Rwanda

Touted as one of the friendliest capital cities in Africa, Kigali boasts a vibrant energy and is well positioned in the centre of Rwanda for onward safaris and trekking adventures. Attractions include Kimironko Market, a colourful maze of crafts and stunning African fabrics known as kitenge and a visit to the Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, a museum commemorating the genocide against the Tutsi which is a haunting historical experience. For tmore active pursuits, a hike up the city's highest point is well worth it for the epic views and lush forest scenery.

Volcanoes National Park, named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif, is situated in the northwest of Rwanda. The dormant volcanoes are Karisimbi (at 4 507 metres), Bisoke, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. These great, old volcanoes are blanketed with thick, lush rainforest – the Virungas - and are home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Tracking these magnificent creatures through the rainforest which rings with the calls of over 200 species of birds and the chattering of the odd golden monkey is an experience of a lifetime.

Rubavu, in northwest Rwanda, is an idyllic waterfront town on the shores of Lake Kivu with red sandy beaches, warm water and tropical climate. Visitors find it a good place to relax, bird-watch and enjoy the swathe of watersports on offer. The 227km-long Congo Nile Trail starts in Rubavu. Popular for its lake views and welcoming towns en route, the trail can be explored on foot or, for the more adventurous, by mountain bike. Other attractions include the nearby and new Gishwati-Mukura National Park, home to magnificent bird and primate species with a variety of tea and coffee plantations in the area well worth visiting.

Along the border with Tanzania in eastern Rwanda in a protected area spanning 433 sq. miles is the Akageria National Park, the country's only safari destination offering the Big Five wildlife. The park is easily accessible from Kigali and features marshes, savannahs and lakes. It's a diverse landscape, home to a wealth of wildlife who are thriving as a result of concerted conservation efforts. There are also nearly 500 bird species, primates, hippos and crocodiles. Self drive or guided tours are available along with boat trips on Lake Thema.

Sharing a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in western Rwanda set in the pristine Albertine Rift with arguably some of Africa's best inland beaches lies the beautiful Lake Kivu. The largest on the continent without hippos or crocs, it's ideal for water-based activities including kayaking, fishing, water-skiing, wind surfing and paddle boarding. Other attractions include boat tours to the other islands on the lake, notably Munini Islands (also known as Napoleon Islands), home to a large colony of fruit bats. Nyamirundi Island hosts a large coffee plantation, great for coffee lovers. Mountain biking and hiking trails around the lake are also very popular.

In south western Rwanda in a town called Cyangungu near Lake Kivu is the Nyungwe National Forest Park. An important conservation area with the oldest rainforests in Africa, the mountainous park houses an abundance of wildlife, primates and bird species. Attractions include wildlife viewing, hiking and games drives, walks to the Isumo Waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge, rated the best in East Africa with a hanging platform 45 meters above ground with stunning views. The park offers 15 trails to explore and primate tracking tops the list for most visitors.

Located in the north-west region of Rwanda, Gishwati Mukura National Park is one of the few remaining natural forests and biodiversity splendours in the Congo-Nile divide within the Albertine Rift region. The larger Gishwati and smaller Mukura forests are home to eastern chimpanzees, mountain and golden monkeys, serval, genet, civet, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, more than 120 bird and 250 plant species. Attractions include guided nature hikes, guided chimp and monkey trekking, bird watching and a visit to the waterfalls.