Reiseinformationen über Ruanda
Introduction
The land of a thousand hills has always been home to mountain gorillas. This rare animal species lives in the misty mountains of the Volcanoes National Park. Trekking and observing a family of gorillas will be a unique and unforgettable experience for you. But Rwanda has much more to offer than its unique mountain gorillas.
Rwanda also has the largest tropical montane rainforest in East Africa: the Nyungwe Forest National Park. Here, nature is still allowed to flourish and the park is home to a breathtaking variety of endemic birds and a dozen primate species, including chimpanzees. The park is also known for its large variety of exotic plants and beautiful orchid species. All in all, a feast for the eyes and the heart.
Rwanda - the little jewel of East Africa offers not only impressive parks but also relaxing beach holidays at Lake Kivu. A kayak trip on the lake or a visit to the local fishing village is worthwhile simply because of the friendly Rwandan people.
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is also a must-see. You will be surprised how clean and organized the city is without losing its authentic African charm. Take a stroll along the many small boutiques, restaurants and markets. Kigali also has a lot to offer culturally and historically. In addition to the Inema Arts Center, a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an absolute must to better understand the history of the country. We recommend that you take a few days to explore this memorable city and take home many unforgettable impressions.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
There are only a few mountain gorillas left in the world, which makes the encounter with them even more impressive and unique. For a "gorilla hike" you need to be prepared for the damp, muddy conditions of the rainforest, so good equipment and physical fitness are required. Even in the dry season, the occasional steep slopes and dense vegetation of the rainforest are a challenge. However, spending time with the gorillas in the wild and observing them in their natural environment is absolutely worth the effort. Your professional guide and tracker will lead you along secret paths in the forest to a gorilla family with whom he is already familiar, because your safety is of course our top priority. You approach the gorillas quietly and settle down a few metres away from them. Now you can observe how the adult gorillas search for food and groom each other while the babies romp around and play with each other. You will recognise many of the animals' human gestures, which will make you feel even closer and more connected to the animals and you will be talking about this experience for many years to come.
Gorilla naming ceremony - Kwita Izina
If you can make it, it is best to travel to Rwanda at the time of the annual naming ceremony for all newborn gorilla babies. This globally unique spectacle usually takes place at the beginning of September and celebrates not only these impressive animals, but also the country's commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
Kwita Izina is based on a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. In 2005, Rwanda began naming its mountain gorillas, which has become a celebration of nature that draws worldwide attention. In doing so, Rwandans not only pay their respects to the majestic animals and recognize their uniqueness, but also thank all those who work and are committed to the protection and well-being of the gorillas in Rwanda. In the last 17 years, 354 mountain gorillas have been named Kwita Izina.
Things to know about Rwanda:
Capital city: Kigali
Location: in East Africa (bordering Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Tanzania)
Size of the country: 26.338 km²
Population: 13.3 million
National language: Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili, English
Flight time: approx. 12-13 hours
Time difference: UTC+2
Currency: Rwanda franc
Country code: +250
Recommended travel time: From May to October (dry season)
Weather:
Due to its location on the equator, Rwanda has a pleasant, tropical highland climate with daily temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius. However, due to the large differences in altitude in the land of a thousand hills, temperatures can vary between regions. You should dress accordingly to these temperature differences in order to be well prepared.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
German citizens need a tourist visa to travel to Rwanda. Make sure that your passport does not expire within six months of your trip and that it has at least 3 free pages.
