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Founded in 1907 under German colonial rule, Kigali has been the capital of Rwanda since 1962 when the country gained its independence. An attractive city with few large buildings, it spreads over a number of hills.

Although it saw some difficult times through the genocide in 1994 and as power changed hands subsequently, it now has a pleasant, buoyant air. The people are poor, but friendly and optimistic.

The main shopping and commercial area is around the Hotel Mille Collines, with the government district on the neighbouring Kaciyiru hill. The markets, the handicrafts, the Muslim quarter and a new genocide memorial being built in Gisozi are some of the main places of interest.

A Kigali safari is a great introduction to this little known country and a good starting point for a gorilla track into the Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda offers a range of primate species that is unusual in its breadth and diversity. This discovery tour will help you learn about some of man's closest relatives in the animal kingdom, as represented in the national parks of Rwanda.

Rwanda has 12 species of higher primates. You can learn about each of them by clicking on the images at left.

You can also visit their habitats through these virtual tours: Mountain Gorillas, Colobus in Nyungwe, Mangabey at Uwinka, Baboon and Vervet in Akagera.