Welcome to Rwanda

The Land of a Thousand Hills

Volcanoes National Park

 

Akagera National Park

 

Bordering Tanzania in the east, Akagera is Rwanda’s only savannah park and the only one where guests can see the Big Five. Once depleted by poaching and human encroachment, Akagera has been transformed under the management of African Parks, now offering classic game-viewing in a restored, thriving ecosystem.

With open plains, papyrus-lined lakes, and gentle hills, Akagera provides a natural contrast to Rwanda’s forests. Game drives, boat safaris, and sundowners round out a traditional safari experience, but with Rwanda’s trademark warmth, strong guiding, and excellent conservation record.

For agents, Akagera works seamlessly as an add-on to primate trekking or as a standalone safari in its own right. It’s accessible, rewarding, and increasingly in demand.

    • Big Five game drives — lions, rhinos (both black and white), elephants, buffalo, and leopards

    • Boat safari on Lake Ihema — ideal for spotting hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds

    • Night drives — guided experiences offering rare predator activity and bush atmosphere

    • Birding — over 500 recorded species, including shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, and African fish eagle

    • Community-focused tourism — strong conservation model with meaningful local partnerships

    • Located 2.5–3 hours from Kigali by road

    • Excellent choice for guests wanting a full wildlife experience without crossing borders

    • Works well at the start or end of a Rwanda circuit

    • Open year-round; best game viewing typically from June to October (dry season)

    • Strong for birders, first-time safari-goers, and guests seeking low-impact conservation travel

Nyungwe Forest National Park

 

In Rwanda’s southwest, Nyungwe is a place to slow down, look closer, and feel small—in the best way. One of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse montane rainforests, it offers exceptional primate trekking, East Africa’s only canopy walkway, and outstanding birding in a landscape as rich in silence as it is in life.

The experience here is less about sightings at speed and more about immersion: long forest walks, rustling undergrowth, rare endemics, and the unmistakable energy of chimpanzees in the trees. With its cool climate, lush scenery, and peaceful pace, Nyungwe is ideal for guests who want to connect with Rwanda’s wild side in a quieter, more intimate way.

For agents, it pairs beautifully with Volcanoes and Lake Kivu, and suits curious, nature-oriented travelers, especially those with a soft spot for forests, birds, or less conventional safaris.

    • Chimpanzee trekking — two habituated groups, early starts, and active hikes

    • Canopy walkway — 60 metres above the forest floor, suspended between giant trees

    • 13 scenic hiking trails — from gentle loops to longer forest treks

    • Other primates — colobus monkeys, mangabeys, and owl-faced monkeys

    • Birding — 300+ species, including 27 Albertine Rift endemics

    • Tea experiences — guided walks through working tea fields, tastings, and community visits

    • Chimp trekking involves early morning starts and moderately strenuous walking

    • Works well for active guests, birders, and those seeking balance between wildlife and nature

    • Often combined with Lake Kivu to break up longer drives between parks

    • Best visited year-round, with drier months (June–Sept, Jan–Feb) offering easier trekking

Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift Valley

 

Stretching along Rwanda’s western edge, Lake Kivu offers a peaceful change of pace between forest and mountain. Framed by banana groves and misty hills, it’s where guests can slow down, without checking out. Whether kayaking at sunrise, watching fishermen cast their nets at dusk, or exploring coffee plantations by bike or boat, Kivu brings quiet contrast to a primate-heavy itinerary.

For agents, Lake Kivu is more than just scenic filler — it’s a strategic pause. It breaks up the long drive between Nyungwe and Volcanoes, offers value without intensity, and keeps guests engaged with Rwanda’s softer, more reflective side.

    • Boat cruises, traditional night fishing, and kayaking along the lakeshore


    • Coffee plantation tours, guided cycling, and village visits

    • Warm, swimmable water with soft sand beaches

    • Accommodation from laid-back boutique guesthouses to refined retreats

    • Ideal as a 1–2 night stop between Nyungwe and Volcanoes

    • Great for honeymooners, families, or guests needing a pause between treks

    • Easily adapted with light activity or full rest days

    • Year-round destination with mild climate and dramatic views

Kigali — Rwanda’s Capital City

 

Spread across green hills and full of quiet momentum, Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest, safest, and most accessible capitals. Most journeys begin or end here, but for guests open to it, the city can be far more than just a place to rest. Kigali offers an honest, hopeful look at Rwanda’s story: its creative drive, cultural richness, and the resilience that continues to shape it.

