Why go for a Rwanda safari 2025 | 2026?
Why go for a Rwanda safari 2025 | 2026?
Rwanda is a landlocked country located in East-Central Africa and is situated in the African great lakes region. The republic of Rwanda is bordered by countries like Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the east, Burundi in the south and Democratic Republic of Congo in the west and surrounded by mountains to the west and savanna to the east. The countryside is covered by grasslands, steep-rolling hills and deep valleys with its highest point being karisimbi in the Virunga Mountains, the summit of karisimbi(4,507m) is often covered with hail or snow. Unlike other African countries, Rwanda has temperate type of climate despite being two degrees south of the equator. There are four noticeable seasons; the long dry season is from mid-may to September, the short rains from October to mid December to mid-march. Heavy downpours occur almost daily, alternating with sunny seasons. Rainfall is generally heavier in the western and northwestern mountains than in the eastern savannas.
Rwanda was colonized by the Germans in 1884 followed by a Belgian regime during the First World War. Things went really bad in 1994 after the death of Rwanda president resulting into a horrible Rwanda genocide, however the country has long passed its war torn days and has now recovered to a large extent and is one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. Rwanda has been recognized as one of the most beautiful, most peaceful, cleanest and one of the most stable and smallest country in Africa. Unlike other East African countries, there is strict law and order, there isn’t any garbage on the streets and lawns are manicured to impossible perfection.
Rwanda is also known as “The land of a thousand hills” a dub earned from its green rolling landscape of hills with tea plantations and gardens which reveal the undulating beauty of the city. Although well known for the horrible history of the genocide, Rwanda is a nice country with magnificent people, amazing lakes and rivers, good infrastructure and good standards of living. The economy is majorly supported by Subsistence Agriculture and Tourism. There are nice views over the intensively cultivated and terraced countryside. The mountains and hills tend to stretch forever and the abundant rainfall keeps them in rush green.
Rwanda is a small country and almost all its attractions are next to each other. Top tourist attractions include scenic landscape, celebrated national parks, historical and cultural attractions. Rwanda has mainly 3 national parks and the most common is the Volcanoes national park famous of its gorilla trekking. The park is found in the northern part of the country. Not only is Volcanoes national park home for the mountain gorillas but also a home of the golden monkeys, place to hike to Dian Fossey tomb and birding. The park gets its name from the five volcanoes (karisimbi, bisoke, Muhabura, Gihinga and Sabyinyo) that are located in the Virunga Mountains. These volcanoes are covered in 160sq km in bamboo moors and rainforests. This nature of landscape and montane type of climate enables the gorillas to stay in the volcanoes. In the eastern part, you will find Akagera national park, currently famous for the big five wild life experience and in the south-west is Nyungwe national park famous foe chimpanzee tracking and the highest canopy in East Africa. With all its attractions, it comes as no surprise that it has one of the most outstanding accommodations in Africa. Rwanda offers a range of accommodations in all categories which span from basic camps to safari lodges to luxury urban hotels, from all of which it is possible to experience the sights, sounds and distinct feel of the country. Rwanda safari lodges are each unique in their own right, offering a different safari accommodation experience. It offers tourists a one of a kind trip to Rwanda. If you have a misnomer about Africa as not being safe for travel, then you must know that Rwanda would prove you wrong. You should probably visit to experience adrenaline pumping adventure and see interesting places. Still not convinced? Here are the top reasons why you should do Rwanda safaris.
Rwanda is renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is one of the top tourist activities you can enjoy while on a Rwanda safari, this tourist activity has increased Rwanda’s import earnings over years. Mountain gorillas are very fascinating and rare primates that cannot be easily found anywhere in the world, making them the most sought primates. Despite their endangered status of poaching, habitat loss and war where they live, recently, conservation efforts have found success when conservation measures reversed the decline and started them on a road to recovery. This increased their population from 620 in 1989 to 880 today and Rwanda hosting about one third of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world alone compared to the Uganda hosting half and Congo hosting about quarter of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world.
