Located south of the Equator, Rwanda is a place blessed with rich floras and faunas, along with its rich land. Even though its economy is not that developed, Rwanda is doing its best to promote its Eco-tourism, which is rich in their land. Wildlife, mountains, and lakes are just some of the natural wonders of Rwanda that the country is proud to share with every tourist that comes to this lovely land.
Akagera Game Park
Wonderful scenery with its cultivated hills which is common in Uganda, the Akagera Game Park is filled with wildlife such as the big five – buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinoceros. These and many more animals living in these cold hills with some rivers are interacting with one another which gives us the scene of what wildlife really is. It is undeniable that animals and plants thrive in this place without any disturbance in the area. Bird watching is also a popular activity done by the tourists here.
Lake Kivu
One of the members of the African Great Lakes, Lake Kivu has a total surface area of 2,700 square kilometers. About 60 percent of the lake is considered to be in the territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and they share the resources that are found in this vast lake.
As one of the natural wonders of Rwanda, Lake Kivu is an amazing source of animals and plants. But beware when you venture into the waters of this lake, a saying is often told to tourists “Never insult the crocodiles until you’ve crossed the river” because, in fact, the lake is also a place for these large reptiles.
Nyungwe Forest
Southeast of Rwanda, you can find the largest patch of montane forest in Central Africa, the Nyungwe Forest. Geologists record the time of this forest to date back to the last ice age. Tourists can take a walk with the trail that is made, and watching the diverse flora and fauna there is an experience every people should have. 13 kinds of apes are found here such as the chimpanzees. The bird species is also rich in this forest, having an estimated 300 species. The southeast part of this forest is covered with bamboo.
Volcanoes National Park
Virunga is found in the central part of Africa. And in the highest part of the area, one can find the Volcanoes National Park, in which the spectacular mountain ranges and six volcanoes are lying. Tourists will never get tired walking here because of the coldness of the area and even more, these mountains are home to animals that are not found in the lower areas of Africa such as the mountain gorillas.
The mountain gorillas are one of the most coveted natural wonders of Rwanda and draw visitors from around the world to encounter these majestic beasts. The abundance of vegetation in the mountain area makes it a perfect home to various animals including the rare golden monkeys which are now one of the endangered species in the world. Your vacation will never be the same when you step foot in Rwanda’s best places such as this Natural Park in Virunga.
Rare Golden Monkeys
One of the animals in Africa that is now considered critically endangered is the Golden Monkeys. It can only be found in the Virunga Volcanoes with their little population surviving there. This monkey is endemic to the Albertine Rift and because of excessive hunting, they became very close to extinction.
Today, people may only watch them from afar, and hunting them is strictly illegal, in order to conserve this species and increase their number. Golden monkeys are very beautiful because of their color and their size, and they are believed to be a member of the Old World Monkeys that in the ancestors of our recent monkeys today. Watching these monkeys lets one see the evolution that nature made in a long process of time.
Conclusion
Rwanda is one of the smaller countries in Africa, however, it is rich in wildlife and nature attractions. The natural wonders of Rwanda and the tourism surrounding them is one of the leading industries and economic support of the country. In addition to supporting the country, visiting and trekking through these natural attractions will leave you with a lifetime of unforgettable memories. Pack your bags and come explore.