For agents, Kigali works on multiple levels: as a gentle arrival, a meaningful conclusion, or a cultural highlight in its own right. With everything from guided city tours to hands-on community experiences, it's an easy city to navigate — and a powerful one to include.

    • Kigali Genocide Memorial — a vital, well-curated space for understanding Rwanda’s past

    • Nyamirambo Women’s Centre — walking tours, cooking classes, and cultural exchange

    • Kimironko Market — bustling, colourful, and ideal for a local-led visit

    • Other Cultural Elements — Contemporary dining, local art galleries, fashion boutiques, and Rwandan coffee culture

    • Only 20 minutes from the airport, with efficient road links to all key parks

    • Works well as a 1-night stop, or a full-day immersion for guests with interest and energy

    • Easy to integrate guided cultural activities, especially pre- or post-trek

    • A powerful place to begin or end deeper conversations about Rwanda’s past and present

Gishwati–Mukura National Park

Gishwati–Mukura is Rwanda’s newest (and least visited) national park. Tucked into the country’s western escarpment between Volcanoes and Nyungwe, it’s a small but ecologically important patch of protected rainforest. While the primate populations are still lightly habituated, the experience here is about connection, stillness, and a sense of discovery.

For guests who have done the highlights or are seeking something more personal, Gishwati–Mukura offers rare access to quiet trails, golden monkeys in the canopy, and the beginnings of something special. For agents, it’s a way to add depth, avoid crowds, and offer an itinerary that feels truly tailor-made.

    • Chimpanzee trekking — sightings are less predictable, but deeply rewarding

    • Golden monkey trekking — shorter, lighter hikes with a high chance of success

    • Forest walks — peaceful, guided trails through regenerating rainforest

    • Birding — over 200 species, with notable Albertine Rift endemics and forest rarities

    • Located between Volcanoes and Nyungwe, making it an excellent midway stop

    • Currently one luxury lodge in the park — advance booking essential

    • Best suited for return travelers, birders, or conservation-curious guests

    • Infrastructure is developing, but guiding is strong and the setting is deeply peaceful

    • Ideal for those wanting to get off the classic circuit, without compromising on comfort

 

Located in Rwanda’s far north, Volcanoes National Park is best known as the home of the endangered mountain gorilla — but there’s far more here than a single encounter. The park spans five of the dramatic Virunga volcanoes and offers one of Africa’s most immersive highland forest experiences.

For agents building itineraries, this is the region where guests come to slow down, reflect, and connect with nature, with Rwanda, and often, with themselves. Gorilla trekking is the anchor, but the supporting cast is strong: golden monkeys, guided hikes to Dian Fossey’s research site, and volcano summits for the more adventurous. And with easy road access from Kigali (around 2.5 hours), Volcanoes is as logistically smooth as it is emotionally powerful.

    • Mountain gorilla trekking — 12 habituated families, one permit per guest per day

    • Golden monkey trekking — lighter, shorter, and great for families or extra exploration

    • Volcano hikes — Mount Bisoke (day hike), Karisimbi (overnight), Muhavura (steep, scenic)

    • Dian Fossey Trail — historical hike to Karisoke Research Centre and her tomb site

    • Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village — interactive experiences, Intore dance, storytelling

    • Birding — over 200 species including Rwenzori turaco, dusky crimsonwing, and archer’s robin-chat

    • Gorilla permits are US$1,500 per person, per trek

    • Permit availability is limited and should be secured well in advance

    • Guests must be 15+ years old for gorilla or golden monkey trekking

    • Treks can range from 1–6 hours depending on gorilla location and guest fitness

    • Best visited year-round, with drier months from June to September and mid-December to February offering easier hiking conditions