Rwanda

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country, with the divide between Africa's two largest river systems, the Nile and the Congo, passing through the western part of the country. It is a mountainous country, with the central plateau averaging 1,700 m. The magnificent volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest, with the highest summit, the peak of Mount Karisimbi, at 4,507 m. Situated in the Virunga Mountains is the rich green rainforest of the Parc des Volcans, home to the mountain gorillas. An hour spent with these gentle giants as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young is one of the greatest wildlife experiences. The rainforest is also home to the rare golden monkey, the mountains’ elusive populations of buffalo, elephant, bush duiker and an abundance of colourful birdlife.
Extending for 1,000 km2 across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park, the largest montane forest in East or Central Africa. Nyungwe is renowned for its primates, 13 species in total including the chimpanzee, the L’Hoest’s monkey and large troops of the Angola colobus monkey. As Rwanda’s most important ornithological site, almost 300 bird species have been reported, including the great blue turaco. The forest also has more than 200 different types of tree and a myriad of flowering plants, including the giant lobelia and a host of colourful orchids.