Rwanda

Rwanda is a small, densely populated country in the heart of central Africa, known as the land of a thousand hills for its landscape of terraced slopes, volcanic peaks, and tea plantations. It is also one of Africa’s most remarkable political stories, having rebuilt itself from the devastation of the 1994 genocide into one of the continent’s most stable and progressive nations in just three decades.

The mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park are the primary draw. Tracking a habituated gorilla family through dense Afromontane forest is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences on earth, and Rwanda manages the experience with a rigour and care that sets it apart. The same forest is home to golden monkeys, and the volcanic Virunga peaks offer serious hiking for those who want to go further. Kigali surprises almost everyone who visits. It’s clean, safe, and efficiently run, with a thriving restaurant scene, a powerful genocide memorial that should not be missed, and a contemporary arts scene that reflects the country’s growing confidence. In the east, Akagera National Park has been transformed into a fully functioning Big Five reserve, with lion and rhino reintroduced after the post-genocide years. Lake Kivu on the western border offers a quieter counterpoint, with boat trips, swimming, and lakeside towns with a distinctly francophone atmosphere.