Rwanda is a small land locked country located in east Africa. The country is blessed with a number of wildlife species and it’s usually referred to as the land of a thousand hills because of the many hills the country has. Rwanda is among the leading wildlife safari destination on the African continent and the world at large. Many travelers always visit the country but one of the things they worry about is getting an affordable place to sleep as they explore the different national parks Rwanda has. Lets look at how budget travelers can explore the major wildlife destinations in Rwanda while having accommodation in the very affordable accommodation facilities around.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc national des Volcans is situated in northwestern Rwanda and its part of the great Virunga massif. The park has five of the eight Virunga volcanoes that are homes to the rare mountain gorillas with half of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga massif. The park has a total of 10 habituated mountain gorillas that are the prime tourist wildlife attractions in Rwanda. Every year the number of tourists interested in meeting mountain gorillas in the forested mountains increase which makes volcanoes national park among the most visited national parks in Rwanda. Mountain gorilla safaris are can be carried out at any time of the year but are well experienced during the dry season that usually start from around June to mid September and from December to February.
Tracking mountain gorillas requires tourists to first get a tracking permit that is sold at $750. Topping up the $750 to accommodation and other expenses may seem a little expensive for some travelers especially back packers who travel at a budget. If you are a budget traveler interested in gorilla tracking you will therefore need to get an accommodation facility that fits your budget.
There are a number of budget accommodation around Kinigi near volcanoes national park where a budget traveler can have enjoy standard services like a very good night sleep and delicious meals. The major budget accommodation facilities around volcanoes national park include Muhabura hotel, Kinigi guesthouse among others.
These are situated just a few kilometers from volcanoes national park and the best budget accommodation facilities where a budget can stay. A night at one of these two facilities ranges from $60 to $85.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
This is located in southwestern Rwanda and the best place in Rwanda where tourists can track chimpanzees. It is one of the top visited places in Rwanda. A dense montane natural forest covers this national park, which is a home to not only chimpanzees but also many other wildlife species.
Budget tourists can have good accommodation at Gisakura guesthouse located at the edge of Nyungwe forest. The guesthouse is very friendly and calm and usually visited by a number of monkeys from Nyungwe forest. The rooms at Gisakura are very affordable and range from $60 to $90. The guesthouse is located a few kilometers from the main national park headquarters and the major tracking trails which means that tourists can make it in time for briefing.
Akagera National Park
Its located in eastern Rwanda and it stretches towards the border with Tanzania. Akagera national park is the only place in Rwanda where tourists can enjoy game drives while viewing wildlife in a savanna ecosystem. There are limited accommodations facilities around here however budget and mid range can get a place to stay at Akagera game lodge that is located within the national park.
The room rates here range from $160 to $180. This may seem a little expensive compared to the budget accommodation facilities around other national parks but it’s the only alternative and the cheapest place you can get around Akagera national park.