Rwanda, or Land of a Thousand Hills, is one of Africa's hidden gems and its national parks and reserves highlight its breathtaking natural beauty and spectacularly rare wildlife.  This east African country is in the midst of an economic and environmental revival, making it an up-and-coming tourist destination for viewing rare mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and trekking through some of the most diverse landscape found on the continent.  Here are the top 3 national parks in Rwanda, and what you can expect to see on your visit:   

#1 Volcanoes National Park

Made famous by Zoologist Dian Fossey and the film Gorillas in the Mist, Volcanoes National Park is the most prominent of Rwanda's national parks.  Volcanoes National Park is named for its five forested volcanoes within its bounds, the tallest being Mt. Karisimbi at a towering 14,787 feet high.  The park boasts some of the country's most beautiful scenery and is home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla.  With nearly half of the world's remaining population of mountain gorillas, Rwanda is truly a gorilla sanctuary.  Visitors can trek through dense rainforest to get a rare glimpse of these magnificent creatures.  However, due to strict conservation efforts, a permit is required to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. 

Also deep within the park's bamboo forest is the rare golden monkey, another of Africa's most endangered primates.  Volcanoes National Park offers visitors five different hiking trails suited to different skill levels.  In addition to gorilla and monkey trekking, there is an abundance of spotted hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, and 178 documented bird species that reside in the park.

# 2 Akagera National Park 

While most tourists are drawn to Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park is one of Rwanda's best-kept secrets.  The park is situated on over 700 miles of diverse habitat including soaring mountains, tree-lined lakes and wetlands, and sprawling savannas.  Its diverse landscape makes it home to some of Africa's most notable animals: elephants, zebras, buffalos, baboons, leopards, hyenas, and some 500 documented species of birds, including the rare papyrus gonolek.  Due to recently strengthened poaching laws, lions and black rhinos have also been reintroduced to the park-- making it one of Rwanda's greatest environmental success stories. For a view of untouched Africa, Akagera National Park should be at the top of your must-see sites in Rwanda!

# 3 Nyungwe Forest National Park

Another great destination to go on safari in Rwanda is the Nyungwe Forest National Park.  This massive park boasts the largest mountainous rainforest in eastern Africa and it is virtually untouched by the modern world.  With over 1000 different species of plants, the Nyungwe forest is one of the most biodiverse sites in all of Rwanda.  The park is also home to over 300 different bird species and 75 mammal species including 13 species of primates-- making it a great destination for viewing exotic flora and fauna.  

A vast tropical rainforest with a high, dense canopy, one of the highlights of Nyungwe Forest National Park is its canopy walk.  A suspended bridge dangling over 160 feet above the treetops provides visitors with an unforgettable view of the Nyungwe Forest.  While on the canopy walk, you will see monkeys jumping from tree to tree, as well as numerous brightly colored birds, butterflies and exotic flowers. 

If all the stunning natural beauty and majestic wildlife that Rwanda's national parks have to offer interests you, why not take a trip through the area yourself?