Rwanda Travel Forum

My husband and I (Canadians in our early 30's) are going to Rwanda for about 6 days as the first part of a 4 week trip to Africa. We will land in Kigali and spend a couple of days there first (exploring the city, memorials, etc.), and would then like to take a couple of days (1-2 nights) and go up to Ruhengeri and Gisenyi. We aren't planning to do the gorillas... I'm sure they are spectacular, but we are not interested enough in them to pay the price... but really just want to get a sense of the countryside - I hear the area around the Kivu is some of the most beautiful on the continent. I have also read a fantastic book by an American woman who started an orphanage in Gisenyi, and I would love to visit it.

So my questions are:
- What is the best way to do this (e.g., rent a car? bus? taxi/driver?)
- Any recommendations of specific things to see?
- Obviously "safe" is a relative term when visiting Africa, and we are prepared to use caution, but how concerned do we need to be about visiting an area so close to Goma & the Congolese border? I have heard from other visitors that they had no problems, but want to check...

Any thoughts are welcome! Thanks.

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This was really an informative article. I enjoyed reading it a lot. Here is a site that I think will be of great interest to the readers http://www.journeyintoafrica.co.za . Keep up the great work!

Ciao,I'm italian ...my english is not the best one"
I went in Rwanda in february...I stayed there about 10 days without visit Gorillas....I was not interested to them...I prefer to see the country, the life and people..
I can suggest you to stay 2 nights in Kigali..visit the Memorial Center, the city...and some places of genocide...from kigaly you can go to kibuye....it's really nice....and from kibuye to giseny.....this is very long...but believe me the landscape is beautiful...caffe'...the'....original market....
You need a suv with driver...There are non buses, taxis...nothing at all....
I can suggest you wildlife tour....you can ask od David..the director...and if you want a good guide....ask of Yves...HE'S YOUNG BUT VERY VERY KIND AND INTELLIGENT.....
Ciao
Tatiana