How Couples Can Explore Rwanda

Enjoy a romantic sunset together in Rwanda
Enjoy a romantic sunset together in Rwanda | © Antonis Kyrou / Flickr
Leah Feiger

Rwanda, one of East Africa’s most enticing countries, is absolutely overflowing with activities and sights. Offering romantic safari getaways, gorilla trekking hikes, and rainforest walks, this diverse country is the perfect destination for adventure-loving couples. Read on for some tips and tricks to exploring Rwanda together.

Treat yourself to some of Kigali’s best meals

Kigali’s restaurant, café, and bar scene has been undeniably booming over the past few years. There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Kigali that cater to a variety of budgets and tastes. Check out Kigali’s best restaurants, and be sure to visit Poivre Noir or Repub Lounge for some of the city’s best food and most romantic settings.

Repub Lounge

Go glamping

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Handpick unique gifts in Kigali

Rwanda’s handicraft and shopping scene should not be overlooked. Spend some time with your significant other combing through Kimironko Market for handmade baskets and trip mementos, before tracking down the designs of some of the region’s most creative fashion houses. Make sure to check out House of Tayo for their colourful bow-ties and sharp suits, as well as Haute Baso, Sonia Mugabo, and Inzuki for colourful dresses, jackets, and jewelry – your next date night will undoubtedly be a fashionable affair.

Inzuki’s colorful jewelry collection

Explore Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park is one of the world’s dreamiest escapes. Settle in for a weekend of luxury at Nyungwe House, the park’s most luxurious lodge that is nestled amidst bright green tea fields. Romantic forest walks, waterfall adventures, primate sightings, and bird songs make for one of the most blissful getaways.

The canopy walk over the rainforest is one of the park’s highlights

Spa it up at Kigali’s nicest hotels

Kigali’s spa scene is indulgently relaxing. Luxury hotels around the city – such as the Kigali Marriott Hotel and the Raddison Blu – feature premier spa packages, including couples massages, aromatherapy with locally sourced materials, calming facials, and more. Spend a day spoiling each other with the best treatments the city has to offer.

Saray Spa’s treatment rooms

Take a helicopter ride and see Rwanda from above

Though a bit pricey, there’s no better way to see Rwanda than from the skies. Bright blue lakes, rolling green hills, and stark volcanoes are already unbelievable from the ground, and absolutely the stuff of myths from above. Gear up for an adventurous ride, taking photographs you’ll both treasure for years to come.

An aerial view of the Rugezi marsh, Rwanda

Enjoy romantic sundowners on Lake Kivu

As Rwanda’s biggest lake, Lake Kivu is dotted with small, picturesque towns along the coast. Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu are the biggest, with Kibuye possibly taking the title of most scenic. Sparkling water framed by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s endless hills make this lake absolutely spectacular. Spend a night or two indulging in a few classic sundowners by the lake, staying at Cormoran Lodge in Kibuye.

Canoe on Lake Kivu

Party the night away in Kigali

It’s not a proper vacation without a proper night out. Grab your partner and head straight to Nyamirambo or Kimihurura – two of Kigali’s most vibrant party neighbourhoods. Grab a few cocktails and cold ones at Trophy’s Sports Bar or Choma’D before dancing it up at Cocobean and Sundowners.

Choma’D in Kigali

See mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park

Located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas can’t be missed. Adventurous couples will have an unforgettable time hiking through the steep forest with park rangers in search of endangered mountain gorillas. After a grueling journey, spend some time relaxing at Bisate Lodge or Virunga Lodge for some of the region’s most gorgeous views and opulent accommodations.

Guest bedroom interior at Bisate Lodge

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article