Rwanda the “Land of a thousand hills” is widely known for Mountain Gorilla trekking which is the main reason as to why tourists visit the country. Besides mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, wildlife species in Akagera National Park (famous for wildlife viewing safaris), Nyungwe Forest National Park famously known as the “primate paradise” and known for the canopy walks. However, there are some tourist attractions that still remain unknown to the tourists hence there are more hidden treasures to be uncovered in Rwanda’s tourism. The hidden treasures of Rwanda yet to be explored include the following;

1.Rwanda’s islands
Though beautiful, little is known about the islands that exist in Rwanda. One of the interesting islands include Iwawa Island. This tremendous island is located in the middle of Lake Kivu. Much as negative things are known about this Island. While in this Island, tourists get a chance to visit coffee plantations, lush plantations and also participate in fishing. You can also visit the Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Center (IRVDC).What is interesting is that tourists reach the Island with boats as they enjoy the breeze of the water.

Nkombo Island
This beautiful Island is located within Lake Kivu and covers an area of 22 square kilometers (2200 hectares) making it the largest of Rwanda’s Islands. This Island is one of the hidden treasures of Rwanda and the area still remains unexploited in terms of tourism. While on this Island, expect to enjoy the striking scenery of the Island, attractive Lush green hills, the quiet and peaceful breeze and the sounds of the singing birds found on the Island. Some of the activities tourists can enjoy here include fishing and canoeing. Besides that, the trees and the green well maintained banana plantations make Nkombo “a green hill”. However in order to be able to fully exploit the attractions, there is need to develop Infrastructures especially develop accommodation facilities, motorized boats among others.

Amahoro Island
Amahoro Island is also known as the Peace Island. This Island offers a quiet environment for tourists who prefer to relax and spend some time alone from noisy environment. The trees, the sounds of the singing birds and monkeys are some of the interesting attractions on this Island. While on this Island, you can get a chance to participate in canoeing and camping which all add up to your memorable experience. Watching sunset while on this Peace Island is so astonishing.

Nyamunini Island (Now Napoleon Island)
This interesting Island is also found within Lake Kivu close to Kibuye district. It is called Napoleon Island because the shape of the Island looks like Napoleon’s hat. This Island is a home to thousands of bats. There are also over 100 species of birds including Grey-backed Camaroptera, Double-toothed Barbet and Brown-throated Wattle eye on this beautiful Island. Also watching the brilliant sunset while on this Island is so hilarious and exhilarating.
Other islands that still remain unexplored include Ishwa Island and Île Bweramata.

2.Kankazi site
This site is where the remains of Late Queen Mother Nyiramavugo III Kankazi’s house are found. She was one of the three wives of King Yuhi Musinga V (1896-1931) and the mother of King Mutara III Rudahigwa (ruled from 16th November 1931 to 25th July 1959) and Kigeli V Ndahindurwa (reigned from 28th July 1959 to 28th January 1961). She portrayed modesty, valiance and acts of social responsibility. There are plans to develop the site into a museum to be able to tell the story of Queen Kankazi’s leadership, where she stood for development and equality of the common people.

3.Lake Muhazi
It is a long (60km), thin, shallow, and flooded Valley artificial Lake located in the North-eastern Rwanda. The Lake is about 40km East of Kigali town. Lake Muhazi offers a perfect option for fishing, boating, camping, swimming (along the shoreline) and bird watching. Several bird species including the African fish eagles, Green-winged Pytilias, Speckled Mousebirds, Malachite Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, Grey-crowned Cranes and Swamp flycatchers are common. Besides that, the Lake has three beautiful beaches (Jambo beach, Rwesero beach and the seeds of Peace Center). Tourists can also have the luck to see the Spotted-necked Otters (between 200-400 individuals) which are common around this lake. No need to worry about accommodation because there are several accommodation facilities which include Muhazi Beach Hotel, Lake Muhazi Golf and Country Resort, and Lake Muhazi Holiday Cottage.

4.Kibeho apparition
Kibeho is located in Southern Rwanda in Nyaruguru district. This site is known as a place of Apparitions and Pilgrimages. Apparitions in Kibeho started way back in November 1981 when one boy and six other girls claimed to have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary and Lord Jesus. It is believed Virgin Mary appeared to one of the students (Alphonsine Mumreke who was 17 years old then) with the name “Nyina wa Jambo” meaning “Mother of the Word”. The Apparitions went on and on whereby Mary appears to different individuals. Therefore this place has become an important Religious tourism site. The site is visited by Catholics to make their pilgrimage, to pray and seek Christ and is also visited by tourists interested in religious tourism because they find this place interesting and worth their attention. There is more information and interesting facts that can be discovered in this place, visit and uncover the hidden interesting facts.

5.Urutare rwa Kamegeri
Urutare rwa Kamegeri is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “rock of Kamegeri”. The rock is located in the Southern province in Ruhango District. Kamegeri was a Chief of Rwandan Kingdom during the reign of King Mibamwe II Sekarongoro II Gisanura from 1609-1642. It is said that King Mibamwe was a compassionate King. Kamegeri had advised King Mibamwe to burn criminals alive on the rock, which exasperated the King who ordered his slaves to set the rock on fire and burn Kamegeri instead. He was thrown into the red hot rock until he burnt to ashes. This was done to show that “a king should not be asked to kill”

6.Gahini Anglican Cathedral
This Anglican Cathedral (built in 1975) is located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda along Kayonza-Kagitumba Road. What makes this cathedral unique is the fact that it is the “Birthplace of the Anglican Church” in the entire Great Lakes region. Religious tourists would be interested in knowing where the Anglican Church originated from. With your visit to Lake Muhazi, do not miss to visit Gahini Anglican Cathedral. This Cathedral is common for Pilgrimage whereby locals go for prayers. Religious tourists should not miss to visit the Gahini Anglican Cathedral during their safari within Rwanda.

7.Kwa Nyagakecuru
After a one and a half hour hike to Mount Huye, you will be accompanied to the “middle of nowhere” which is the isolated Peak of Mount Huye where the insubordinate and self-proclaimed Queen Nyagakecuru lived during the reign of King Ruganzu II Ndoli in the 15th century.

This peculiar Queen’s house was believed to be enclosed and guarded by large snakes and the royal army was positioned at the foothill. This made it difficult for King Ruganzu to vanquish her and bring her small kingdom to the broad part of Rwanda Kingdom. The superhuman powers possessed by Queen Nyagakecuru, the magical snakes, the thorny bush of Imitovu flowers and the steepness of her house made it difficult and impossible for the army of King Ruganzu II to conquer the disobedient Queen Nyagakecuru.

King Ruganzu II Ndoli “faked” a friendship with her which thereby became his strong military strategy to defeat Queen Nyagakecuru. One of the interesting things he did was to give her goats as gifts which latter ate her thorny shrubs, making it easy for Ruganzu’s army to gain access to her small Kingdom thereby defeating her.

Some interesting things you expect to see are the anthills which have deep openings that are believed to have sheltered those occult snakes that twisted around her house to offer protection. Also on Mount Huye, there is an ever-full natural fountain that is presumed to have been the water- well used by Queen Nyagakecuru. While on top of Mount Huye, you will be entertained by the “all female drumming troupe called “Ingoma Nshya” .You will enjoy Rwandan Cultural dances.

In conclusion, with all the mentioned interesting attractions that receive few tourist numbers, it can be seen that more tourists are still not fully aware of these remarkable attractions. Be among the few to discover these hidden treasures and have the memorable experience of a lifetime.