The Republic of Rwanda is a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. Home to approaching 10 million people, Rwanda supports the densest population in continental Africa, most of whom engage in subsistence agriculture. A verdant country of fertile and hilly terrain, the small republic bears the title "Land of a Thousand Hills".
The country has received considerable international attention due to its 1994 genocide, in which between 800,000 and one million people were killed. In 2008, Rwanda became the first country in history to elect a national legislature in which a majority of members were women.

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Volcanoes National Park
The main focus of interest for most visitors is the Volcanoes National Park, which incorporates Rwanda's section of the Virunga Mountains. This chain of volcanoes is home to the worlds' few remaining mountain gorillas; Rwanda has approximately half of the world's population. With such a stunning backdrop, a gorilla safari here is the highlight of any holiday.

Nyungwe Forest National Park
Tucked away in the south-west corner of Rwanda, a visit to Nyungwe is a good reason to extend your holiday in Rwanda beyond a gorilla safari. Nyungwe's diverse wildlife includes many species of mammals, birds, butterflies and orchids. Walkers will enjoy its hiking trails, from which several species of primate are often seen, whilst devoted chimpanzee-tracking hikes are possible for the energetic.

Akagera National Park
Named after the river which bounds it, Akagera lies at a lower altitude than Rwanda's other parks. This natural savannah environment is reminiscent of Africa's better-known safari reserves in Tanzania and Kenya – and the game can be good, but doesn't quite match the best of them. That said, lakes and swamps add variety, and the birding can be excellent.

Kigali
Rwanda's attractive capital, Kigali, spreads out over several hills; it's a pleasant place to stop overnight at the start or end of a holiday if you need to. Because Kigali is in the centre of Rwanda, which is a fairly small country, travelling to anywhere from here is fairly quick. Kigali is also the place to visit the museum devoted to the genocide, and several major memorials devoted to it

The shore of Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu forms Rwandas' eastern boarder, and the scenery of hillsides plunging into the lake is often stunning. Visit to relax and explore: in the north is the town of Gisenyi; Kibuye stands in the middle; and Cyangugu is furthest south.

Rwanda's history
In 1994, Rwanda's civil war dominated the world's headlines. This became known as 'Rwanda's genocide'; hundreds of thousands of people where killed.

Now, 15 years later, the country is once again peaceful. Rwanda's democratic government promotes harmony, and the Rwandese are enjoying a good life again. Many are eager to tell of their past, to let the world know what happened – and to protect their country against it ever happening again.

Safaris in Rwanda
Rwanda's facilities and hotels are sometimes basic; service and food can be poor, as many staff are new to tourism. It's not a place to drive yourself, but we have a team of capable driver/guides who can take you on a safari in your own 4WD, so you control the pace and the schedule each day.

Time in Rwanda
There is no time difference between winter and summer months in Rwanda; it's always two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

Currency in Rwanda
Rwanda's currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF). Currently (Aug 09), £1=Rwf954.05, and US$1 = Rwf578.76;

Travelling in Rwanda
With your own 4WD vehicle and driver, travelling in Rwanda is fairly easy. Although major arterial routes are tarred, roads in the more rural areas are not and can be in poor condition.

Health in Rwanda
There are medical facilities of good standards in Kigali; elsewhere facilities are rudimentary. A yellow fever certificate is usually required for entry into Rwanda. Malaria is widespread throughout lowland Rwanda, so malaria precautions are generally essential.
It is always advisable to check the latest recommendations with your own doctor or travel clinic before you travel.

Language in Rwanda
The main language spoken in Rwanda is Kinyarwanda (a Bantu language, also known as 'Rwanda' or 'Ruanda'). French is widespread and English is also spoken by many people who are in contact with visitors.

Visas for Rwanda
Travellers with British passports, as well as American citizens, generally need a visa when travelling to Rwanda; this can be purchased on arrival, and is free of charge. However, always check with your local Rwandan Embassy for the lastest regulations.

Rwanda has pleasant tropical highland climate, with a fairly high average rainfall.