The Rwanda safaris will help you explore the magic of Rwanda from gorilla trekking in the misty mountains to the big five encounters on the savannah plains highlighting the key major national parks, wildlife experiences, best time to visit as well as travel tips.

GORILLA TREKKING IN THE VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Gorilla trekking is the crown jewel of Rwanda’s safari experience. Volcanoes national park is situated in the northwest next to the border of Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. The national park is a home to 12 habituated gorilla families and this allows the guests to come face to face with the gentle giants in their natural habitat. The families include Amahoro, Susa, kwitonda, bwenge, ugenda, hirwa and Agashya group among others. These have unique characteristics and once you have an encounter with them, you will be able to learn their diet which comprises of fruits, leaves, tree barks, stems, fruits, their co-existence with one another, grooming their young ones and how they relate with one another.

Permit requirement

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 per person which helps to fund conservation efforts and support local communities.

Fitness level since the trekking takes 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla group’s location.

THE BIG FIVE SAFARI IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera national park is located in the east of Rwanda along the Tanzania border and the park is the only place to see the big five. Once a heavily depleted park, it under went most of Africa’s successful park restorations and now teeming with wildlife such as elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, zebras and hippos.

Activities to do while in akagera national park include walking safaris with experienced guides, classic game drives, boat safaris on lake ihema and this is a great birdwatching area, night game drives to spot nocturnal species. The best time to visit is June to September when wildlife gathers around water sources and grass is low.

CHIMPANZEE AND CANOPY ADVENTURE IN NYUNGWE

Nyungwe national park is located in the southwest of Rwanda and is one of the oldest parks. The national park has the most pristine montane rainforests in Africa. Its biodiversity hotspot with over 1,000 plant species, 13 primate species and over 300 bird species.

Chimpanzee trekking is the most activity that is carried out within the national park. nyungwe national park has 2 habituated families and the largest has 60 individuals while the other has 30 individuals in Cyamudongo forest.

Once the chimpanzees are located during the trek, tourists will spend with the primates an hour as they observe their feeding patterns, play with each other and how they relate with each other among others. Besides chimpanzees, tourists can trek other primates such as the grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, mona monkeys and vervet monkeys among others.

For the lovers of nature, nyungwe national park has a canopy walk which gives tourists a chance to see various attractions in the park at an ariel view.

GISHWATI-MUKURA NATIONAL PARK

Giswati-mukuru national park is the fourth national park located between the volcanoes and nyungwe national park. this was opened in 2015 and its still developing its tourism infrastructure but it offers intimate and less-crowded nature experiences.

The national park is a home to primates such as chimpanzees, golden monkeys and as well as over 230 bird species. The national park offers forest walks with local guides and it has a strong focus on reforestation and community led conservation.

SAFARI EXPERIENCES

CULTURAL SAFARIS

Cultural safaris in Rwanda offer a chance to tourists to have an insight of the culture of the people of Rwanda and a number of historical events that helped in shaping the culture of the people of Rwanda.

• Visiting ibyiwacu cultural village

As part of the culture tours, tourists will have a chance to visit the ibyiwacu cultural village which can be accessed during the volcanoes national park safari. While at the ibyiwacu village, tourists will participate in a number of activities such as banana beer making and as well get to know how they carry out their daily activities before colonialism. The most interesting part is the village portrays Rwanda during the times of kingdoms. Thus, tourists will be welcomed by a guard who will take them around the kingdom and as well be dressed in the cultural attire.

• Kitabi cultural village

The cultural village is located near the entrance of nyungwe national park. this gives the tourists the chance to understand the culture of the Rwandan people and give you a chance to explore the different ways of living that was exercised before modernity. Such as how they constructed their huts thus showcasing the architectural structure, making of local medicines among others.

• Humure refugee village

The refugee village is located around akagera national park and this offers amazing experiences to tourists as you will have to engage with people within the community. The camp has refugees that came from Tanzania and came to settle in Rwanda due to a crisis that was in Tanzania. Tourists take part in activities such as poetry, milking and taking care of cows, beer making and participating in traditional dances.

RWANDA GENOCIDE TOURS

The genocide is one of the educative, hopeful and emotional safaris that one can embark on while on a Rwanda safari. The genocide had had an event of series that led the genocide but the most event was the death of president juvenile Habyarimana. The Hutu’s had hate on the Tutsi’s since they were the most favoured within the country. The tour gives you a full history of what happened and this makes the genocide safari an interesting one

CITY TOURS

• Kigali

Kigali city is known as the capital city of Rwanda and while here the tourists will be able to visit many places such as the Kigali genocide, craft and a number of restaurants that offer many food species as well as visit kimironko market which is the biggest in the town. Tourists can buy souvenirs from there.

• Kayonza

Tourists in kayonza city will have an experience at the akagera national park which is a home to the big 5 animals namely; lions, leopard, rhinos, buffalos and elephants. Tourists will spot these animals by participating in the game drives within the national park. besides the big five, tourists will as well see a number of bird species while on the boat cruise at lake Ihema.

• Rusumo

The rusuma city offers tourists a chance to visit the rusumo waterfalls which is among the important attractions of the country. The waterfall is important in the colonial era as it was used as an entry point by the Belgians and Germans from Tanzania during the early time of European exploration.

• Ruhengeri

The city boosts with volcanoes national park where tourists take part in gorilla trekking. While at the city, you will have the opportunity to visit the habituated animals, hike the Virunga mountains namely mount bisoke, mount sabyinyo, mount muhabura, mount Karisimbi and mount gahinga and as well visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.