Welcome to Rwanda

Rwanda prides itself on lush rainforests, montane, and volcanoes. These are a few most ecologically endowed spots in Rwanda and Africa at large. Rwanda is one of the top destinations where tourists can encounter some of the unique apes or primates in the wild.

Rwanda is most popular for its unique primates including chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and many other monkey species. Top places to visit for primate watching in Rwanda include Volcanoes National Park, Gishwati-Mukura, and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

About a 3rd of the world’s 1063 endangered mountain gorillas freely roam in the Volcanoes National Park. Located in the Ruhengeri region, Volcanoes National Park also features golden monkeys, plus 5 out of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes.

Volcanoes National Park also supports other wildlife including the forest elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, black-fronted duikers, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys.

About 200 species of birds including Albertine rift endemic species make Volcanoes National Park a great birding destination. The birds in Volcanoes National Park include the Kivu ground thrush, scarlet-tufted sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Red-faced woodland warblers, Lagden’s bushrike, Rwenzori apalis, and strange weaver bird, etc.

Nature enthusiasts with plans to explore the Big 5 game in Rwanda can spend their vacation in Akagera National Park. Akagera is also the biggest of all the 4 parks found in Rwanda with a land area coverage of 1122 sq. km. At Akagera, expect to come across a diversity of wildlife including the Maasai giraffes, hippos, rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, elands, and over 500 species of birds.

Amazing things to do in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the unusual primate experience that awaits you on a visit to Rwanda. A gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda focuses on the mountain gorilla encounters. Rwanda is one of the 4 destinations in the world where mountain gorillas are concentrated and feature about 13 habituated gorilla groups.

On a gorilla trekking expedition in Rwanda, visitors get a chance to explore Volcanoes National Park starting from the Kinigi area. To engage in the Rwanda gorilla trek, you should have a valid permit and each cost USD 1,500 per person.

Golden monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking is a unique experience perfect to be added on your bucket list of adventures in Rwanda. A guided golden monkey trek takes you on a search for a habituated troop of golden monkeys in their habitat. Unlike gorilla trekking, during the golden monkey trek, visitors can spend between 2 and 4 hours inclusive of one hour for up close and personal encounters.

Birding

Over 700 species of birds call Rwanda their home and they reside in diverse habitats. Top birding areas in Rwanda include the 4 National Parks, Lakes, Rivers, and Swamps/wetlands as well as Kigali. Key birds to spot in Rwanda include handsome spurfowl, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Dusky crimson wing, hammerkop, regal sunbirds, Rwenzori turacos, red-throated alethe, shoebill storks, and more.

Game drives

The best way to encounter the savanna wild animals is by embarking on a guided game drive in Akagera National Park. It is at Akagera where all the Big 5 game –rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants.

Is Rwanda safe to visit?

Rwanda is a safe nation and destination. Visitors on Rwanda tours come to enjoy the country’s wonders safely. During most safari activities, the guides accompany tourists. Besides, well-trained, and experienced park rangers continuously monitor tourist sites.

When it comes to health matters, Rwanda is one of the safest destinations to visit. Keeping attention is always taken on all infectious diseases. Although one thing you should know is that most of the great hospitals in Rwanda are found in the urban centers or city centers. Travel insurance is key when planning for a safari to Rwanda.

When to visit Rwanda

Rwanda as a destination can be explored by tourists at any time of the year. But the ideal period to visit Rwanda for a holiday is during the dry months. On a travel calendar, the dry season in Rwanda falls in June, July, August, to September. Another phase of the dry season begins from December, January to February. These are the best months of the year for you to travel to Rwanda to engage in gorilla trekking adventures, hiking, game drives, chimpanzee tracking, and golden monkey tracking.

Most of the destinations in Rwanda record their long rainy season from March, April, to May. The shortest rainy months start from October to November. They are also referred to as the off months of the year. Around these months, most safari lodges record a low turnover of guests given the nature of the conditions.

What to take for your Rwanda safari

A list of essentials to consider on the Rwanda safari packing checklist includes an insect repellent, a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, snacks, a safari hat, gardening gloves, and others.

Getting around Rwanda

Getting around Rwanda has been easier than ever before thanks to the available options. Car hire services offer a better alternative for visitors to get to their destinations. A visitor can use a 4×4 safari vehicle to reach any park or site in Rwanda. Or you can appreciate the available helicopter tours or air flights to destinations like Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Park, among others.