Rwanda Elevation Facts
| Average elevation | 1,598 m (5,243 ft) |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Mount Karisimbi: 4,507 m (14,787 ft) |
| Lowest point | Rusizi River: 950 m (3,117 ft) |
| Elevation range | 3,557 m (11,670 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city | Ruhengeri: 1,853 m (6,079 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city | Kibuye: 1,466 m (4,810 ft) |
Rwanda is a landlocked country and is home to a varied landscape that mainly features mountains and plateau. Elevation in Rwanda ranges from 950m to 4507m above sea level. The country mainly features the natural divisions of the Albertine Rift Valley and the Congo-Nile Divide.
The western part of Rwanda is regarded as the most scenic part of the country, with the terraced tea gardens of Karongi on Lake Kivu and the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. The central plateau consists of mountains and hills that gradually flatten towards the eastern boundary of the country where elevations are relatively lower. In the southeast, the Akagera National Park with its animal species has a distinct lower elevation.
Rwanda's rather exceptional geography is evident in the 6-meter contour intervals that are influenced by volcanic rock and deep soil. The terraced hills in Rwanda are entirely inconsistent with the intuitive idea of an African country and present a surreal image.
The Rwandan highlands are distinguished by high precipitation levels of approximately 1,400-1,800 mm per annum, and up to 2,500 mm per year in some areas. This high precipitation is an essential feature of Rwanda's freshwater system, as well as its significant eco-regions that extend up from the lowest point up to the highest peak of Rwanda.
Highest Point in Rwanda
Rwanda's highest point is Mount Karisimbi, which stands at 4,507m above sea level. Located on the northern border of the country, the inactive stratovolcano is the fifth-highest peak of the Virunga Mountains that extend further into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Lowest Point in Rwanda
Rusizi River is regarded as the lowest point in Rwanda, at 950 meters above sea level, located in the southwestern part of the country. The river runs into Lake Tanganyika and marks the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.