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Here are the top destinations to celebrate the festive season in style:

Kigali: The urban holiday heartbeat

As the festive season begins, the capital Kigali is already aglow with lights and culinary delights. Known as one of Africa’s safest and cleanest cities, it is perfect for those seeking holiday cheer with a cosmopolitan twist.

The Kigali Convention Centre and surrounding streets are glowing with seasonal lights that frame romantic evening strolls and festive selfies. Dotted across the city are cosy cafés and restaurants serving menus that highlight local flavours with international flair, with many offering special dishes and treats for the festive season.

The Kigali Convention Centre and surrounding streets are glowing with seasonal lights that frame romantic evening strolls and festive selfies.

While street food is rare due to strict public health regulations, Kigali boasts a vibrant culinary scene. Restaurants and eateries offer diverse cuisines, with neighbourhoods like Nyamirambo standing out for their culinary charm. Biryogo in Nyamirambo is a favourite for sampling local dishes such as pilau, brochettes, and traditional Rwandan staples like sweet potatoes, cassava, and hearty stews.

For festive fine dining and lively entertainment, Kigali’s top restaurants, such as Atelier du Vin, Boho, Poivre Noir, and Inka Steakhouse, offer elegant menus that showcase seasonal ingredients, innovative twists on classic dishes, and carefully curated drinks, creating the perfect setting for celebrations with friends and family. Heaven Restaurant is a great family spot, serving modern African cuisine alongside local art.

Top hotels are spread across the city for anyone seeking a calm retreat, offering comfortable rooms, festive dining options, and panoramic views of Kigali’s twinkling hills, perfect for relaxing between celebrations.

For a bit of adventure, head to Fazenda Sengha on Mount Kigali. Enjoy horseback riding, ziplining, and archery while soaking in breathtaking views of the city.

Lake Kivu: Peaceful waters & sunset dreams

If your ideal holiday blends slow mornings, lake breezes and spectacular sunsets, Lake Kivu is hard to beat. One of Africa’s great lakes, it’s framed by hills and dotted with emerald islands that seem designed for lingering afternoons.

Rubavu (Gisenyi) is the liveliest lakeside town during the festive season, with Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offering beachfront parties, live music and beach picnics under twinkling stars. The lake’s calm waters are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, boat cruises and even coffee plantation tours that take in both scenic views and Rwanda’s celebrated coffee culture.

Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

For a quieter, more intimate escape, the town of Karongi is ideal. Walk hand‑in‑hand along the shoreline at sunset, enjoy romantic meals at lakeside cafés, and savour fresh fish from the water, perhaps served in unique lakeside venues such as Tam Tam Bikini, where boat hulls double as tables against the backdrop of setting suns.

Volcanoes National Park: Christmas in the clouds

For a holiday that feels truly transformative, head north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This misty terrain of bamboo forests and volcano ridges is perfect for a Christmas morning trek that few destinations can rival.

Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world to experience its misty mountains, bamboo forests, and mountain gorillas.

Once you’ve met a gentle silverback and his family, there’s no better way to feel thankful and awed during the season. Beyond gorillas, Golden Monkey trekking, birdwatching and volcano hikes add rich layers to your mountain adventure.

Volcanoes National Park is home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Luxury lodges like Bisate Lodge and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest set the tone for your evenings with warm fires, gourmet meals and landscapes that glow pink and gold at dusk. Not far from the park, the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village offers festive cultural immersion through traditional dance, music and crafts, a heartfelt way to connect with Rwandan heritage.

Akagera National Park: A New Year’s safari celebration

When the calendar flips to New Year’s Day, trade misty visions for the golden savannah of Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. This restored wilderness harbours East Africa’s Big Five, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos, and boasts scenic lakes and wetlands that support abundant birdlife.

A pride of lions at Akagera National Park.

Guided game drives at dawn and dusk cast you into iconic African landscapes, while a boat safari on Lake Ihema offers a gentle New Year’s start with hippos and crocodiles lounging by the water’s edge. Camp options like Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Magashi Camp bring safari luxury to life with firelit dinners and star‑filled skies.

Nyungwe Forest: A green holiday adventure

For a lush rainforest Christmas or New Year’s getaway, Nyungwe Forest National Park is unmatched. One of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nyungwe brims with biodiversity, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and over 300 bird species.

The Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest soars high above the treetops, offering breathtaking views of lush rainforest, vibrant birdlife, and the rolling hills beyond. It offers a thrilling and unforgettable way to experience one of Africa’s oldest forests

The Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, offers breathtaking perspectives over verdant treetops, and guided chimpanzee treks bring you up close to our closest animal relatives. Stay at One&Only Nyungwe House, set amidst tranquil tea plantations with spa moments and refined cuisine, a restorative way to close out the year.

