Rwanda Tours | Rwanda Tour | African Holidays Trips

Explore remarkable Rwanda tours for an amazing African vacation holiday . Our Rwanda tour packages embrace various Rwanda vacation experiences like gorilla trekking experience, wildlife viewing, community visits, and bird-watching trips in Rwanda.

Your Rwanda tours and holidays will lead you to the top Rwanda safari national parks for example, Volcanoes National Park, famous for a gorilla tour, Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, and Nyungwe National Park. Other destinations to experience incredible Rwanda safaris are Lake Kivu and Gishwati Mukura National Park.

Also called the “land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda boasts a large biodiversity of vegetation that harbors beautiful nature, many bird species, and animals for incredible Rwanda safari experiences in the country.

Mountain gorillas, which were made famous by American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey from the late 1960s until her death in 1985, are the major tourist attractions in Rwanda, garnering a multitude of travelers from around the world to come watch the human-like creatures in their natural habitat.

There are over 350 mountain gorillas in Rwanda and they can only be found in Volcanoes National Park. Also, discover more than 180 mammal and animal species and over 700 bird species.

Additionally, Rwanda is home to various communities that you can visit during your adventure for example, the Hutu and the Tutsi. Unlike the previous divisions that led to the historical genocide between them, these tribes are now peaceful.

You can alternatively visit the different Genocide Memorial Centers to learn more about the tragic history that killed about 800,000 people in a hundred days of slaughter.

Top Tourist Places to Visit on your Rwanda Tours 

Rwanda has four (4) rich national parks and other safari destinations to go to while on your visit to the country. Your tour operator can create for you the best itinerary to suit the experiences that you would like to have during your Rwanda safaris in the best safari destinations.

Below are the top Rwanda destinations to go to for your Rwanda safaris.

1. Volcanoes National Park 

Volcanoes National Park ranks as the most famous Rwanda safari destination, protecting mountain gorillas, which are among the world’s most endangered animals, thus promoting frequent gorilla tour trips.

The Volcanoes National Park protects more than 350 mountain gorillas in Rwanda out of the 1,063 estimated to remain in the world. These include 14 habituated Rwanda Gorilla family groups/Rwanda Gorilla families that are ready to be visited by tourists on a Rwanda Gorilla trekking experience.

Volcanoes National Park, which is found in the Virunga Conservation Area in the north-western part of Rwanda, was once also a research center for the American primatologist and conservationist, Dian Fossey. She established the Karisoke Research Centre and advocated for the conservation of these gentle giants from around 1967 until her death in 1985.

Through her established Karisoke Research Centre, she made the endangered primate species famous, thus attracting many visitors from around the world to visit them.

Other than the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, other wildlife species to explore in Volcanoes National Park include endangered golden monkeys, elephants, hyenas, buffaloes, bushbucks, and more than 180 bird species.

Rwanda is also dubbed the “land of a thousand hills.” Volcanoes National Park is also a hilly park with 5 mountains, which include Mount Kieisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Mahabura.

These facilitate other adventures like mountain hiking since the park is among the highest destinations in the country, rising to about 15,000 feet above sea level.

1. Akagera National Park 

Akagera National Park, which was formed in 1934, is the only savannah national park in Rwanda and is famous for various Rwanda safari activities, especially wildlife viewing on game drives, boat cruises, and nature walks.

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest national park, spanning an area of 1,122 kilometers square. Found in Eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is made up of a rich biome covering extensive savannah plains, montane forests, woodland, swamps, and lakes. Thus, it is a great place for wildlife enthusiasts who can watch from different places.

Akagera National Park also has a warmer climate and a low-lying landscape, which includes other features such as the River Akagera, Lake Shakani, and Lake Ihema, which is a crater lake.

Instabilities in the country, like the Genocide War, led to the deaths of various animals at Akagera National Park. For example, people who settled in the national parks killed more than 300 lions. Additionally, Akagera National Park was once a refuge for the highest number of wild dogs but they were killed by the colonialists.

Nonetheless, Akagera National Park is home to various wildlife species, for example, the big five animals, which include the leopards, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. However, other wildlife species to explore at Akagera National Park include over 425 bird species, including crocodiles, zebras, antelopes, and hippos, among others found in their natural habitat.

1. Nyungwe Forest National Park 

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a famous Rwanda safari destination for primate tours, especially for those seeking to trek chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The Nyungwe National Park/Nyungwe Forest National Park, which was designated a park in 2004, is also known to be among the most biodiverse and oldest rainforests in Africa.

