Why Go on a Rwanda Safari?
Soul Stirring Gorilla & Wildlife Encounters
Rwanda is home to some of the world's greatest primate tracking, situated against a setting of rolling hills, forest canopies and majestic mountain peaks. With over half of the world's surviving mountain gorilla population, it's no wonder that most wildlife-enthusiasts come to Rwanda to track and spend time with these critically endangered primates up-close.
Sustainable Travel: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
In the Virunga Mountains the late Dian Fossey studied the behaviour of the endangered mountain gorilla for 20 years. You can participate in the gargantuan efforts to save the species while engaging with local scientists in their innovative research spaces.
Exclusive Lodges & Camps
Accommodation in Rwanda generally falls into two types: hotels in the capital Kigali, and safari lodges and tented camps situated in Rwanda’s parks and reserves, from luxury ranch-style lodges and affordable bush camps to stylish city hotels.
Convenient Add-Ons
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Rwanda safari with other celebrated African destinations from Kenya and Tanzania, and their vast open plains, to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar.
World-Class Hiking & Trekking
If you daydream about climbing, hiking, and trekking in the African highlands bush, Rwanda is the preeminent destination for an outdoor vacation. There are superb networks of trials that take you into some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.
Excellent Value
Thanks to a very favourable exchange rate, it’s easy to find superb accommodation that offers that extra bit of holiday pampering. Spoilt for choice is an understatement with an option to suit every budget and preference.
Gorilla Trekking, Rolling Hills & More
Rwanda’s unique environment and kind, welcoming people provide one-of-a-kind experiences. This is a country characterized by its impressive biodiversity, volcanoes, and highland rainforests that are home to the gorillas.
Rarely experienced in isolation, a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari combines well with other East African destinations such as Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania.
Accommodation From $500 USD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From $700 CAD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From $1,100 AUD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From €1,050 EUR
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From £700 GBP
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From R16,000 ZAR
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Top Safari Destinations in Rwanda
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking is the region’s unrivalled main attraction, and the Volcanoes National Park is where to go in Rwanda to do it.
Its mountainous terrain and dense forests make for tough walking conditions, but the rewards are matchless: butterflies, birds and primates, headlined of course by families of habituated mountain gorillas.
Highlights
- Easily accessible from Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali
- Meet mountain gorillas and golden monkeys
- Undertake a 2-hour hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb
- Guided nature walks in Khwai Private Reserv
- Bird watching mecca of approximately 180 species
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Protecting the largest single tract of montane forest in East or Central Africa, Nyungwe is the best reason to further explore Rwanda after your gorilla trek.
A magnificent rainforest full of birds, butterflies and orchids, the stars of the show are the 13 species of primate – including chimpanzees – that make the park their home.
In addition to excellent hiking, the forest canopy walk is an excellent way of spotting blue monkeys living in the treetops.
Highlights
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- Hike to the most remote source of the Nile
- Home to East Africa’s highest canopy walk suspended 50 metres above the forest floor
- 310 different bird species, hundreds of butterflies and orchids, and over 75 species of mammal
Akagera National Park
Located in low lying eastern Rwanda, Akagera is where the tropical forests of Central Africa give way to the dry savannahs of East Africa.
An appealing mix of wetlands and rolling wooded grasslands, Akagera National Park is where to go in Rwanda for the chance to spot classic African animals including elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, leopard, and many antelope species.
Highlights
- Private boat trips, sunset cruises, and night drives
- Classic Big Five game viewing
- Less crowded and off the beaten track safari experience
- More than 450 bird species including the rare, prehistoric-looking shoebill stork
Consider Adding...
Zanzibar
The name alone is likely to conjure up images of spice markets, palm-fringed beaches and white-sailed dhows on a turquoise sea – and happily the reality doesn’t disappoint. Lying only a short distance off the Tanzania coast, Zanzibar has long been at the centre of the Indian Ocean experience.
