Best Places to Go on Safari in Rwanda

Rwanda may be small compared with some African safari countries, but it offers a surprisingly strong mix of primates, wildlife, scenery, and easy travel connections. The best places to go on safari in Rwanda are not all trying to do the same job. Volcanoes National Park is the headline choice for gorilla trekking, Akagera brings classic savannah wildlife, and Nyungwe adds chimpanzees, forest walks, and canopy experiences. Beyond the parks, Kigali and Lake Kivu can also add depth to a Rwanda itinerary by giving travellers cultural insight, city comfort, and scenic downtime between more active safari days. That mix is what makes Rwanda different. It is not only about one flagship attraction, but about how well the country combines several experiences in a compact route. In this guide, we break down the best places to safari in Rwanda and explain what each destination is best known for, so you can choose the right route for your time, interests, and travel style

Volcanoes National Park, Best for Gorilla Trekking

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, and it is among the best places to encounter mountain gorillas in the country. The national park is about a 2-hour drive from Kigali city and offers exciting chances for visitors to spend time with the gorillas in their natural habitat. During the tours in Volcanoes National Park, tourists can also engage in golden monkey trekking tours, hiking, bird watching, and visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural village.

Gorilla trekking experiences in Volcanoes National Park start with a briefing by park officials at the Kinigi park headquarters, where groups of tourists are accompanied by ranger guides to search for the mountain gorillas in the forests. A period of 1 hour is spent in the presence of the gorillas, which gives tourists time to observe the gorillas closely and enjoy taking their photos and recording videos. Permits for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park cost 1500 USD per person and are issued by the Rwanda Development Board.

During hikes, tourists get to explore the Virunga mountains found at the destination and also encounter primates in the forests as they climb to the summits of these volcanoes, which include Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, among others.

Akagera National Park, Best for Classic Wildlife Safaris

For exciting wildlife safaris in Rwanda, tourists can visit the Akagera National Park, which is located in the eastern part of the country. The Park is home to a variety of wildlife species, which can be seen during game drives around the destination that can be done for a half day or a full day. When exploring the savannah plains at the national park, various bird species can also be seen.

Some of the animals to look out for during game drives in Akagera National Park include zebras, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, and lions, among others. This activity involves exploring different parts of the park in search of the wildlife species.

Tourists can also engage in boat rides on Lake Ihema in the morning and in the afternoon.  During this activity, a variety of wildlife species can also be seen, including hippos and Nile crocodiles by the water’s shore, as well as different bird species.

 Akagera is home to over 500 bird species, which can be seen during safaris, such as Ross’s Turaco, Red-winged Francolin, Crested Francolin, Africa Green-Pigeon, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Black Bellied Bustard, White Crested Turaco, Speckled pigeon, among others.

Park entrance fee is required for visits to Akagera National Park, and this fee is 100 USD for 1-day visits, 150 USD for 2-day visits, and 200 USD per person for 3-day tours at the destination for international visitors.

Nyungwe National Park, Best for Chimpanzees and Forest Adventure

Nyungwe National Park is located in the south-western part of Rwanda and is among the must-visit destinations for primate safaris in the country. Different primates can be seen during tours around Nyungwe, and they include chimpanzees, which are a major attraction at the destination. Tourists take part in chimpanzee trekking experiences in the Nyungwe forest to search for the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and enjoy spending time watching them closely. Permits are required for the chimpanzee trek and are issued to individuals above the age of 15 years.

A briefing is done at the park headquarters before the tourists start the trek.  This activity is done with ranger guides, and while exploring the forest, some of the primates which can also be seen in the forest include black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, and vervet monkeys, among others. Chimpanzee treks in Nyungwe park cost 150 USD per person.

Canopy walks can also be done during safaris in Nyungwe, and they involve walking along a suspended bridge about 70 meters high, which gives views of the forest canopy and also encounters different birds and primates along the way. The activity takes about 2 hours and can be combined with chimpanzee trekking. The canopy walk in Nyungwe forest costs 40 USD per person and can be done in the morning or afternoon.

Other activities to do when visiting Nyungwe National Park include guided forest walks, bird watching, and visiting the neighboring tea plantations. The park is located about a 5 to 6-hour drive from Kigali city.

Kigali, Best for City Culture and Safari Start Points

Another place to visit during a safari in Rwanda is the city of Rwanda which is Kigali, where many activities can be done. Kigali is one of the cleanest cities in Africa and is also a starting point for many safaris to Rwanda and even to Uganda. There are many things to do around the city, including visiting local galleries, visiting the genocide memorial sites, going to the local markets, and so much more. Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills, and while in Kigali, tourists can enjoy views of the hills as they explore different places. With a local guide, places to visit in the city of Rwanda include the Kigali genocide memorial, the Rwanda arts museum, Kimironko market, and Inema arts center, among others.

Tourists can also try out the local food at the restaurants around Kigali city at an affordable price. Those interested in nightlife can also visit the bars around the city, listen to local music, and get entertained. A local boda ride through the city is another exciting activity that can be done when visiting Kigali.

Lake Kivu, Best for Scenic Relaxation and Boat Trips

Lake Kivu is another place to visit during a tour around Rwanda, and it is located on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Boat rides can be done when visiting Lake Kivu, and tourists can enjoy sunset rides while relaxing and enjoying the breeze. The different islands can also be visited around the Kivu area for a chance to interact with the locals.