The vegetation covering Nyungwe National Park includes grasslands, bamboo trees, and bogs, which is a favorable natural habitat for the chimpanzees and other primate species living in its forests.

On top of the 13 primate species and over 310 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift endemics, Nyungwe National Park/Nyungwe Forest National Park also provides great views of the forest through the amazing canopy walk and scenic views of Lake Kivu.

Some primate species to view in Nyungwe Forest National Park include the Chimpanzees, endangered Golden Monkeys, and Black and White Colobus Monkeys.

Other primates are Angola Colobus, Baboons, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Vervet Monkeys, and Hamlyn’s Monkeys, among others. Primate wildlife enthusiasts can expect to explore the very best in the park.

1. Giswati Mukura National Park 

Gishwati Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest national park, formed in 2015 after the Gishwati Forest was joined with the Mukura Forest.

The park is home to about 22 mammal species and 42 bird species. Primate species are the commonest wildlife in the forest, for example, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, endangered golden monkeys, white colombus monkeys, and L’Hoest monkeys.

1. Lake Kivu 

This is a freshwater lake shared between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Being the largest lake in Rwanda and the 6th largest in Africa, it is a famous tourist hub found in the Eastern African Albertine Rift.

Surrounding tourist destinations near L. Kivu include Rubavu, Karogi, and Congo’s Virunga National Park. There are different Rwanda safari adventure activities to do while at the lake, for example, kayaking, boat cruising, mountain biking, and hiking, among others.

1. Kigali City 

Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, is such a terrific city, and various travelers who visit it have had great Kigali recent traveler reviews. The city is known to be among the cleanest, most beautiful, and most peaceful places in East Africa.

Among the beautiful destinations to visit in Kigali City are the cultural village, the genocide memorial centers, and the Amahoro National Stadium, among others.

Other than Kigali City, there are also other beautiful towns and cities to visit during your Rwanda safaris, and they include Musanze, Rusizi, Kibeho, Rubavu, Karongi, Nyanza, and Huye.

1. Rwanda Genocide Memorial Centres 

To commemorate the 1994 genocide terrors, different genocide centers were set up to keep the memories of those who died alive. Over 800,000 people, or around one-tenth of the country’s population, were brutally slaughtered during the war between the Hutu and the Tutsi.

Below are the different Genocide Memorial Centers for your Rwanda safaris.

1. Kigali Genocide Center
2. Nyamata Genocide Center

• Murambi Genocide Center

1. Nyanza Genocide Center
2. Nyarubuye Genocide Site
3. Ntarama Genocide Site

• Bisesero Genocide Center

Attractions to View During Rwanda Tours & Vacations 

Rwanda boasts various tourist attractions to experience during your visit to the country. Below is a list of the different tourist attractions to discover while on your trip to this country of a thousand hills.

1. The Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park
2. Other primate species like the endangered Golden Monkeys, Chimpanzees, etc
3. The Virunga Mountains in the Virunga Conservation Area in Rwanda
4. The wild animal and bird species
5. Protected areas like national parks, reserves, lakes, and rivers, among others
6. Local cultures and communities
7. Kigali City and other towns in the country

Top Rwanda Tour Types 

Being a rich destination with amazing tourist spots and incredible attractions, Rwanda offers enthralling Rwanda safari activities to experience during your trip, as seen below.

1. Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari
2. Wildlife safaris in Rwanda
3. Other primates/primate safaris in Rwanda
4. Rwanda bird-watching adventures
5. Cultural tours in Rwanda
6. Hiking Safaris
7. Rwanda Kigali city tour
8. Canopy Walk

Below, we discuss the different types of Rwanda safaris to experience while on your Rwanda safari tour in Africa.

1. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours 

This is the most renowned Rwanda safari adventure, welcoming various travelers for a Volcanoes National Park safari. There are 350 mountain gorillas in Rwanda, which include 14 habituated gorilla families for tourists to visit during their Rwanda safaris.

You can add visiting the Dian Fossey grave to your itinerary as you are going or coming back from visiting the Mountain Gorillas since she was buried near her Rwanda Gorilla friends.

The gorilla trekking experience during Rwanda safaris will lead you to the amazing adventure of walking through the forests to look for a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat.

Upon meeting a Rwanda Gorilla group, you will spend one hour with them as you study their human-like behaviors like feeding patterns and playing, among others.

The gorilla trekking Rwanda safaris will require that you have a normal level of physical fitness, as some of the gentle giants stay in hilly areas.

Much as the trekking adventures are quite challenging for some, meeting the amazing primate species will let you forget all about the hardships of hiking the steep slopes as you will be captivated by the activities of the great apes.

