From the wonderfully optimistic people of Rwanda, to the Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park and the Big Five in Akagera National Park, this country has so much to offer and why it has earned the name 'Remarkable Rwanda'.
We are experts in Rwanda safaris, having travelled and explored extensively in Rwanda with the Rwanda Development Board and are extremely passionate about promoting travel to this stunning and diverse country. Whilst gorilla trekking is an absolute highlight at Volcanoes National Park, a safari in Rwanda offers so much more than this, with sightings of the big 5, breathtaking scenery and a fascinating history to discover in various destinations. Our Directors, Rob & Clyde are two of only a handful of true Rwanda experts. They have explored most of the country in depth, spent time in all three of the main national parks over the years and have also stayed at almost all the best accommodation establishments.
Rwanda Safaris FAQs
Rwanda is a destination for all seasons, however, visiting Rwanda to trek for mountain gorillas is best during the drier season from June to September. This is also the optimum time for tracking chimpanzees. Temperatures hardly vary throughout the seasons due to Rwanda's position just south of the Equator. Days are warm and nights are cool, especially at altitude.
There are several vaccines which are recommended for visiting Rwanda, especailly for jungle trekking tours. Besides the usual vaccinations for life in the UK such as MMR and flu, it is also advised to get vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Rabies and Meningitis.
There are a total of five volcanoes in Rwanda, located in Volcanoes National Park. These five volcanoes form part of a chain of eight volcanoes in East Africa along the border of Rwanda, Uganda and the Republic of the Congo (DRC) known as the Virunga Mountains. The five volcanoes in Rwanda are called Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Yes, you do need a visa to enter Rwanda, and you can get a free thirty-day tourist visa if you are a citizen of a country members of the Commonwealth, African Union or La Francophonie, including the UK. Visas are available on arrival in Rwanda but can also be accessed in advance at any Rwandan diplomatic mission or via an online application.
The average daytime temperature in Rwanda is around 75 degrees Farenheit (24 degrees celcius) and around 55 degrees Farenheit (13 degrees celcius) at night.
On any safari trip, you’ll want to avoid brightly coloured clothes or clothes that are too dark, particularly when visiting Rwanda’s gorillas, so neutral colours such as beige and khaki are ideal. Long sleeved tops and trousers will be essential to prevent mosquitos from having easy access to your skin, and socks with sturdy, waterproof hiking or walking boots will allow you to trek comfortably. A fleece lined jacket will keep you warm during early morning treks, and if you’re traveling in the rainy season, a lightweight rain jacket will be needed. More specialist gear such as trekking gaters and garden gloves will protect you from harsh jungle foliage and remember a hat to protect you from the sun.
CHOOSE FROM FIVEDISTINCT REGIONS
Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the Big Five in Akagera, Chimps in Nyungwe, a vibrant capital city and some relaxing time at Lake Kivu, your time will be well spent in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park
Although it would be a mistake to compare the wildlife viewing at Akagera National Park to nearby Kenya & Tanzania, there are plenty of animals to see and a variety of activities. The largest attraction is certainly the fact that you are off-the-beaten-track and safari in Rwanda means this is one reserve where you can happily drive for hours without seeing another vehicle.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park lies along the Virunga Mountains, with 8 ancient volcanoes, which are shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is a central location for exploring one of most amazing and in some cases life-changing experiences you can ever have - Mountain Gorilla trekking.
Kigali
Kigali, the capital city, is a real treat not only to first-time visitors to Africa but also to a well-seasoned Africa traveller. The immediate notable aspect of the city is its overwhelming hospitality, organisation and cleanliness. Kigali is a truly vibrant place and conveniently, as the starting point to 99% of trips, it is located in the geographic centre of the country.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is an incredible place to visit and a stunningly beautiful lake. Running for almost 100kms along the Congolese border, Kivu takes its place among the 20 deepest and 20 most voluminous freshwater bodies in the world. With no hippos or crocodiles and crystal clear, clean water, it is also one of the safest lakes in Africa.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park may not be as well-known as its sister park, Volcanoes, but if there is one place that will encourage you to extend your stay in Rwanda then this is it. In fact, really as a trio of parks with Akagera, it makes the perfect Rwanda safari experience!
Our Top Rwanda Lodges & Camps
Located in Volcanoes National Park, Bisate Lodge is run by highly reputed Wilderness Safaris, who operate many high-end camps and lodges across Africa. Nestled in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone in Rwanda ... Read more
Singita Kwitonda Lodge & Kataza House opened their doors on 1 August 2019 and the property is set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows and built to embody the spirit of Rwanda. The lodge is named after Kwitonda ... Read more
The greatly anticipated One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda has opened it's doors to travellers. This jungle sanctuary is the second One&Only resort in Rwanda. Nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanic Mountain Range ... Read more
Set in the foothills of the Virungas in Rwanda with wonderful views of the volcanoes and surrounding countryside, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is located close to the park headquarters for trekking the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla ... Read more
Rwanda Safaris Special Offers
Why Tailormade Africa?
Wildlife Specialists
Due to our well established, strong personal relationships with all of our ground operators, National Park Authorities and Conservation Management teams in Rwanda, we are always kept up to date on the most recent information of wildlife & conservation projects, ensuring you get to see Rwanda's wildlife like never before.
Rwanda Safari Experts
Rob & Clyde are two of the most knowledgeable experts on Rwanda safaris in the world and have travelled extensively to all Rwanda's National Parks, camps and lodges. They have been recognized by the Rwandan Tourism Board as such and are regularly invited to special "invitation-only" events such as Kwita Izina, the annual Gorilla baby naming ceremony, and Visit Rwanda marketing events worldwide.
