Africa

Rwanda is less than half the size of Scotland, but is home to more than eight million people. The country is tucked deep in the heart of Africa, more than 1500 km from the nearest sea port. Within its borders are packed mountains, rivers, lakes, marshes, savannah and forests - including Nyungwe, the largest single remaining tract of montane forest in East and Central Africa. Tea and coffee bushes vie for space on the intensively cultivated hillsides with a patchwork of farms covering the slopes and valleys.

Rwanda's primary attractions lie in the Parc National des Volcans where the endangered mountain gorilla survives amongst the deep forests of the Virunga volcanoes. The PNV lies just a few hours drive north of Kigali and thus makes a convenient base for gorilla tracking. Elsewhere in this truly stunning country the adventurous can visit the lakes and savannah plains of Akagera, Nyungwe and the shimmering waters of Lake Kivu - all within a day's drive of each other.