Below is a detailed overview of a wildlife safari in Rwanda with top places to visit, things to see, intriguing tourist activities, costs to incur, what to pack, accommodation, and the best tour operators to book with.

Top Places to Visit When on a Rwanda Wildlife Safari 

There are different places to visit in Rwanda; however, for interesting wildlife safaris, there are mainly four protected areas established as national parks in the country, and these include

Volcanoes National Park—Known for Mountain Gorillas

Volcanoes National Park is one of the top places to visit for wildlife safaris in Rwanda, located in the northwestern part of the country near Musanze Town.

The park covers an area of about 160 km² of rainforest, and it encompasses five of the eight Virunga mountains, making it the best destination for mountain climbing in Rwanda.

It is renowned for mountain gorilla trekking since it is home to over 300 of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This makes it one of the best places for gorilla tours in Africa.

The park is home to over 34 different species of animals, including other primates such as gorillas and endangered golden monkeys, as well as over 200 bird species; of these, 13 to 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift, and about 16 species are endemic to the Virunga massif.

Some of the activities to do in the park include tracking mountain gorillas, trekking golden monkeys, nature walks, volcano hiking, and bird watching, among others.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe NP is among the popular places to visit on a wildlife tour in Rwanda. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, covering an area of about 1,020 square kilometers of rainforest.

The park was established in 2004 to protect diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for wildlife tours.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 300 bird species and 75 mammal species, including thirteen primate species.

Some of the primates include chimpanzee, owl faced monkey, L’hoest’s monkey, vervet monkey, and blue monkey, among others. These make it a popular destination for wildlife tours and primate safaris in Rwanda.

Some of the key activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park include chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, nature walks, canopy walks, etc. The Nyungwe canopy walk extends 200 feet above the forest floor and lasts for about 2 hours.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is among the premium destinations to visit on a wilderness excursion in Rwanda.

It is located in eastern Rwanda, along the border with Tanzania. It is the only savannah national park in the country, covering approximately 1,122 square kilometers.

For the last few decades, Akagera NP has been transformed into a thriving savannah ecosystem, and it provides habitat to over 8000 large mammals, including the Big Five.

Animals such as Maasai giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, and hippos call Akagera NP home. It also shelters about 25 black eastern rhinos and 100 savannah elephants.

The park is home to over 500 species of birds, which makes it one of the top destinations for bird watching in Rwanda. It is particularly strong for raptors, waterbirds, and savannah and woodland species.

Guided nature walks are offered in Akagera National Park to explore the flora and fauna. It also offers guided game drives that cost USD 30 for day drives and USD 40 for night drives.

Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park is a newly established national park that was opened for tourism in 2019 and is worth visiting on a Rwanda wildlife holiday. It was formed after merging the Gishwati Forest and Mukura Forest.

It is located in the western province of the country, within the Albertine Rift and the Congo-Nile Divide. The park covers an area of about 34 square kilometers.

This park provides shelter to primates like chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and over 230 avian species.

Gishwati Mukura NP offers activities like bird watching, guided nature walks, tea plantation visits, and cultural experiences, among others.

Amazing Things to See on a Wildlife Holiday in Rwanda 

There are numerous wild species that are worth seeing on wilderness excursions in Rwanda, and these include the following.

Wild Animals

Rwanda is a premier destination for encountering different animals on wilderness excursions. It is best known for the Big Five in Akagera NP, endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and other wild animals in the different protected areas.

Numerous animals in the country include

1. Primate Species

There are numerous primate species, which makes the country one of the best places for primate safaris in Africa. The following are some of the primate species and where to find them.

• Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Parc National des Volcans
• Chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Owl-faced monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys in Nyungwe NP
• Olive baboons and vervet monkeys in Akagera NP

2. Herbivores

The country boasts a wide array of herbivores, ranging from megaherbivores to smaller antelopes, worth seeing on wilderness tours in the country.

These animals include

• African elephant
• African buffalo
• Eastern black rhino
• Giraffe
• Burchell’s zebra
• Warthog
• Antelopes like impala, topi, oribi, eland, etc.

3. Carnivores

Most of the carnivores are found in Akagera NP, and they include

• Elusive lions
• Leopards
• Hyenas
• Serval cats
• African civets
• Genets
• Side-striped jackals, among others.

Reptiles

Rwanda is home to a diverse population of reptiles, and these include

1. Snakes

Various snakes include

• black-necked spitting cobra
• puff adder
• Jameson’s mamba
• Boomslang
• Great Lakes bush viper

2. Lizards

Lizard species include

• Giant plated lizard
• Jackson’s forest lizard
• Rainbow skink
• Nile monitor lizard.
• Crocodiles: Nile crocodile

Bird Species

Rwanda is home to various bird species, with over 700 that are found in diverse habitats ranging from Albertine Rift montane forests to savanna wetlands.

