RWANDA DAY & CITY TOURS

Read More On The Rwanda City & Park Day Tour Experiences

Visit “The Land of a Thousand Hills” and you will no doubt be impressed the friendliness of the people and the amiable way they welcome you to their home, Rwanda. Start your vacation in the city of Kigali, the country’s capital, and take note of the new buildings everywhere. You will come to realize that the spirit of rejuvenation and rebirth is what defines this nation. You might even say that Rwanda, despite its ancient cultures, is a new country born after the events of 1994, when the people came face to face with the reality of how political propaganda can warp the minds of innocent citizens, and the horrors that can follow.

Take a day tour in Kigali to learn about the memorials that were established in various parts of the metropolis, and you will sense the attempts by Rwandans’ to come to terms with the genocide and make amends for their actions. The memorial sites include Kigali Genocide Memorial, Camp Kigali Belgian Monument, Nyanza Genocide Memorial, and Ntarama Church. Listen as guides tell poignant stories of the people who lost their lives. To learn about the birth of the city and its founder, Richard Kandt, you can visit his home, Kandt House, which is now the Museum of Natural History that modestly showcases the fascinating flora and fauna of Rwanda.



As rich as the culture of the country is, so, too, is the artistic talent that abounds among young people. They are learning to express themselves in unique ways, and the pieces of art they create reflect the vibrant ethos of Rwanda. To catch a glimpse of this art, take a day trip around establishments such as the Inema Art Center, Ivuka Arts Center, and Niyo Art Gallery, which also display the traditional music and dance forms of the tribes and handcrafted items such as exquisite Rwandan jewelry, ethnic ornaments, and other artifacts. These centers work hard to support the children and provide livelihoods through art.

Next on your holiday trip itinerary in Kigali should be an ethnic shopping spree at the Caplaki Handicrafts Cooperative, where you can find items such as drums, pottery, woven baskets, tribal masks, and other treasures created by hand. Visit the Parliament Building before heading to The Dancing Pots, which displays unique pottery and ceramics, along with the dance forms of the Batwa people.

Kigali’s strategic location makes it possible to drive to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in just a few hours. You can visit the surrounding attractions after your gorilla trek, including the Musanze Caves, which were created long ago by volcanic activity in the Albertine Rift Valley.

While in the vicinity, perhaps take a hike up Mount Karisimbi or Mount Bisoke. You’ll not only enjoy the thrill of your trek but be rewarded by exhilarating views of magnificent scenery from the top of the reserve. Travel up to the site of Dian Fossey’s grave and pay your respects to the courage and love of this remarkable woman, who gave her life for the preservation of the famed mountain gorillas of Rwanda. To experience the traditional living styles and customs of the people, you must take a cultural tour of Iby’lwacu Village at Kinigi. Spend time reveling in the Intore dance forms and listening to the “gorilla songs,” with a performance by the Ngayabatema, also known as the Kayuku.



Tour Buhanga Forest and you can journey back to a time when people were fully in tune with the spirit of nature and its many mysteries. View the natural lava formations and the varied birds, reptiles, and other small fauna that reside here. You can also learn about the crowning rituals and mystical ceremonies of Rwanda’s old tribal kings. Be sure to take time to visit the “Inyabutatu ya Banyarwanda” tree, which symbolizes the unity of the country’s three ethnic tribes, and the sacred spring that flows only in the dry season.

While on a chimpanzee primate safari at Nyungwe Forest Park, you can spend time on a day trip exploring Banda Village and gain a fascinating look into how people have lived in this region for many centuries. If you would like to see what a yesteryear Rwandan royal house looked like, visit the Kitabi Cultural Village, which has an authentic replica.

These are only some of the day tours you can experience during your time in Kigali, Volcanoes, and Nyungwe. For more information about these enjoyable experiences, contact AfricanMecca Safaris and let a planner design the perfect urban and wilderness day tours for you.