Rwenzori Mountains, Rwanda

Rwanda

Remarkable Rwanda - famous for the silverback mountain gorillas that have captured the world’s imagination since Dian Fossey came to study the mountain gorilla families in the 1970s.

But that’s not all this beautiful country has to offer. Rwanda is a largely undiscovered Eden, she promises unrivalled biodiversity, dramatic mountains and volcanos, some of the oldest and most precious rainforests on earth, a glittering skein of lakes, rivers and waterfalls and three stunning national parks. As to wildlife, Rwanda boats of 13 species of primates (25% of Africa’s total), and a remarkable 670 species of birds, many of which are globally endangered.

At Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris we can guide you through the best safari destinations in Rwanda on our Rwanda safaris. Our tours in Rwanda are packaged in a form of gorilla trekking safaris, mountain gorilla safari packages, tracking primates, chimpanzee tours in Nyungwe Forest, and game safaris to Akagera National Park. We book gorilla trek safari permits for tourists and international tour agents wishing to take safaris in Rwanda.

We do arrange cultural tours and safaris in Rwanda. Our tour guides know well all the sites of tourism interest in Rwanda including the Rwanda Genocide Museum, Dian Fossey’s grave, community village tours, Rwanda Museum, city tours etc.

Woman carrying bananas on her head, Rwanda

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About Rwanda

Rwanda's Past

Although Rwanda's natural history is amazing, Rwanda's gorilla safaris are not the only aspect of the country that you'll remember. In 1994, Rwanda's bloody civil war spilled across the world's headlines, known almost universally as 'the genocide'.

Now, ten years after Rwanda's genocide, the country is peaceful. Its democratic government promotes harmony, not strife, and people look forward with optimism. Many are keen to tell of their past, keen to tell the world what happened, and to guard against it ever happening again.

Safaris in Rwanda

Rwanda's facilities and hotels are sometimes basic; service and food can be poor, as many staff are new to tourism. It's not a place to drive yourself, but we have a team of capable driver/guides who can take you on a safari in your own 4WD, so you control the pace and the schedule each day.

To glimpse the heart of contemporary Africa, for some wonderful wildlife viewing and a thought-provoking holiday, a safari Rwanda can be fascinating.

Rwanda’s Most Visited National Parks and Sites

But aside from Rwanda's gorillas, a holiday in Rwanda could include the primates in the forests of Nyungwe; the country's magnificent scenery; Akagera National Park's more conventional African wildlife; and the beautiful shore of Lake Kivu. Travel in Rwanda is very easy and we'll arrange a 4WD and driver/guide for your safari.

For an alternative reason – Rwanda's past – see towards the bottom of this page for our thoughts; and rest assured that anyone from the country would urge you to come to Rwanda on holiday. Meanwhile, if you're thinking of a safari in Rwanda, the main areas to consider are:

Volcanoes National Park

Perhaps best known as a home for the rare mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains, a range of 6 extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the border between Uganda and DRC.

Volcanoes National Park is Africa’s oldest national park and the focus of most visitors to Rwanda.

Trekking through the park in far northwest Rwanda, one will find a tapestry of sensory delights. The visitor in the rainforest can hear the calls of birds and monkeys, and through the forest see the peaks of the ancient volcanoes.

This chain of volcanoes is home to the world’s few remaining mountain gorillas. Rwanda has approximately 250 mountain gorillas, 11 families of which have been habituated for tourism. Many visitors have to book their gorilla tracking permit years in advance.

With such a stunning backdrop, a gorilla safari here is the highlight of any holiday.

The park offers 50 km of walking trails, tours of the lakes and caves and a fascinating selection of mountain climbs.

Nyungwe Forest National Park - The Oldest Forest on Earth

Tucked away in the south-west corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest forest on earth, dating back before the last Ice Age. Ranked as Africa’s most important area of forest conservation, it is one of the largest remaining block of montane forests in Africa.

Most famous for  its 13 species of primates, Nyungwe is the best place to see chimpanzees in Rwanda.

Extending your Rwanda visit  beyond a gorilla safari to Nyungwe will usher you to a unique biosphere of chimpanzees, forest hogs, otters, duikers, civets, elephants, and over 300 bird species.

Along the 50km trails’ network in the forest you also get to see a lot of unique butterfly species, orchids, waterfalls, and panoramic viewing points.

Akagera National Park

If it is big game you are looking for, Akagera will not disappoint.

Named after the river which bounds it, Akagera lies at a lower altitude than Rwanda's other parks, located just 75km east of Kigali City.

This natural savannah environment is reminiscent of Africa's better-known safari reserves in Tanzania and Kenya – and the game can be good, but doesn't quite match the best of them.

Akagera National Park is dominated by a labyrinth of hippo filled swamps and crocodile - patrolled lakes, which follow the meandering  course of the Akagera River, the (probably) most remote source of the Nile.

Across the savannah plains and tangle acacia forest range great plains game, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and impalas, while predators include the lions, leopard, jackals and hyenas.

As for the birds, this stunning realm offers 525 species including 40 raptors. The lakes and swamps add variety, and the birding can be excellent.

Kigali, the City That Never Sleeps

Rwanda's attractive capital, Kigali, spreads out over several hills; it's a pleasant place to stop overnight at the start or end of a holiday if you need to.

Because Kigali is in the centre of Rwanda, which is a fairly small country, travelling to anywhere from here is fairly quick.

Also in the city is the word-famous and exceptionally moving Genocide Memorial Center, a permanent exhibition documenting the tragedy of the 1984 Rwandan Genocide.

Our guides know the uniqueness of Kigali's tourist attractions more than anyone else. Your excursion shall be more rewarding touring Kigali's tourist historical sites with them.

The Lovely Lake Kivu and its Shore

After the exciting but perhaps also tiring mountain gorilla trekking safari, chimpanzee trekking and extensive game driving in Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu provides the ideal place for rest and recuperation.

Lake Kivu forms Rwanda's eastern border, and the scenery of wooded hillsides plunging into the lake is often stunning. The white sandy beaches and sultry hot springs offer fabulous lakeside resorts, watersports, canoe island tours, exciting village tours, boating and fishing tours, also offered on many of Rwanda’s other 22 lakes.

Visit to relax and explore: in the north is the town of Gisenyi; Kibuye stands in the middle; and Cyangugu is furthest south.

It is the largest of Rwanda’s many freshwater lakes and the 6th largest, the 15th deepest lake in the world and one of its only three ‘exploding lakes’ (due to gaseous volcanic activity).

Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris books your wonderful holidays to Kivu.

We have negotiated special tour operator’s tariffs with the lodges at lake Kivu and will definitely ensure that you get the most affordable packages whether you stay in upscale or lower budget accommodation.