Rwanda is sometimes referred to as “Le Pays des Mille Collines” (Land of a Thousand Hills) it was named because of the many hills that inhabit the country, thanks to the endless mountains in this beautiful striking little country covering an area of about 26,338 km². Referring this article, we bring you the best places to visit while on a Rwanda safari and have a chance to explore the untouched, most of them are untouched just waiting for you to explore and you should not miss.
Nowhere in the mountains region is more majestic than the Virunga volcanoes which is located in the northwest part of Rwanda, the region is hidden among the bamboo forests which inhabit the world few remaining mountain gorillas left in the world. The Lake Kivu Rwanda’s freshest water body hide some of the best inland beaches on the continent one should not love to miss while in Rwanda, whereas Nyungwe Forest National Park a home to over 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the closest relatives to human, the park protects extensive tracts of Montane rainforest with many species of birds. Rwanda is not only a monkey business but Kigali Rwanda’s capital, is safe and sophisticated with many things to see and do. Therefore, Rwanda Safari Tours isn’t all about primates, rather it’s a mixture of a bustling city, invincible views, and supreme safari activities that will leave with memories.
Although Rwanda suffered much from the horrific genocide that brutalized this tiny country in 1994, the war claimed over 1m people within 94 days, the war happened between the Hutus and the Tutsis. However those dark days come to an end and today the country is one of tribal unity, political stability, and a promising future which attract a huge number of people whole other the world to pay a visit to it. Tourism is once again the most contributor to the economy of Rwanda and probably gorilla trekking is the industry’s brightest. Trekking through the bamboo forests in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes is a remarkable experience.
Once you visit Rwanda you will be surprised by its clean Capital city Kigali, most of the roads are in good shape, infrastructures are well established that most Africans find amazing. The people are hospitable and they will give you a warm welcome.
Rwanda has placed itself as a luxury destination it has done this by advancing its lodges, adding exclusive World Class Lodges and Hotels, improving its Road Network. Many of its unique things you will see on the Rwanda Safari with Mum and Dad Uganda Tours which is not in other East Africa Countries is that the country has strict law and order, you cannot find any garbage on the streets of Rwanda.
Rwanda is known as one of the smallest countries in the heart of Africa but it comes with a profusion of activities that well accolade the Top places to visit in Rwanda. Rwanda has a lot to offer including hundreds of hiking and biking trails, the countless of historic and cultural sites including performances of its wonderful Dance and Music Rites, and on the must-do and sees the list is a visit to one of the Holy Places in Rwanda, the genocide Memorials sites the victims of the 1994 Genocide.
To mention some of the Best places to visit in Rwanda that will give you the best of nature’s experience include Volcanoes National Park a home to the endangered mountain gorillas, Nyungwe Forest National Parka home to the primates, Akagera National Park a gazeted place for a wide biodiversity of animal species and the best of Cultural exposure , National Museum of Rwanda, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, Gorilla Naming Ceremony, Rukari Ancient History Museum all these activities will leave you saying again and again.
Best of Rwanda Safari packages just for you;
- 3 Day Gorilla Safari
- 2 days gorilla safari
- 4 days double gorilla trekking
- 3 days Akagera national park
- 9 days gorilla tour Rwanda
- 8days cultural and gorilla tours
- 1 day post covid tour
Rwanda Top safari Destinations to visit
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda is known as one of the top gorilla safari destination in the world with over 600 remaining apes that live in Volcanoes national park. The park is located along the border with the Democratic Republic of Cong and Uganda. Volcanoes national park takes the number one tourist spot of the places to visit in Rwanda and is home to the Rwandan section of the Virungas. Its Comprises of five volcanoes, the park is regarded as one of the most exciting national parks in Rwanda one should not miss to visit. There are many adventurous safari activities done around the Virungas, but the one that really draws people here are the famous mountain gorillas. Other activities include golden monkey trekking a troop of which has also been habituated to human contact, relaxation on Lake Kivu, visit the twin lakes of Burera and Buhondo these activities are one of its kind and they are a good reason to stay in the area once you’ve finished tracking. The park can be reached in just about 2 hours’ drive from Kigali international airport and there house –from bwindi national park via Gatuna Boarder.
