Rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked and highly populated country bordered by Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Approximately the size of Massachusetts, the terrain varies from grassland to volcanoes. Known as the Country of a Thousand Hills, much of its fertile land has been developed for subsistence farming. Close to the equator, the climate in Rwanda is temperate most of the year with long rains occurring between February and May and shorter rains between October and December.
It is a beautiful country, and the people are warm and welcoming. When compared to its more well-known neighbors to the east, Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda is considered in its infancy since tourism wasn't returned to until 2000. While tourism in Rwanda is not as developed, the country is quickly expanding its tourism portfolio.
Rwanda is one of the few places to see the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat, and many visitors to Rwanda look forward to the adventure of gorilla trekking. During the late 1960s, until her death in 1985, Dian Fossey brought much needed attention to the gorilla's plight, highlighting the cause of the mountain gorilla and the need for their protection. Observing the gorilla in all its glory is one of the most exciting and inspirational experiences.
Aside from observing the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, visitors to Rwanda frequently visit the legendary Nyungwe National Park. Animals in Nyungwe include golden monkeys, Ruwenzori Colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and a variety of birds. There is also the resort area around Lake Kivu, while the more traditional safari game is found in Akagera National Park, which borders Tanzania.
