Rwanda

Rwanda is known as Le Pays des Mille Collines (Land of a Thousand Hills) thanks to the endless mountains in this scenically stunning little country. Nowhere are the mountains more majestic than the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest, and hidden among the bamboo forests are some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas. For a change of scene, the shores of Lake Kivu conceal some of the best inland beaches on the continent, while Nyungwe Forest National Park protects extensive tracts of montane rainforest, and is home to many primates. Looking for a more metropolitan experience? Kigali, the capital, is one of the loveliest cities in Africa.

Terraced fields for farming cover the hills of northwestern Rwanda.

©Edwin Remsberg/Getty Images

Latest Stories
Book
Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026
Book

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop $19.99 USD
App
Lonely Planet App on a phone
Brand New!

Get the Lonely Planet App

Take your Rwanda trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Time to book that trip to Rwanda

Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.

Top places to visit in Rwanda

Discover the best attractions in Rwanda from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Rwanda

Rwanda and beyond