|
KIGALI CITY
Located at Rwanda’s geographical heart, the rapidly growing City of Kigali is not only the national capital, but also the country’s most important business centre and main port of entry.
Kigali City, which started in 1907 as a small colonial outpost with little link to the outside world, is now 100 years old. Today, Kigali City has come of age-as the capital of Rwanda and made phenomenal strides. It is a city that has not just survived, but has prevailed and has grown into a modern metropolis- a heart of the emerging Rwandan economy and a pride of every Rwandan.
Among the safest and friendliest of African capitals, Kigali City is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate that belies its tropical location, and is conveniently located within three hours’ drive of the main tourist sites. The Rwandan capital provides both a comfortable and welcoming introduction to this land of a thousand hills and an ideal springboard from which to explore this magical country.
Kigali city is made up of three districts namely Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. It is presently inhabited by approximately 1 million inhabitants. Kigali is 70% rural with a population which is relatively young- the youth make up about 60% and women make slightly more the 50%.
The City of Kigali is divided into three (3) Districts comprising Sectors (35), Cells (161), and Cells are sub divided into Imidugudu literally villages (1061).
It is presently inhabited by approximately 1 million inhabitants. Kigali is 70% urban with a significant part that is rural. Our population is relatively young with the youth making up about 60%, with women making slightly more the 50%.
HUYE TOWN
Huye (former Butare) was the largest and most important city in Rwanda prior to 1965 when the more centrally located Kigali 135km to its north, became the capital of independent Rwanda.
Today as the site of the country’s largest university, the National University of Rwanda, home of the National Museum of Rwanda, and a main stopover point en route to the nearby Nyanza Royal Palace, Huye is regarded as the intellectual and cultural pulse of Rwanda.
It is also an attractively compact and sedate town with shady avenues emanating from a main street lined with comfortable small hotels and breezy terrace restaurants.
GISENYI TOWN
Three resort towns Gisenyi, Karongi and Rusizi sit along the littoral of Lake Kivu the western edge of the country. Gisenyi is the most developed of the three and lays less than an hour's drive from Volcanoes National Park.
It is set on a sandy beach lined with swaying palms, modern and colonial-era hotels that exude an atmosphere of tropical languor.
Tourists enjoy leisurely strolls along the main beach; local cuisine overlooking the water and the cityscape on the verandas of the numerous hotels; delicious freshly caught fish and evening bonfires at the Paradis Malahide hotel; and volleyball games and water sports, or for those in need of relaxation, a private massage all on the beach of the Lake Kivu Serena. Munezero, a luxury tourist boat can be boarded in Gisenyi to guide tourists along Lake Kivu’s shores.
MUSANZE
Musanze is Rwanda's most mountainous district, containing the largest part of the Volcanoes and a National Park, and its head office is in Muhoza. Five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga chain (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura) are within the district boundaries. It is also in this district that most of Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas, the rarest specie in the world, are found, making it the most popular tourist destination in the country. Under exploitation of local tourist opportunities, the District is developing community tourism.
Ruhengeri
Musanze's main Town, Ruhengeri, is one of the largest Towns in Rwanda and also serves as a tourist hub. Tourist attractions in Musanze District include; The mountain gorillas as the major tourist attraction, volcanic mountains within the Virunga chain, Flora and Fauna, Ruhondo lake in the south western part covering about 28 Km2. Virunga National park covering about 60 km2 And cultural houses in Kinigi.
The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%) to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
Gorilla mother and child in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern part of Musanze district and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest. |
