What To Do on Rwanda safari Visit

To Visit Rwanda on safari, you need to make a choice of where to go as this country has a number of destination options depending on your interests. Rwanda is a fast growing Africa safari destination and unlike most African countries, following the law is a must in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park tops the list of favorite Rwanda safari destinations. Volcanoes National Park is located in Gisenyi in northwestern Rwanda. This tropical rain forest park hosts currently approximately 12 gorillas trekking families some of which include Hirwa, Umubano, Amahoro, Susa among others. Request A Quotation

To do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, one must book the gorilla permits however due to the limited number that Rwanda Development Board opens to the public per day they sell out fast. For each gorilla family maximum 8 gorilla permits are opened to the public.

While on a Visit to Rwanda, other safari activities you can engage in include game drives in Akagera National park, chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National park, Rwanda cultural visits, visit the Rwanda genocide memorial and others.

All these Rwanda safari activities cannot be explored in a day or two but require a well planned Rwanda Tour itinerary that covers your time on holiday. Rwanda is a land of a thousand hills and although is a small country, there is plenty memorable destinations.

What To Do on Rwanda safari Visit?

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking is the top Rwanda safari activity but this is done in Volcanoes National Park. Mountain Gorillas are just living in three countries in the world that is Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo.

For one to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you need to book a gorilla permits from the Rwanda Development Board. When booking the Rwanda gorilla permit, you may do it yourself or employ the assistance of a tour operator. At Arch Safaris And Tours, we do assist book gorilla permits and other related logistics to use on this safari.

It is best to reserve accommodation within or closer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to avoid having to wake up in the night to drive to the ranger station in order to catch up with briefing.

The gorilla trekking experience of Rwanda is quite steep because of the several highlands in this park like Mountain Karisimbi, Muhabura, Karisoke, Sabyinyo and Mgahinga. These influence greatly the topography of Volcanoes National Park so you need to bear some level of fitness.

The least number of days on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is 2 days.

Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda is only in Nyungwe National Park. Chimpanzees are the closest human relatives in animal kingdom with about 98% human genes. They live in communities of about 100 members under the democratically elected Alpha male. Each day, chimpanzees split into smaller groups to feed.

Nyungwe National park has Uwinka as its headquarters but with a number of trails you take in search for the chimpanzees including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others. Well as the forest receives rain regularly with less sunlight let in through the dense canopy, it is moist all year. During the chimpanzee trek, the ground is usually soggy and slippery from the ever wet conditions in the forest.

Other than the chimpanzees, while on search for the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, you may encounter other primates like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. A plethora of birds live in Nyungwe forest inclusive of Albertine rift endemics.

You can do chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda on the morning or afternoon session but you must book a permit from the Rwanda Development Board.

 Game Drive safari in Rwanda

 Rwanda is home to Akagera National park which is slowly recovering from the debris of the Rwanda genocide of 1994. While on game Drive in Akagera National park, you may spot animals like herds of elephants, herds of Buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, lion, leopards and others

It is best to take a morning or late afternoon game drive as the animals emerge from or to there hideouts. Having a 4×4 vehicle in good condition is recommended on Rwanda safari because the tracks get messy at times.

Akagera National park has the stunning Lake Ihema where you can enjoy the boat ride and get a better view of the scenery of this park. You must pay park entrance fees before entering Akagera National Park as this is one of the ways to support the work of wildlife conservation.

Canopy walk in Nyungwe National park Rwanda

The canopy walk is a unique suspension bridge experience in Nyungwe National Park. This suspension bridge is about 90 meters long and over 70 meters above the forest. Although it is not experience for the faint hearted, it is worth attempting as it is one of a kind in the entire East Africa.

 From the canopy walk, you enjoy the great scenery of this dense forest from the top, see several birds, monkeys, enjoy the cool breeze and much more. You may mark so of the special days of your life like engagement while up on this suspension bridge over Nyungwe forest in Rwanda. It is an activity you ca do to make memories on your African safari.

Golden Monkey Safari In Rwanda

The golden monkeys are some of the rare monkey species in the world and living in few destinations including Nyungwe National park in Rwanda. Compared to other monkey species, golden monkeys have a larger body structure.

The golden monkeys have golden brown hairs on there lower body and charming to watch. They keep you on your toes while in the forest and donot stay in one position. Golden monkeys live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male.

To be part of the golden monkey trekkers, one need a permit from Rwanda Development Board. During the peak season that is normally June to September and December to early February demand for golden monkey permits is high yet there limited to reduce on the number of people who move into this forest.

