Beyond the lush green and undulating landscapes, Rwanda is an awe-inspiring African safari destination with a number of incredible destinations to be discovered.  Rwanda is home to some of the world’s greatest primate tracking, this small country is characterised by its impressive biodiversity, volcanoes, and highland rainforests that are home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and chimpanzees.

1. Trek with Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is among the most thrilling safari experience you can have anywhere in the world, this experience gives you the opportunity to have a close encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, the misty rainforests of Volcanoes National Park.

Mountain gorillas are endangered species and having a face to face encounter with them is one of the most sought for wildlife experiences in the world.

Volcanoes National Park is part of Virunga Mountains which stretch across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking grants visitors one hour of being in their presence, a few meters from them, watching them go on with their life in the forest and observe their family dynamics. To go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda, you have to purchase a gorilla permit which cost $ 1,500 per person per trek.

Gorilla permits in Volcanoes National Park are restricted to only 80 permits per day and they sell out fast, so it is recommended to make reservations well in advance. The gorilla permits are assigned to any of the 10 habituated families of gorillas in the park, these gorilla families comprises of one silverback, a few females and young ones.  

2. Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular safari experiences in Rwanda, perhaps only second to the famous gorilla trekking.

Chimpanzee trekking tour in Rwanda takes places only in Nyungwe Forest National Park, located about 5-6 hours from Kigali in the southwest of Rwanda, near the border between Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park protects an ancient rainforest that is said to have existed since the ice age and a huge biodiversity, with many species of flora and fauna found to exist only in this forest.

Nyungwe Forest is among the most biodiverse and oldest forests in Africa protecting more than 1,000 species of plants, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian species, 38 reptile species along with 275 bird species including 27 endemic species.

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the major highlights in Nyungwe Forest National Park, this experience permits tourists to witness one of the largest concentration of chimpanzees in East Africa. There are approximately 500 chimpanzees thriving within the forest and are divided into two communities, once in Cyamudongo forest, and another in Uwinka. Chimpanzee trekking starts in the early morning hours and lasts for several hours to all day long dependent on their movement and location of the animals. Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest is restricted to eight people per group, and each group is given an hour of viewing time.

3. Trekking Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park

Hike the Virunga Volcanoes in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to see the endangered golden monkeys in the wild, encountering these striking golden – orange fur shimmering creatures offers an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Trekking golden monkeys is a thrilling adventure and a chance to witness their unique beauty as well as supporting conservation efforts.

Golden monkeys thrive in the high – altitude bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains, a volcanic chain spanning Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Golden monkeys are social creatures that love in large troops of up to 100 individuals with intricate family structures. The troop is led by a dominant male, the females in the group as well as their young ones form the group’s core.

On the golden monkey trekking experience, you will often see the golden monkeys grooming each other, playing, or foraging for bamboo shoots which is their primary source of food. 

 

4. Rwanda Cultural Experience

Rwanda has a rich and well documented cultural history. The majority of Rwanda’s population comprises of two distinct tribes, the Hutu and the Tutsi speaking the same language (Kinyarwanda). These tribes have always intermarried and lived and worked together on the same fertile hillsides, traditionally they paid tribute to the same king and followed the same traditional belief system before the arrival of Europeans.

Culture in Rwanda is a mix of vibrant traditions and distinctive customs that reflect its long history and diverse ethnic communities. Traditional Intore dancing is an engaging display found at celebrations and festivals, known for its graceful leaps and rhythmic movements. Ubuntu, an important part of Bantu philosophy that emphasizes community and mutual respect, plays an essential part in everyday living and relationships in Rwanda.

Best places to witness Rwanda’s culture and heritage include

• The King’s Palace – a reconstruction of the traditional royal residence in Nyanza
• Ethnographic Museum – also known as the National Museum housing the finest ethnographic collection in East Africa
• Rwanda Art Museum – Formerly the Presidential Palace Museum, this newly open museum displays contemporary artworks from Rwanda as well as abroad. It hosts temporary and travelling exhibitions alongside the permanent collection.
• Kandt House Museum – showcases colonialism in relation to Rwanda, the museum is set in the old house of the first colonial governor of Rwanda – Richard Kandt.

5. Wildlife Safaris in Akagera National Park 

Wildlife safari experiences in Rwanda are done in the remarkable Akagera National Park, the only savannah national park in Rwanda and home to Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos).

Akagera National Park is home to over 12,000 large mammals and an impressive 482 species of birds. It is the only place in Rwanda where you can find the magnificent Big Five; lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, alongside many other fascinating animals. Other resident mammal species include giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, monkeys, and hyenas.

Akagera National Park is also a birder’s paradise hosting with an impressive 482 species of birds including the elusive shoebill stork and the exquisite papyrus Ganolex. The park is hosts the highest number of species per unit area.