Perched at an elevation of approximately 1,850 metres, Rwanda's capital city sprawls across a series of verdant hills and valleys and is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, . This undulating terrain provides panoramic vistas, with Mount Kigali offering well-marked trails for hikers to explore its lush vegetation and unique wildlife. The city's history is deeply etched in sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant tribute to the nation's past. Today, Kigali thrives with a vibrant arts scene, exemplified by venues such as the Inema Arts Center, where contemporary Rwandan art flourishes. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in the city's burgeoning food scene, including traditional milk bars that serve fresh dairy-based beverages. The Kimironko Market presents a sensory feast of fresh produce, textiles, and crafts. The Uganda National Mosque, commissioned by Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, was built to strengthen diplomatic and religious ties between Libya and Rwanda. Nearby, Nyamirambo brims with colourful streets, local boutiques, and a lively nightlife.
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.
Defined by its two parallel rivers: the Mbalageti and the Grumeti, the Serengeti’s remote Western Corridor is home to a dazzling array of animal, bird and floral species. This region becomes a hive of activity around July, when it offers front row seats to the Great Migration, with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and other migratory species thundering through the area’s woodlands and across its plains. While this is undoubtedly the annual wildlife highlight, the Western Corridor offers good game-viewing throughout the year, with guided walks, horse riding safaris and balloon trips offered as an alternative to drives.
Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.
