Rwanda safari holidays guide 2022/2023
Rwanda is a great destination to visit in Africa BUT with little to see. 10 days are just enough to explore all the great attractions in Rwanda hence, if you need to visit Rwanda and never return, book a 10 days’ safari with us and we shall do the rest of the planning for you.
Despite its size, Rwanda offers a true 5-star travel experience with its super-luxury lodges. Rwanda also has the second highest population of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, after Uganda. The chimpanzee trekking & hiking experiences in Nyungwe Forest National Park are also worth the time.
Rwanda has abundance in three national parks; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park with hopes of having a fourth one in Gishwati-Mukura Forest Reserve in the near future. All these national parks are spread out in different provinces of the country. Visiting all the three means visiting all the provinces of Rwanda.
Besides the Rwanda national parks and reserves, Rwanda also has a lot of historic places you can visit. Among these include the Rwanda National Museum, the Kings Palace and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Monument. Tourists that intend to engage in religious tourism can visit Kibeho.
Well planned Rwanda safari holidays should highlight most of these places.
The 1994 Rwanda Genocide
1994 still remains a very dark year in the history of Rwanda. In just a span of 100 days, approximately 800,000 Rwandans lots their lives in a genocide. The main targets were Tutsi community members and political opponents irrespective of their age and ethnicity.
Despite over 80% of Rwandans being the Hutus, the Tutsi's have long dominated the country. When the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchy in 1959, majority of Tutsis had to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Uganda, DRC, Tanzania and Burundi.
A group of Tutsis who fled Rwanda formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a group that invaded Rwanda in 1990 to fight for the minority's rights back to the country's leadership. The war continued until a peace deal was agreed in 1993.
However, on 6th April 1994, a plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana, and his Burundian counterpart Cyprien Ntaryamira - both Hutus - was shot down, killing everyone on board.
This was the spark of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The Hutu blamed the Rwanda Patriotic Front and immediately initiated a slaughter campaign. The Rwanda Patriotic Front made a counter statement claiming the plane had been shot down by Hutus who wanted to use it against them as an excuse for the genocide. You can read more about the genocide here.
How diverse is the Rwanda tourism industry?
There is no much tourism diversity in Rwanda. Most Rwanda safari holidays take place in the only three national parks in Rwanda; Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park & Akagera National Park. There are however, stopover points with minor activities as you transfer to these national parks in their respective provinces.
In Volcanoes National Park, the common safari activities are mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey grave hiking, Mount Bisoke hiking, Musanze Caves visit, nature walks, Mount Muhabura hiking, Mount Gahinga hiking, Buhanga eco-park nature walks, Mount Karisimbi hikes, a visit to the Twin Lakes of Burera & Ruhondo, visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and scenic tours among others.
In Akagera National Park, the common safari activities are game viewing drives, boat cruise on Lake Ihema, bird watching, fishing tours, hot air ballooning and night game drives among the rest.
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, the common safari activities are guided birding walks, chimpanzee trekking, forest canopy walks, colobus monkey trekking, guided nature trails, tropical waterfalls guided hike and Congo Nile guided hike among other activities.
When to go on Rwanda safaris
The best time to go on Rwanda safari holidays is during the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December. During these months, the soil is dry and trails are much clearer, making it easy to traverse through parks and easily see animals too as they move to search for water and green vegetation.
The months of March, April, May, October and November are usually rainy and fit for last-minute safaris or highly discounted tours. The common perception tourists have is these months are usually very rainy. This is not the case on ground. Sometimes, months of March, May, October and November can receive very minimal rainfall. It is always recommended to check with us and we advise accordingly.
Rwanda has low season gorilla permit discounts. You get to save USD 450 if you visit all the three Rwandan national parks in a single trip. This even gets better when you are traveling in Numbers. You will get to save a lot of money and the total price for your safari will be very affordable.
So if you need to save up money on Rwanda gorilla permits and accommodation facilities, simply aim for the low season months but try to keep your safari short. Having more days on a safari increases your chances of having to deal with travel conditions caused by rain.
Where to find mountain gorillas in Rwanda
Rwanda gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. Rwanda has the second highest population of mountain gorillas after Uganda. Unlike Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda has only one gorilla park. Uganda and DR Congo have two gorilla trekking parks.
Volcanoes National Park is just 2 hours away from Kigali (The main entry point for tourists in Rwanda), making Rwanda gorillas very accessible and also making it possible to have shorter gorilla trips that can even last for just a day depending on how early you arrive in Rwanda and how late you depart the country.
