Rwanda safaris are nature based and the best activities depend on your focus for taking this adventure. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the fore most safari activity in the country with chances of being a few meters away from the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world living in Volcanoes National Park. Request A Quotation
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park gets you up close with the closest human relatives in their natural setting. More safaris activities in Rwanda include game safaris in Akagera National Park with opportunities of finding the big five that is rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and lions.
Birding in Rwanda will never disappoint as the country hosts over 700 bird species including those on the red list of IUCN including the shoebill stork one of the highly endangered bird species. Planning a Rwanda birding safari in Advance and professionally gets you to the best birding destinations in the country.
The rich and authentic culture of the Rwandese is contagious especially the amazing Intore dance a former royal dance accompanied by Lulunga which is an orchestra of long drums and a harp like instrument. The Ethnological museum in Huye is where items used by the ancient people of Rwanda are preserved walk you into history of the country.
Never leave Rwanda without a Kigali city tour where you may get to visit the business center of the country and its where the heart of Rwanda beats. You may get to visit the shopping malls, café centers, taste Rwanda cuisines and more. A visit to the Rwanda genocide memorials gets you to reflect on this tragic 100 days of terror that claimed multitudes of people.
A canopy walk over Nyungwe forest gets you to see the beauty of this lush green forested park from a more elevated point. Walking on the 160 meters long and 70 high suspension bridge ignites some excitement. Enjoy a plethora of birds that
Mountaineering on Rwanda safari
Rwanda generally a hilly country from which it gets its nickname a land of a thousand hills. During the Rwanda safari, you may choose to hike some of the significant mountains in the country including Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Muhavura, Karisimbi and Bisoke. These form part of the famous six Virunga Volcanoes. But this must happen in company of a ranger guide.
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda
Enjoy a golden monkey trekking adventure in Rwanda where you get to see the adventurous golden monkeys with an amazing life style even though they are habituated. Physically, the mountain gorillas have a body larger body than normal monkeys with golden brown hairs in the back.
Even though the communities of golden monkeys is habituated to human presence, they still posses their natural traits. When with the golden monkeys. Expect to stay on your toes when you finally locate them because of their charming and restless nature. World over the golden monkeys have a population of about 4000 golden monkeys putting them on the list of endangered primates.
Diane Fossey Grave hike
The hike to the Dian Fossey grave is walking in the last steps of the fallen mountain gorilla hero who brought to the world the plight of these vulnerable primates that were at the verge of extinction. The proceeds accrued from the Dian Fossey grave hike are used for research and other related work.
Note:
All these Rwanda safari activities are not situated in one location so you need a well organized Rwanda Tour Itinerary with details of your interests. At Arch safaris And tours, we can customize your Rwanda safari itinerary to soot your needs and with in your stipulated budget based on the categories of safari.
Having ample time during Rwanda safari is very important to get you comfortably to these destinations panicking while at the destination may deprive you the chance of enjoying most of the beauties around.
What is the cost of Rwanda Safari Activities
The cost of Rwanda safari activities vary with your choice of what to do that is according to the itinerary you choose and example includes 6 day gorilla and game safari in Rwanda. The cost of Rwanda safaris are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.
There are some compulsory fees each tourists is expected to incur no matter the category of safari package you choose
The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is currently $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 international residents or Other Africans and $200 East Africans. The cost of Rwanda gorilla permit includes park entrance fees, conservation support, security and more.
Golden monkey trekking permit cost of Rwanda is currently $100. This cost excludes park entrance fees which you need to consider.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Rwanda is currently $ 150 for international nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $ 25 in East Africa.
Park entrance Akagera National Park $100 for one day or $150 two nights in the park for foreign non-residents.
In addition, consider the cost of other safari logistics including accommodation, transport, driver guide hire and more.
Which is the Best time to Do Rwanda Safari
The dry season is great time to do Rwanda safari since most activities are done out doors from the outdoors. The dry season which is normally June to September and December to January provides great time to do the Akagera National Park where game drives in Rwanda happen has savanna vegetation so the grass is lower providing better visibility of the wild animals in the park. The tracks are quicker to navigate while searching for the wild animals during game drives in Akagera National Park
Doing gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking or golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is more exciting during the dry season since most animals spend so much time closer to the ground. Up in the trees there is cutthroat competition for the limited availability of food supply with other primates.
Note that more tourists visit Rwanda in the dry season which is the peak tourism season too. All necessary bookings to support your Rwanda safari must be made in advance to avoid last minute panic.
