Rwanda
Africa · Eastern Africa
Overview
Rwanda is a landlocked country in East Africa's Great Lakes region, often called the "land of a thousand hills" for its lush, terraced hillsides. Following the tragic genocide of 1994, the country has undergone a remarkable process of rebuilding and development, making it today one of the safest and cleanest destinations in Africa. Rwandan culture is deeply rooted in community values, well illustrated by umuganda, a monthly tradition of community work that remains a living practice across the country.
Volcanoes National Park, set within the Virunga mountain range, is home to a significant portion of the world's mountain gorilla population and is Rwanda's best-known destination thanks to its gorilla trekking experiences. Kigali, the capital, offers a modern urban experience with clean streets, alongside a sobering look into the country's history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, is home to chimpanzees and numerous other primate species, and features a striking canopy walkway suspended above the treetops.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park offers a remarkable experience, bringing visitors within a few meters of wild mountain gorilla families, under strict rules and with limited group sizes. The savanna landscapes of Akagera National Park are home to lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos, the result of a successful wildlife reintroduction program that stands as one of the country's most significant conservation achievements. Local cuisine is simple and ingredient-focused, with ugali, a cornmeal staple, and matoke, steamed green bananas, as signature dishes, often served alongside beans and vegetables.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
Between April and July 1994, an estimated one million people were killed across Rwanda by armed militias called Interahamwe that targeted Tutsi, but also executed moderate Hutu and Twa people. The victims of the genocide are commemorated in this serial property composed of four memorial sites. Two of the component parts were scenes of massacres: a Catholic church built in the hill of Nyamata in 1980, and a technical school built in the hill of Murambi in 1990. The hill of Gisozi in Kigali City hosts the Kigali Genocide Memorial built in 1999, where more than 250,000 victims have been buried, while the hill of Bisesero in the Western Province hosts a memorial built in 1998, to remember the fight of those who resisted their perpetrators for over two months before being exterminated.
Nyungwe National Park
This serial property represents an important area for rainforest conservation in Central Africa. The property is home to intact forests and peat bogs, moors, thickets and grasslands, providing habitats to a highly diverse flora and fauna. The Park also contains the most significant natural habitats for a number of species found nowhere else in the world, including the globally threatened Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis ssp. kandti) and the Critically Endangered Hills Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hillorum). There are also 12 mammal and seven bird species that are globally threatened, and with 317 species of birds recorded, Nyungwe National Park is one of the most important sites for bird conservation in Africa.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Rwanda?
The capital of Rwanda is Kigali.
What is the area of Rwanda?
The area of Rwanda is 26,338 km².
What is the population of Rwanda?
The population of Rwanda is 14,256,567.
What is the currency of Rwanda?
The currency of Rwanda is Rwandan franc (RWF).
What is the official language of Rwanda?
The official language of Rwanda: English, French, Kinyarwanda.
What side of the road does Rwanda drive on?
Rwanda: Right-hand traffic.
Is Rwanda a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Rwanda is a member of the United Nations.