Unlike other gorilla trekking parks, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has a couple more activities that you can add to your Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris. Some of the the common safari activities are mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey grave hiking, Mount Bisoke hiking, Musanze Caves visit, nature walks, Mount Muhabura hiking, Mount Gahinga hiking, Buhanga eco-park nature walks, Mount Karisimbi hikes, a visit to the Twin Lakes of Burera & Ruhondo, visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and scenic tours among others.
To visit Rwanda gorillas, you have to book your gorilla trekking permits in advance. It is hard to make a last-minute booking in Rwanda especially where primate permits are involved.
Why visit Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
The proximity of Volcanoes National Park to Kigali International Airport, is one of the greatest advantages Rwanda has over Uganda and DR Congo when it comes to gorilla trekking in Africa. You only need 2 hours to access Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, compared to the 8 hours’ drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala/Entebbe.
In Volcanoes National Park, the common safari activities are mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey grave hiking, Mount Bisoke hiking, Musanze Caves visit, nature walks, Mount Muhabura hiking, Mount Gahinga hiking, Buhanga eco-park nature walks, Mount Karisimbi hikes, a visit to the Twin Lakes of Burera & Ruhondo, visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and scenic tours among others.
When you visit Rwanda gorillas, you will travel for less and have more time for complimentary activities. You will also feel less tired during your gorilla trekking encounters as you won’t get fatigued on the way to the gorilla national park.
Besides the distance, Volcanoes National Park has more bamboo vegetation than thick forests, making it easy to hike and spot gorillas in the park. Not only the scenery is different, the hiking experience is also way different. Rwanda gorillas are found at the base of the Virunga volcano mountains.
Balloon rides in Akagera National Park & Costs
In 2022, hot air ballooning was introduced to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Tourists to Akagera National Park have a whole new adventurous Rwanda tourism activity in the park.
The introduction of Rwanda balloon safaris was a result of an agreement between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Royal Balloon company and the Akagera Management Company.
Royal Balloons Rwanda now operates two hot air balloon rides that can accommodate 4 to 6 guests in Akagera National Park.
Tourists will also be able to fly as high as 100m to 1000m above the park's scenic savanna-covered landscapes inhabited by the big 5 game animals; lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards and buffaloes, not forgetting the other species of wildlife as well.
Akagera National Park is commonly known for its rewarding game viewing drives, boat trips on Lake Ihema, bird watching safaris, fishing escapades, and now hot air ballooning and nocturnal game drives among many more activities.
Hot air balloon rides cost USD 250 for Rwandan citizens, USD 350 for East African citizens and USD 450 for foreign non-residents. Compared to parks like Serengeti & Maasai Mara, Rwanda offers a very affordable hot air ballooning experience.
The hills in the country actually makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.
Visiting Rwanda chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. The park is located in the Southern province of Rwanda, a few kilometers away from Bukavu in DR Congo, the city where Kahuzi-Biega Natinal Park – DR Congo’s home to lowland gorillas is located. It is very easy to go lowland gorilla trekking in DR Congo and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda on the same trip. When in Rwanda, all you need is a visa to DR Congo and another when returning to Rwanda.
On your way to Nyungwe Forest National Park, you have a chance of visiting the Rwanda National Museum, the King’s Palace and many more attractions. The five to six hours’ journey is a great opportunity to explore Rwanda’s countryside and you will definitely love it.
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, the common safari activities are guided birding walks, chimpanzee trekking, forest canopy walks, colobus monkey trekking, guided nature trails, tropical waterfalls guided hike and Congo Nile guided hike among other activities.
Rwanda mainly has common chimpanzees. If you need to trek an alternate species, you will need to visit the bonobos in DR Congo. Our agency is open to organizing bonobo chimpanzee trekking safaris in DR Congo as well.
Why book Rwanda gorilla safaris?
As mentioned above, there are basically three reasons as to why you should book Rwanda gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
First, the distance from Kigali City (The main entry point for Rwanda safaris) to Volcanoes National Park (The home of Rwanda mountain gorillas) is just two hours. This makes it possible to have shorter gorilla trips that may even last for a day or actually just hours; which is not the case with other countries.
Second, Volcanoes National Park has a very good scenery, with less thick vegetation and more bamboo trees. It is much easier to spot a gorilla and get close to it in Volcanoes National Park.