The wet season that is March, April, May, November is not out of safari time booking because Rwanda is not affected by extreme weather conditions that may end in closing off some safari destinations as it is in some areas. Seeing the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys is guaranteed all year all season.
How to Book Rwanda Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee Trekking Permits
Simple procedure to book Rwanda gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits
Choose when to do gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to assist with finding permit availability. The gorilla or chimpanzee trekking dates may be tentative or confirmed
Note that the age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is 12 years and beyond.
Check gorilla or chimpanzee permit availability based on your chosen dates but open your mind to altering these dates especially if you have no static reason for choosing that particular date. This is because sometimes gorilla and chimpanzee permits on the dates chosen may be sold out.
Purchase your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits as soon as you can because their status changes anytime without warning.
How Safe Is Rwanda As A Safari Destination
In general, Rwanda is a safe safari destination with great weather as the country receives two seasons that is dry and wet. Since most Rwanda safari destinations are wildlife related, on ground are well trained ranger guides from Rwanda Development Board to protect these destinations and visitors.
Most Rwanda safari destinations have guidelines that tourists are expected to follow for the safety of wildlife and themselves. For gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, there are rules that each participant is entitled to follow. Attending briefing before the adventure is compulsory.
Even though Rwanda was affected by the 1994 genocide, the country has enjoyed tremendous peace overtime as it recovers from the gravels of this tragic period.
For Rwanda safari activities including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, do carry the necessary gears as you walk through the jungle. Do not forget to include a first aid kit with some medication in case of an emergency.
Even though Rwanda is safe, there are petty thieves just like most destinations so keep your valuables away from the public.
Take some antimalarials because Rwanda is a tropical country where Mosquitos are common.
Every Rwanda safari activity including walking in the wilderness must be conducted by a Rwanda Development Board incase you encounter some harmfully situations. Never enter the wildlife destinations alone. Do not get out of your lodge when warned especially late in the night.
What To Expect During Rwanda Safari
No matter which Rwanda safari activity you choose, expect a warm welcome to Rwanda for a safari. Rwandese people are very welcoming to strangers and ready to helps where they can.
Expect to drive on winding roads in Rwanda because the country is generally hilly because of the serious volcanic actions that affected the entire country.
Rwanda is endowed with immense natural beauty that is getting rarer to find in the world and some think Rwanda is the Switzerland of Africa.
During Rwanda community visits, expect to encounter language barrier as the country currently has two official languages French and English so in some incidences, in case you meet guides speaking either of the languages and you do not understand, you may need to hire an interpreter.
Rwanda is a pro-ecotourism country so do not dump garbage carelessly or you may be penalized. Do adhere to the laws of Rwanda because the security of the country is keen with maintaining this or else you may be penalized.
The game drive in Akagera National park is amazing though the park is recovering from the shambles of past civil unrest that affected Rwanda, Millions of wild animals were killed other fled and the land close to the park was encroached on by survivors of the genocide.
If you choose to do gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, expect to report to the ranger station for briefing where the latest details about these primates is communicated. Expect to present your gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking permit before you are allowed access to see these primates.
Expect to encounter some steep environment when on Rwanda safari activities including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking because of the ragged nature of the topography in these areas.
What are the tips for A Great Rwanda safaris
When on Rwanda safari, use a working itinerary to avoid backtracking. No matter the time you have on safari in Rwanda, avoid planning the flow of your Rwanda safari that takes back and forth as this is time wasting.
Book the necessary safari permits in advance to avoid panic at the last minute. For gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, the number of permits are regulated as a conservation measure so early booking is necessary.
Hire a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle for your safari time in Rwanda because the roads get messy especially in the countryside. The vehicle to use on Rwanda safari needs to be terrain resistant. Do reserve other Rwanda Safari logistics to make your stay comfortable and memorable.
Apply for the Rwanda visa in advance if you must have one before travelling to the country. This is to avoid getting into the long que at immigration on arrival. It is quite disturbing especially after a long flight.
The climate of Rwanda is similar to temperate climate so expect the evening and morning to be cold therefore carry some warmers.
For a taste of Rwanda, you can visit the cafes in the town centers where locally grown and value added coffee is often served. The Aromas and sweet taste of each sip of Rwanda coffee is unforgettable.
Do not forget to order packed lunch before your gorilla trekking safari day so that it is handed to you before vacating the premises of your lodge. Time of returning from gorilla trekking in Rwanda is hard to determine. Some tourists have returned from gorilla trekking in Rwanda after 2 hours while others have spent more time so planning in advance is necessary.