Hidden gems to enrich your festive break

Rwanda’s festive charm goes beyond its headline attractions, offering experiences that are equally rich and memorable.

In Nyanza, visitors walk through the King’s Palace Museum, admire the regal Inyambo cows, and immerse themselves in Rwanda’s royal history. The town’s calm streets and cultural sites make it a peaceful stop for those seeking a more reflective holiday experience.

Rwandan traditional dancers entertain guests at the King’s Palace Museum.

Musanze invites exploration of the ancient Musanze Caves, where dramatic limestone formations reveal landscapes shaped by volcanic forces over millennia. The surrounding hills offer scenic trails, making it a perfect spot for hiking and photography.

The Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo provide a tranquil lakeside escape. Visitors enjoy boat rides, hiking, and birdwatching, all set against the stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks, creating a serene and restorative festive experience.

In the south, Huye pulses with cultural richness. The Ethnographic Museum showcases Rwanda’s art, history, and traditions, while nearby coffee plantations provide aromatic journeys into one of the country’s most celebrated exports.

The Ethnographic Museum in Huye showcases Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage through art, historical artefacts, and traditional exhibits.

For nature enthusiasts, Gishwati‑Mukura National Park, Rwanda’s newest forest reserve, offers immersive forest hikes, primate spotting, and vibrant wildlife experiences, making it an ideal destination for conservation-minded travellers during the festive season.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The increase follows recent upgrades to Kigali’s international golf course, which now includes additional facilities such as tennis courts, a gym and expanded clubhouse amenities designed to serve golfers and sports enthusiasts alike.

Speaking at the annual members’ appreciation event, Donel Rama, Golf Operations Manager at Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas, said the expansion has significantly increased both usage and membership.

'At present, the facility can host up to 1,000 people, depending on the nature of the activities taking place. We currently have 726 registered members, including 566 active golf players,' Rama said.

Membership is offered under several annual subscription categories, tailored to different user needs. These range from packages for regular golfers to options targeting wellness users and families, as well as special rates for junior players.

The packages include Platinum Membership at Frw 5 million per year, Golf Membership at Frw 4 million, International Premium Membership at Frw 3.25 million, Elite Wellness Membership at Frw 2.6 million, and Social Membership at Frw 1.6 million. Corporate Membership, which allows up to five individuals to share access, is priced at Frw 29.5 million annually.

Junior golf training programmes are also available, with fees set at Frw 400,000 for children under 12 years, Frw 600,000 for those under 15, Frw 800,000 for those under 18, and Frw 2 million for youths aged between 19 and 25.

In a move aimed at widening access, Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas has begun introducing selected services for non-members, marking a shift towards greater public engagement with the facility.

As part of this initiative, the golf course will host New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025, with members of the public allowed entry at a fee of Frw 100,000. The event, sponsored by Sensitive Group and featuring DJ Marnoud, will grant attendees access to a range of on-site services as they usher in the New Year.

Management of the Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course (RUGC), which oversees the development, said the move is part of a broader strategy to increase utilisation ahead of the planned resumption of Phase II of the project, estimated to cost about $140 million.

The second phase is expected to include residential units surrounding the golf course and a high-end hotel. Once implemented, the investment is projected to generate average annual returns of about 13 per cent over a 15-year period.

Golf players renew their membership every year.

As of December 2025, membership at Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas exceeds 700.

Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas management says the facility can accommodate events with over 1,000 attendees.

Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas holds annual celebrations for its members.

In a move aimed at widening access, Kigali Golf Resorts & Villas has begun introducing selected services for non-members, marking a shift towards greater public engagement with the facility.

IGIHE

Nteziryayo succeeds Kampeta Pitchette Sayinzoga, whose six-year tenure saw BRD undergo significant institutional growth, strengthened financial performance, and expanded its role in mobilising both domestic and external capital to support Rwanda’s national development priorities.

During the past six years, data show that BRD’s total assets grew from Frw 157 billion to over Frw 1.02 trillion, while the loan portfolio increased from Frw 167 billion to Frw 710 billion. Annual profitability turned around from a loss to a profit of Frw 22.8 billion, reflecting improved financial sustainability. The bank also achieved a fourfold leverage effect, mobilising three additional francs from external sources for every franc invested by the government.

