Rwanda national parks are stunning ecosystems and wildlife areas that are well protected! The list of national parks in Rwanda includes; Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Gishwati Mukura National Park. There are only four national parks or wildlife reserves in Rwanda.

With help from other government departments, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) takes care of and maintains the national parks of Rwanda. Also, it advertises Rwanda parks as well. Each park holds a unique wildlife and ecosystem from each other.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is the oldest and busiest park in Africa. It shares a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and the Virunga Mountains. Together with parks in nearby countries, it’s the only place in the world where Mountain gorillas can live. For the last 2 decades, the gorilla population in Volcanoes park has been increasing. Also, golden monkeys are residents.

The other famous national park in Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park within southeast of the Burundi border, a great site for Rwanda chimpanzee safaris. This park is also home to many primate species including Olive Baboons, Silver monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and Blue monkeys.

Also, Akagera National Park- the only savannah park found on the eastern border of Rwanda between Lake Victoria and Tanzania awaits you. It’s home to diverse wildlife types counting Giraffes, Buffalos, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Zebras, plus numerous antelopes. Lastly is Giswati Mukura National Park- the newest park in Rwanda.

All the above Rwanda parks can be visited year round but dry months offer the best experience for example while coming for Rwanda gorilla safaris. It’s possible for tourists on Rwanda safaris to combine all these parks on their vacation in Rwanda- the Land of a Thousand Hills.

The list of different National Parks in Rwanda;

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located in the northeastern end of Rwanda. This only savannah national park of Rwanda covers an area of around 1,085km2 making it the largest national park in Rwanda. Rwanda’s Akagera park borders Tanzania and incorporates the Akagera River hence the name Akagera which feeds a dozen of lakes in the park including Lake Ihema.

This national park was founded in 1934 to protect animals and vegetation in three habitats; savannah, mountain, and swamp. Within Akagera National Park Rwanda, over 480 bird species and around 1000 animals are recorded including all the African Big Five- Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Rhino. Mostly game animals in Akagera are spotted during the game drives in the savannah grasslands and woodlands.

Note that, in the past years before 2015, there were no Lions in Akagera park however, seven Lions were relocated to this protected area by the African Parks management to promote wildlife diversity in this park. Today, this savannah ecosystem is under Akagera Management Company which is under Rwanda’s government- Rwanda Tourism Board.

Amazing Tourist Attractions in Akagera National Park

• Wild animals; for example, large herds of Zebras, Cape Buffalos, Elephant herds, Cheetahs, Black Rhinos, Leopards, Golden cats, Serval cats, Elands, and Impalas, among many others.
• Bird species; Common birds in Akagera include the Lilac-breasted Roller, Black-headed gonolek, White-browed coucal, African fish eagle, Double-toothed barbet, and Marsh Tchagra to mention but a few.
• Lake Ihema; There are many water bodies in Akagera National Park but Lake Ihema is the most famous. Within this lake, you will encounter hippos and numerous crocodiles as well as various water avifauna.

Popular Activities in Akagera National Park Rwanda

1. Taking game drives; during the drive in the savannah plains, you’ll see numerous game animals for instance, big Zebra herds, Buffalos, Elephant herds, Lions, Black spotted hyenas, plus numerous Antelopes.
2. Bird watching; While on Rwanda birding trips, Akagera NP is the only place among national parks to encounter savannah avifauna such as; Double-toothed Barbet, Booted eagle, Crested barbet, and Martial eagle. Most of the birding tours in Akagera National Park take place in savannah woodland and even along Lake Ihema boat cruise. Birding can go hand in hand with wildlife viewing tours in different corners of the park.
3. Boat cruise on Lake Ihema; the best Lake Ihema boat cruise for game viewing expeditions is done in the afternoon when most wildlife come to lake showers to drink water. Big Hippo pods, crocodiles plus water avifauna are common residents.
4. Nature walking in Akagera Park; this is a memorable expedition to explore wildlife. In a safer distance with a game ranger, be expectant to spot African Elephants, various Antelopes, Giraffes, Zebras, and Buffalos on foot.
5. Fishing; though not as popular as game drives in Akagera park, this adventure takes place on Lake Shakani.
6. Community tours; are done to local communities near Akagera Rwanda National Park. Some residents were former poachers!

Rwanda National Parks:  Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is also referred to as Parc National des Volcanos in French. It’s situated in the north-west of Rwanda sharing a border with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda Volcanoes park is the only place for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. After Bwindi Impenetrable National park in Uganda, Volcano Park Rwanda holds the highest population of the endangered Mountain gorillas living on Earth.

This scenic national park in Rwanda holds 5 of the 8 peaks that make up Virunga Massifs and these include; Mount Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Muhabura, and Gahinga.

The main intention of gazetting this park by Rwanda’s government was to conserve the endangered Mountain gorillas.

