Also referred by the locals to as “The land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda is just over 10,000square miles with 11 million human populations making it the most densely populated country in Africa.
“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – the Virungas”. Primatologist Dian Fossey once wrote while she studied the renowned “Gorillas in the mist” at Volcanoes National Park situated at Rwanda’s western border with Congo.
Rwanda is home to diverse wildlife species including, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, crocodiles, hippos and more than 600 bird species.
Gahinga, Muhabura,Sabinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbia are a string of dormant volcanoes which make up the Virunga Massif from which Volcanoes National Park derives its name.
Latest count shows that there are approximately 1000 mountain gorillas in the wild with 604 living in Virunga Massif.
The volcanic range spanning Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. An encounter with a gigantic silverback in its natural habitat is a unique, unforgettable opportunity.
Rwanda has appreciably more to offer than one would imagine. Lake Kivu, a beautiful breadth of water hedged in Rwanda’s slopes offers wonderful chimp trekking, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. This country is the most accessible and easy gorilla trekking destination in Africa.