Rwanda Safari Vacations

Rwanda is best known for its gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where you can spend an unforgettable hour with these extraordinary creatures. However, the adventure continues far beyond the mountains, and you’ll find a diverse range of wildlife and scenery throughout the country.

In the east, Akagera is home to the Big Five, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, and crocodile. Ancient Nyungwe Forest provides a verdant contrast in the remote southwest. This lush montane rainforest, teeming with butterflies, rare birds, and ferns, is inhabited by a dynamic primate population, including chimpanzees. Here, a canopy walk offers a breathtaking elevated view of the wilderness below. Though small, Rwanda offers plenty of variety, whether you’re exploring the forest trails of the south, game-viewing in the east, or tracking gorillas in the mountains of the north.

Chimpanzee trekking is another of Rwanda’s immersive primate experiences. Explore Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s best chimp-trekking destinations, following in the footsteps of expert guides to observe the charismatic troops of chimps in their natural habitat.

Managed by African Parks, Nyungwe is a vast montane forest in remote southwestern Rwanda, home to two habituated groups of chimpanzees. You’ll hear them before you see them, their shrieks echoing through the ancient canopy. With trails tangled in vegetation, colourful butterflies, and rare birdlife, the trek is almost as exciting as the encounter itself. In many ways, locating these ever-moving primates is even more challenging than gorilla trekking. However, once you find them, you’re in for a fascinating hour watching them leap through the trees, groom one another, and interact with their young.

Akagera is Rwanda’s only national park that’s home to the Big Five. The stunning highlands and sprawling plains are home to a wealth of wildlife, and the park pairs brilliantly with a gorilla-trekking safari.

A beautiful wetland on the Tanzanian border, Akagera’s landscape is characterised by swamps, lakes, and open savanna. This diverse ecosystem provides refuge for lion, elephant, rhino, and hippo, alongside plenty of plains game. Bird enthusiasts are also in for a treat, with nearly 500 species documented within the park. Spanning 1,120 square kilometres, this vast protected area has a remote, exclusive feel, with plenty of space to explore without the crowds. In terms of where to stay, Wilderness Magashi and Magashi Peninsula both offer a first-rate experience on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, where, besides day and night game drives, you can also enjoy boat trips and catch-and-release fishing.

While Kigali is the gateway to safari in Rwanda, the city is fascinating to explore in its own right. Explore Rwanda’s history and culture at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, King’s Palace, and Kandt House Museum.

Kigali is a vibrant, colourful capital with a thriving creative scene. The Inema Arts Centre is a highlight, providing important exposure for contemporary Rwandan artists. You’ll also find a bustling market and a variety of interesting boutiques, galleries, and dining spots. Well-organised and easy to navigate, the key sites can be explored over a day or two, though there’s enough there to warrant a longer stay. No visit is complete without the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is a profound, impactful experience that commemorates the 1994 Rwandan Genocide while reminding us of the country’s resilience and progress. Overall, Kigali offers a blend of historical context and a focus on the future.

Rwanda is home to several conservation-focused experiences, including the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Gorilla Guardians in Volcanoes National Park, and vital community projects.

With over a third of the world’s mountain gorillas living within the Virunga Massif, their survival depends largely on tourism. Nearly all the profit from trekking permits is reinvested directly into the park, making it a key source of revenue. To the east, Akagera National Park is a shining example of successful regeneration. Once ravaged by conflict, the area has been transformed by African Parks, including the reintroduction of lions and rhinos. Today, it is a thriving protected space where you can discover community-based initiatives, wildlife monitoring, and rhino tracking. Whether exploring with researchers or enjoying a Big Five safari, Rwanda has some great examples of conservation at its best.

Rwanda is renowned for its luxury safaris, with accommodations from brands such as Wilderness, Singita, and One&Only. A high-quality, low-volume tourism model keeps the experience exclusive and private while respecting wildlife and ensuring there is never a crowded feeling.

Volcanoes National Park hosts some of Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges, featuring beautifully designed suites, some with indoor fireplaces, private verandas, and all the gear required for your treks. In Akagera National Park, Wilderness properties deliver an extremely private experience, with expertly led game drives, boating on Lake Rwanyakazinga, and catch-and-release fishing. Meanwhile, One&Only Nyungwe House occupies a truly gorgeous position within a tea plantation bordering one of Africa’s most ancient rainforests. Here, the highlights include chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks, and spotting colobus monkeys.