Rwanda Culture and History

Rwanda positioned in the East – Central Africa is neighbored by Uganda in the north, Democratic Republic of Congo in the west, Tanzania in the west and Burundi in the east.

Rwanda is relatively smaller in size than Maryland and it a hilly country with steep hills and deep valleys. Rwanda has the highest lake in Africa – Lake Kivu at an altitude of 4,829ft (1,472m).

The nation of Rwanda also shares the Virunga Mountains in the north with Mount Karisimbi (4,324m) being the highest point in Rwanda.

Politically, Rwanda is a Republican government with a functioning parliament and a constitution and is headed by an elected President. Read more about Rwanda cultural and history

Overview About Rwanda Culture and History

Traditionally, the indigenous people of Rwanda were the Pygmy (Twa) who apparently forms only 1% of the population.

Though the Hutu and Tutsi are usually considered to have separate ethnic origins, various scholars have asserted that they speak the similar language, possess intermarriage history, and share a range of cultural characteristics.

Traditionally, occupation made the differences between these two tribes rather than ethnic backgrounds. This is because the agriculturalists were regarded as Hutu and Pastoralists were considered as Tutsis.

Physically, the Tutsis are tall and thin while the Hutu are short and square though it was a bit challenging for the colonialists to distinguish the two.

Thus in 1933, the Belgian colonialists required all the people to carry their identity cards showing their tribal identity which in turn enhanced their differences.

Rwanda was part of the German East Africa in 1890 and it received the first European explorers on 1854. It was later occupied by the Belgian troops during World War I in 1916 and after the war it became a Belgian League of Nations mandate together with Burundi under the umbrella of Ruanda-Urundi.

It later became a UN trust territory in 1946 and till the independence of Belgian Congo; Ruanda–Urundi was rules as part of the colony.

cultural safaris-rwandaThe Belgians initially promoted Tutsi dominancy though they later resorted to power sharing between the Hutu and the Tutsi.

The differences in ethnicity and disunity resulted in 1959 Rwandan revolution which left many Tutsis in exile and at the time of independence in July 1, 1962, Rwanda was under Hutu leadership.

The Rwanda Patriotic Front formed by the Tutsi rebels who were in exile in Uganda invaded Rwanda in Oct, 1990 on a move to overthrow the Hutu government.

This led to the Peace accords that were signed in Aug.1993 to allow the coalition government between the Tutsi and the Hutu.

However, this did not last when the Presidential plane FALCON 50 was brought down in April 1994 leading to the death of the two Presidents including; Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana and his colleague the Burundian President.

Though the cause of this plane clash is unclear, it is alleged that the Hutu extremists who were annoyed with the initiative of power sharing plotted the move.

Whatever the cause, it can be noted to any Rwanda safari undertaker, that the tragedy led to the eruption of overwhelming ethnic violence with the presidential guard starting off the killing of the Tutsi opposition leaders while the army and the police hatched the plan to exterminate the Tutsi ethnic from the Land of a thousand hills – Rwanda.

It is extremely sad to note that in a period of 100 days, about 800,000 Tutsis and Moderate Hutus were massacred cold blood.

A force of 30,000 Hutu militia named Interahamwe spearheaded the massacre and with the influence of Radio Propaganda, the ordinary Hutus also joined the move to exterminate their fellow citizens.

A number of genocide memorial sites are scattered all over Rwanda and can be encountered while undertaking safaris in Rwanda to testify this horror.

As a result of this, the Rwanda Patriotic Front fought hurriedly and in 14 week civil war the Hutu government was ousted and quite alarming is that despite of this horrific genocide, no country came in to save the Tutsis and further to note is that the United Nations force withdrew from Rwanda in the early stages of genocide when 10 of its soldiers were killed.

After the genocide, about 1.7 million Hutus fled into exile to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and interestingly to note is that the Tutsis allowed the Pasteur Bizimungu – a Hutu to become the president in a bid to foster national unity.

The rebel leader Paul Kagame became the Vice President though he later rose to the Presidential position.

Though Rwanda continued to receive attacks from the Hutu rebels from Congo, it has relatively stabilized politically and the efforts to bring the genocide ring leaders to justice were put in place with Jean Kambanda – the former Rwandan Prime Minister being the first person in history to be convicted of genocide charges as per the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The economy is quick progress and is considered one of the fastest growing economies in East Africa while the social cohesion is alive. All this combine to make safaris to Rwanda memorable.

Other Related Attactions

Rwanda National Parks | Safari Destinations in Rwanda

Rwanda dubbed the land of a thousand hills boasts of three well protected national parks located in different parts of the country.

