Exceptional Trips 2023: Rwanda
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Loading... - Christine Rukundo
- 23 Feb 2023
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Discover a land full of spectacular wildlife, great activities, and inspiring communities.
Diverse, picturesque and teeming with wildlife, Rwanda is one of the most exciting countries on earth – and it’s on our list of Exceptional Trips for 2023. The team at Kingfisher Journeys, a sustainable travel company that runs tours across Rwanda, shine a light on everything this remarkable destination has to offer…
Kingfisher Journeys operate a 10-night Experiences and Wildlife of Rwanda Tour, which includes a safari, forest treks, kayaking on Lake Kivu and, of course, a visit to the mountain gorillas. The tour starts and ends in Kigali, with a private guide throughout. Here are just a few of the highlights you’ll enjoy along the way.
Walk with mountain gorillas
To walk among a family of these incredible primates is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After a relatively short trek through the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes (with the option to extend for those looking for more of a challenge), a ranger announces the nearby presence of your gorilla family in a hushed voice. During the next hour, you’ll watch baby gorillas clutching on to their mothers, toddlers playing and boisterous adolescents swinging from the trees. While the adults are unimpressed by these exploits, the family remains in safe hands under the watchful eye of the silverback gorilla.
As you watch them, you’ll begin to realise that you intuitively understand the meaning behind many of their gestures and expressions. So, when it’s time to leave, you’ll take with you not only unforgettable memories, but comfort in the knowledge that your visit has helped support the protection of these magnificent creatures.
Experience other wildlife
With a variety of different habitats including swamps, woodlands and open plains, Akagera (located in eastern Rwanda) is a Big Five national park. Here you’ll enjoy exciting wildlife sightings of animals such as rhino, lion, leopard, antelope, giraffe and zebra, to name but a few.
Despite its impressive diversity, the big story here is the park’s conservation achievements, which include a 20% increase in the number of elephants between 2019 and 2021. It’s worth taking a look behind the scenes to find out more about the community engagement that helps protect the animals.
Inside the park, there are several great places to stay including our favourite, Karenge Bush Camp. The camp, which has a small carbon footprint and a focus on sustainability, is located in a secluded spot with amazing views for intimate sundowners overlooking the savannah. Read More…
