Rwanda
Volcano forests, golden monkeys and quiet hills
A small, green country of steep hills, with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzees and a canopy walk in Nyungwe, and savanna wildlife in Akagera.
Why Rwanda
Rwanda is compact, so short drives connect very different places. Volcanoes National Park in the northwest is the country's gorilla park, set on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Nyungwe Forest in the southwest is a large montane rainforest with chimpanzees and other primates, and Akagera in the east is a savanna park of lakes and plains.
Combining Rwanda with other countries
Rwanda pairs well with a Uganda gorilla trip or with a Kenya safari, as in our seven-day Kenya and Rwanda itinerary. Kigali is the usual arrival point.
Permits
Gorilla and golden monkey permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and are limited each day. We secure them once your trip is confirmed; your quote shows whether they are included.
Parks and places
- Akagera National ParkRwanda's savanna park on the Tanzanian border, with lakes, papyrus swamps and the Big Five, managed in partnership with the conservation organization African Parks. This savanna and lake park in eastern Rwanda is the country's main big-game destination, with lions and rhinos reintroduced in recent years.
- Nyungwe Forest National ParkA large montane rainforest in southwest Rwanda with chimpanzees, many other primates and a canopy walkway above the trees. This high mountain rainforest in southwest Rwanda is known for its primates, including chimpanzees, its birdlife and its canopy walkway.
- Volcanoes National ParkRwanda's gorilla park, on the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. Treks are briefed at the park headquarters in Kinigi, and golden monkey tracking is also offered. Set in the Virunga Mountains of northwest Rwanda, it is where Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas, and it is also home to golden monkeys.
Rwanda safaris
Practical information
- Visas
Visa rules depend on your passport. Check the official Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration site before you travel.
Source: Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
- Time zone
Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, one hour behind Uganda and Kenya.
- Getting there
International flights land at Kigali International Airport (KGL).
- Health
Vaccination and malaria advice depends on your health and itinerary. Check the CDC's current guidance for Rwanda and talk to a travel clinic at least six weeks before you go.
Source: CDC Travelers' Health: Rwanda
- Travel advice
Read your government's current travel advice for Rwanda before you book and again before you travel.
Source: U.S. State Department: Rwanda
Rwanda questions
Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda different from Uganda?
The experience with the gorillas is similar: a guided trek with a ranger and an hour with a habituated family. Practical details such as permit prices, drive times and the terrain differ, and we can talk you through which suits your trip.