However in the recent communication of Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda accounts for 62% of the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains, meaning that Rwanda’s stringent conversation measures have significantly contributed to a rise in gorilla numbers. And currently there are 20 families habituated for tourism and research, up from just 9 families in 2010, this makes Rwanda seem to be the best bet for gorilla trekking. The great development has increased Rwanda’s gorilla permit from $750 to $1,500 per person per day compared to $600 for Uganda and $400 for Congo. Rwanda has also introduced packages for tourists booking the entire gorilla family at $15,000 which comes with an exclusive personalized tour guide services.
The professionalism and ease of doing a gorilla trekking activity, is in Rwanda compared to Uganda and Congo, making it a top gorilla destination. The biggest advantage Rwanda has regarding gorilla trekking over her neighboring Uganda and Congo is the shortest distance one has to travel to be able to view the mountain gorillas, as some people just come for a day. Rwanda also has ease and accessible and smooth roads that lead to the park. So if you are looking forward in trekking gorillas in one of these countries, Rwanda should be your first option especially for tourists who don’t wish to spend a lot of time. The travel time from the Airport in Kigali to Volcanoes national park is just 2 hours compared to Uganda 7-8 hours. There are also direct flights from Nairobi (Kenya) and Mount Kilimanjaro daily, this enables you arrive in the morning in Kigali then connect to Volcanoes national park for Mountain Gorilla trekking and return to Kigali airport the same day.
Regarding conservation, Rwanda was the leader in the movement to protect the gorillas, making her the most popular of the three countries for gorilla trekking. This was partially achieve through Dian Fossey, an American zoologist who studied and conducted her advocacy work to protect the gorillas. In 1967 after doing her research on the mountain gorillas in the forest of Congo where there was insecurity, she fled and established a research base at the place between Visoke and Karisimbi volcanoes that was yet to be named Karisoke research center. She spearheaded the conservation campaign of the mountain gorillas and mobilized resources to fight against poaching in this area, a fight she put up until she was murdered in 1985 and buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit. In 2005, Rwanda introduced the annual baby naming ceremony for baby gorillas known as ‘Kwita Iziina’ which has seen great results in gorilla population and visitor increase in volcanoes national park.
Trekking Dian Fossey tomb is one of the most sought safari activities carried out while visiting Volcanoes national park for gorilla safaris. The trek involves a 30 minutes drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary. The walk from the park boundary to the research center where the Dian’s grave is, takes about an hour and affords good views of forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species. This hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It’s so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The hike involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience. At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.
Golden monkey tracking makes up one of the most interesting and diverse activities in Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkeys are also rare species listed as endangered. Trekking golden monkeys takes place in Volcanoes national park and at the same time 7:00 just like gorillas and Volcanoes national park. Currently have two habituated golden monkeys’ groups that are available for visiting by tourists in the park, both of which make about 80 members. Golden monkeys in Rwanda live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and habituation has helped them to overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. Trekking golden monkeys and gorillas is a similar experience, in a small group of not more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them. They are very active creatures, and jump from tree to tree which is really interesting and a little difficult to photograph! The golden monkey trek is worth going for while in Volcanoes National Park, this is a rare and delightful experience not to be missed! The cost of golden monkey trekking is $100 per person.
Volcanoes national park in Rwanda has equally good accommodation facilities just like its neighbor, Uganda. Accommodation is extremely vital regarding the experience you are bound to get from a safari. These better priced lodges will keep the spark alive whilst carrying out your safari activities within the park. This also brings an opportunity to explore near places such as the Musanze market, Musanze Caves, Twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and Iby’iwacu cultural village. Our company was able to spot out lodges that we trust can give our visitors maximum satisfaction depending on their income levels. Mountain Gorilla View lodge for luxury visitors – may not have quite the standard of luxury and appeal as others in other countries, but is well known to be comfortable, clean and a good value for money options. Others include Da Vinci gorilla lodge and Le Bambou gorilla lodge, these are all midrange lodges. And for budget tourists we choose to offer them Muhabura hotel. However, due to the current increase in gorilla permits in Rwanda, high-end lodges will soon be opening in Musanze and improvement in visitors experience at kinigi, including renovation of the information center and other tourism services hence reason to visit Rwanda.