Third, Rwanda offers a Real 5-star luxury gorilla trekking safari experience. Rwanda has some of these best gorilla safari lodges in the world that offer the real 5-star African safari experience.
Are Rwanda gorilla tours worth it?
If you are looking for a real luxury safari experience, Rwanda gorilla tours are so worth it. Besides the 5-star experience offered to travelers, you will also enjoy the short distance, and clear gorilla trekking scenery.
One thing about all mountain gorilla tours is, they are worth it. Over 80% of gorilla permit fees goes back towards mountain gorilla conservation; to increase the total population of mountain gorillas in the world, to look out for these gorillas when injured or sick, to fight practices like poaching, and to protect their respective habitats.
So when you purchase a gorilla permit for your Rwanda gorilla tours, you are not only visiting Rwanda gorillas, but also giving back to them.
Some of the fees also goes towards supporting the people in local communities by building newer infrastructures, working on drainage systems, having scheduled maintenance where needed and supporting some of the families financially.
Because of gorilla trekking, families have been able to get employment opportunities in the gorilla parks, gorilla safari lodges, and other service providers.
Gorilla trekking Rwanda prices
Gorilla trekking Rwanda prices are the highest amongst all the other gorilla trekking destinations. Each Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1500 and USD 1050 for the high and low seasons respectively.
Besides the high gorilla permit prices, Rwanda has very expensive accommodation facilities. You will not get a typical budget gorilla safari experience here. If budget trips are quite expensive regardless of the season you are traveling in.
If you prefer a luxury gorilla trekking experience, we highly recommend Rwanda. Uganda is good for budget to mid-range gorilla trips and affordable luxury gorilla trekking experiences.
For detailed gorilla trekking Rwanda prices, contact us and we shall break down the actual cost for you.
Choosing the best Rwanda gorilla trek package
Choosing the best Rwanda gorilla trek package depends on your budget. If you have a high budget, do not hesitate to visit all the three Rwanda national parks; Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park & Nyungwe Forest Natoional Park.
Visiting all these three gorilla safari parks gives you an opportunity to visit all the provinces of Rwanda and also get a USD 450 discount on gorilla permits for the low season.
For longer safaris, we recommend 7-10 day safaris. However, if you want to only spend a few days in Rwanda, keep your safari to 2-4 days while prioritizing a visit to Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Choosing accommodation facilities for your Rwanda safari tours
If you can spend highly, make it a point to sleep in some of Rwanda’s most expensive safari lodges. Irrespective of the money you might spend per night/day, these lodges will make you enjoy your Rwanda safari holiday the more. Comfort is very key when it comes to safaris in Rwanda.
Besides having some of the best and most expensive safari lodges in Africa, Rwandan lodges are not so cheap, regardless of your travel class; like it is like in other countries. This said, your Rwanda safari holiday will look way expensive compared to having the same safaris in Uganda or DR Congo.
Is booking five star Rwanda lodges like Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge or One&Only Gorillas Nest worth it?
Rwanda lodges like Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorillas Nest, One&Only Nyungwe House, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and Magashi Camp are some of the nicest accommodation facilities in Africa that you should stay in irrespective of the price. They are so worth it and offer the real luxury safari experience.
Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorillas Nest & Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge are all located in Volcanoes National Park. One&Only Nyungwe House is located in Nyungwe Forest National Park whereas Magashi Camp is located in Akagera National Park.
Combining Bisate Lodge, One&Only Nyungwe House and Magashi Camp on your Rwanda safari holidays is a great combo.
Why you should book your Rwanda gorilla permit in advance?
Rwanda safari holidays and gorilla trekking tours require advance safari booking especially when traveling in the high season months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. These months are usually highly competitive and gorilla permits get sold out quickly. Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are sold on first-come-first-serve basis.
Booking your Rwanda gorilla permits in advance is the only way to guarantee your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. Other necessities like accommodation, safari vehicles, and tour guides can even be booked in the last minute.
The recommended time frame for booking Rwanda gorilla safaris is 6 months to 1-year before departure.
Our discounted Rwanda tour packages
As a safari team made up of very ardent travelers, we do understand the essentials of having discounts on trips. This is the same we are offering to you on your Rwanda safari holidays.
We continuously negotiate with service providers to offer us good promotional rates, so that our Rwanda safari holidays are very affordable to travelers, irrespective of the class you are traveling in.
We do have several offers in place. If you want to know more about them, kindly send us an inquiry and one of our Rwanda safari experts with revert to you with the various Rwanda safari tours we have on offer at the moment.