For every gorilla trekking Rwanda safari, there are rules that are set for every tourist to follow before meeting the gentle giants, while on their tracking trails, and when they meet the gentle giants.

Below are some of these rules and regulations that your Rwanda safari ranger guide will brief you about at the park headquarters before going on your adventures in the forest.

1. Every participant should come with their Rwanda Gorilla permits at the park headquarters, as this shows proof of payment for your gorilla tour.
2. If you have a cold or any signs of flu, then it is advisable to not track, as endangered primate species and gorilla families can easily catch airborne diseases.
3. When you go trekking gorillas, avoid using flashlight photography, as this may stress them.
4. Keep a 7-meter distance when with the Mountain Gorillas during a gorilla tour.
5. When you feel like coughing or sneezing, do so under your elbows to avoid spreading the airborne diseases to one of the gorilla families.
6. You can only spend one hour with the gentle giants when you meet them on a gorilla tour.

Take note:

The above rules also apply to chimpanzee tracking.

2. Wildlife Tours in Rwanda 

Wildlife tour trips in Rwanda are mostly done in Akagera National Park, through the various safari activities like game drives, in which you will spot many animals. Some of them include the big five, which include the elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and lions, among others.

Akagera National Park is also a great place to experience other activities like boat cruises and nature walks.

Other animals to see at Akagera National Park include the different antelope species, giraffes, the African Golden Cat, and zebras, among others.

Thus, Akagera National Park will give you the best wildlife viewing experiences for your Rwanda safaris.

3. Primate Trekking Tours in Rwanda 

Other than the gorilla tour and gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, there are other primate safaris to enjoy on a Rwanda safari trip. They will lead you to other amazing primate encounters, for example, chimpanzee trekking safaris, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking, and other primate safaris.

During your primate safaris, you will also encounter other different endangered primate species, for example, the Vervet Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Bush Babies, Blue Monkeys, Olive Baboons, and Owl-faced Monkeys, among others.

4. Rwanda Bird Watching Tours 

Bird-watching adventures are among the best experiences to have during your Rwanda safaris in the country, exposing you to various bird species.

Rwanda protects about 700 bird species together with 29 Albertine Rift endemics and the major destinations for your bird-watching adventures are Nyungwe National Park Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park.

However, travelers can also do bird-watching adventures in other destinations for example, on the shores of L. Kivu and in Kigali City.

There are many bird species to watch during your Rwanda bird watching adventures, and some examples include the Bare-Faced Go Away Bird, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird, Archer’s Ground Robin, Francolins, and Dusky Turtle Love, among others.

5. Cultural Tours in Rwanda 

The cultural tours in Rwanda are another incredible safari activity to explore Rwanda. The culture and unique African heritage of the country are even near some national parks, like Akagera National Park.

Cultural experiences during Rwanda safaris will lead you to encounter many cultural centers, for example, the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, the King’s Palace in Nyanza, the Ethnographic Museum in Butare, and the Bugesera Reconciliation Village.

6. Hiking Safaris 

Hiking adventures on Rwanda safaris are incredible given the fact that the country boasts some mountains, especially in the Virunga Mountains region that also covers Uganda’s Mgahinga and Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Known as the “land of a thousand hills,” Rwanda has Mount Karisimbi, standing at a height of 4,507m, and Mount Bisoke, which is 3,700m high.

Hiking the mountains will give you the chance to view the extensive vegetation and climate for example, the beautiful crater lake on Mount Bisoke, Lake Ngezi, which is another amazing lake overlooking the Mount Sabyinyo slopes from the side of Mount Bisoke.

7. Rwanda Kigali City Tour 

The Kigali City tour counts as one of the top experiences during Rwanda safaris. Touring the incredible capital on a Rwanda safari exposes you to one of Africa’s cleanest, most peaceful, and most beautiful cities.

Enjoy the beauty of meeting lovely people and learning more about their ways while you are in this beautiful country. The Kigali cultural village is a great place for you to buy souvenirs made by local vendors and artisans to take back home from your Rwanda safaris.

8. Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park 

This forest is another amazing destination to experience the lovely canopy walk on a suspended 70-meter-high bridge that is 160 meters long.

The experience provides an extensive view of the beautiful nature and wildlife below, like the montane rainforests, bird species, butterflies, orchids, and wild animals, among others.

Best Rwanda Tour Operators for your Rwanda Safaris 

To enjoy a wonderful tour experience on your Rwanda safaris, using a tour operator is the best option, as you will be guided through the best experiences during your safari.