Bespoke Rwanda Safaris
With Tailormade Africa, no two safari holidays itineraries are ever the same. The combination of our in-depth knowledge of the country and taking the time to get to know all of our clients' travel personalities ensures truly bespoke itineraries and a trip specifically tailored to you.
Experience a Rwanda Safari
Rwanda Weather
Due to a combination of tropical location and high altitude Rwanda enjoys a year-round temperate climate. Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night through the year. The upper slopes of the Virunga mountains can be cooler however generally, variations in temperature throughout the country are insignificant.
Most parts of the country receive in excess of 1000mm of precipitation annually with the wettest months being February to May and the driest months being July to September.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas live at high altitude (1,700 metres) in the Virungas, Volcanoes National Park. There are currently 10 habituated gorilla families each of which can be visited by a maximum of 8 visitors per day. Viewing time is limited and people are permitted to stay with the gorillas for a maximum of 1 hour only. Gorilla trekking involves walking long distances through thick vegetation and up steep, wet and muddy terrain which may prove a challenge for some visitors.
We recommend you pace yourself: walk slowly and drink plenty of water. On the track, carry as little as possible in a waterproof bag: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, etc. No one should, however, feel deterred from making this trip as mostly, average fitness levels will be sufficient for the treks. Porters are available to help you carry your daypack for a small fee. Children under 15 years of age are not permitted on gorilla treks. Find out more about Gorilla trekking here.
Fees for mountain gorilla tracking permits are US$1500 per person for foreign non-residents, foreigner residents in East African countries, foreigner residents in Rwanda and for Rwandan citizens - this is inclusive of park entrance fees. Tracking only takes place in the morning and always starts at the Volcanoes National Park HQ in Kinigi at 0700 hrs every day. Many of the park’s team of trackers and anti-poaching officers speak English or French.
Rwanda Safaris Offer Gorillas & the Big 5
Rwanda is not just about the Gorillas, so plan a visit to Volcanoes National Park, but we recommend including it's two sister parks - Akagera National Park for wildlife including Lions, Elephant, Giraffe, Hippo and more, and Nyungwe National Park for the variety of primates including Chimpanzees and of course relaxing and exploring beautiful Lake Kivu. With plans to add a tourist lodge in Rwanda's newly established fourth National Park - Gishwati-Mukura National Park - conservation and tourism are thriving in Rwanda, with travellers coming from all around the world to catch a glimpse of nature at its best.
Air Travel to Rwanda
If you are travelling from the UK, mainland Europe or from North America there are various flight options:
KLM flies directly to Kigali from Amsterdam outbound and via a short stop in Entebbe on the return. Brussels Airlines flies directly to Kigali from Brussels outbound and via a short stop in Entebbe on the return. Turkish Airlines flies from Paris to Kigali via Istanbul.
RwandAir flies directly to Kigali from London Gatwick three times a week alternatively Kenya Airways fly via Nairobi, KLM via Amsterdam and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, all from London Heathrow. Other airlines serving Kigali include Fly Dubai and Qatar Airlines.
From North America the best options are to fly to London, Amsterdam or Brussels and connect on the direct flights with RwandAir, KLM or Brussels Airlines to Kigali. Alternatively fly with Qatar Airways to Kigali via Doha or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.
Access into Rwanda is easy and all points are easily accessible due to the fact that Rwanda is a small country. Akagera National Park is roughly a 2-hour drive at 100 km from Kigali, Nyungwe is a 5 to 6-hour drive at just over 200 km and Volcanoes National Park is a 2.5 to 3-hour drive at just over 100 km. Lake Kivu is just over 100 km from Kigali: a 2.5 to 3-hour drive.
Visit Rwanda
Visit Rwanda is a campaign to foster tourism and business in Rwanda. It is the second fastest growing economy in Africa right now.
Mention the name Rwanda and most people remember the protracted civil war that escalated into a horrific genocide and claimed the lives of nearly a million people. However, over twenty years later this resilient and safe country is now truly thriving and has become one of the most economically vibrant and socially progressive on the continent. We do encourage our clients to explore Kigali, one of the friendliest and cleanest capital cities on the continent, and visit the Genocide Museum, to gain a background in this remarkable country to see how far it has come, and head off and explore as much as possible of this sensational country. We at Tailormade Africa love Rwanda!!
Geographically, it’s also one of Africa’s most remarkable countries. Labelled ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’, its verdant forests offer one of the top wildlife experiences on the planet: meeting the mountain gorillas studied by Dian Fossey in the Volcanoes National Park. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be on everyone’s ‘bucket list’.
To the east, you can explore the off-the-beaten-track savannah of Akagera National Park home to elephant, hippo and – after a 15-year absence – a newly re-introduced pride of lions and also rhino that are the subject of a fascinating conservation story led by the non-profit organisation African Parks.
Rwanda Safaris Information
Rwanda is an elevated country in the African Great Lakes region of the continent. The geography of the country is dominated by mountains in the west and savannah to the east with numerous lakes throughout the country.
The population of Rwanda is young and predominantly rural with a density amongst the highest in Africa. Rwandans are drawn from one cultural and linguistic group called the Banyawanda although within this group there are three subgroups: the Hutu, the Tutsi and the Twa. The country has been governed by a strict administrative hierarchy since pre-colonial times and there are five provinces delineated by borders which were introduced in 2006. Rwanda is one of only two countries with a female majority in the national parliament.
Since the genocide of 1994, when Rwanda's economy suffered greatly, the country has now strengthened. The economy of Rwanda is based mostly on subsistence agriculture and coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export. Tourism is a fast-growing sector and is now the country's leading foreign exchange earner. Rwanda is one of two countries in which mountain gorillas can be visited safely. Music and dance are an integral part of Rwandan culture: particularly drums and the highly choreographed intore dance. Traditional arts and crafts are produced throughout the country including imigongo: a unique cow dung art.
