Rwanda, the country of a thousand hills

Rwanda is known as the country of a thousand hills mainly due to its stunning scenery and warm, friendly people. Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in East Africa bordering with Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the East, Burundi in the South and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the West. Rwanda is blessed with a rich biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living in its various National parks, rainforests, high mountains, valleys and plains. A big number of tourists from all around the world to visit Rwanda.

You may wonder why Rwanda is called a Country of a thousand hills. Rwanda is a hilly and mountainous country nicknamed in Kinyarwanda, a local language as  “Urw’Imisoziigihumbi” translated as “Country of thousand hills” in English. The country is endowed with physical beauty as it is seated on a hilly and mountainous land all around the country. The northern part of the country is dominated by the high Mountain of Volcanoes including Mount Kalisimbi with 4, 507 meters being the highest, Mount Sabyinyo with 3645 meters high, Mount Muhabura 4,127 meters as well as Mount Bisoke hike with 3,711 meters.

These volcanoes are accommodating the famous mountain gorillas said to be sharing 98% of their DNA with human beings. Most tourists visiting Rwanda come to see these endangered species only remaining in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. These volcanoes also present opportunities for hiking in the high mountains.

The west of the Country is dominated by a mountain chain called the Congo Nile trail. The Congo Nile Trail, located entirely on the coast of Lake Kivu, extends all the way from the north right after the Volcanoes down to the south to Nyungwe rain forest. The trail presents opportunities for hiking, biking and kayaking in Lake kivu. It offers a good panoramic view of lake Kivu coastline, green coffee and tea plantations which explains the meaning of the country of a thousand hills.

The southern part of the country is another meaning of the country of a thousand hills as it is made of Nyungwe National Forest and its surrounding hills covered mostly by tea plantations which gives it marvelous view without missing a trekking of chimpanzee, colobus monkeys as well as other 13 primates species accommodated in the one of the oldest rain forest in Africa. When travelling to this part of the country you will be amazed by the rolling hills with green vegetation extended all along your way.

From the southern part of the country back to Kigali city bypassing the Huye City whereby a stopover will reward you with a visit to the ethnographic Museum to learn from past history of Rwanda and a visit to the Kings Palace Museum in Huye to learn from the ancient Rwanda leadership.

Kigali city, also the capital city of the country, is predominantly made of hills as it is in other parts. The meaning of a country of a thousand hills is exhibited by three major hills surrounding Kigali which are Mount Kigali, Mount Jari and Mount Bumboga. The hiking of Mount Kigali will allow you a view of the whole city and its surroundings. Moving inside the city gives a bit of a different experience as you will be moving across exploited hills covered by infrastructures.

The good thing you will notice is how green and clean the city is, trees and floors dominate public places and road sides. Please note that the use of plastic materials are banned in Kigali and throwing dust around constitutes a serious crime. Make sure to throw used materials and garbage in dustbins distributed around the city.

The eastern part of the country is a bit different as it is constituted by savanna and plains. It is in this part you will find the Akagera National Park which accommodates big five animals to allow you a game drive in the park to see these animals in a natural savanna vegetation. You will have an opportunity to see animals including elephants, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras, giraffe and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Topis, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, duikers and impalas.

When you visit Rwanda, the country of a thousand hills, its your chance to see how beautiful Rwanda is with its numerous hills and valleys. When visiting Rwanda expect to meet hospitable people with smiling faces on your way. Everything is in place to make your visit to the country of a thousand hills a memorable one. All you need is to find a professional tour operator who will help you to design an itinerary, considering your time, interests and budget. Simply forward your request to Unique Rwanda Vacation Experts to help you organize a memorable experience to the country of a thousand hills.