Tea was introduced in Rwanda in 1952 and is now one of the country’s largest exports. The fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate make for perfect tea growing conditions. A number of tea factories are open to the public, enabling visitors to discover how tea is harvested and processed.
Rwanda is an up-and-coming safari destination, with central Africa’s largest protected wetland in the Akagera National Park on the country’s eastern border with Tanzania. Following the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, it is now home to the Big Five.
Rwanda has one of the highest bird counts on the continent despite being one of the smallest countries in Africa. The prime birdwatching destinations are Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks, although enchanting sightings are common across the country.
Rwanda is renowned for its gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, but the country is also home to chimpanzees as well a host of monkeys – colobus, golden, L’Hoest’s, owl faced, Dent’s, blue and vervet – alongside olive baboons, and the nocturnal potto and bushbabies.
