Known for its mountain gorillas, Rwanda is a lush country of endless mountains and stunning landscapes. It is a small landlocked country located in the equatorial region of Africa and lies on the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift, a western arm of the Great Rift Valley between Africa’s two great river systems: the Nile and the Congo. It borders Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.

The Geography – Rwanda is a photographer’s paradise with a variety of landscapes; valleys and peaks blend with the horizon to produce captivating moods. Much of the country’s terrain is dramatically mountainous, the highest peak being Karisimbi at 4,507 m, part of the Virunga volcanic chain in the northwest. The average elevation of the plateau is about 1,700 m. The country is the most densely populated in Africa and is heavily cultivated, with even the steepest hills outside conservation areas. Rwanda has a rich culture with its second city Butare having one of the best cultural museums in Africa.

Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift is a beautiful inland sea surrounded by steep terraced slopes. Several other lakes are situated throughout the country, including Burera, Muhazi, Ruhondo, and Mugasera, all of which have erratic shapes following the contours of the rugged mountains that surround them.

Biodiversity – Rwanda prides itself on its rich biodiversity which has a number of unique delights to offer its visitors. Mountain gorillas remain the country’s best-known tourist attraction in the Virunga Volcanoes National Park.

However, there is more to Rwanda than mountain gorillas. The shores of Lake Kivu have some of the best beaches in the interior of Africa. Deep in the southwest, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest montane forest in Central Africa, famous for its large groups of Colobus monkeys and its rich variety of orchids.

Akagera National Park is a savannah park that is home to elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in the Akagera River. There is a wide variety of birds, especially in forested areas and flooded sites.