Formula One (F1) AWARDS 2024: meet gorillas and more while in Rwanda

Formula One (F1) is one of the fastest growing sports in the world collecting a lot of attention because of the ambiance this global sport brings with it. It is a single driver motorsport which involves travelling to different parts of the world to get involved in different grand prix/races. With different car manufacturers like Mercedes, red blue, Ferrari, alpine and more  making up the teams. Each team produces 2 cars driven by the highest professional drivers around street circuits and designated circuits.

Africa as a continent last hosted a FORMULA 1 event in 1993 in South Africa and this was the 1993 South African grand prix and now, Rwanda is in negotiations with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to host grand prix in the next few years. It is because of the ongoing negotiations that Rwanda has been selected to host the 2024 FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Kigali at Kigali Convection Center on December 13^th. The ceremony also concludes the FIA Annual General Assembly week that shall happen from 9^th-14^th December.

The FIA Annual General Assembly includes all motorsport bodies in the world and with an aim to ensure safe racing, the FIA is working towards promoting tourism wherever it has events. Rwanda being a major tourism country, it creates opportunities for those who have visited for the assembly, to tour Rwanda.

Rwanda is a very special country in Africa. With the country coming back up from the genocide that happened through 1993-94, the country has become a number one destination in Africa with visitors enjoying the culture and history of Rwanda as they visit the hidden treasures the country has in Volcanoes national park, Akagera National park and Nyungwe national park.

What to do while in Rwanda?

With a full week in Rwanda, this is a great opportunity to encounter the various attractions that call Rwanda home including the famous mountain gorillas in their natural habitats of volcanoes national park and chimpanzees at Nyungwe national park. You will be able to enjoy all this and more while dining with the world most Formula One celebrities like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Varstappen, Jim Clark and many more.

Here is what more you can do while spending your week in the land of thousand hills

Genocide Memorial Center in Kigali

Kigali genocide memorial center is a place of remembrance and learning dedicated to the victim of 1994 Rwanda genocide. It provides a powerful experience to the visitors while promoting peace and reconciliation. Other than Kigali genocide memorial center, the country has also got Genocide centers in different parts of the country to witness the catastrophe that happened where over one million Tutsi people died in Rwanda in 1994

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park

You wouldn’t wish to miss out on meeting the closest human relatives in the form of chimpanzees that are found at Nyungwe national park. The park has got two fully habituated chimpanzee families that can be visited during your stay in the country. The chimpanzee trekking permit costs 250$ and can be bought from Rwanda development board, the body responsible for the issuance of all tourism permits in Rwanda. Reaching Nyungwe national park is a 2-to-3-hour drive from Kigali which means that you will be able to engage in other activities after trekking the great apes of Africa.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park

The highlight of any African safari is encountering gorillas within their natural habitats at volcanoes national park. With on 3 neighboring countries harbors these endangered gentle giants and only four parks of volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Mgahinga national park and Bwindi national park of Uganda and Virunga national park of DR Conga as the only places where mountain gorillas are found. Therefore, not miss out on the chance to meet these great apes on your stay in Rwanda

Secure your permit in advance due to the high demand of gorilla trekking permits. The permit can be secured from Rwanda development board through your travel agent at the price of 1500$.

Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park

Other than mountain gorillas at volcanoes national park and her neighboring park, Mgahinga national park also inhabit the joyful golden monkey. You can opt to go for golden monkey trekking on either of the 2 parks. The price for the golden monkey trekking permit is 100$ from the Rwanda side and 60$ at Ugandan side of Mgahinga national park

Wildlife safari at Akagera national park

Akagera national park offers you an opportunity to encounter various wildlife including the big five of lion, leopard, rhinos, cape buffalos and elephants. Other than the big five, you will be able to encounter other wildlife like antelopes, cheetahs and more. For the bird enthusiasts, the park is also a haven for the various bird species that you are likely to encounter during your adventure. Even primates call this park home to increase the variety of wildlife you are likely to encounter.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park

To expand your adventure, you can choose to go gorilla trekking in Uganda at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. You will not be necessitated to apply for the visa before arrival as the visa can be gotten on Uganda Rwanda boarder at a cost of 50$ only. The gorilla trekking permit at Bwindi national park is at 800$ and can be bought from Uganda wildlife authority through your travel agent. Bwindi is home to over 50% of the remaining gorilla population and is the only place not part of Virunga massif range where mountain gorillas can be encountered in their natural habitats. So feel free to adventure two east African countries on your formula one visit

Gorilla trekking in DR Congo

DR Congo is a home to both the subspecies of the eastern gorillas which is mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. Mountain gorillas are found at Virunga national park but unfortunately the park has been closed since 2020, first due to covid 19 and now due to political instability which makes it inaccessible for tourists.

On the other hand, Kahuzi-Biega national park is the home to the eastern lowland gorillas which are the biggest gorillas out of the four subspecies of these great apes. So having meant the mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you can proceed to Congo and setup a date with these great apes. The cost of the gorilla permit in Congo goes for 400$ and the permit are secured from the park authority through your travel agent.

Other than gorillas, Congo is also a home to the bonobos which are believed to be the closest human relative. In Congo you will be able to encounter these apes around Congo basin near River Congo

Popular safari Package in Rwanda

Experience remarkable Mountain gorilla Trekking Adventures in Uganda and Rwanda at Bwindi Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park and Wildlife Safari Tours at Queen Elizabeth National Park.

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This 5 Days Best of Rwanda Primate Safari will bring you to the awe-inspiring primate destinations in this land of a thousand hills. It will take you to Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga ranges where you will encounter both the magnificent, huge, gentle giants

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The 7 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Tour takes you on remarkable Wildlife Adventure in Uganda at Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Forest National Park.

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