South-west of Rwanda lies Nyungwe national park, undoubtedly one of the many reasons why Rwanda slots up among the most visited countries in East Africa. Nyungwe forest is the largest and most ancient protected mountain rainforest in East or Central Africa covering between 1600 and 2000 square meters. The park is just about 5 hours drive from Kigali city with impressive landscapes en route to major attractions. The park is habitat to around 13 primate species for instance its known for its high concentration of the endangered species of the Chimpanzees as well as the Colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabeys among other primates. The forest is dense and you need to wear trekking gears for example walking shoes, long trousers and long sleeved shirts as you trek off the beaten tracks along with a guide and your packed food. Chimpanzee tracking experience in Rwanda is interesting and fascinating especially if it’s trekked and watched by any tourists coming on a Rwanda tour, tracking chimpanzees can be combined with Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes national park. The experience one gains is ultimate and will stay in their minds for the rest of their lives.
The Nyungwe national park is one of the finest bird watching areas where bird lovers participating on their Rwanda safaris can enjoy the sights and nice melodies of the different bird species found in the park. You can find almost 300 bird species, hundreds of butterflies and orchids, and about 75 different species of animals including 13 primates. Some of the bird species which can be watched by visitors include the Great Blue and black Turaco as well as the Crowned Hornbill and the Blue-Headed Sunbird among other recommendable species which can be easily watched in the park. These can be enjoyed by any tourist participating in Chimpanzee trekking in the park. During the long dry season, bird lovers have a greater opportunity to see them since the migrants are always around compared in the rain season. The Nyungwe canopy walk experience is one of park’s adventurous activities that cannot be missed while on a Rwanda safari. The canopy is only one of its kinds in East Africa and third in Africa. The canopy walk starts with 30 minutes hike from the starting point at Uwinka visitor’s center inside the park. The Canopy tour gives an amazing aerial view of the rainforest and the valleys below. The bridge suspended between huge trees also gives you a feel of fresh air 50 meters above the forest floor and offers face to face encounters with the playing primates and flying birds along the 90 meter canopy walkway. The experience is really enjoyable and if you are afraid of heights, there are bypasses that will help you rejoin your group. The Nyungwe park hikes offer incredible experience. There are over 130km of hiking routes created in the forest, hiking trails run in and through the forest allowing tourists to explore the interior and its fascinating habitants. These trails last from 1-8 hours. For example Bigugu trail which is a 6 hours trail walk leads you to the highest mountain of the park at 2950m while Igishigishigi trail one of the shortest hikes includes East Africa’s highest canopy walk with spectacular views across Nyungwe forest. Tourists can spend days hiking the various trails while exploring the ancient rainforest and discovering the various habitants found in the forest.
While on a chimpanzee tracking safari in Nyungwe national park, spectacular South African designed Nyungwe forest lodge which is luxury, is incredibly located in the middle of a working tea plantation with some of the extra ordinary old growth forest waterfall right outside your villa’s door, giving you an opportunity to see Colobus monkeys, Chimpanzees and other primates. However other lodges like Nyungwe top view lodge a mid-range lodge and Gisakura guest house used by our company give a satisfaction to tourists.
In Eastern-Rwanda on the border with Tanzania, there lies Akagera National Park. This park covers an area of about 112,000 hectares. The park is named after the Akagera River that flows along its Eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes. The scenery of Akagera national park is quite simply beautiful. The landscape is low and is composed of wide plains dominated by grass, cactus-like Euphorbia candelabra shrubs and both thick and thin forests and a mosaic of swamps-fringed lakes along the meandering Akagera watercourse all contribute to the park’s scenic beauty. With over 10 fresh water lakes, numerous hills, fantastic large mammal sightings, boat safaris, night drives and decent campsites, Akagera National Park is no doubt one of Africa’s top safari destinations.
Rwanda has long recovered its wildlife following a horrible 1994 genocide that decimated its wildlife population. Highlights include elephants, hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, leopards, hyenas, lions, crocodiles…the list is endless. Six Masai giraffes were imported from Kenya in 1986 and their population has now grown to more than 100 individuals, In 2015, management of Akagera park reintroduced the iconic lions, conducted another aerial census that indicated an increase in residents, and also launched the Karenge Seasonal Bush Camp. In addition, the park management recently reintroduce the black rhino on 2rd May this year, this has finally made Rwanda’s Akagera national park a Big Five destination hence the reason to visit Rwanda.