Over the same period, BRD’s investments contributed to a wide range of national priorities. Notable achievements included connecting over 500,000 households to electricity, raising export volumes from 80 metric tonnes to 8,566 metric tonnes, and issuing Rwanda’s first sustainability-linked bond, which raised Frw 63.5 billion for impact-driven projects. In education, the digitalisation of the Government student bursary scheme enabled faster disbursements and expanded support for post-graduation bursary reimbursements.

Nteziryayo, currently a member of BRD’s Board of Directors, brings over a decade of experience in macroeconomic policy, debt management, fiscal strategy, and sustainable finance. She previously served as Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, where she played a central role in shaping Rwanda’s medium-term economic framework, coordinating sovereign financing, and enhancing fiscal sustainability.

Her appointment is expected to ensure continuity and provide deep institutional insight as BRD embarks on its next phase of growth, further supporting Rwanda’s development across sectors, including infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, affordable housing, green finance, and exports.

BRD, established in 1967, continues to play a key role in providing long-term, tailored financing to sectors critical for Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation, aligned with Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation.

Stella Rusine Nteziryayo has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), ushering in a new phase for the institution as it continues to support the country’s socio-economic transformation.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Resolution 2809, which was adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, also reaffirms AUSSOM’s tasks, as set out in Resolution 2767 of December 2024, which authorized AUSSOM for an initial period of 12 months.

Resolution 2809 authorizes the member states of the African Union to continue to deploy up to 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police personnel, to AUSSOM during the authorized period.

The resolution emphasizes that additional support to AUSSOM and the Somali security forces is necessary to enable Somalia to bolster its fight against Al-Shabaab and improve peace and security in the country and the region. It urges traditional and new donors to support the mission by providing the necessary funding to enable the full implementation of its mandate.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution to renew the authorization of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for another year, until Dec. 31, 2026.

Xinhua

Minister Murangwa explained that Rwanda’s approach to foreign borrowing focuses on securing favorable loan terms to support sustainable development.

One of the key factors in this strategy is ensuring that loans come with extended grace periods. In some cases, these grace periods last more than five years before repayment begins, making the loans easier to manage. Additionally, many loans offered to Rwanda come with low-interest rates, making repayment more feasible.

“When we take loans for agricultural investment, we receive favorable loan terms, including grace periods of up to six years before repayments start. The project can be implemented within two to three years, which means by the time we begin repayment, the project is already generating returns,” he noted.

Rwanda’s long-term loans, particularly those linked to infrastructure and development projects, are structured to allow ample time for repayment.

Minister Murangwa emphasized that the repayment periods for some loans extend up to 40 years, with some projects having a five-year grace period before repayments begin. Furthermore, the interest rates are remarkably low, sometimes as low as 1%, 2%, or even 0%.

Long repayment periods and low-interest rates are crucial for ensuring that the country manages these loans effectively and invests in key development areas without putting undue pressure on state finances.

When taking on foreign loans, Rwanda evaluates three key factors to ensure they do not become a financial burden. According to the Minister, these include selecting the right projects for investment, ensuring the successful execution of these projects, and negotiating favorable loan terms.

'By making informed decisions on projects and securing favorable terms, we can confidently manage our foreign loans,' he stated.

Minister Murangwa also reassured that Rwanda is in a strong position financially and faces no difficulties in repaying its loans. In fact, in November 2025, S&P Global awarded Rwanda a B+ rating for its ability to repay long-term loans and a B rating for short-term repayment.

Rwanda’s national debt remains manageable. As of 2024, Rwanda’s foreign loans amounted to Rwf 11.846 billion, which represents 80.1% of the country’s total loans. The largest share of these loans consists of concessional loans, totaling Rwf 10.392 billion.

These loans are primarily sourced from institutions like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, totaling Rwf 8.885 billion.

While concessional loans make up the majority of Rwanda’s foreign debt, a smaller portion is from commercial loans, which amount to 9.8% of the total, or Rwf 1.454 billion. Some state-affiliated businesses, such as RwandAir, also contribute to Rwanda’s foreign borrowing, with RwandAir alone having a loan of 66.8 million USD.

In addition to foreign loans, Rwanda also manages domestic loans, which accounted for 20% of the country’s total debt as of 2024, totaling Rwf 2.935.9 billion. These loans are mainly taken by the government and state-owned enterprises, often issued through treasury bonds placed on the market by the National Bank of Rwanda.

Minister Murangwa highlighted that Rwanda is focused on increasing domestic revenue to reduce reliance on foreign loans. This is being achieved through tax reforms, improving resource mobilization, and ensuring efficient use of the national budget. He also pointed out that reforms are being made to enhance transparency and improve the management of public assets and investments to prevent inefficiencies and reduce losses.

