Experience the extraordinary culture in Rwanda
Their socio-economic differences were reinforced in the colonial era (the Belgian rulers assigned Tutsi identity to people owning ten or more cows and Hutu identity to everyone else) and provoked into violence in the horrific 1994 genocide in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were murdered by neighbourhood death squads under military control. Since this dark phase in Rwanda’s history the country has undergone a long period of healing and many citizens no longer refer to themselves as Hutu or Tutsi, but simply as Rwandans.
A visit to Rwanda inevitably brings you face to face with this turbulent past and gives you an appreciation for just how far the country has come over the past few decades. Your guides are likely to be open and informative about their often traumatic life stories. Driving through Rwanda today you will pass dozens of genocide memorials, drive through bustling villages, lush farms and plantations of tea and coffee. Children smile and wave at your car as you pass, and locals are happy to stop for a chat. Despite its recent history Rwanda has retained a strong sense of tradition which is reflected in music, arts and dance.
Expert Africa’s itineraries in Rwanda are all conducted with a private guide and vehicle, giving you the flexibility to stop in the villages, visit genocide memorials, or explore roadside villages and landscapes as you wish. Many people visiting the country will spend time at the sobering genocide memorial in Kigali, which provides insight and context for the rest of your time in Rwanda. The King’s Palace museum, on the way from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest, gives you a feel for the traditional way of life in Rwanda as well as the history of the old kings. A number of lodges can also arrange specific cultural experiences, such as guided village walks accompanied by locals and dance performances laid on for guests. It’s best to put aside any doubts about authenticity when witnessing such cultural displays, and to treat them as visually spectacular re-enactments or theatrical performances.
Best camps & lodges for Cultural experiences in Rwanda
Bisate Lodge
Bisate works very closely with the local community and complimentary village walks are offered to all guests, this is a good way to get a feel for the rural way of life in Rwanda. Many of the staff come from the local area and Bisate has invested in a number of community projects.
Mountain Gorilla View
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has strong ties with the surrounding communities and supports a local 'Intore' dance troop who perform at the lodge each afternoon. The word 'Intore' means warrior and bands of sisal on headbands portray dancers as fearsome lions.
Sabyinyo Silverback
Sabyinyo is owned by a community trust (SACOLA), with a portion of the profits being fed back into community projects such as vegetable gardens, farms and beehives. The lodge has close links with the local village and guided walks can easily be arranged.
Cultural experiences elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Cultural experiences in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Rwanda
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,959 sightings from 3,552 observations
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,227 sightings from 4,643 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,076 sightings from 4,745 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,080 sightings from 3,442 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,507 sightings from 4,576 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,262 sightings from 4,803 observations
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,498 sightings from 4,322 observations
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei
The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.
100% SUCCESS
48 sightings from 48 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
715 sightings from 2,354 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
65 sightings from 3,836 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,794 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,672 sightings from 3,404 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,440 sightings from 5,279 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
586 sightings from 2,356 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
560 sightings from 2,372 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
72 sightings from 380 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
576 sightings from 1,340 observations
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