Rwanda

From mist-covered mountains and ancient rainforests to open savannah and tranquil lakes, this small East African country offers an impressive variety of landscapes and wildlife. Most journeys begin in Kigali, before heading into Nyungwe National Park, home to chimpanzees and one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, or Volcanoes National Park, where mountain gorillas and golden monkeys live among the slopes of the Virunga Mountains.

The country’s history is complex. The 1994 genocide caused immense loss of life and severe damage to its natural environment. Since then, conservation has played an important role in the country’s recovery. Akagera National Park now offers the chance to see all of the Big Five, alongside hundreds of bird species and thriving antelope populations across a striking landscape of savannah, wetlands and lakes. Tourism has also developed with a strong focus on conservation, with many lodges and camps remaining small and intimate.

For a change of pace, Lake Kivu provides a peaceful lakeside escape surrounded by rolling green hills. The charming town of Karongi is a popular base, while boat trips to Napoleon Island offer scenic walks and the chance to see its large colony of straw-coloured fruit bats.

Small in size but rich in experiences, the country combines exceptional wildlife, beautiful landscapes, culture and conservation, creating a truly distinctive East African journey.