The facts about Rwanda safaris in the peak season is that more tourists demand for the activities to the different destinations in the country. Gorilla trekking take center stage in the most sought after tourism activities of Rwanda. The peak tourism season of Rwanda is normally June to September and December to January.
Rwanda is amongst the only three countries that host the only mountain gorillas still surviving in the world. Volcanoes National Park is the pristine forested park where the Rwanda mountain gorillas are residents. The topography of this park is generally jagged from the volcanic actions that led to the formation of different landforms including ridges and plateaus
The demand for the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits of the peak season is high but it is safer to reserve it atleast 6 months to a year upfront. Those who try to find availability of Rwanda gorilla permits at the last minute may end up being disappointed because they sell out earlier.
Even peak season accommodations to use for gorilla trekking in Rwanda are normally full as the season opens. The options of accommodations to use during gorilla safaris may run out in the peak season leaving you with a few or no desire facilities open for late Rwanda safari bookings.
Other logistics that support gorilla safaris in Rwanda during the peak season are also over booked such as transport, professional driver guides and many more. Most of the best service providers have no availability for those who try to book at the last minute.
Note
If you hope to do a Rwanda safari in the peak season, it is best to do advance, booking for all that is necessary to support this tour. This is to avoid panic and disappointment at the last minute.
spend time at the slopes of these highlands so you need to locate them.
Expect to share the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda with other tourists during the peak tourism season.
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What To Do On Rwanda Safari In The Peak Season
Gorilla trekking is the prime safari activity in Rwanda but you must have a gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board to participate. Gorilla trekking is an adventure where maximum 8 tourists visit a fully habituated gorilla family and have an hour with them. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happen in Volcanoes National Park.
At the moment, Rwanda has 12 gorilla families open to the public including Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi, Hirwa and others. On gorilla trekking day, tourists gather for briefing and document verification at the ranger station then each is allocated a gorilla family. The criteria used to allocate the gorilla families is hard to determine but sometimes its according to age, physical fitness and much more.
Note that gorillas trekking adventure in Rwanda is quite challenging and steep because of the nature of the topography of this area which was affected by volcanic action that led to the formation of several land forms. Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time at the slopes of these highlands so you need to locate them.
Expect to share the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda with other tourists during the peak tourism season.
Game Safaris on Rwanda Tour
Akagera National Park is the game park of Rwanda situated in the southwestern part of the country. During the peak tourism season in Rwanda, many tourists visit Akagera National Park to enjoy the wildlife in this park including Zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks buffaloes, elephants, some carnivores, an array of birds and several others.
A boat ride on lake Ihema is always relaxing after a driving through the tracks of Akagera National Park. From the boat ride, you enjoy the scenery of the surrounding capitalized by the towering highlands shaded by evergreen vegetation,
During the peak tourism season in Rwanda, more visitors drive through Akagera National Park searching for the wild animals and other beauties within the park
Chimpanzee Trekking on Rwanda safari
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is the main activity in this primeval forest situated on the border of Rwanda with D.R.Congo the lake Kivu area. So far two chimpanzee communities are open to public viewing one in Nyungwe National Park and another on the outskirts of the park at Cyamudondo.
A number of trails are used to traverse Nyungwe forest including Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and others. other than the chimpanzees, Nyungwe forest is home to other primates including, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys to mention bur a few.
Two Nyungwe National Park chimpanzee trekking sessions are open to the public that is morning and afternoon.
Canopy Walk over Nyungwe Forest
The Canopy walk over Nyungwe National Park is so far the only one of its kind in East Africa. This exciting walk is on the suspension elevate at about 70 meters high and 160 meters long. From the suspension bridge, you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the park, view the park from a more elevated point
To get to this suspension bridge from Uwinka, you follow the Igishigishigi trail to the canopy walk. Along the way, you may encounter some interesting features like the sparkling Usamo falls. Nyungwe forest is a water catchment area with a dense network of rivers that you pass by while traversing the forest.
The golden monkeys are a special monkey species with a body structure that is larger than the usual monkeys. In the entire world, about 4000 golden monkeys are believed to exist in the world and some are residents of Volcanoes forest in Rwanda. Even though golden monkey are habituated to human presence, there restless nature still stands out when you meet them.
Book a golden monkey trekking permit before travelling for this adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkeys keep you on your toes when searching for them and are very exciting to be in company with.
Birding on Rwanda Safari
Rwanda may be a small country but has a rich bird life with over 700 bird species recorded as residents. The most common Rwanda birding destinations include Nyungwe forest, Volcanoes forest, Akagera National Park and others.