Birds worth seeing on a bird watching tour in Rwanda include the following:

• Dusky turtle-dove
• African long-eared owl
• Goliath heron
• Rwenzori double-collared sunbird
• Black crake
• Archer’s ground robin
• Lagden’s bush-shrike
• Rwenzori apalis
• Malachite kingfisher
• Strange weaver
•  Rwenzori batis
• Red-faced woodland warbler
• Rwenzori turaco
• Little egret
• Dusky crimson-wing, etc.

Plant Species

A Rwanda wildlife tour offers a rich diversity of plants, which makes the country a wonderful place for nature lovers.

Common plant species include

• Bamboo
• Giant heathers
• Giant lobelias
• Hagenia abyssinica
• Sausage trees
• Paperbark thorn
• Euphorbia ampliphylla
• Orchids
• Ferns
• Clerodendrum rotundifolium, etc.

Top Tourist Activities to Do on a Wildlife Holiday

The following are some of the top activities to do on a wildlife trip in Rwanda.

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular activity on wilderness excursions in Rwanda. It is exclusively done in Volcanoes National Park to see the gorillas in their natural habitat. Participants in this activity must be at least 15 years old.

Approximately 300 mountain gorillas reside in the park, and of these, only 10 of the gorilla groups are available for trekking.

Gorilla trekking is conducted in groups of eight members per gorilla group. Interested visitors are supposed to reach the park headquarters at Kinigi at 7:00 AM for a briefing, which is done by experienced tour guides.

After the briefing, visitors are led into the forest to start tracking the endangered mountain gorillas, and the search takes around 1 to 6 hours. The location of the gentle giants determines the duration of the search.

Each trekking group is allowed to spend only one hour with the gorilla family, and this time can be used to observe these species grooming and playing from a distance of 100 meters. Most times, the young gorilla grabs the attention of visitors.

To engage in this activity, visitors can access the park by road from Kigali City, and the drive takes about 3 hours.

2. Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe NP is one of the highlights of a visit to the national park on a Rwanda wildlife tour. You can engage in the same activity in East Africa at Kibale Forest NP in Uganda.

There are about 500 chimpanzees living within the forest of Nyungwe NP, making it the best destination for chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda.

Chimpanzee trekking begins at 8 am from three major points: Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura. Experienced tour guides conduct this activity after a briefing, with the entire experience lasting between 2 and 6 hours.

Visitors are given 1 hour to observe the chimps in their natural habitat, engaging in various activities such as climbing trees, feeding, grooming, playing, and vocalizing.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe National Park costs USD 60 per person.

3. Golden Monkey Trekking 

Golden monkey trekking is exclusively done in Volcanoes National Park. This activity is considered low-demanding, as it takes about 2–3 hours to see the endangered golden-orange monkeys.

In Africa, the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo also host this activity. However, the highest population of these monkey species is more common in Uganda and Rwanda than in DR Congo’s Virunga NP.

Tracking starts early morning, at 7:00 AM, after the briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi. While in the forest, visitors are given one hour to watch the habituated monkey troops, mainly Sabyinyo, as they feed and leap in the bamboo forests.

Those interested in photography should use a high shutter speed because the monkeys are active and move quickly.

4. Game Drives 

Game drives are among the most popular things to do when on wilderness excursions in Rwanda. These are mostly done in Akagera NP.

On a game drive, you will be able to spot the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos), along with antelopes, giraffes, and Burchell’s zebras, among other animals.

These game drives are conducted using customized game-viewing vehicles like a 4X4 Land Cruiser that is able to navigate the rugged terrain. They are done in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening.

5. Canopy Walks

Canopy walks are also among the fun things to do in Nyungwe National Park when on a wilderness excursion in Rwanda.

Visitors walk on a suspended 160-meter-long, 70-meter-high suspension bridge where they have a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the ancient montane rain forest, the top canopy, and various animal species.

6. Bird Watching

Bird watching is one of the fun things when on a Rwanda wildlife tour, given the numerous birds of over 700 species that call the country their home.

Some of the bird species in Rwanda include the Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, shoebill, black crake, Archer’s ground robin, Lagden’s bushshrike, little egret, Rwenzori apalis, malachite kingfisher, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, red-faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori turaco, dusky crimson-wing, etc.

7. Nature Walks

Nature walks done on wildlife tours in Rwanda offer immersive experiences in lush, biodiversity-rich landscapes in prime destinations like Nyungwe NP, Parc National des Volcans, and Akagera NP, among others.

