Rwanda is a tiny country, landlocked by Uganda to the north, Tanzania in the east, Burundi in the south, and Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Home of over half of the world's mountain gorilla population, this tiny country is starting to develop a thriving economy on tourism, with new lodges and camps being built in the region. The main 'European' language is French, but English is widely spoken, particularly at hotels and lodges. It is a beautiful country, with large mountains, volcanoes, rivers and forests.

Rwanda lies on the East African plateau, with the divide between the water systems of the Nile and Zaire rivers passing in a north-south direction through the western part of the country. To the west of the divide, the land drops sharply to Lake Kivu in the Great African Rift Valley; to the east, the land falls gradually across the central plateau - its grassy highlands are the core areas of settlement of Rwanda's population - to the swamps and lakes on the country's eastern border.

Most of Rwanda is 3,000 ft above sea level, with much of the central plateau being higher than 4,700 ft. In the northwest, on the border with DRC, are the volcanic Virunga Mountains; the highest peak, Mount Karisimbi (14,870 ft) is permanently ice-capped. Lake Kivu, 4,700 feet above sea level, drains into Lake Tanganyika, through the sharply descending Ruzizi River. The Kagera River, which forms much of Rwanda's eastern border, flows into Lake Victoria.

Akagera - Set at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park could scarcely be more different in mood to the breezy cultivated hills that characterise much of Rwanda. Dominated scenically by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile, this is archetypal African savannah landscape of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland.

Akagera is, above all, big game country! Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, while lucky visitors might stumble across a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a stray lion. Giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park, most commonly the handsome chestnut-coated impala, but also the diminutive oribi and secretive bushbuck, as well as the ungainly tsessebe and the world's largest antelope, the statuesque Cape eland.

Camping alongside the picturesque lakes of Akagera is a truly mystical introduction to the wonders of the African bush. Pods of 50 hippopotami grunt and splutter throughout the day, while outsized crocodiles soak up the sun with their vast jaws menacingly agape. Magically, the air is torn apart by the unforgettable high duetting of a pair of fish eagles, asserting their status as the avian monarchs of Africa's waterways. Lining the lakes are some of the continent's densest concentrations of waterbirds, while the connecting marshes are the haunt of the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek, and the bizarre shoebill stork - the latter perhaps the most eagerly sought of all African birds.

Butare - This former colonial era administrative capital of Rwanda is a pleasant businesslike town and has lot to boast about. Being the site of the National University, Butare is sometimes called the country's 'intellectual' center and during term time it has probably the largest concentration of students not only at the university but also at other technical and training schools and colleges. It is something of a religious center too, with its massive cathedral and other churches. The National Museum is also located here and offers a rich and beautifully presented collection of exhibits on Rwandan history & culture from earliest times to present day. Spectacular displays of traditional dancers (Intore) take place in Butare and can be arranged on request (for a fee) at the museum.

Kigali - Rwanda's attractive capital Kigali, struggles over several hills, with the city center on one and the government/admin. Quarter on another. The center of Kigali is bustling, colorful and noisy, but also clean and safe. Peaceful, tree-lined residential streets stretch up and down the city's heart, giving visitors ample scope for strolling.
The government and administrative area, in Kacyiru quarter on a neighbouring hill, is newer and quieter, with wide streets and some modern architecture.

There aren't many tourist attractions in Kigali and you are unlikely to spend many full days there, but there are some good hotels, the services (shops, banks etc.) are plentiful and the ambience is pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the rest of Rwanda, all parts of which are easily accessible by road in 2 to 6 hours.

Lake Kivu - Lake Kivu is a 2,650 sq. km. extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep, green terraced hills along eastern Rwanda. Three resort towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu are located along it's shores and are connected by a wild roller-coaster road that tumbles through lush plantain fields and relic patches of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over the blue waters with the nearby Virunga volcanoes providing a spectacular backdrop. The road winds endlessly in a countless number of twists and turns and the common storm clouds lend a ruggedly romantic panorama to this region.

Gisenyi, the most developed of these resorts is set on a sandy beach lined with swaying palms and colonial-era hotels that exude an atmosphere of tropical languor. At Kibuye to the south, tourist activities are centered on a modern lakeshore guest house overlooking pine-covered hills. Kibuye is such a relaxed, pleasant town that its enjoyable strolling along the lake shores, bird-watching or just watching life unfold. Other leisure activities include water skiing, wind surfing, boat trips and fishing.

Then comes Cyangugu town whose subdued tourist development is compensated by a stirring setting of curving inlets winding into narrow valleys and it's close proximity to Nyungwe forest where at least 25% of Africa's primates can be found among lots more natural wonders. There is a charter boat service connecting the 3 towns.

Nyungwe - Extending for 1,000 square kilometres across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East or Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. A uniquely rich centre of floral diversity, the forest has more than 200 different types of tree, and a myriad of flowering plants including the other-worldly giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.

Nyungwe is most alluring for its primates: 13 species in all, including humankind's closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. The avian highlight of Nyungwe is the great blue turaco - an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from tree to tree like a procession of streamlined psychedelic turkeys.

An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points. A comfortably rustic resthouse and perfectly situated campsite lie alongside the main road, and the reserve can readily be visited as a day trip from the towns of Butare and Cyangugu. Nyungwe does, however, deserve more time: anybody who wants to track chimps and see several varieties of smaller primate will need two days there - and dedicated birdwatchers might never want to leave!

Parc National Des Volcans - In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat," wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, "are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas". Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions. Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning an ascent.

The bustling market town of Ruhengeri has a memorable setting at the base of the Virungas. On the outskirts of town, the natural bridge at Musanze - a solidified lava flow - is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. Also within easy day tripping distance of Ruhengeri are the seldom visited but lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago. Ruhengeri offers a good selection of reasonably-priced small hotels and guest houses, including the newly renovated hotel Gorilla's Nest. Visitors could also base themselves in Gisenyi or Kigali and - with an early start - head to the Parc des Volcans and Ruhengeri as a day trip.