What To Do During A Visit In Rwanda On Safari  

Some of the activities to do during a Visit in Rwanda for a safari include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, cultural experience, birding in Rwanda and others. All you need is a well tailored itinerary to suit your days in Rwanda, your budget plan when you visit Rwanda, people travelling with and others. Contact Us

Rwanda is a country situated in East Africa bordered by Uganda in the north, D.R.Congo to the west, Burundi to the south and Tanzania to the East. Most of the Rwanda is a country situated in East Africa bordered by Uganda in the north, D.R.Congo to the west, Burundi to the south and Tanzania to the East. In general the topography of Rwanda is mountainous due to volcanic actions that affected most parts of the country. This is why Rwanda is referred to as the land of a thousand hills or the Switzerland of Africa. It is best to know the timing for your visit in Rwanda because there is an extremely busy tourism season in the country that is June to early October or December to Early February . It is referred to as the peak tourism season in Rwanda. If your visit to Rwanda is within this time, you need to make most of the booking for the Rwanda safari in advance to avoid getting disappointed at the last minute

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What Safari Activities to Do on A Visit To Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking is on the top tier of the tourism industry in Rwanda as the country is one of the only three countries in the world where mountain gorillas call home. Volcanoes National Park a lush green rain forest is the only National Park in Rwanda where mountain gorillas live. To do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, one must have a gorilla permit from the Rwanda Development Board and must be eligible.

At the moment Rwanda has 12 gorillas trekking families open to the public some of which includes Hirwa, Susa, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya and others. The number of gorilla permits open to the public per gorilla family is maximum 8 permits per day. The limitation to the number of gorilla permits open to the public yet competition for them is high eliminates those who hope to acquire them at the last minute.

It is best to book the Rwanda gorilla permits atleast 6 months to a year in advance as this is the only confirmation to the gorilla trekking safari. The nature of the Volcanoes National Park terrain is rugged with the forested highlands that form its topography and the presence of mountains including Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo. This is one of the reasons why gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is quite steep.

• How Much Is The Cost of The Gorilla Trekking Permit For Rwanda

Currently the gorilla permit for Rwanda costs $1500 for International Nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 Other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

The Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost includes park entrance, ranger guide fees, security, conservation fee, one hour with the mountain gorillas and others. The gorilla permit cost excludes tips, transport, personal expenses to mention but a few.

• How To get to Volcanoes National Park

From Kigali the distance to Volcanoes National Park is about 109.4 kilometers for about 3 hours drive time. Road transport is the main means used to get to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali driving on the winding roads that are still in good condition but as you get off the main road, the drive gets bumpy.

Flights from Akagera Aviation are available but advance booking is required and a transfer a vehicle to Volcanoes National Park.

Chimpanzee Trekking on Rwanda safari

Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe National Park in the North Eastern part of the country occupying an area of approximately 1019 square kilometers of forest cover. The headquarters of Nyungwe forest are at Uwinka where most park activities take place. After briefing, Tourists in company of a ranger guide follow the various trails in the park constructed by regular visitors including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others.

So far two chimpanzee communities are open to the public in Rwanda with one in Nyungwe National Park and another in Cyamudondo. Other chimpanzees live in Gisovu and Mayebe all making part of the wider Nyungwe forest.

To do chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda it necessitates booking a permit for the morning or afternoon sessions.

• How much is the cost of Chimpanzee permit for Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda

The current cost for chimpanzee permits for Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is $150 for international nonresidents, $ 75 for International residents and $25 for East Africans.

The cost of chimpanzee trekking permit for Rwanda includes one hour with the chimpanzees, ranger guide fees, security, conservation fee and others. The Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit cost excludes park entrance fees, tips, transport and others personally expenses.

• Accommodations to book at Nyungwe National Park include Gisovu Guesthouse, Uwinka campsite, and Guesthouse, Gusaku Campsite
• What is the distance from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park

From Kigali, the distance to Nyungwe National Park is about 217.3 or 219 kilometers drive time is about 5 hours. The variation in the distance to take from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is dependent on which route you take to get there.

Flights are available from Akagera Aviation to Nyungwe National Park but booking a transfer vehicle is very important.

Canopy Walk In Nyungwe National Park

The canopy walk on the 160 meters long and 70 meters high suspension bridge is an exceptional experience. Nyungwe forest is one of the untamed tropical rain forests in Africa positioned in a rich volcanic are with sunlight starved valleys. When at the suspension bridge, tourists enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding and every green dense canopy.

You may choose to mark some personal life changing moments during the canopy walk in Rwanda which is a unique and unforgettable experience. Note that the canopy walk over Nyungwe forest is not for the faint heated and it is open to all tourists who love daring safari activities.