Visitors on nature walks get a chance to study the beauty of the rainforest, its trees, and other flora and fauna that contribute to the beauty of the forest.

The whole activity usually requires armed park guides who provide security and explanations of the properties of some plants and the behaviors of some plants.

8. Canoeing

Canoeing is one of the wonderful ways visitors on Rwanda holidays can immerse themselves in the country’s breathtaking scenery.

This fun activity involves boarding a small canoe and paddling through the calm, crystal-clear waters of Lake Kivu, one of the Great Lakes in Africa.

9. Hiking Mountains

Hiking the different mountains in the Land of a Thousand Hills offers world-class trekking, featuring dramatic volcanic peaks, crater lakes, and dense bamboo forests.

Climbing some of these peaks is challenging, while others are moderate; for example, hiking Mount Karisimbi takes 2 days, while hiking Mount Bisoke takes about 8 hours.

Other Activities That Can Be Done on a Rwanda Tour

• Visiting the Genocide memorial sites
• Cultural tours are done by visitors visiting local communities to immerse themselves in the rich Kinyarwanda culture.
• Visiting historical centers and museums like the Ethnographic Museum
• Hiking to Dian Fossey’s Grave near the Karisoke Research Centre.
• Visiting the Musanze caves

Kigali city tours include a visit to the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, where local women lead a walking tour and teach traditional skills such as basket weaving and other crafts.

 Rwanda Travel Expenses Incurred for Some Activities

There are various costs incurred for different activities.

• For gorilla trekking, permits cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens. These are booked before the day of tracking at the Rwanda Development Board.

10% of permit revenue is returned to the community to build schools, hospitals, roads, and safe drinking water.

• Chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda cost $150 for foreign non-residents, $75 for foreign residents, and 10,000 Rwandan franc for East African citizens at RDB.
• Golden monkey permits cost $100 for foreign non-residents, $65 for foreign residents, and 4000 Rwandan francs for East African citizens. These are also booked at the Rwanda Development Board.
• Game drives in Akagera NP cost around $180-$200 for a half-day drive, $280-$350 for a full day, and $40. These rates include fees for the vehicle, guide, and driver.
• Canoeing and kayaking generally cost around $40 to $190, depending on the water body and the company organizing the canoe trip.

Top Accommodation for a Wildlife Holiday in Rwanda

• Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, and Virunga Lodge in Volcanoes National Park.
• Akagera Park Inn, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, and Akagera Game Lodge—Akagera National Park.
• Nyungwe Eco Village, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, and Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge—Nyungwe Forest NP.
• Umutuzo Lodge, Family Nest Kivu, Paladis Malahide, Nova Beach Resort, and La Bella—Gishwati Mukura NP.
• 5 Swiss Hotel, 2000 Hotel, Aberdeen House Hotel, Alpha Palace Hotel – Kigali

Best Time to Visit Rwanda for Wildlife Experiences 

The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season, from June to September and December to February. While the country is a year-round destination, these months are ideal for primate trekking and game drives, as the trails are dry and many animals can be spotted gathering near the waterholes.

Visiting Rwanda can also be done during the wet season, especially for those who prefer fewer crowds, and there is a discount on accommodation and some rates.

What to Wear for a Rwanda Safari?

The following are some of the outfits to put on when on a wildlife trip in Rwanda.

• Long-sleeved shirts & trousers for protection against stinging nettle, thorns, and insects. These should be of neutral colors like khaki, beige, or green.
• Waterproof hiking boots to keep you safe on muddy and steep terrain.
• Garden gloves are good for protection against thorny bushes and sharp tree branches.
• Rain gear, like a waterproof jacket with a hood, since rain is unpredictable in the different travel destinations.
• Long socks to protect oneself from insects
• Gaiters to keep mud out of boots
• Wide-brimmed hat for protection against scorching sun
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

What to Pack for a Rwanda Wildlife Trip?

Key items to pack for Rwanda tours

• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
• A camera with extra batteries and a memory card
• Binoculars
• First aid kit with items like pain relievers, bandages, and anti-malaria tablets, among others.
• Passport and Rwanda visa or the East African Visa, which allows seamless 90-day travel in RW, Ug, KE, and TZ.

How to Get to Rwanda for a Wildlife Safari?

Rwanda can be accessed by both air and road transport.

By Air

To get to Rwanda for a wilderness excursion, visitors fly into Kigali International Airport. From the airport, visitors further fly to airstrips like Akagera Airstrip, from where they can further travel to park offices using either privately hired vehicles or public cars.

