Africa is once again becoming a hot spot for travellers, as its tourism industry continues to rebound from the Covid pandemic. For the first time since the health crisis, Africa has surpassed pre-pandemic levels of international tourist arrivals.
New data shows the continent welcomed 74 million visitors in 2024, a 7% increase from 2019 and 12% higher than in 2023. This uptick in travellers has been felt across the continent, but particularly in North Africa. The strong performance helped position Africa as the second-fastest recovering region globally in 2024, after the Middle East.
One country that benefits from the tourism bonanza is Rwanda, which is in the eastern part of the continent.
Located a few degrees south of the Equator, it is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The landlocked country is just 26,338 square kilometres in size and home to 12.2 million people, making it one of the most densely populated nations on the African continent.
It is also considered by many to be the cleanest country in Africa, due to its ban on plastic bags and community projects to improve local neighbourhoods.
Plastic bags have been banned in the country since 2008, with travellers checked on arrival to ensure they are not in possession of any.
On the last Saturday of every month, Rwandans also come together to do mandatory community service, known as Umuganda.
Residents clean up the streets and public areas, as well as build community infrastructure.
Rwanda’s natural landscapes and incredible wildlife make are just some of its major attractions.
It is famous for its mountain gorillas in the north, which were studied for decades by the primatologist Dian Fossey.
Her work has inspired the creation of the first permanent, purpose built gorilla research and education centre.
The Ellen Campus opened in 2022 near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, a realisation of a twenty year dream.