country arranged basing on the region. These hidden gems capture the very essence of Rwanda, from the soaring natural beauty of the Parc Nationale des Volcans (PNV) home to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas to the relaxing beaches of Lake Kivu, and from the cosmopolitan charm of Kigali City. Whatever you’re looking for we’ll help you to discover the Rwanda destinations that are perfectly suited to you.
Here is a listing of major tourist sites in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
Lake Kivu
Shared between Rwanda and the DRC, lies within the Great Rift Valley, and the Albertine rift eco-region. The lake covers an area of 2700 sq km and lies 1460m above sea level. It is 89 km long, 48 km wide, with an average depth of 220m and a maximum of 485m. it flows into the Ruzizi river which feeds Lake Tanganyika.
Rwankuba Sector
Bisesero Memorial Site
Situated about 30 km from the lake side town of Kibuye, on a hill with breath taking views of the lake, stands the Bisesero genocide memorial, which was once a community church. This memorial site serves as a reminder of more than 11000 Tutsis who assembled here to protect them selves from the massacre. Many managed to fight back and survive for a while, while others escaped. This hill, has been renamed, the ‘hill of resistance’ in memory of the Tutsis. There are nine buildings on the site, each of which represents one of the communes that formerly made up the province kibuye.
L’Esperance Orphanage/ Children village Kigarama
Children village Kigarama, an orphanage runs by the German NGO, L’Esperance Children’s Aid International. Opened in 1995, the orphanage accommodates the basic needs of the children including food, clothing, shelter and education.
Gitesi Sector
Gitesi Sector memorial, built in 2007, took more than a decade to construct because most of the Tutsi in these areas died during the genocide, living the bodies with fewer living advocates. Now a relatively maintained memorial site, a barbed wire fence protects the mass grave, with its flat stone surface, and a white marker with the inscriptions “twarabakundaga” / “we love you”, “Turababura” / “We lost you”, “Nitiuzabibagirana” / “We wont forget you”.
Kibuye power plant;
The first ever Methane Gas to electricity experience was developed in rwanda from 2005 in the town of Gisenyi, the station started producing power in November 2008. Now considered a tourist attraction because of its uniqueness and ecological value contributing to energy saving.
Kibuye power plant is currently producing more than 4% of the countr’s electricity supply. The success of this project has brought together local and foreign investors. Hundreds of million dollars are going to be poured into new methane plants along the lakeshore. Soon more than one in 14 homes, which is the current count, will have access to electricity.
Rubengera sector
Urutare rwa Ndaba (Ndaba waterfalls)
A magnificent waterfall found along the Muhanga-Kigali road approximately 20km from Kibuye. This 100m high waterfall is a poular tourist attraction and may be developed as a mountain sport adventure area in the near future.
The Kadasomwa river bridge
Found 4km from the Karongi district Rubengera sector office, on the Congo Nile trail route. This bridge plays a great role of connecting the two districts of the Karongi and Nyamasheke.
Ikigabiro
Ikigabiro is a tree that signals a royal site. Located on a road to Rubavu, this site indicates the famus king Rwabugiri’s residence. Rwabugiri was the last independent Rwandan king, who reigned over the Rwandan kingdom from 1853 to 1895.
Mubuga Sector
The Karora Eco lodge, a privately owned eco lodge constructed entirely with local and environmently friendly materials. The lodge offers swimming, birding and lake Kivu Boat tour opportunities.
Banana and livestock market. Coming in on boats from the democratic republic of congo is a booming trade where bananas amongst other fruits and vegetables as well as livestock such asgoats, are sold. This open-air market is a community gathering.
Murambi Sector
Musasa coffee washing station, situated on the Lake Kivu shore, the Musasa coffee washing station and the coffee route offers camping facilities to hikers. The washing station is easily accessible from Gisenyi or kibuye, 13 km from the main road.
There is a hike up to the murambi cave which offers magnificent views of lake Kivu and the islands. It’s a 10 m long cave, large enough to shelter more than 10 people at a time. The cave is 1.5 km from the Buruseri surbub on the road to Musasa sector office.
Mukura Forest
Mukura forest, just east of kibuye, on the muhanga – Kigali road, is a protected reserve. It’s home to many endemic and threatened bird species. This mountain and a forest reserve has an altitude range of 2500 to 3000m and covers about 12000 km2. Its one of the biggest forests in rwanda after Nyungwe, Akagera, volcanoes National parks and giswati reserve.
Gisovu tea plantation
Gisovu tea plantation, in tuwumba sector produces high quality tea and the Gisovu tea route is a unique tourism attraction. The plantation lies at altitudes between 2,000 and 2500m and covers a total area of 820 ha. Just 45 km from karongi and easil;y accessible offering magnificent scenic views from the side walk track. The site offers camping facilities and accommodation for a few people.
Busasamana Sector
The Busasamana cave, a 1km long cave link to a system of several other caves; the Kazenze, Mudende and Busasamana sectors, which in turn lead to the Mugongo, the Bweza and the Kabari caves. The caves are 8kms from the main Rubavu – Musanze road near the Busasamana Catholic Parish.
Nyakiriba Sector
Ikikombe cya Bunyongwe, is a natural crater which is deeper than 2oom. It is a historical site and also known as Urwina Rwa Ngunda. Ngunda is said to have been a giant man who could cultivate the land using many hoes at the same time. All the hills and mountains in Rwanda are attributed to his work. The site is accessible from Mahoko town centre on the main Rubavu – Musanze road.
Kanzenze Sector
Ibere rya Bigogwe, a rock resembling a woman’s breast with spectacular views of the valley is 200m from the main Rubavu Musanze road. The area is also ideal for biking and hiking.
School of art Nyundo, for years, this was the only school partners with painting a new world, who display and sell student’s creative works of art. Art is a powerful economic tool that can generate a sustainable source of income that helps break the cycle of poverty.
Kiaka cooperative, a working carpentry shop, located 15 km from Rubavu, in Kanama, on the road toMusanze. Watch the craftsman in action in their work shop. The Cooperative des Artisans de Kanama showcases furniture, basketwork, pottery, carving and other handicrafts.
Mudende Sector
Rose Carr’s Farm
Mrs. Rosamond Halsey Carr was the first American citizen to settle in rwanda, in 1949. She managed a flower plantation, bought it and never left. During her time she witnessed Rwandan independence, was a friend of Dr. Dian Fossey and fled for some months during the genocide. When she returned home she turned the farm into orphanage Imbabazi of Mudende, which takes care of and shelters displaced children and genocide orphans. The orphanage is called Imbabazi, which in Kinyarwanda means “a place where you will receive all the love and care a mother would give.” it is a beautiful place with a rich history, educational opportunities and caving activities. There is also a place to camp. The site is easily accessible from Rubavu by taking the Musanze road for about 20km to Kabari junction. Take the road to Mugongo to your left for 8 km.