The three parks have varied habitats thus supporting varied biodiversity allowing Rwanda to maintain a good count natural flora and fauna in its small protected landscapes. Read More about Rwanda Safari Destinations

Akagera National Park is positioned in the north east of Rwanda overlooking the plains of Tanzania. It extends over a geographical spread of 1122 km2 and under a public private partnership arrangement of African Parks and Rwanda Development Board since 2010.

The park is named after the River Akagera which is one of the sources of the Nile River which is the longest in the world.

The River feeds in the chain of lakes that mark the floor of the Akagera plains including Lake Ihema which is the second largest in the whole of Rwanda.Read More about Akagera National Park

Volcanoes National Park, Also known as Parc Nationale des Volcanos in French, the Volcanoes National Park is located in the north west of Rwanda protecting the Rwandan side of the Virunga massif thus bordering with Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Congo’ Virunga National Park.Read More about Volcanoes National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park, Positioned in the south west of Rwanda, the Nyungwe Forest National Park overlooks the Democratic Republic of Congo border to the west and the Republic of Burundi in the south.

The Nyungwe is noted to be one of the ancient forests of Africa and is known to have survived the last ice age.

The Nyungwe forest is noted to one of the largest mountain forests in East Africa and at the moment is considered to be the most conserved forest in the Central African Highlands.Read More about Nyungwe Forest National Park

Uganda National Parks | Safari Destinations in Uganda

Uganda is a gorgeous place to be and is truly the treasure chest of the African continent. Uganda’s abundance of life in the wild has always inspired peak Safaris in Africa and this is undoubtedly expected to continue in the future. Read More about Uganda Safari Destinations

Kidepo National Park, Located in the north eastern part of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park covers a geographical landscape of 1,442km². It is in the district of Kaboong about 220km from Moroto the biggest town in the sub region and 700km from Kampala the Uganda’s capital city. Kidepo Valley National Park was established in the year 1962 and it contains 77 species of mammals, 475 bird species of which 60 are endemic to the park on the standards of Uganda.Read More about Kidepo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park, The nomenclature of Lake Mburo National Park like most of other African areas cannot go without a legendary connotation.

The legends have it that the two brothers named Kigarama and Mburo settled in the area that is currently occupied by Lake Mburo grazing their long horned cattle across the open savannah plains that thrive up to today.Read More about Lake Mburo National Park

Mgahinga National Park, which was established in 1991 covers a geographical surface of 33.7km² making the smallest national Park in Uganda. Mgahinga National Park is the second habitat that contains the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and it is the only national park in Uganda with counts of the rare and endangered golden monkeys which only thrive in the Virunga massif in the whole world. Read More about Mgahinga National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the south west of Uganda stretching for 321Km²at an elevation of 1,160 – 2,607 m above sea level.

Bwindi is one of those areas in East Africa with large expanse of Afro montane lowland forest which dates back to the pre-historic era and is known to have survived the last ice age.Read More about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Mount Elgon National Park, Spreading to over 1,121km² of land, Mount Elgon National Park lies with in the eastern side of Uganda close to Kenyan boarder 255km from Kampala which is the country’s capital city.

Mount Elgon which was once the tallest in Africa before it was eroded to being the fourth tallest in East Africa rises up to 4,321m above sea level and is the oldest and largest single standing volcano in East Africa having last erupted approximately 24 million years ago.Read More about Mount Elgon National Park

Semuliki National Park, Spreading to over 220km² of land surface, Semuliki National Park is located in the west of Uganda in the county of Bwamba, Bundibugyo district.

The park contains a range of species among which include 441 bird species and 53 mammal species. Established in 1993, Semuliki National Park is recognized among the newly established Uganda safari parks in Uganda.Read More about Semuliki National Park

Mount Rwenzori National Park, had earlier been described by Ptolemy a Greek geographer in 150AD as Lunae Montes translated as the Mountains of the moon and were thought to be the origin of the Nile River which is the longest in world and one of the natural wonders encountered by Uganda safari undertakers.Read More about Mount Rwenzori National Park

Kibale National Park, The park is located in the western part of Uganda sharing the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge and is 358km surface transfer from Kampala the Uganda’s capital city and 26km from Fort Portal the largest town in the area.

Kibale National Park is entirely forested landscape that stretches to 795km²of land coverage and it is one of the mature remaining tropical rain forests in Uganda.Read More about Kibale National Park

Murchison falls National Park, Regarded as Uganda’s largest protected area, Murchison Falls National Park was nowhere until 1952 when 3,840km² of land in the North West part of Uganda were established as a national Park.

Perched on the northern extreme of the western arm of the great East African rift valley, Murchison Falls National Park is 80km from Masindi town which is the largest town in the sub region and 311km²from the city of Kampala, the Uganda’s capital.Read More about Murchison falls National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park. Located within the western rift valley floor, Queen Elizabeth National Park was gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park attaining its nomenclature from the 45m long Kazinga channel that bisects the park adjoining Lake George and Lake Edward.

