Rwanda Travel Guide

Rwanda OVERVIEW

Rwanda - a Land of a Thousand Hills, as they often dub it, but also of a thousand Kills. You just cannot escape the word bearing in mind the heinous acts of Hutu which devoured hundreds of thousands of lives. This tiny land, right in the heart of Central Africa, is severely scarred with the 1994 genocide dominating the yet stunningly beautiful landscape and haunting the memory of those who survived. Wherever you turn to, be it the majestic peaks of the Virunga volcanoes, the lush forests and their world-famed silverback gorillas, Lake Kivu shimmering deep in the valleys or the scenic fisherman villages, the 800,000 of Tutsi people brutally murdered in the ethnic strife cloud the land's beauty and cry a river of tears.

Although the reconciliation is not easy and it'll take years to heal the wounds, Rwanda slowly but surely takes its steps forward and the Rwandans are striving to be recognized as one nation hence, once there, don't refer to the locals as Hutu or Tutsi to avoid problems. Life seems to be harmonious with no more coups or Hutu extremist armed militias threatening the nation's stability. The atrocities and deaths are paid due respect and made public in the The Kigali Memorial Centre, a must-visit to all visitors to Rwanda willing to learn more.

More and more travelers trickle into this land of unimaginable beauty, too. No wonder. The Lake Kivu resort towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu lure with glimpses into ancient African lifestyles, pirogues swaying on the surface promise relaxing glides over the blue water and the wild twisting lakeside road past plantain fields and rainforest is something to write home about. Those who have read Dian Fossey's "Gorillas in the Mist" and those who have not get enchanted with the monkey business here - no end to baby gorillas' frolics make many a traveler's day in the Nyungwe National Park or the impressive Parc National Des Volcans. With 6 inactive and 3 active volcanoes, the latter is a test not only to your leg power but mainly your capacity to deal with breathtaking views, mind you, at high altitudes! The lists of must-sees and must-dos is long and hopefully Rwanda's unparalleled charm will make the blood stains fade away.