Golden Monkey Trekking In Volcanoes National Park

The golden monkey trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a moment to have time with some of the endangered monkey in the world. The golden monkeys are unique specie with a larger body structure compared to other monkeys. There bodies are covered with golden brown hairs on the lower bottom.

To do golden monkey trekking in Rwanda one must book a permit first. The number of golden monkey permits open to the public is restricted a conservation measure to prevent the effects of mass tourism. Even though the golden monkey troops are habituated to human presence, they still possess there natural characters so any time they keep you on your toes. This is quite charming to do during the golden monkey safari.

• How much is the cost of Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit 

The current cost of the Rwanda golden monkeys trekking permits is $100 for foreign nonresidents, $65 foreign residents, $ 65 East Africans and 4000 RWF

The cost of the Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit includes ranger guide fee, conservation fee, one hour with the golden monkeys, security and others. The cost of Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit excludes park entrance fees, accommodation and other personal expenses.

Game Drives in Akagera National Park Rwanda

The only game park of Rwanda is Akagera National Park where a number of wild animals can be spotted including rhinos, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, herds of elephants, buffaloes, Zebras, elands and others.

When driving on the tracks of Akagera National Park, you may get the chance to identify a some carnivores including lions, leopards, hyenas and others but they are rarely seen.

After the long game drive under the scotching sun, you can relax on a boat ride on lake Ihema. Enjoy the view of the surrounding highlands that form part of the park. A number of birds have been spotted as residents of Akagera National Park too.

Do not forget to include park entrance fees when planning a Rwanda safari to Akagera National Park.

• What Is The Cost Of Park Entrance Fees To Akagera National Park

The current cost of Park entrance fees to Akagera National Park include $100 international tourists, $50 others Africans, $ 25 East Africans and Rwandese $16

Cultural experience On Rwanda Safari

Immerse yourself in the culture of the people of Rwanda including visiting the cultural sites like the Ethnological Museum in Huye where some of the items used by the people of Rwanda in the past are preserved. Get a chance to visit the crafts centers in Rwanda especially Nyakarimbi where locals made crafts are displayed. Even the Imigongo which is the famous cow dung paint can be purchased in this crafts center.

Rwandese have mastered the art of crafts making were they do classic basketry, pottery, ceramics, wood carvings and much more.

For a chance to enjoy the Intore dance performance which is accompanied by an orchestra of local drums is irresistible. You may get chance to watch the Intore dancers at the National Museum.

Paying a visit to the Rwanda ancient History Museum in Rukari is epic as this is where the royal palace of the Rwanda king was situated. on the compound are Royal traditional cows called Inyambo. Here there is the residence of king Mutara III Rudahigwa built on 1932.

Kigali City Tour On A Rwanda Visit

Kigali is the heart beat of Rwanda as this is the capital city were most businesses in the country happen.  Drive to the shopping centers, visit coffee shops to enjoy the taste of Rwanda,  head to bridal  shops to try on traditional Rwandese attires, visit a genocide memorial and much more.

Birding Safari in Rwanda

Rwanda boats a long list of birds as over 700 bird species are recorded as residents of different parts of Rwanda. Some of the notable Rwanda birding destinations include Nyungwe National Park with over 365 bird species, Volcanoes National Park with more than 300 bird species, Akagera National Park and so many others.

Within the birding destinations in Rwanda are a number of Albertine endemics and forest birds. Some of the birds to see in Rwanda safaris include shelley’s Crimsonwing, Dusky’s Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin and others.

Having a professional birding guide to accompany you during the Rwanda safari is very helpful and you get to identify a number of birds in different parts of the country.

Mountaineering Experience on Rwanda safari

Rwanda the land of a thousand hills has several mountains where you can taste your fitness level and enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding. Some of the notable mountain you can climb in Rwanda include the five Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga , Muhavura, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and karisimbi. From the mountain top you get to see the green cover of the countryside of Rwanda, farmers gardens and much more.

Community Tour in Rwanda

The people of Rwanda have so much to give when you interact with them. You may get the chance to visit some of the survivors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide to tell their story. Arranging a home stay with one of the local families may be a great idea but advance planning is needs so that it can be identified.

As a tourists on Rwanda safari during the home stay, you may participate in food preparation, take the animals to the grazing spot, learn how to make some crafts, prepare and cook a local meal and much more. Visiting the local schools and medical centers while on Rwanda safari gives you insight into how the people in this country survive.

Scenic Viewing During a safari in Rwanda

Rwanda has spots where you can reflect and meditate about life away from the usual places. Majority of these places are conditions by the fresh air off the green surrounding. Rwanda government is mindful of environmental protection and conservation that is why you can find such beautiful places away from the crowded holiday destination in the world.

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