Genocide Memorial Visit in Rwanda

As a way to remember the fallen victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide memorials and to remind the people of the reasons why this should not happen again. Different memorials have been sent up in different parts of Rwanda containing some remains of the victims.

The past will always live in the lives of Rwandese and some of Genocide memorials include Blue Beret memorial site, Gisozi genocide memorial, St Familie Church and others.

Kigali City Tour

Kigali city in Rwanda is one of the few very organised cities in Africa enjoy the stunning view of the city as this is the heartbeat of the country. You may visit the business center opened in 1907 by the Dr Richard Kandt who was a German colonial resident of Rwanda, enjoy the great environment, Kigali Institute of science and technology

Donot forget to taste the Rwanda Coffee with its great aromas.

When Is The Best Time To Plan A Visit To Rwanda?

Rwanda is open for all safari activities although the dry season is more preferred. The dry season which is June, July, August, September, December and early January attracts high demand to do a visit to Rwanda. Rwanda has a limitation to some activities like gorilla trekking with maximum 8 permits allowed  per gorilla trekking family. At the moment, Rwanda has approximately 12 gorilla trekking families.

The demand for Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits is gets to its peak with less chances of finding availability at the last minute. To save yourself from last minute disappointment, most tourists hoping to visit Rwanda for Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking book in advance their permits.

In the wilderness during the dry season, the animals like the gorillas, chimpanzees, wild animals, birds and much more are stunning to watch. The forest is full of life and trails  and tracks constructed by regular visitors to the forest and game park are quicker to navigate.

The dry season being the peak tourism season attracts high demand for safaris and limited accommodations available for last minute bookings.

 Donot give up on the wet season months to plan a Rwanda visits as there is a lot to see in the Rwanda safari destinations in this season. The wet season opens more opportunities for those wishing to have less disruption during the safari in Rwanda. There are more chances to gaining discounts on safari logistics costs during the low season as service providers try to breakeven.

How safe is Rwanda Visit on Safari?

Rwanda is a safe African safari destination as there is generally strict security measures to be followed in the country. Most of the Rwanda safari activities are led by ranger guides from Rwanda Development Board who work closely with other Rwanda security agencies to keep law and order in and around these destinations.

Before each Rwanda safari destination has Rules and regulation that are passed to tourist during briefing like before the gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trek. These rules and regulation have to be abided with.

No tourist is allowed to walk into the forest without an escorting ranger guide as the forest may not be safe for a person without an emergency weapon. While on a game drive, every car driving on the tracks of Akagera National Park must be registered before proceeding for a drive in the game park. This is for the sake of follow up.

Rwanda is security conscience and so you must follow the law and breaking it has consequences. While in Rwanda, keep your precious items safely so as not to attract wrong company.

How much is the cost of a Rwanda safari Visit?

The cost of Rwanda safari visit depends on the activities you are to engage in while on safari. In case gorilla or chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking in Rwanda are part of the choice of activities you have to engage in, you need purchase the permits.

Arch Safaris And Tours, we package our safaris according to Up-Market, Mid-Range and basic each containing a different cost price.

Some of the determinants of the Rwanda safari cost price include Rwanda safari activities, number of days on safari, number of people travelling with, timing of the safari and much more.

Our safari consultants are always available to work with you to tailor a suitable Rwanda safari itinerary within your holiday time and budget.

What To Pack For A Rwanda Safari Visit

Safari boots comfortable enough to protect your feet from the harsh ground and soggy trails created from flooding dense network of rivers.

A sweater or poncho warm enough to keep you warm the early morning and late afternoons

Garden gloves to help you catch a tight grip on creepers as you hike to get to the mountain gorillas.

Safari hat with a large brim to protect you from water that drips off the trees.

Camera for taking memories of your adventure with the mountain gorillas as this is a dream come true experience.

Long sleeved shirt and trousers in colors that are wilderness friendly like Khaki, tan. Carrying camouflage  seems more military in Uganda and Rwanda so do not pack them.

A torch to use for lighting in the night because lights run out in accommodation in the safari areas because solar energy is the main source of power.

First aid kit with emergency medication that ca used for quick treatment where necessary.

Some hard cash to exchange into local currency in case you are to purchase something on ground.

Rainproof gears as it falls in this area any time without warning.

A waterproof backpack to carry with your gorilla safari gears.

Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide.

Travel adopter to use when charging. Ensure you carry a charger so that your gadgets are well protected with the charger known to you.

A pair of binoculars to get a clear picture of interesting features in the wilderness. Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness

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