Queen Elizabeth National Park overlooks the highest point in Uganda Rwenzori Mountains with their snowcapped peaks as they were described by Ptolemy in 150AD as the mountains of the moon.Read More about Queen Elizabeth National park

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris | Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Rwanda is a world surprising Gorilla trekking Rwanda African safari destination in offering Rwanda Gorilla tours / Rwanda gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park – part of the Virunga Massif with about half of the about 420 mountain gorillas that habitat / leave in the Virunga Massif i.e Volcanoes National park Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla Park Uganda and Virunga National park Congo.Read More about Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tours

1Day Gorilla Tracking Safari in Rwanda -1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour Volcanoes Park is an amazing gorilla excursion that you cannot have anywhere else in the region.View Itinerary

king Safari in Rwanda, is a 2 Days Gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda & one of the best short gorilla safaris that you can undertake.View Itinerary

3Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda,The 3 Days Short Rwanda Gorilla safari tour starts and ends in Kigali /Kigali Airport but includes Gisozi genocide.View itinerary

4Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari–Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour in Volcanoes NP enables one double track mountain Gorillas in Rwanda.View Itinerary

5Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari & Chimpanzee Trekking Tour, is an amazing Safari to Rwanda`s Nyungwe Forest for Chimps and Colobus Monkey tracking.View Itinerary

Long Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tours

6 Days Gorilla Safari Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking & Colobus Monkeys tracking, is designed to enable you go Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and have a detailed encounter with the primates of Rwanda.View Itinerary

6Days Rwanda Primate & Cultural Safari is a perfect blend of nature and heritage of Rwanda. It avails the tourism products in Kigali city and Butare town including genocide memorials, Presidential and Kings Palaces, National Museum.View Itinerary

7Days Gorilla Safari Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking & Birding, This Rwanda Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee and Rwanda Birding Safari is a blend of various tourist products that have made Rwanda a favorite safari destination.View Itinerary

9Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari, Chimpanzee trekking & Canopy walk, gives you an opportunity to explore the Rwandan heritage and tourist sites in detail. The Safari commences and ends in Kigali. View Itinerary

10Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari tour Adventure, is a Long Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari tour, and a highlight Rwanda Gorilla Safari, Chimp trekking & a Rwanda wildlife tour.View Itinerary

11Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife Safari in Rwanda, is one of the comprehensive safaris that can be taken in the destination Rwanda. The safari features a perfect blend of wild game.View Itinerary

12Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari, is a Rwanda Gorilla Tour Trip to trek and see Gorillas in Volcanoes Mountain Park. This Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is an amazing Rwanda.View Itinerary

Rwanda Wildlife Safari Tours

The Rwanda Wildlife Safaris allows you to explore the destination Rwanda without gorilla trekking. You might have tracked gorillas before or you can not include it at the moment because of budgetary issues and this makes the Rwanda Wildlife Safari ideal for such travelers.Read More about Rwanda Wildlife Safari Tours

3Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park, is a thrilling encounter in the pre-historic forest of Nyungwe where counts of habituated Chimpanzees are found…

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3Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari to Akagera National Park. is a perfect short wildlife encounter in the rolling savannah plains of the eastern Rwanda where Akagera National Park is situated overlooking the Tanzanian Plains.View Itinerary

5Days Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda, takes you to the wild game viewing haven of Akagera National Park and the chimpanzee trekking destination of Nyungwe …View Itinerary

5Days Rwanda Adventure Safari, the safari takes you to the Volcanoes National Park which protects the Rwandan side of the Virunga mountain chain.View Itinerary

6Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari takes you to Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park not forgetting the genocide sites of Kigali…View Itinerary

9Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari is one of those extended safaris in Rwanda that do not feature gorilla trekking. Starting and ending in Kigali…View Itinerary

Click Here to See More Rwanda Wildlife Safaris

Best Selling Rwanda Safaris

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda, is a 2 Days Gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda & one of the best short gorilla safaris that you can undertake. View Itinerary

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda,The 3 Days Short Rwanda Gorilla safari tour starts and ends in Kigali /Kigali Airport but includes Gisozi genocide. View Itinerary

3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park

The 3 Days Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda is a thrilling encounter in the pre-historic forest of Nyungwe where counts of habituated Chimpanzees are found…View Itinerary

3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari to Akagera National Park

The 3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari to Akagera National Park is a perfect short wildlife encounter in the rolling savannah plains of the eastern Rwanda … View Itinerary

Best Selling Uganda Safaris

3 days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda

3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda is a Short Uganda Gorilla Safari-Uganda Gorilla Tour taking you trek gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. View Itinerary

3 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Murchison Falls National Park

3 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Murchison Falls National Park, commence and end in Kampala. The safari involves white Rhino tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary, chimpanzee trekking. View Itinerary