For the 2025/2026 budget, Rwanda plans to use domestic revenue totaling Rwf 4.105.2 billion, with foreign aid reaching Rwf 585.2 billion, and foreign loans amounting to Rwf 2.151.9 billion. The country’s GDP is projected to increase by 7.1% in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for economic growth.

Minister Murangwa explained that Rwanda’s approach to foreign borrowing focuses on securing favorable loan terms to support sustainable development.

Rwanda’s long-term loans, particularly those linked to infrastructure and development projects, are structured to allow ample time for repayment.

IGIHE

'The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED…AND THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER! Also, NO INFLATION & GREAT NATIONAL SECURITY. Pray for the US Supreme Court!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.

Recent government data show that the U.S. economy expanded at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, the fastest pace in two years, propelled by strong consumer spending, increased government investment, and rising exports. Trump and his allies argue that revenue from tariffs helped strengthen the economy by narrowing the trade deficit and boosting domestic production.

Despite this headline growth, economic sentiment among Americans is weakening. Consumer confidence has fallen for the fifth straight month, marking its longest decline since 2008. The University of Michigan and other surveys show that households are increasingly worried about prices, job prospects, and rising living costs a trend economists link in part to the higher prices that tariffs can cause by making imported goods more expensive.

The mixed signals present a complicated picture for policymakers. While GDP growth suggests resilience, the slump in consumer confidence raises concerns about future spending and economic momentum heading into 2026. Some analysts caution that the growth could be temporary and partly influenced by shifting consumer behaviour, such as front‑loading purchases ahead of expected price increases.

Trump’s stance on tariffs remains a central part of his economic narrative. He and members of his economic team continue to defend the policy, claiming it protects domestic industries and contributes to stronger overall economic performance. However, critics argue that the long‑term impact of tariffs may include higher costs for consumers and uncertainty in global trade relations.

President Donald Trump has touted robust U.S. economic growth as a key achievement of his administration, attributing an unexpected surge in national output to his aggressive tariff policies, even as consumer confidence continues to weaken.

Rania Umutoni

PanSALB said it worked with media research company Focal Points to analyze frequency data and discovered that “G20” featured prominently in the “reputable print, broadcast and online media.”

According to PanSALB, the selection process involved shortlisting candidates based on authentic language usage. “G20” emerged as the most dominant keyword largely due to South Africa’s role as the G20 presidency in 2025 and its hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The terms “Government of National Unity” and “Tariffs” ranked second and third, respectively, reflecting key political developments, international engagements and socioeconomic debates that shaped the country during the year, the agency added.

PanSALB is an organization mandated to promote multilingualism, develop and preserve South Africa’s 12 official languages, and protect language rights.

The term ‘G20’ was the most frequently used word in South Africa in 2025, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) said on Tuesday.

Xinhua

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the assembly follows years of preservation, documentation and 3D scanning of the fragments, stressing its global heritage significance.

The boat, dating back some 4,500 years, was discovered in pieces near the Great Pyramid, the tomb of King Khufu, in 1954. It consists of about 1,650 wooden fragments and measures roughly 42 meters in length.

“Khufu’s first solar boat was found almost complete, but the second boat, which is a bit smaller, was found in a very poor condition,” said GEM’s CEO Ahmed Ghoneim.

“Restoration in front of visitors is a dimension you cannot find in museums around the world,” Ghoneim said, highlighting its unique educational experience.

The restoration team work on the restoration project for the ancient King Khufu’s second solar boat at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 23, 2025. Egypt on Tuesday began reassembling ancient King Khufu’s second solar boat at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, a restoration process expected to take about four years and open for visitors to watch live.

Xinhua

Turkish gendarmerie units located the wreckage of the Falcon 50 jet near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah later confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying al-Haddad and several senior military officials were killed when the aircraft crashed while returning from an official visit to Türkiye. He said the government would investigate “the circumstances of the accident.”

The aircraft, with tail number 9H-DFJ, departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 20:10 local time (1710 GMT) bound for Tripoli. Contact was lost at 20:52 (1752 GMT), shortly after the crew issued an emergency landing notification near Haymana, Yerlikaya said.

Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency broadcast footage it said showed a flash from the aircraft’s impact and published images of debris scattered at the site. Air traffic at Ankara, which was briefly suspended following the crash, has since returned to normal, local media reported.

Al-Haddad had been in Ankara for high-level military talks. Earlier on Tuesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said he met Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of the General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.

The Turkish defence ministry took this photo of Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad in his meeting in Ankara, just hours before his fatal plane crash © HANDOUT / TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTRY/AFP

Xinhua