Top Attractions in Volcanoes National Park

1. Mountain gorillas; It’s amazing to watch Mountain gorillas within their natural habitat. Gorillas are the biggest primates on Earth weighing about 180kg on average. Despite their incredible weight and power, these great apes are very gentle thus, named the gentle giants!

These great apes live in families just like humans and each family is led by a dominant male called a Silverback.

1. Golden Monkeys; The Golden monkeys are the most beautiful in East Africa. Globally, they can only be spotted within the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda Volcanoes National park and Uganda Mgahinga National Park.
2. The Scenic Virunga Mountains; Within Volcano NP, there are 5 volcanoes of Virunga ranges and most people enjoy hiking Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi.
3. Dian Fossey Tombs; Dian Fossey is a great American primatologist who laid a great foundation in the conservation of Gorillas. Around the tomb of this great lady, you will see tombs of Gorillas that lost their lives due to poaching.
4. Beautiful birds; About 200 avifauna dwell in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park. These can be spotted along the gorilla trekking trails and among these include; Bar-tailed trogon, Rwenzori Turaco, Doherty’s bush-shrike, and Dusky crimsonwing.
5. Musanze caves– These are mysterious caves with a great history worth exploring.
6. The twin lakes around; they are just outside the park.
7. Iby’iwacu Cultural Village– this is a great site for cultural encounters after the gorilla trekking experience.

Main Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park; Many travelers consider gorilla trekking as the most thrilling game-viewing adventure in East Africa. It gives you a great opportunity to meet the gentle giants in their home, beautiful misty forests.

This remarkable adventure is done on fully habituated gorilla families that are familiar to human beings. Visitors undertaking gorilla trekking in Rwanda tours can spend roughly 2-5 hours and normally this duration is determined by gorilla movement.

1. Golden monkey trekking; the hikes to track golden monkeys in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park are similar to those of gorilla trekking expeditions. However, golden monkey trek is fair.
2. Volcano hiking; Mountain hiking lovers can’t miss out on this thrill! It’s okay to hike after or before gorilla trekking and several visitors choose to hike Mount Bisoke which is capped with a crater lake. It’s a one-day hike.
3. Bird watching; Volcano Park Rwanda holds most of the montane avifauna in Rwanda and a few Albertine rift endemics as well. Bird-watching tours in Volcano Park Rwanda take place mostly in montane forests.
4. Visit Dian Fossey Tomb; The Dian Fossey hike will give you room to learn much about the history of this incredible American primatologist and her foundation in gorilla tourism in Africa.
5. Enjoy cultural encounters at Iby’iwacu cultural village
6. Tour the Twin lakes near Volcano Rwanda Park

Rwanda National Parks: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is positioned in the southwest of Rwanda along the Burundian border with Rwanda- the Land of Thousand Hills. Rwanda Nyungwe National Park is popular for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Rwanda but this beautiful tropical rainforest park is beyond chimps!

Park Nyungwe houses other 12 primate species for instance the Olive Baboons, Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and Vervet Monkeys to mention but a few. For avian lovers, Nyungwe park boasts a rich bird population rising over 350 avifauna including about 30 Albertine endemics.

Nyungwe park is a tropical rainforest believed to be one of the oldest in Africa. Normally, it’s beautifully covered in mist. Its views are breathtaking and lovely for photography! On the drive to Nyungwe park, you’ll enjoy impressive views of Lake Kivu. Rwanda’s Lake Kivu is the biggest lake within this country and is believed to hold methane gas.

Amazing Attractions in Nyungwe National Park

Visitors on Rwanda safaris in Nyungwe park will see numerous tourist attractions in Nyungwe Forest and the popular ones have been discussed for you below;

1. The Primate Species in Nyungwe Park; The rich population of primates in Nyungwe park can only be comparable to Uganda Kibale National Park- the best area for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Africa. In Nyungwe, tourists will spot amazing primates including Chimps, Baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus, Central Africa red colobus, Black and White monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, among others.

During your Rwanda tour in Nyungwe, the best way to spot the mentioned primate species is by undertaking nature walks. Chimpanzee trekking tours are possible.

2. Birds in Nyungwe Park; Various avifauna have been recorded in Nyungwe National Park for example, woodland birds, Albertine endemics, and some montane avifauna. Their total is about 350 avifauna.

Some of the notable birds in Nyungwe park include; the Regal sunbird, Great Blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Bar-tailed trogon, & Purple-breasted sunbird, etc.

3. Nyungwe Canopy Walkway; The views of this canopy walkway in Nyungwe park are lovely. This 70m high suspended bridge is about 160m long and usually takes roughly 2 hours to explore.
4. The Beautiful Vegetation in Nyungwe Park; Over 1,068 plants have been recorded in Nyungwe park. The commonest trees are Mahogany and even Orchid. Most of the plants within this protected area are herbs.

Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Things to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park for tourists on Rwanda safari tours are many and amazing.

Below, let’s look at the best tourist activities in Nyungwe park;

1. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Park; chimpanzee trekking is the main activity for tourists exploring Nyungwe NP. An adventure to track chimpanzees is a lifetime thrill since it gives you room to spend time with man’s closest cousins- the Chimpanzees.
2. During chimpanzee trekking, you’ll also see other primates and faunae within this protected area including colorful avifauna. Travelers are limited to one hour watching chimpanzees.
3. Bird watching; It’s hard for visitors on Rwanda bird-watching safaris to miss out on birding tours in Nyungwe park. Numerous birding trails in Nyungwe park allow you to spot most avifauna within. Be expectant to encounter; the Great Blue Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Dusky crimsonwing, and Yellow-eyed black flycatcher to mention but a few.
4. Going for a Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk; The Nyungwe canopy walk offers you splendid views of Nyungwe Wood and beyond. While on the walk, it’s rare to miss spotting lovely monkeys such as Black and white colobus in tree canopies. Lake Kivu is visible on some points also.
5. Colobus Monkey Tracking; Within Nyungwe, 2 groups of Colobus monkeys have been habituated and are open for primate tours.
6. Undertaking Nature Walks in Nyungwe Forest; Forest walks offer visitors a golden opportunity to explore this biodiverse park.

Gishwati Mukura National Park

The fact that Gishwati Mukura is one of Rwanda’s newest parks shows how serious the country is about protecting nature. This park is in the western part of Rwanda. It has two different woods; Gishwati and Mukura.

In the past, these two forests were exploited, but they are now being fixed up in a big way, making them safe havens for more and more faunas. Tourists exploring Gishwati-Mukura can enjoy various activities including bird watching, and forest walks where they might see Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, and many avifauna.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda National Parks

Travelers on African safaris in Rwanda can explore the national parks in Rwanda any time of the year but, June- September as well as December- February are recommended as they are dry months. Usually, Rwanda experiences little rainfall in the dry months, and therefore, chimp tracking and gorilla trekking trails are drier and more tranquil to hike. Also, game-viewing safaris in Akagera park are remarkable.

March to May is the long rain season in Rwanda while October to November is the short one. Most of the lodges in this country give out discounts to travelers as it’s a low season. You can go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park during this season.

Packing List for Rwanda Safari Tours

The packing list as you visit the numerous national parks within Rwanda is very simple and it shouldn’t cost a lot for you.

This is what to pack as you visit National Parks in Rwanda East Africa;

• A camera for photography
• Light hiking boots
• Raincoat
• A backpack
• Friendly safari clothes, khaki is recommended
• Personal toiletries
• Insect repellant
• Sunglasses  and sunscreens
• A sunhat
• Warm sweater
• Water bottle

FAQs About Rwanda National Parks

1. How Many National Parks Are in Rwanda? : How Many Parks Are in Rwanda?

There are four game parks in Rwanda. These include; Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe park, Akagera park as well as Giswati Mukura National Park.

2. What Is the Most Visited National Park in Rwanda?

Rwanda’s most visited park is Volcano park- famous for gorilla trekking tours and even golden monkey tracking expeditions.

3. What Is the Largest Park in Rwanda?

The largest park in Rwanda is Akagera National Park. Akagera park borders Tanzania and covers over 1,122km2 area on the eastern side of the country. It’s about 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali city.

4. What Are the Problems Facing National Parks in Rwanda?

The main problem facing the management of Rwanda national parks- all under Rwanda Development Board) is a lack of finances, habitat loss, as well as inadequate personnel to monitor wildlife in these protected areas. Poaching is no longer a great issue in most protected areas within this country.

5. What Is the New National Park in Rwanda?

Giswati Mukura NP is the newest park of Rwanda. This rainforest park was gazetted in 2016 mainly to conserve the two forests Giswati and Mukura forests. It’s the smallest park in Rwanda covering roughly 32km2 area.

6. Which Game Park Is Found in Rwanda?

Rwanda has four game parks. These include Volcano park, Akagera park, Nyungwe park, and even Giswati Mukura park.

The national parks in Rwanda not only offer to travelers wildlife encounters but, also give them a chance to connect with the natural world! Whether you are interested in Mountain gorilla trekking, chimp tracking, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, or wilderness safari tours in the African savannah plains, Rwanda parks await you.

All the national parks offer something unique; Volcanoes park is known for gorilla trekking safaris, Nyungwe park for chimp trekking tours, and Akagera park for game viewing safaris.

Let us tailor your African trip to Rwanda, or check on our popular Rwanda gorilla safari packages and choose one.