What to Expect on Safari in Rwanda
The National Park Volcanoes are Rwanda’s most scenic.
First, expect primate expeditions in the Virunga highlands forest to find mountain gorillas and have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with them. The Rwanda tourism bureau has successfully promoted the country as a luxury primate adventure destination for 20 years, attracting the most luxury adventurers.
Rwanda’s gorilla mountains are likely your destination. Expect to drive two hours on a 100-kilometer paved road to the northwest corner along the border with Uganda (north) and DRC (west), where mountain gorillas live.
Rwanda’s beautiful Volcanoes National Park protects some of the last mountain gorillas that roam across the three national parks in the Virunga highlands. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s major tourist destination, ranks first.
Expect to be stationed at the mountain foot and travel deep into the steep woods in small groups of six early morning to find one of twelve habituated gorilla communities. Two rangers and a local tracker will lead your group for an hour of close-up viewing of mountain gorillas foraging, socializing, and showing their archaic artifacts.
Expect to climb a high, rough mountain terrain for an unknown time. Reaching mountain gorilla habitats may take 30 minutes to 5 hours, but sightings are guaranteed. Ranger teams follow gorillas through their daily rituals and radio your tracking expert where to find them.
Wild animals roam and cannot be expected to stay still. You must carve your way through the jungle to reach the gorillas since there is no established track. Prepare for a strenuous mountain climb and descent.
RDB reports 96 daily hiking gorilla permits. That’s a small fraction compared to gorilla trekking’s global appeal. To minimize the hassle of getting a gorilla permit, we recommend booking early. We welcome calls and messages at our email.
Some Rwanda tourists want more than gorilla tours. Yes, you may appreciate this modest city’s beauty. Golden monkeys are another endangered mammal in Volcanoes National Park. Some are adapted to trekking in the bamboo zone of the mountain forest, making them worth the trip.
An overnight climb to 4,507-meter Mount Karisimbi, a morning walk to Dian Fossey’s tomb at the desolate Karisoke Research Camp, and a day drive to 3,711-meter Mount Bisoke summit to witness its beautiful crater lake are more adventures near Volcanoes NationalExpect another montane jungle, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, south of Rwanda to protect Rwanda’s few chimpanzees and a dozen other primate species, including the endangered L’Hoest’s monkey. You may walk through Africa’s tallest canopy with habituated chimpanzees at Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Botanists would marvel at the 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids in the Nyungwe Forest, where monkey monitoring is the major job. Birdwatchers may expect the best experience in Africa with 322 bird species, including Red-collared Babbler and 29 Albertine Rift Endemic species. Another common sight is butterflies, with at least 150 species.Beautiful Wildlife Tours
Visit Akagera National Park two hours west of Kigali to combine low-key large game watching with primate viewing in Rwanda’s southern and northwest highlands.
Rwanda is rebuilding Akagera National Park, the only safari park with the BIG FIVE species, to restore its damaged big game. The park’s environment is stunning, with low grassy slopes receding into undulating savannah plains, a dozen lakes, huge papyrus swamps, and a network of Akagera River channels.
Akagera wildlife drives provide uncomplicated buffalo and elephant sightings. A good tracker may discover the lions, but it will take time. Newly arriving but cautious rhinos expect leopards on night game drives.
Akagera’s plains animals include Burchell’s zebra, Masai giraffe, 11 antelope species, and impala, topi, defassa waterbuck, sitatunga, and bushbuck in woodland areas. A multifaceted art and cultural scene
Starting your quest in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where international and native cuisines blend to make one of the fastest-growing African cities, will enable you sample its unique flavors.
In Kigali, the top Rwandan designers mix western and indigenous ideas in daily designs. In Kigali Cultural Village, a traditional market, you’ll find talented food vendors and artisans.
Rwanda’s galleries and museums exhibit African culture via ancient treasures and current art. Rwanda’s culture, including Intore dancing, basketry, and Umugand rituals that sweep the nation during national festivities, will wow you at your safari lodge or local events.
Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi to assist your country recover from the worst of the 1990s disasters. 300,000 dead were buried and exhibited for visitors. Your human adrenaline nerves should work properly.
The Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, held on September 25th at Volcanoes National Park, is one of Rwanda’s most significant annual events. Names for newborn gorillas are selected for conservation. Be there as naturalists worldwide celebrate it.
Many safari lodging choices
The key question is where to reside. Try not to worry. Rwanda has home-stays, Airbnbs, hotels, camps, and some of the continent’s most luxurious safari facilities.
Whether you’re in Kigali or the countryside, you’ll find a place to unwind and spend the weekend. Rwanda safaris include beachfronts at Lake Kivu and treetop residences.
Email to chat with a local safari specialist to help you plan the best Rwanda safari experience and meet your expectations.