6 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Kidepo and Murchison Falls NP

6 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Parks, allows you to explore the big five of land animals in detail. The lions, elephants, Buffaloes and Leopard thrive on Kidepo as well as Murchison. View Itinerary

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari – Uganda Gorilla Safari is an amazing Uganda Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Forest. Our 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari commences and ends in Kampala city Ugandas capital.View Itinerary

Discounted Safaris

2 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda from Kigali Rwanda

2 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda from Kigali Rwanda starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda featuring remarkable sightseeing experience in Rwandan hillsides and Kigezi Highlands and the Mountain Gorilla Trekking. View Itinerary

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda, is a 2 Days Gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda & one of the best short gorilla safaris that you can undertake. View Itinerary

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda,The 3 Days Short Rwanda Gorilla safari tour starts and ends in Kigali /Kigali Airport but includes Gisozi genocide. View Itinerary

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Bwindi & Wildlife Tour L.Mburo NP

4 Days Bwindi Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife tour to Mburo takes you Gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as to a Uganda wildlife tour in Lake Mburo park. View Itinerary

4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

4 days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari–Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour in Volcanoes NP enables one double track mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. View Itinerary

5 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari & Colobus Monkey trekking tour

5 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari-Rwanda Chimp Trekking Tour in Rwanda is an amazing Safari to Rwanda`s Nyungwe Forest for Chimps and Colobus Monkey tracking. View Itinerary

6 Days Rwanda Primate & Cultural safari

6 Days Rwanda Primate & Cultural safari, is a perfect blend of nature and heritage of Rwanda. It avails the tourism products in Kigali city and Butare town including genocide memorials. View Itinerary

10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

10 days Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, A Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday Tour/Uganda Safari including Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Wildlife tours in Uganda`s Major Game Parks.View Itinerary

12 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

12 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a comprehensive Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour Trip in Africa. View Itinerary

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

15 days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking tour – Rwanda Uganda gorilla tour is an African wildlife & gorilla tour trip adventure. View Itinerary

16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari

16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari. This is a Long Uganda Safari Tour taking you in all Uganda`s wildlife Safari game parks. View Itinerary

18 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda

18 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda is a comprehensive Wildlife and Gorilla safari tour in Uganda Rwanda. It involves primate. View Itinerary

Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safaris | Gorilla trekking in Rwanda & Uganda

2 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour

2 Days Rwanda Uganda gorillas Safari is a short Uganda Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda & Uganda. The safari commences and ends in Kigali. However, it involves early transfers on the first day and late arrival on the second day. Read More

3 days Gorilla Safari in Rwanda and Uganda

3 days Gorilla Safari in Rwanda and Uganda-A Short Gorilla trekking safari trip to Rwanda Uganda enables one see mountain gorilla in Rwanda & Rwanda. This short Gorilla Safari in Rwanda and Uganda. Read More

4 Days Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

4 Days Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda; A Double country Gorilla Safari Tour in Uganda and Rwanda taking you track and see mountain Gorillas in Both countries. Read More

8 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda & Uganda.

8 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda & Uganda is a combined Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour, Bisoke mountain climbing & Diana Fossey Tombs. Read More

10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a comprehensive Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour Trip. Read More

12 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

12 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a comprehensive Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour Trip in Africa. Read More

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

15 days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking tour – Rwanda Uganda gorilla tour is an African wildlife & gorilla tour trip adventure. Read More

18 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda

18 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda is a comprehensive Wildlife and Gorilla safari tour in Uganda Rwanda. It involves primate. Read Moreis | Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Enjoy the world`s surprising Gorilla trekking Uganda African safari destination offering Uganda Gorilla tours / Uganda gorilla safaris – Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park Uganda. Read More about Uganda Gorilla Safaris

3 days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda

3 days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda is a Short Uganda Gorilla Safari-Uganda Gorilla Tour taking you trek gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. View Itinerary

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tour to Mgahinga

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour to Mgahinga is a Short Uganda Gorilla Tour Trip-Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour to track Gorillas in the Virunga Region-Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Read More

4 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Bwindi & Wildlife Tour L.Mburo NP

4 Days Bwindi Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife tour to Mburo takes you Gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as to a Uganda wildlife tour in Lake Mburo park. Read More

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari-Uganda Gorilla Safari is an amazing Uganda Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Forest. Our 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari commences. Read More

7 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tour Bwindi

7 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tour Bwindi, Uganda gorilla safari tour taking you gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest. Read More

10 days Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

12 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda & Wildlife Safari tour in Uganda

12 Days Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari, is a long Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park featuring Wildlife Tour to Uganda wildlife safari parks. Read More

16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari

16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari. This is a Long Uganda Safari Tour taking you in all Uganda`s wildlife Safari game parks. Read More