Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Planning to visit the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda. you can find these lakes in the northern part of Rwanda in Musanze near Volcanoes National Park, near the border with Uganda, and are famous for their stunning scenic beauty and the picturesque landscape surrounding them. You can visit these lakes after the gorillas or golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Here are some key points about Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda:
Formation:
The lakes were formed as a result of volcanic activity. They are crater lakes, created by the natural damming of rivers due to volcanic lava flows. Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Tourism:
The Twin Lakes are popular tourist destinations, known for their serene environment and breathtaking views.
Visitors can engage in activities such as boating, fishing, bird watching, and hiking.
The lakes provide a tranquil retreat and with often visits by tourists on their way to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Local Culture and Economy:
The lakes play an important role in the local economy, providing water for irrigation and fish for food. Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Biodiversity:
The lakes and their surrounding areas are home to various species of birds and other wildlife, making them a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.
Accessibility:
They are also close to the town of Musanze, which is a common base for tourists visiting the northern region of Rwanda.
The Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera offer a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities, making them a must-visit destination in Rwanda.
Other things to do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The mountain gorillas are the famous attraction in Volcanoes National Park with gorilla trekking happening every day throughout the year. Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves visiting the habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment, as you view the way they feed, move, rest and live in harmony. Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families for trekking every day, only 8 visitors per gorilla family allowing to trek every day.
The chances of seeing the mountain gorillas are 99% as you are guided by trackers, guides and park rangers. Gorilla trekking starts every day in Kinigi at 7:00am with briefing on guidelines to follow while on the trek, even though the gorillas have 99% DNA as the humans, they remain wild and you are advised to follow the dos and don’ts from the guides. The gorilla trek can take 30 minutes to more hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas in the forest.
To do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you must have a Rwanda gorilla permit for a particular date secured from the Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla permit costs USD1500 for all nationals, allowing one hour of viewing the gorillas and taking photographs. Booking a gorilla trek to Volcanoes National Park is a lifetime experience to complete your bucket list, Safari Vacations and Travel Services Ltd will assist you book and tailor a gorilla trek tour that is affordable and memorable.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
An is amazing experience to do on your trip in Rwanda. Golden Monkey tracking refers to visiting the rare and very beautiful golden monkeys in their natural environment. Volcanoes National Park has two habituated golden monkey communities for trekking every day, these communities have about 80 members each and the number of visitors is not limited.
The golden monkey trekking permit costs USD100 for all nationals and you can buy them from the Rwanda Development Board to allow you visit the endangered golden monkeys. The activity starts at the park headquarters at 7:00am with a briefing on dos and don’ts by the park wardens and later the park guides and rangers lead you to the forest to find them, you can walk for 30 minutes to hours depending on the location and movement of the golden monkeys, once you find them you are allowed to view and stay with them for only one hour and after you return.
Visiting Dian Fossey Tomb and Hike
Dain Fossey’s tomb tour is one the most famous activities in Volcanoes National Park by visitors. It is a one-hour hike to the tomb from the Karisoke research camp. The Dian Fossey Memorial hike which is from the famous primatologist and Zoologist Dian Fossey from America who all her life in the volcanoes protecting the endangered gorillas from extinction and creating awareness.
She is also famous for participating in the film “Gorillas in the mist”. The hike is about 2,500m to 3,000m, this trail leads to the tomb of the late Dian who fought and rescued the endangered mountain gorillas, and sensitization on conservation promoted gorilla tourism. Celebrating her charisma, love for the Mountain gorillas, her research and her history makes this experience incredible. Visiting the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
Iby’Iwacu cultural experience
African cultures are very unique and interesting. They are well worth experiencing in Volcanoes National Park, especially when starting your trip from the Cyanika border. Rwandan culture is enjoyable and interactive. Visitors have many opportunities to participate in daily activities and traditions.
In the past, some local communities lived inside the forest. Some even took part in poaching endangered species. Today, this has changed. The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village now offers a sustainable alternative. The village lies near Volcanoes National Park in Nyabigoma, Kinigi, Musanze District, in Rwanda’s Northern Province.
We always tailor trips that include cultural experiences around Volcanoes National Park. This ensures a meaningful and memorable visit. When you visit the Iby’Iwacu people, you share in their home life and heritage. You learn about their lifestyles, activities, artifacts, dances, and traditional ways of living. The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village proudly showcases local traditions, customs, and performances to visitors.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is another activity to do in Volcanoes national Park, for bird watchers, Volcanoes forest is a habitat to variety of bird species. There are over 300 bird species living in the volcanoes, some of the birds are Grauer’s rush warbler a vulnerable which is a local bird species commonly seen in the swamps, francolin, the Rwenzori turaco, the Archer’s ground robin,, the dusky crimson-wing, sunbird, there is the collared apalis and the Rwenzori batis as well as the strange weaver and many others. We do offer birding packages to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda and Uganda. The professional birding guides will help you spot the birds and identify their names.
Where to stay during your Golden Monkey Trek in Volcanoes National Park
There are several options of lodges and hotels in Volcanoes National Park ranging from budget to luxury, namely; Bisate lodge, Gorilla Nest and Virunga lodge are luxury options, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, five volcanoes lodge, Le bamboo Mountain gorilla lodge are Midrange options to consider, Kinigi guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura and gorilla volcanoes lodge are some of the budget hotels. The hotel rooms can sell out quickly especially during the high season, your accommodation choice needs to booked in advance for your visit to volcanoes national park. You will also be able to get a discount on accommodation when you stay more nights.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
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