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
A visit to Rwanda on a safari without a visit to Nyungwe forest national park is regarded incomplete until you include Nyungwe Forest. The park is bio diversified with no fewer than 1000 plant species, 13 species of primates, 75 species of other mammals, at least 275 species of birds and an astounding 120 species of butterflies hence the most Rwanda gifted park. It has been rated the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa and its protected area covers one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Although it’s much known for its enormous biodiversity, the park is little known outside of East Africa. The park is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda just about 5 hours’ drive from the capital city Kigali. The most done safari activity at the park is chimpanzee trekking, they are habituated to human standard and they can be visited at any time of the year without any harm to human. Not only chimpanzee, but sighting of other troops of monkeys is a guarantee during chip trekking like the Angolan colobi, Dent’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and diademed monkeys, among others, plus many species of birds and tree blanches.
- Akagera National Park
Akagera National park is the only park in Rwanda that inhabit a wild-range of animal species. The park is known as the oldest park being created in 1934 to protect the lands surrounding the Kagera River. It once protected nearly 10% of Rwanda and was considered to be one of the premium wildlife reserves in the whole of Africa. However, due to the huge numbers of immigrants who returned to Rwanda in the late 1990s, almost a half of the park was resettled and re-gazeted with new villages. There was a lot of Human intrusion facilitated poaching and environmental degradation and Akagera’s wildlife was very nearly destroyed. However due to strict conservation lows, batter management and the reintroduction of lions in the park in 2015 and the black rhinos in 2017 and the new lodges built make Akagera to regain its popularity. Sure, it can’t compete with its counterparts in Kenya or Uganda, but its scenic landscapes, diverse habitats, and rich wildlife are well worth making the list of best places to visit while on a Rwanda safari. Wildlife viewing is better and many animals can be seen while at the park like elephants, buffaloes, lions, elephants, hyenas, antelope species, warthogs, hippos, among many. You can as well do enjoy a boat cruise at the Lake Ihema to stand a chance to see more species of animals that live and feed on the lake including the hippos and crocodiles as well as several species of birds that live on the shoreline.
- Kigali (The Capital City of Rwanda)
You cannot visit Rwanda without a Kigali city tour, Kigali is located within the art of Rwanda and most of the tours to other destinations begins there. And Kigali is one of the places one should not love to miss out on the Places to visit on a Rwanda Safari. Straddling several ridges and valleys, Kigali inhabit lush hillsides, flowering trees, winding boulevards, and bustling streets, which are arguably one of the most attractive and stunning capital cities in Africa, and Rwanda is as well as known as one of the cleanest and safest city. You cannot leave without visit the genocide memorial site, there are several genocide sites within Rwanda but the Kigali genocide is the most visited sited, within a period of 90 days over 1 m people were reported death. During the genocide, victims fled to churches seeking refuge, only to find that some of the clergy was providing information to the Interahamwe so many people were killed in the churches. As a result of this lack of sympathy, some of the most dreadful butcheries took place inside the temples of churches throughout Rwanda and the war were between the Hutus and Tutsis. All these monuments can be visited on a day trip from Kigali. Don’t miss this activity it’s heartbreaking
Best Time to Visit Rwanda
Rwanda is regarded as one of the safest countries not only in the East Africa but also in the entire world however much it suffered a lot instability in the 1994 during the genocide were over 1m people lost their lives, all those come to pass and there is a lot stability everywhere in the country. The best time to take a Rwanda Safari Tour is ideally whenever you get the opportunity. Rwanda has two season, the dry and wet seasons. Many travelers for gorilla trekking prefer visiting Rwanda during the dry season since hikes and gorilla paths becomes very easy and passable making trekking very easy than during the wet seasons, and during the wet season thirty draws most of the animal to drinking spots making siting and viewing very superb. Rainy seasons is mostly November shorter rains and March-May longer rains though, Keen photographers may even prefer the rainy season, as there is less light contrast coming through the trees, allowing you to focus solely on your subject matter.
If you are interested in any Rwanda safari package, we are always at your disposal we have great itineraries
- 12 days Uganda Rwanda tour
- 3 days Rwanda gorilla tour
- 1 day gorilla tour Rwanda
- 6 days primate exclusive
- 9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and primates