Here are the top destinations to celebrate the festive season in style:
Kigali: The urban holiday heartbeat
As the festive season begins, the capital Kigali is already aglow with lights and culinary delights. Known as one of Africa's safest and cleanest cities, it is perfect for those seeking holiday cheer with a cosmopolitan twist.
The Kigali Convention Centre and surrounding streets are glowing with seasonal lights that frame romantic evening strolls and festive selfies. Dotted across the city are cosy cafés and restaurants serving menus that highlight local flavours with international flair, with many offering special dishes and treats for the festive season.
While street food is rare due to strict public health regulations, Kigali boasts a vibrant culinary scene. Restaurants and eateries offer diverse cuisines, with neighbourhoods like Nyamirambo standing out for their culinary charm. Biryogo in Nyamirambo is a favourite for sampling local dishes such as pilau, brochettes, and traditional Rwandan staples like sweet potatoes, cassava, and hearty stews.
For festive fine dining and lively entertainment, Kigali's top restaurants, such as Atelier du Vin, Boho, Poivre Noir, and Inka Steakhouse, offer elegant menus that showcase seasonal ingredients, innovative twists on classic dishes, and carefully curated drinks, creating the perfect setting for celebrations with friends and family. Heaven Restaurant is a great family spot, serving modern African cuisine alongside local art.
Top hotels are spread across the city for anyone seeking a calm retreat, offering comfortable rooms, festive dining options, and panoramic views of Kigali's twinkling hills, perfect for relaxing between celebrations.
For a bit of adventure, head to Fazenda Sengha on Mount Kigali. Enjoy horseback riding, ziplining, and archery while soaking in breathtaking views of the city.
Lake Kivu: Peaceful waters & sunset dreams
If your ideal holiday blends slow mornings, lake breezes and spectacular sunsets, Lake Kivu is hard to beat. One of Africa's great lakes, it's framed by hills and dotted with emerald islands that seem designed for lingering afternoons.
Rubavu (Gisenyi) is the liveliest lakeside town during the festive season, with Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offering beachfront parties, live music and beach picnics under twinkling stars. The lake's calm waters are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, boat cruises and even coffee plantation tours that take in both scenic views and Rwanda's celebrated coffee culture.
For a quieter, more intimate escape, the town of Karongi is ideal. Walk hand‑in‑hand along the shoreline at sunset, enjoy romantic meals at lakeside cafés, and savour fresh fish from the water, perhaps served in unique lakeside venues such as Tam Tam Bikini, where boat hulls double as tables against the backdrop of setting suns.
Volcanoes National Park: Christmas in the clouds
For a holiday that feels truly transformative, head north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the world's remaining mountain gorillas. This misty terrain of bamboo forests and volcano ridges is perfect for a Christmas morning trek that few destinations can rival.
Once you've met a gentle silverback and his family, there's no better way to feel thankful and awed during the season. Beyond gorillas, Golden Monkey trekking, birdwatching and volcano hikes add rich layers to your mountain adventure.
Luxury lodges like Bisate Lodge and One&Only Gorilla's Nest set the tone for your evenings with warm fires, gourmet meals and landscapes that glow pink and gold at dusk. Not far from the park, the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village offers festive cultural immersion through traditional dance, music and crafts, a heartfelt way to connect with Rwandan heritage.
Akagera National Park: A New Year's safari celebration
When the calendar flips to New Year's Day, trade misty visions for the golden savannah of Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. This restored wilderness harbours East Africa's Big Five, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos, and boasts scenic lakes and wetlands that support abundant birdlife.
Guided game drives at dawn and dusk cast you into iconic African landscapes, while a boat safari on Lake Ihema offers a gentle New Year's start with hippos and crocodiles lounging by the water's edge. Camp options like Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Magashi Camp bring safari luxury to life with firelit dinners and star‑filled skies.
Nyungwe Forest: A green holiday adventure
For a lush rainforest Christmas or New Year's getaway, Nyungwe Forest National Park is unmatched. One of Africa's oldest rainforests and a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nyungwe brims with biodiversity, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and over 300 bird species.
The Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, offers breathtaking perspectives over verdant treetops, and guided chimpanzee treks bring you up close to our closest animal relatives. Stay at One&Only Nyungwe House, set amidst tranquil tea plantations with spa moments and refined cuisine, a restorative way to close out the year.
Hidden gems to enrich your festive break
Rwanda's festive charm goes beyond its headline attractions, offering experiences that are equally rich and memorable.
In Nyanza, visitors walk through the King's Palace Museum, admire the regal Inyambo cows, and immerse themselves in Rwanda's royal history. The town's calm streets and cultural sites make it a peaceful stop for those seeking a more reflective holiday experience.
Musanze invites exploration of the ancient Musanze Caves, where dramatic limestone formations reveal landscapes shaped by volcanic forces over millennia. The surrounding hills offer scenic trails, making it a perfect spot for hiking and photography.
The Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo provide a tranquil lakeside escape. Visitors enjoy boat rides, hiking, and birdwatching, all set against the stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks, creating a serene and restorative festive experience.
In the south, Huye pulses with cultural richness. The Ethnographic Museum showcases Rwanda's art, history, and traditions, while nearby coffee plantations provide aromatic journeys into one of the country's most celebrated exports.
For nature enthusiasts, Gishwati‑Mukura National Park, Rwanda's newest forest reserve, offers immersive forest hikes, primate spotting, and vibrant wildlife experiences, making it an ideal destination for conservation-minded travellers during the festive season.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/lifestyle/article/top-spots-to-celebrate-the-festive-season-in-rwanda
