Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. Located on the western border of the country, Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan section of the famous Virunga Mountains and plays a vital part in homing some of the only 800 remaining mountain gorillas in the world today. Although permits for gorilla trekking are not cheap ($1,500 per person per day), the experience is truly unforgettable and often high on the bucket list. The park is only a two-hour drive from Kigali and with many properties offering comfortable accommodation and a variety of activities aside from gorilla trekking, it is definitely a memorable destination. Read more…

Nyungwe Forest

Rwanda is not regarded a top destination when it comes to game viewing, but there are a couple of destinations to consider if you are not desperate to see the Big 5. Nyungwe Forest sits in the south of the country and homes habituated chimpanzees and 12 or so other primate species (including black and white colobus monkeys). The forest is also a haven for birders paradise, with over 300 species to be spotted in the treetops on guided bird walks. Read more…

Akagera National Park

Located in the eastern border of Rwanda, homes a variety of wildlife including elephant, zebra, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, antelope and many species of bird. Although the wildlife is slowly increasing in Akagera National Park (seven lions were introduced and observed in 2015), the game viewing is not as reliable as parks in neighbouring East African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya. Its location (two-hour drive from Kigali) means that day trips from the capital are popular and something to consider if you are not combining a safari in another country. Read more…

Lake Kivu

Rwanda is landlocked and as a result, does not have a coastline or beach destination. However, on the western border of the country sits Lake Kivu, Africa’s sixth largest lake. Although a little less idyllic than the white sand beaches on say, Zanzibar Island, Lake Kivu is situated between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest, making it a great destination to relax in the midst of a Rwandan safari. There are direct flights from Kigali to Nairobi and from here, destinations such as the southern Kenyan coast (Diani beach/ Mombasa) or Zanzibar Island can be reached with an additional connecting flight. Read more...