Below, we look at the best Rwanda tour operators and their contacts for your Rwanda safaris and tours in the country.

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

What to Pack or Carry for a Rwanda Tour 

Various items and personal necessities are important to carry for your Rwanda safari in Africa. Below is a list of some of the important things to carry for your gorilla tour, chimpanzee tracking, and other safaris.

1. Your travel documents for example, a passport and yellow fever vaccination card
2. Travel or health insurance
3. Camera
4. Insect repellent
5. Pair of binoculars
6. Sunscreen lotion

How to Dress for Rwanda Safaris

For Rwanda safaris, it is best to wear long-sleeved clothes like shirts and trousers to cover most parts of your body. Additionally, you need a hat, garden gloves, strong, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and a rain jacket or warm sweater in case it rains on your Gorilla Tour or other expeditions.

Rwanda Safari Lodges Where to Stay for Your Rwanda Vacations & Tours  

There are different lodges and places where to stay during your Rwanda safari trips, and you can find these destinations in national parks and other tourist destinations, categorized by luxury, midrange, and budget.

Luxury Rwanda Lodges

1. Bisate Lodge
2. Akagera Game Lodge
3. Virunga Lodge
4. Lake Kivu Serena
5. One and Only Nyungwe House
6. Ruzizi Tented Lodge
7. One and Only Gorilla’s Nest
8. Magashi Camp
9. Singita Kwintonda Lodge

Midrange Safari Lodges in Rwanda

1. Amakoro Songa Lodge
2. Gorillas Volcano Hotel
3. Byiza Lodge, Rwanda
4. Faraja Hotel, Rwanda
5. Classic Lodge Rwanda
6. Best View Hotel

Budget Rwanda Safari Lodges

1. East Africa Amazon Guest House
2. Virunga Hotel, Rwanda
3. New Silver Hotel
4. Akagera Rhino Lodge
5. Eden Condo Hotel

Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda Tours 

1. Is Rwanda Good for a Safari? | Is Rwanda Good for Tourists?

Rwanda ranks among the best destinations to visit for your African safaris. This amazing country boasts a rich biodiversity for travelers to explore during their visit.

The country is a renowned destination for mountain gorilla trekking, canopy walks at Nyungwe Forest National Park, and mountain hikes in the Virunga Mountains.

Tourists wonder at the exceptional attractions like the mountain gorillas and other different primate species, vegetation, lakes, bird species, and wild animals, among others, during their Rwanda safaris.

3. Is it Cheap to Travel to Rwanda? | Is Rwanda Cheap to Travel to?

With good planning, especially through a tour operator, Rwanda safaris are fairly cheap. One of the reasons is that it is a smaller country with fewer destinations to go to.

6. How much is going to Rwanda from Uganda?

The cost to Rwanda from Uganda will depend on the transport means that you use, which is either by road or air. The beginning cost is about $100 to $300 per person.

7. Do I need a passport to travel from Uganda to Rwanda?

Citizens of Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya can travel within the country using their national identity cards. However, citizens from other countries will need a passport and also apply for a visa when they visit Rwanda.

8. What is the Best Time of the Year to See the Gorillas in Rwanda? | What is the Best Month to Visit Rwanda?

The long, dry season of the year, that is, from June to September, is the best time to visit Rwanda for an amazing experience. This is the best time to enjoy primate trekking safaris, game drives, and nature walks, as the ground is dry and more manageable to pass through when you visit Rwanda.

However, the high season is also a peak season, with lots of people, leading to the lodges being full and thus charged more highly than in the wet season.

Also, it is best to book your tours and activities in advance for example, the gorilla permits, since they are in high demand during the dry season.

9. Is Rwanda a Safe Place to Travel to? | How Safe is Rwanda for Travelers?

Rwanda is ranked among Africa’s safest countries to visit. There is an organized system that governs the country’s law enforcement. Additionally, Rwanda is a clean country with a high level of security.

12. How Many Days Are Enough for a Rwanda Visit?

For incredible experiences, it is advisable to spend at least 7 days in Rwanda doing amazing activities like mountain hiking, Rwanda gorilla trekking, scenic tours, bird watching, cultural encounters, and the beautiful canopy walk.

In conclusion, visiting Rwanda is among the most incredible safari experiences to have in Africa. The country blooms with many attractions, most notably the mountain gorillas and other primate species in Volcanoes National Park, wildlife in Akagera National Park, and other experiences like bird watching and cultural safaris.

For inquiries about your incredible Rwanda safaris, contact us today for an amazing experience with the help of our professional tour consultants.