Akagera is now a home to the country’s big 5 game including different antelope species. Large herds of buffalo, giraffe and zebras can be seen on open plains while antelopes like the eland can be found on the hills.
Compared to other neighboring countries, wildlife viewing in Akagera national park will make your Rwanda safari interesting and memorable. The park is just 2 hours drive from Kigali city enabling you to spend less time on road and exploring more. Wildlife viewing is blended with a boat safari on Lake Ihema. This lake has got one of the largest concentrations of hippos in East Africa including crocodiles that can be found along the shores of the lake. There are many water birds that can also be spotted on this lake during a boat safari. For instance you can spot a shoe bill stock.
For adventurous travelers, you could opt to also take a boat trip on the lake. During this breath taking activity, you will sail along the water edge which is covered by trees, giant hippos and crocodiles in the shallows of the water. Other animals like the elephants can be seen making their way to bath in the water. In addition you will see a number of birds. You will also be able to see fishing taking place at the lake. Visiting the park is really rewarding.
Accommodation in Akagera include one of “a must visit” lodge in Rwanda is Ruzizi Tented Camp in Akagera national park, is a luxury lodge located in the riverine forest on the edge of lake Ihema, its small and private lodge with en-suite tents, sheltered by large trees and swaying palms. Its location gives you an opportunity to view wildlife while at the lodge. Other lodges include Akagera Game Lodge which is a mid-range type of accommodation.
Kigali city is the capital and the largest city in Rwanda and is located in the heart of the country with an incredible variety of flowering trees and shrubs from various point on the ridge, Kigali offers much more from stunning architecture, museums, shopping, amazing restaurants and hotels to elegant cuisine. Kigali city will remind you of a typical European town with clean streets and paved roads. The city was founded in 1907 under the German colonial rule but only became a capital when Rwanda got its independence in 1962. Kigali was built in a hilly location with an average elevation of 1,850 meters above sea level enjoying a cool subtropical climate which ranges between 27 to 15 degrees throughout the year.
Kigali was a center stage of the Rwandan genocide in 1994; the Genocide Memorials in Rwanda are one of the top visited attractions. Although the country has made a huge progress since the 1994 genocide, it is vital that the visitors and the people, who live here, know about the horrific incident that shook Eastern Africa. There are about 8 genocide memorial sites in Rwanda and these places were put to actually commemorate the dangerous genocide war where close to one million people dead in just about 100 days. The nearest memorial site to Kigali is the Gisozi Memorial center, which is within Kigali city and was developed as a museum that houses the detailed but grotesque history of the Rwandan genocide, it’s a burial site of over 250,000 of the 1 million genocide victim and is surrounded by several gardens and a wall with the names of the victims.
In other areas of Rwanda, there are Nyamata and Ntarama memorial sites, located about 35 kilometers each away from Kigali. These were churches where several people had gone to seek refuge but eventually met their death, majority of those killed were women and children, they were buried here and today the churches continue to be in place as memorial sites for the horrendous massacre. Murambi memorial site, a school were over 2700 people were killed. It was also one of the sites to the genocide and also houses a museum which contains preserved bodies of the victims and a detailed history about the outbreak of the genocide. A single mass grave was dug and here the victims were given a decent burial. Other genocide memorials across Rwanda include Nyanza, Bisesero, Nyarubuye and Gisenyi memorial sites
Rwanda is indeed, unlike any other African countries, a destination you might have to visit.
The national museum is another attraction in Rwanda located in Butare city in Huye. It is known to be the most tourists’ attraction in Butare. The museum is known to have probably the finest ethnographic collection in the whole of East Africa. It has spacious rooms that allow the exhibitions to be appreciated and enjoyed. Exhibitions provide information not only on pre-colonial history but also on the process of development of the country (Rwanda) to her modernity today. At the museum you can organise for the Ntore dancers to entertain you in the traditional dances of Rwanda.
