Rwanda

For much of the world, Dian Fossey put Rwanda on the map of Africa with her pioneering research among the mountain gorillas of the Virunga volcanoes. Her book, Gorillas In The Mist, effectively drew the hearts of people into Fossey’s passion for protecting these powerful, yet gentle, great apes.

Rwanda has taken leadership position among developing countries, both in political and economic development, but also in wildlife conservation leadership. Although strictly controlled, safari treks up those volcanoes have become the mainstay of wildlife conservation travel in Rwanda.

Yet, Rwanda has more to offer than the mountain gorillas. Nyungwe National Park continues Rwanda’s emphasis on primates with trekking programs featuring chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys and golden monkeys. Active travelers in Nyungwe can be rewarded with views of some of the rarest animals on the planet.