Some of the birds of Rwanda including Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin, Dusky’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco and others. Having a professional birding guide and birding directory on Rwanda birding safari is very helpful as you get to identify a wide range of them.
Any time of birding safari in Rwanda but the most rewarding season is the wet season when most birds are breeding.
Cultural Experience On Rwanda Safari
Rwanda has a rich culture in which they pride themselves. The culture of the Rwandese stems from the love for oral traditions including song, proverbs, chants to mention but a few. Rwandese love engaging in crafts making, pottery, weaving, basketry to mention but a few and places like Nyakarimbi are some of the main centers for such great work.
The famous cow dung painting called Imigongo can be viewed and purchase from the crafts shops in Kigali too. The Ethnological Museum in Huye houses most of the items used in the daily life of the people of Rwanda.
The traditional dance called Intore accompanied by the orchestra of drums leaves most people who watch it wanting another round of the performance. It is not only engaging but every move is well choreographed keeping you glued to the dancers and eager to know what the next step may be. When in the community, you may get the chance to witness the locals perform this dance or at the National Museum in Butare ( Huye)
Kigali City Tour
Kigali city is where the heart of Rwanda beats and taking a city tour is the only way you can learn more about the country. Kigali city is the main business center of Rwanda with a number of shopping centers, banks, café shops, restaurants, entertainment centers to mention but few.
There is a genocide memorial in the city where you can take a guided tour. At this memories, some of the remains of the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide are preserved here as reminder to the people of the 100 days of ignorance that claimed a multitude of Rwandese.
Donot forget to have a taste of Rwanda coffee which is locally grown and brewed to greatness. The aroma of Rwanda coffee is irresistible.
What To Do And Not To Do On Rwanda Safari
Rwanda has very strict laws and the implementers are ready to arrest whoever tries to violet them no matter your originality.
Donot carelessly dump garbage in Rwanda or else end in the prisons face a hefty penalty.
Dealing in drugs is prohibited in Rwanda or the law may catch up with you.
Ensure to have a visa and other necessary travel documents before visiting Rwanda in case you must have one before crossing its borders. Failure to have these travel documents may end in not getting denying you entry or apply for it on arrival at immigration.
Attending briefing before the gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking safari in Rwanda is compulsory. In case you fail to show up for briefing before these Rwanda safari activities, you may end in getting disqualified
No entering the Rwanda forested National Parks without a ranger guide from Rwanda Development Board.
Before a gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking tour in Rwanda, you must purchase a permit from the Rwanda Development Board. The Rwanda safari permit is a document from Rwanda Development Board that allows entry to any primate activity. There is a limit to the number of Rwanda primate safari permits opened to the public per day to minimize on the effects of mass tourism.
When is the best Time To Book Rwanda Safari For The Peak Season
The best time to book the Rwanda safari is atleast 90 days to the tour date. For either gorilla, chimpanzees or golden monkey trekking adventure in Rwanda, you need to purchase the permits in advance. This is because there is a limit to the maximum number of permits open to the public to minimize on the effects of mass tourism.
During the high tourism season, the demand for Rwanda safari activities is over the top and so it is safer to make necessary reservation in advance. Competition for logistics that support Rwanda safaris such as vehicles, driver guides, accommodations is over whelming high since some are shared amongst all activities
Rwanda is open for safaris even in the wet season which is normally March, April, May and November. Be sure to find the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys in the forest because there movements are often monitored by a team of ranger guides.
Game safaris in Akagera National Park Park in Rwanda are open any time of the year even tough in the wet season the grass is higher obstructing visibility. For those who wish to have less disturbance during the Rwanda safaris may take advantage of the low tourism season.
How Safe Are Rwanda Safari Destinations
Rwanda safari destinations are safe to visit because on ground is security from the well trained ranger guides from Rwanda Development Authority. They often patrol the Rwanda National Parks to protect the wildlife and visitors to these destination.
The rangers in the Rwanda National Park coordinate security matters with other Rwandese security agencies to keep law and order.
Every tourists is expected to be the first security of themselves while on Rwanda Safari. Try to protect personal belongings from public access especially the valuables. Pack a first aid box with prescribed medication to use in case of an emergency.
For the accommodations within the Rwanda National Parks especially the game park, donot get outside in the night because there are predators that may feast on you.
Never enter a Rwanda forested National Park without a ranger guide because these forest are vast and for first timers, you may get lost. The forests have other occupants that may be harmful to you while you walk in the forest. The ranger guide who escort tourists often follow the pace of the slowest trekker however try not to delay the rest or be left behind because you may be forgotten.
If on self-drive while on Rwanda safari, follow the recommended speed limit especially when on a game drive and avoid driving off track because you may end in the unsafe places in the park.