Kigali city offers a wide opportunity for more urban accommodation, including the Hotel des Milles Collines, a 4 star hotel in the city centre. A historical hotel that was made famous in the film Hotel Rwanda, which told the remarkable story of how it became a sanctuary and enabled more than one thousand people to survive the Rwanda Genocide in 1994. This history alone motivates you to visit this hotel. Kigali Serena Hotel, this is also a 4 star luxury hotel which gives you the comfort of other Serena hotels in other countries. Our company selected a few of the many hotels in Kigali for budget and midrange tourists, these include Step up Motel and Garr Hotel, Golf Hills Residence respectively.
Another reason to visit Rwanda-the land of a thousand hills and a million smiles is boat cruise safaris. Rwanda is a natural paradise with many pristine and charming lakes and lake beaches. Five volcanic lakes lie on the boarder of Rwanda and Congo and are full of great attractions. Due to Rwanda’s location in the great lakes region of Africa, Lake Kivu is part of the great lakes of Africa and it is the largest freshwater lake in Rwanda and it’s located on the Congo boarder. The lake is encased between green terraced hills and a home to some of the most beautifully located resort in Africa such as View Palm Resort, Waterfront Resort and Lake Kivu Serena Resort making it a place of scenic beauty and pleasant beaches. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains with settlements around the shore in places like Sake, Kahele, Gisenyi, Bukavi and many others. Rwanda’s version of Coastal del Sol-a mini Zanzibar along Lake Kivu makes many visitors want to spend a few days along the lake’s sandy beaches, exploring its tropical islands, do some fishing, boating, nature walks buts mostly relaxing and chilling under the tropical sun. Visiting the lake is usually more enjoyable after doing physical activities such as gorilla trekking, hiking and chimpanzee tracking while on a safari in Rwanda. Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo are also two lesser known lakes with breathtaking beauty. These are also called the twin lakes of Rwanda. The beautiful twin lakes are located at the base of volcanic mountain Muhabura and close to the border with Uganda. They are surrounded by steep hills and large waterfalls with a backdrop of the Virunga volcanic mountains in the background. They are best spots to visit after watching the gorillas since they are close to gorilla trekking center. A boat trip on a canoe boat can be taken along the waters of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo for sightseeing. Within the area, there are a number of community based tourism tours on offer, such as village visits, agric-production plants, ethno-botany tours or even local fishing using traditional methods or you can simply sit back and take in the breath taking scenery the lakes have to offer. Lake Burera is surrounded by luxury lodges such as Virunga volcanoes lodges where visitors can stay while on a gorilla trekking safari.
While at Gisenyi, serenely sited on a white sandy shores of Lake Kivu is Lake Kivu Serena hotel-a full-blown 5 star luxury hotel looking out over a private sandy beach and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens. The hotel offers the ideal destination in Rwanda for an extended holiday or simply a weekend escape. Others include Waterfront Resort.
Rwanda’s Culture and rich Heritage is a living treasure that can make your safari a memorable experience. The Rwandans are friendly and welcoming people. Their hospitality and tenderness including their willingness to assist any visitor in any way is appreciated. Rwanda has many cultural opportunities to offer to visitors. These range from their food and beverage, cultural dress code, dances and music. Unlike other African countries, Rwanda has a rich and unique cultural dance that has inspired many visitors. Most attractions organize these dances to entertain their visitors. Amongst the dances is the intore dance, a sort of dance which encourages those who wage war and hurt. Visit some of Rwanda’s cultural centers for instance Iby’lwacu cultural village, this is a village that was developed by a non-profit making organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park. While at Iby’lwacu cultural village, you will enjoy a variety of activities. These include; community walks, cultural dances, cooking of Rwandan foods and hunting. This is a perfect afternoon event after Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes national park.
Africa Gorilla Safaris is one tour operator company that gives you an opportunity to visit Rwanda at a relatively cheaper quotation. We are able to arrange for your gorilla and golden monkeys trekking permits and accommodation including transportation months before your actual visit to avoid inconveniences and enjoy your trip. Rwanda safaris are our most selling point with a combination of wildlife viewing, Chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla safaris, cultural safaris, birding tours and holiday tours – Rwanda is a great destination suitable for your vacation with beaches and lakeside attractions and lively nightlife. Other packages include tailor made safaris covering Rwanda. So if you are planning to visit Rwanda any time soon Africa Gorilla Safaris has amazing packages you can choose from as you plan to visit Rwanda.