By Road

Visitors can also get to Rwanda using private or public transport via the main border crossing points. These border crossing points include

• Rusumo for travelers coming from Tanzania
• Cyanika and Gatuna for visitors traveling from Uganda
• Grande Barriere for those traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Akanyaru for visitors traveling from Bujumbura, and it is one of the busiest routes

Top Tour Operators for Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda 

Some of the best tour operators known for organizing fascinating wildlife safaris in Rwanda include

1. Prime Safaris And Tours Ltd
2. Wild Gorilla Safaris
3. Gorilla Safari Rwanda
4. Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safaris
5. Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
6. Africa Safaris Tours
7. Gorilla Safaris And Tours

Popular Packages for the Rwanda Wildlife Tours

Some of the popular Rwanda safari packages in the wilderness.

• 3-days gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP
• 3-Days Wildlife Tour in Akagera NP: This features game drives to see the Big Five and other animals and boat trips on Lake Ihema.
• 3-Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe NP: This focuses on tracking chimpanzees in the forest and enjoying canopy walks.
• 6-7 Days Primate and Wildlife Tour: This is a popular package combining gorilla tracking in Volcanoes NP and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe NP.
• 8-10 Days Comprehensive Rwanda Tour: This covers all four national parks in the country and includes relaxing at Lake Kivu.

.         7-14 Days Rwanda and Kenya Tour: This combines trekking of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes NP and Big Five game drives in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

.         The Ultimate Africa Route: Many travelers follow their gorilla trek in Rwanda with a flight to Zimbabwe to witness the thundering Victoria Falls, effectively bridging two of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world in one trip.

Zimbabwe is combined with Rwanda because both countries have notable success stories, such as the reintroduction of rhinos to Akagera and the ‘poachers turned gamekeepers’ initiatives in Zimbabwean national parks.

Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is Rwanda Good for Safari?

Rwanda is generally good for a safari, given its exceptional and high-end travel destinations. It is considered safe and offers easy access to the location for tracking mountain gorillas.

Beyond these gentle giants, it offers other interesting activities like chimpanzee trekking, Big Five game drives, and cultural encounters, among others.

2. How Much Is a Safari in Rwanda?

Safaris in Rwanda typically range from $900 to $4000 per person per day, and this cost is dependent on the category of the trip, the things to do, the accommodation, and seasonality.

3. What Is the Big Five Safari in Rwanda?

The Big Five safari in Rwanda focuses on spotting the Big Five animals, which include lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, exclusively in Akagera NP.

4. How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is considered safe, given the armed park rangers who protect the tourists from any would-be attack from the gorillas or any other animal in Parc national des Volcans.

5. What Is the Best Time to Go to Rwanda?

Rwanda can be visited year round, but the best time for safaris is during the dry months, June to September, and December to February. However, other tourists can make their visits during the wet season, especially those interested in birding.

6. Does Rwanda Have a Safari?

Yes, Rwanda offers exceptional safari experiences, and it is famous for captivating tracking of gentle giants in Parc National des Volcans, game drives in Akagera NP, chimp trekking in Nyungwe NP, and Kigali city tours, among others.

7. Are There Wild Animals in Rwanda? 

Rwanda is home to diverse wild animals, including primates (mountain gorillas, chimps, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, grey mangabey, etc.), the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), various antelopes, and other animals.

8. What Wildlife Is in Rwanda?

Rwanda is a premier wildlife destination, boasting over 189 mammal species and 700 bird species.

Major attractions among the animals include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard), zebras, giraffes, and antelopes, including kobs, impalas, topis, cape elands, defassa waterbucks, bohor reedbucks, sitatungas, oribis, and klipspringers, among others.

9. What Are the Big 5 Animals in Rwanda? 

The Big Five animals in Rwanda include rhinos, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and lions.

10. Can You See Lions in Rwanda? / Are There Wild Lions in Rwanda? 

Lions can be seen in Akagera National Park in the eastern province. The lions were locally extinct, but they were reintroduced in 2015, and their population is thriving.

11. Are There Wolves in Rwanda? 

There are no wolves in Rwanda; you can only find them in Ethiopia in the Ethiopian Highlands.

12. What Are the National Animals of Rwanda? 

The national animal of Rwanda is the leopard. Though it is not recognized as a national emblem, it is a majestic animal that symbolizes the strength and power of the country’s culture. Other iconic animals in the county are the endangered mountain gorillas.

Reserve your Rwanda wildlife safari today and embark on an unforgettable adventure. On your trip, you will have an opportunity to engage in gorilla tracking, chimp tracking, game drives to spot the Big Five in Akagera National Park, and other fascinating adventures.