From historical museums that inspire, to incredible meals served high above the flashing lights of the city below, Rwanda is full of promise and wonder.

Exploring it will leave you emotional and enlightened. Add these seven must-do experiences to your exploration itinerary for a taste of the possibilities:

Where: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Why We’re Excited: The luxury brand’s foray into the land of gorilla trekking is eco conscious and unobtrusive — 21 freestanding rooms on stilts are tucked among eucalyptus trees and rose bushes and offer views of nature at its very best. Dining experiences happen in memorable locations around the resort, like next to a fire pit or under a canopy of trees. Activities like volcano climbing (there are eight in the mountain range), cycling, and moving through the gorilla sanctuary are once-in-a-lifetime affairs.

Feel-Good Factor: The country’s sustainably-minded, forward-thinking approach to tourism ensures that resorts are connected to local areas for their economic benefit, in this case Kinigi and Musanze, and that wildlife encounters are respectful and controlled.

As another founding member of Beyond Green, along with four other Wilderness Safaris properties, Bisate Lodge is a natural fit on a roundup of the world’s best eco-friendly hotels. Nestled into the heart of a natural amphitheater formed by an eroded volcano, the design of Bisate Lodge is impressively unique. A series of nestlike thatched forest villas form the lodge’s luxurious accommodation, all of which boast spacious verandas offering enchanting views of the surrounding hillside.

Aside from the distinctive architecture, rare wildlife sightings are the main appeal at Bisate Lodge. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is famously home to the endangered mountain gorillas, with guests invited to experience a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the majestic animals. In addition to the mountain gorilla, the park is also a critical habitat to a variety of other mammals, including the side-striped jackal, buffalo, golden monkeys, elephants and Egyptian mongooses, among others.

In addition to providing unrivaled guest experiences, Bisate Lodge is working hard to protect and preserve its surrounding landscape as well as the animals that inhabit it. Its various environmental initiatives include habitat reforestation with the intent of recreating the indigenous rainforest as well as mountain gorilla conservation, with the aim of becoming a Centre of Excellence for great-ape research. Holding on to the belief that every guest is a philanthropist, Bisate Lodge encourages tourists to actively engage with these initiatives during their stay and beyond.

I believe we will all travel slower in 2021, that we will want a more immersive and engaging experience, to be more connected with where we are. We will take fewer trips, choosing rather longer stays that offer much more depth of experience. Our Africa Travel team certainly confirms this trend, with requests for the big-ticket African encounters like gorilla trekking in Rwanda now featuring more than just a snapshot of the country, but a full country experience to include the lesser-known areas like the Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest, and the vibrant and safe capital city of Kigali; it’s all about the ‘slow Safari’.

In terms of testing and safety protocols, Rwanda is miles ahead of most countries. Sarah Marshall, travel editor at the UK’s national press agency, PA Media, shares her experience of what it’s like to travel right now.

“Our highest was nine,” sighed my guide, lowering his head. I waited for him to finish his sentence, but there were no noughts or extra figures to add to his sum.

Hi travellers, my name is Dennis Stever. Welcome to my article on the epic Volcanoes National Park. I was born in Nova Scotia, Canada but spent most of my adult life living abroad. In my early years, I was an amateur athlete competing in sprint kayaking for the Canadian National Team.