Rwanda - Home To One Of The Largest Community Of Silverback Gorillas

It is hard to believe looking out over the serene setting of Lake Kivu, eastern Rwanda that just fourteen years ago this was the setting for one of the bloodiest acts committed during the country's genocide.

The only sign of this turbulent past in the sleepy lakeside town of Kibuye is a hilltop church. There, a memorial marks the location of the massacre of more 5000 minority Tutusi
and moderate Hutu tribe peoples by their extremist Hutu neighbours. 

Such was the scale of the massacres, more than one million people were reportedly killed, that reminders like this are never far away. But despite its turbulent recent history today Rwanda not only offers some of the best wildlife experiences on the continent, it is currently one of the safest countries in Africa to visit.

Visitor numbers are small, but the current government, which over the past decade has brought a degree of political and economic stability the envy of east Africa, realises that eco tourism is one of the country's greatest assets. It has set targets to attract 70,000 visitors by 2010 which is small scale compared to its neighbours Kenya and Tanzania with their vast game reserves. However, for a country so recently ravaged by conflict it is an ambitious but achievable goal.

The country's only international airport is in the capital, Kigali, a city of around a million people and the gateway for any visitor to Rwanda. It is typical of the rest of the country in attitude, friendly and relaxed with a hassle free stroll around the streets possible day or night. An undemanding place to spend a day or two, it's the ideal introduction before heading out to view the main reason for any trip to Rwanda, wildlife.

The country is home to one of the largest communities of Silverback Gorillas in the world and is perhaps one of the few places where it's is possible to view them in their natural habitat in safety. It is estimated there are around 700 left living in the wild and seeing such a severely endangered species in their own habitat remains one of the rarest of privileges for animal observers.

Amazingly, given the volatile political climate and a constant threat from poachers, gorilla numbers in the region have actually increased in numbers since 1990. Organised tours are available from several outlets in Kigali with a range of accommodation on offer around the Gorilla National Park in the north of the country. 

All in all an organised two day trip costs in the region of £400 depending on the standard of accommodation and includes the price of a national park permit and the service of a guide. Tours guarantee to find a troupe after anything from a two to six hour trek followed by an unforgettable 40 minutes of close contact with up to 20 primates.

To avoid overexposure to human contact only 11,000 visitors a year are lucky enough to get permits to see Rwanda's gorillas, so tourism officials are now coming up with alternative attractions to try and tempt visitors. In the National Volcano Park treks can be arranged to view the golden monkeys, rare primates that had not been accessible to tourists until recently. The government also recently established Nyungwe National Park along the country's border with Burundi. The rich landscape is home to 13 types of primates, as well as 260 species of birds. 

Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa, just slightly bigger than Wales, so it is possible to get round all the main attraction in one visit. The roads infrastructure is relatively good by African standards and even the public transport system is manageable for the more adventurous, although a 4x4 is essential to get off the beaten track.

Using Kigali as a base it is never more than a few hours drive to any of the major attractions. Three hours east of the capital is the country's main game area, Akagera National Park, where day tours or overnight visits can be arranged from the city's dozen or so safari specialists. To the west Kibuye makes a tranquil destination for a relaxing couple of days and getting there takes in one the most spectacular mountain routes in all of Africa.

Given the country's bloody recent past a poignant finish to any trip is a visit to one of the genocide memorials dotted around the country. The Kigali Memorial Centre is the country's main focus of remembrance. It is situated two miles north of the city centre and is built on a mass grave of 250,000 of the victims of the genocide. The knowledgeable guides are all genocide survivors and will tell the story of how the genocide developed, its consequences and how the world did sat back and did nothing as part of a two hour tour. 

Ntarama, an hour south of the city centre provides an even more brutal reminder of what happened to Rwanda back in 1994. More than 5000 people were killed in this church and the victims remain unburied, bones scattered undisturbed around. It's not for the fainthearted but says everything that needs to be said about the brutality humankind is capable of. Visitors to Rwanda will experience a country trying hard to shake off its past. The sensitive and sustainable way the country is developing its tourism offering gives visitors an unrivalled opportunity to experience some of the world's rarest species in their natural environment.

With one of the best climates, safest environments and fastest growing economies in Africa, the land of a thousand hills is unlikely to stay in the shadow of more established east African destinations for long.

Find out more exotic places in Malaysia and around the world from the friendly travel consultants at Tamimi Travel & Tours. It is also advisable to check and pre-book your accommodation to avoid disappointment.