Safaris in Rwanda
Rwanda is the green and clean heart of East African Region. The country is small but delivers way above its weight as a tourism hub. Manouvering through the rolling green landscapes, one would understand why Rwand is indeed the Land of a thousand hills. The cities are neat, roadsides are swept daily, and the whole Kigali just feels safe. a
The country literally rebuilt itself after the 1994 Rwanda genocide, with serious focus on community and conservation. Travelers come for gorillas in the misty volcanoes, but stay for the mix of primates, along with savannah game, and that quiet Rwandan pride in how far they have come. Luxury lodges are close right to the forests and guides know every trail.
Featured Safaris
Top Rwanda Safaris
10 Days Best of Rwanda tour
Tour Overview The 10 Days Best of Rwanda tour perfectly introduces you to the premier...
7 Days Safari in Rwanda
A 7-day Rwanda safari typically covers gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest,...
5 Days Rwanda Safari-Gorillas & Chimps
Safari Overview The 5 Days Rwanda safari is ideal for visitors who desire the...
3 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkeys
Overview The 3 Days Rwanda gorillas and golden monkeys perfectly introduces you to Volcanoes National...
2 Days Akagera Big 5 Safari
Safari Overview The 2 Days Akagera Big 5 Safari offers you a rare opportunity to...
2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Safari Lodge Ready for a great adventure with mountain gorillas yet have limited time? Then...
WHAT TO DO
Best Activities in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is the most popular tourism activity in the country. The process involves diving into the deep forests of Virunga moutains in search of the gentle giants.
Gorilla trekking Permits cost about USD 1,500 for international visitors, USD 500 for foreign residents, and USD 200 East African citizens. travelers are given one hour with any habituated gorilla family. Groups of guests are eight people at maximum, and the whole experience is just breathtaking.
Watching the male silver back dominate, gorilla mothers nursing babies, the whole family living up to their day is a feeling to carry on.
Chimpanzee trekking on Nyungwe Forest National Park is yet another thrilling act where travelers get to encounter several primates especially the chimps. Trekking permits costs about USD 150 for foreigners.
Tracking chimps involves following their sounds through the trees then watching them swing and feed. Many say the feeling is wilder and faster than that of gorillas. Other primates at Nyugwe include black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys and more.
Game drives take the lead in Akagera. Both Morning and evening game drives take you to the endless plainsendless leopards, lions, rhinos and buffaloes roam freely. Night game drives add excitemen especially sighting the nocturnal animals. The park is never crowded and feels spacious.
Exciting boat cruises at Lake Ihema in Akagera are never to be missed, they bring travelers close to water animals like crocodiles, hippos, and birds. There are also suspended bridges high in the canopies of Akagera that offers clears bird’s views.
Golden monkey trekking in the rainforests of volcanoes is another thrilling feeling, where orange monkeys in the bamboo can be sighted.
Cultural village visits, hiking volcanoes, cultural village, and tea plantation tours are more of the tourism activities to dive in.
TOP DESTINATIONS
National Parks In Rwanda.
Volcanoes National park
Volcanoes National park is situated in the northwestern part of Rwanda. The popular tourism hub boarders Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park covers almost 160 sq km inclusive of Virunga volcanoes that include Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Gahinga.
Volcanoes National park is the leading gorilla tracking destination in the country, golden monkeys are other primates that harbours at this spot. Rainforests and Bamboo cover the gentle slopes, and the fresh air in the area is breathtaking
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe forest, home of primates, is situated in the southwestern part of the country. The park is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and covers over 1,000 sq km of grassland, swamp, and montane forests. It is always misty green at Nyungwe throughout the year.
There are about 13 primate species that find home in Nyungwe. Long trails and cnopy walks give travelers a different form of experience as they get to see other wildlife in the park.
Akagera National Park
The wildlife national park is locates in the East part of Rwanda, and is the only true savannah park in the country. The spot covers about 1,122 sq km and stretches along the Tanzania border.
Akagera is dominated by swamps, lakes, and open plains. The full big experience of the Big 5 is also one of the most thrilling tourism encounters at Akagera. Lake Ihema is situated right at the heart of Akagera offering guests with exciting boat crusies.
Gishwati Mukura National Park
The spot is the smallest and newest national park in the country. Situates in the West, Gishwati Mukura protects the remaining forest fragments etirely focusing on gorilla trekking, eco tourism and birding. The tourism hub is quieter and great for highly private visitors.
Wildlife & Animals of Rwanda.
There are definitely fewer animals in Rwanda but heavily protected
Big 5 stars lives in scenic Akagera. lions, black rhinos, buffalos, leopards, elephants are all easier to spot. Game drives in Akagera give clear savannah sightings with hills and waters as a backdrop.
Primates are the real deal. Volcanoes harbours mountain gorillas of about a third of the world’s population in the Virunga mountains. Golden monkeys are also only found volcanoes. Nyungwe homes more of chimpanzees plus other 12 other species like blue monkeys, colobus, and more. Gishwati adds another chimp population.
Rwanda is also a Birders paradise with Akagera accomodating over 480 bird species, including shoebills in the watery swamps. Nyungwe is home to Rwenzori turacos. Where as Volcanoes brings in forest birds. Other animals include zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles in Akagera.
Top Attractions in Rwanda.
Rwanda offers plenty outside the parks. One can kick off in Kigali with the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The history is essential to the country an very moving. Kigali city itself is modern and clean. Visiting NiyibArts or Inema Arts Centre for local creativity, or simply relaxing at coffee shops is such a breathtaking experience.
Lake Kivu offers beach holidays. Rubavu and Karongi are endowed with clear water, sandy shores, and scenic resorts.
The King’s Palace of Nyanza brings traditional Rwandan life inform of royal history and reconstructed beehive huts and royal history. Cultute and crafts hits hard at Ethnographic Museum in Huye.
Rwanda grows some of the best tea. Tea and coffee plantations near Nyungwe offer tastings and tours and tastings. Musanze caves near Volcanoes add a thilling moment to the adventure.
FACTS ABOUT RWANDA.
Rwanda covers approximately 26,338 sq km. The country is small, hilly, and landlocked.Just like Uganda Rwanda sits on the equator even though the highlands keep temperatures mild.
The Rwadese population is around 13-14 million people and Kigali is the Capital city. Tourism in Rwanda has grown fast with gorilla trekking making up the biggest share. The country also invests more in conservation and it shows on the rising gorilla numbers.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries to visit and English and Kinyarwanda are spoken widely.
RWANDA SAFARI TIPS
Gorilla trekking permits should be booked as early as possible. About six to twelve months are recommend for peak dry season.
Working with a good experienced operator who handles things the legit way is crucial. Waterproof boots, rain jacket, binoculars are also essential tools.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Best time to Visit Rwanda
For a smooth travel experience on Rwand safaris, the two dry seasons take the lead. June to September is the long drier season in Rwanda where as December to February are shortly dry. Trails stay accessible during this period for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, grass is shorter and animals are easier spotted on game drives.
The period of June to September is the best overall and the busiest season. The weather paves way for easy hiking of the Virungas, and strong wildlife sightings in Akagera.
December to February may work too, due to less crowds and affordable prices. The heavy rains of March to May and November may ruin the whole experience. Roads are muddy making trekking and some activities a hurdle.