If you’re looking for an African safari destination, Rwanda should be your best alternative. The country is rich with exciting attractions as tourism is also the country’s largest source of foreign exchange earning. Rwanda currently receives visitors from different parts of the world throughout the year who come to have a chance to have an experience of the Rwanda’s diverse beauty through visiting numerous pristine destinations.
Located in the Great Rift Valley, Republic of Rwanda is one other best tourism destination in Africa and East Africa due to the different national parks that are habitat to different wildlife including one of the world’s endangered primates — Mountain Gorillas. Rwanda is bordered to the North by Uganda, to the East by Tanzania, to South by Burundi and to West by Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C).
Rwanda is home to ¼ of world’s Mountain Gorilla population which are endangered primates that can only be found in three countries in the world including Rwanda, D.R. Congo and Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in the Volcanoes National Park throughout the year as tourists trek down the different gorilla families that have been habituated. This involves hiking the slopes of Virunga volcanoes including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabyinyo where these gorillas usually inhabit as they hide far away from human disturbance. Gorilla trekking permits are booked either from a reputable tour agency or from Rwanda Development Board. It’s always advisable that you book a gorilla permit earlier since many tourists visit the park daily.
Akagera National Park provides an explicit animal viewing opportunities as it’s the only national park in Rwanda that inhabits big five wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and the black rhinos. There are different activities within the park that can enable you view the big five alongside other wildlife.
Game drives are conducted throughout the park, these usually occur in the morning so that tourists can watch early risers and also get the game breeze before it gets hot as the day goes by.
During game drives, a tour guide is available to provide all the information you may need to know about these animals including their life style, life span, among others. Akagera National Park is home to water bodies inclusive of the Akagera River and Lake Ihema making it possible to have a boat cruise. While on a boat cruise, tourists are able to see rhinos as they graze within the grasslands that are near the river banks and also the lions hiding in the shrubs as they lay traps to get their next prey.
An experience of scary heights from a lush forest is one that can’t be comparable to anything else, especially for those who enjoy having their adrenaline run though their body. Above the tropical Nyungwe rainforest, the suspended canopy walkway which is 160 meters’ long and 70 meters high. The rain forest is home to over 300 bird species, over 1000 different tree species plus different primate species including endangered chimpanzees.
All these without doubt add to the nature of the forest and also make canopy walk experience more adventurous. The canopy walk can only be taken by people above 6 years of age, however all children are required to have adults accompany them through the walk. There’s some hiking before one can access the walkway however that shouldn’t bother you.
Also referred to as the “Old World Monkeys”, golden monkeys are also one of the world’s endangered species and can only be tracked in the Volcanoes National Park within Rwanda and Mgahinga national park in Uganda. Identified by the yellow patches that cover their body, golden monkeys inhabit the bamboo forests that are found at the foot of Virunga Volcanoes.
Golden Monkey trekking is easier compared to gorilla trekking since the golden monkeys can easily be tracked by tourists regardless of the weather conditions or season. Golden monkey trekking is always done in session with only one session conducted in the morning limited to only 8 people.
The bird list in Rwanda is unlimited with over 750 bird species that are recorded concentrating in the different areas. These birds inhabit the montane forests, wetlands such as lake and river shores.
Birding in Rwanda is possible year-round but more interesting in the months of December, January and February as the country receives migrant birds. The most notable birding destinations include Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, among others.
You would be interested in having a glimpse of an experience of Rwandan traditional culture. Culture here is usually displayed through Intore dancing troupes where you have a chance to explore how dynamic their traditional music and dance styles are, a unique hairstyle known as “Amasunzu” and dressing style which can be presented to tourists that pick interest.
Rwanda has historical sites and museums, notably the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace which are all open to tourists who have interest in learning about the cultural heritage of Rwanda.
Rwanda being a small country, her climate doesn’t vary so much. Regardless of this, every national park within Rwanda can be visited throughout the entire year.
The peak season for all Rwandan national parks is always in the dry months of June to September and December to February.
We have proper understanding of the local context of Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and Burundi which helps us secure pleasant, safe, and memorable experiences for our clients from the time they arrive into the country, to the time they depart.