Tanzania
From the classic savannah destinations of the Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater to the beaches and coral reefs of Zanzibar, a Tanzania safari delivers one massive experience after another.
When To Go
Dry Seasons: June to September & Mid-December to February
The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry seasons from June to September and Mid-December to February. These periods offer the best hiking conditions and the lowest risk of malaria.
Wet Seasons: March to May & September to October
Rwanda Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Adventurer Rwanda’s Gorilla Tracking
If you have limited time, then Rwanda is where to go gorilla trekking in Africa. You can simply spend a night in Kigali, be driven to your lodge in about three hours and start trekking in lush rainforest. This affordable gorilla safari in Rwanda gives you the opportunity to wrap up your once-in-a-lifetime experience in just four days.
You’ll have time to recharge after a long flight at a luxurious hotel set in Kigali. Enjoy Retreat by Heaven’s relaxed and welcoming atmosphere before heading out to encounter endangered gorillas.
Next stop: the town of Musanze, the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park. Your base for this affordable gorilla safari in Rwanda is Bishops House, located close to the main entrance of the park – home to about half of the mountain gorillas left on Earth.
Why go gorilla trekking? Well, hiking into their native forests is the only way to see these critically endangered gorillas, as they cannot survive in captivity. This affordable gorilla safari in Rwanda gives you the rare privilege of observing the everyday interactions of these vulnerable primates – arguably one of Africa’s most profound wildlife encounters.
Destinations
- Kigali
- Volcanoes National Park
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $5,700 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $9,100 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €8,650 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £6,900 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R128,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
Rwanda Gorilla Encounter
This 5-day tour will take you into the heart of area first brought to the world’s attention by pioneering primatologist Dian Fossey and immerse you in the majesty of Africa’s first gazetted national park that dates back to 1925.
It is an exhilarating trek from your home at Wilderness Bisate through the dense foliage of Rwanda’s emerald jungle. You observe the scout clearing a path in front of you with his machete. Following a soft remark from your guide, you notice a flash of dark fur against the background of green. You’ve discovered a group of rare mountain gorillas.
The mothers congregate for a friendly chat, the kids run around and play, irking their teenage babysitters, all under the watchful eye of the giant silverback patriarch.
Put down your camera and sit awhile, just observing their social rituals, the keenness of their relationships, and the depth and range of their emotions. There are only a few hundred of these gentle giants left, and watching them at the brink of potential extinction is, for many, a transformative moment.
Destinations
- Kigali
- Volcanoes National Park
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $12,000 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $7,500 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €11,400 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £9,100 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R168,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
How Much is a Rwanda Safari?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e. key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity).
As a guideline, Rwanda safaris can range anywhere from approximately $1,150 USD per person per night in low season to over $3,000 USD at the finest lodges in high season.
What Costs Are Included?
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives, and other excursions will all be included.
To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5 to 1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Anja Naude
"This mountainous and densely thick forest area offers one of the most incredible experiences (and bucket list items) in Africa- namely spending one hour in the company of a Gorilla family. Further to that Nyungwe Forest offers Chimpanzee Trekking and Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s fairly new game park is proud host to the “Big Five”. Rwanda lives up to its nickname, "the land of a thousand hills" and is an intoxicating travel experience.
Why Travel with Go2Africa
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.
We are African
Since 1998 we've tailored unforgettable African safari holidays for over 200 000 travellers, that leaves a lasting positive impact.
We Know Because We Go
We have first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity we recommend from our 1 000+ carefully selected safari partners.
We Are With You All The Way
We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.
You Are In Expert Hands
With the most awarded Top Travel Specialists in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler and led by one of Travel & Leisure's A-list specialists, you are in expert hands.
Complete Financial Protection
Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Making A Positive Impact Together
Every journey with us makes a meaningful positive impact by creating sustainable solutions, enabling people and nature to mutually thrive together.
Our Partners
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we’ve built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.
What Our Clients Say
