Rwanda is an amazing destination. Home to a third of the Virunga population of the mountain gorillas, Rwanda is the best destination for gorilla trekking in Africa. Rwanda is a land- locked country in Central Africa. Also as the ‘land of a thousand hills’, Rwanda has five volcanoes, 23 lakes and numerous rivers. The country lies 1,270km west of the Indian Ocean and 2,000km east of the Atlantic- literally in the heart of Africa.
Rwanda is one of the top 100 green destinations in the world. Today the country is one of the best destination to experience an ecotour. Though the country is best known for its gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, it has many other interesting attractions.
When to visit Rwanda
Rwanda can be visited any time of year. The long dry season, June to September, is the best time for tracking gorillas in the volcanoes National Park and for hiking in Nyungwe Forest, since the ground should be dry underfoot and the odds of being drenched are minimal. This should not be a major consideration for any reasonably fit and agile travellers unless they are planning to hike to Virunga peaks such as Visoke or Karisimbi, in which case the rainy season should definitely be avoided. The dry season is also the best time for travelling on dirt roads, and it is when the risk of malaria should be lowest.
There are two annual rainy seasons: the big rains which last from mid- February to the beginning of June, and the small rains from mid- September to mid- December. Rainfall, especially over the mountains, can be heavy during these two periods- particularly from March to May, although it is still perfectly feasible to obtain a gorilla permit at the last minute
An adventure of traveling during the rainy season is that the scenery is greener, and the sky less hazy (at least when it isn’t overcast), a factor that will be of particular significance to photographers. The wet season is also the best time to track chimps in Nyungwe (in the dry season they may wander further off in search of scarce food), while the months of November to march will hold the greatest appeal for birders, as resident birds are supplemented by flocks of Palearctic migrants.
Places to Visit
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