RWANDA SAFARI
Rwanda Safaris : Noted as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” it is a country in east Africa known for its distinctive tourist attractions that delight visitors. Kigali, the capital, offers clean downtown streets, five-star hotels, and well-developed road networks, while the countryside features magnificent rolling hills and lush plantations. Butare, Rwanda’s second largest city, is known as the “intellectual capital” since it is home to large institutions such as the National University of Rwanda and the national museum. Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda- Rwanda’s tourism is substantially developed, with several high-end hotels, decent lodges, and many unique attractions and activities within the game parks.
There isn’t as much wildlife as in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, but the potential of seeing mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park attracts most safari visitors. It must be mentioned that the savannah wildlife of Akagera National Park is still not up to the high standards of Kenya’s or Tanzania’s major game parks, but it is rapidly improving and is well worth a visit on any Rwandan safari. For those seeking a shorter, sharper safari experience, Rwanda safaris can also focus just on those gentle giants that we have come to love and appreciate: the majestic mountain gorillas. A small population in the middle of the Virunga Volcanoes is a highlight of any wildlife enthusiast’s career, and it’s the ideal mix for those who also want to explore Kenya’s and Tanzania’s larger, more wildlife-centric safari parks.
A Rwandan safari can now totally cater to your demands without requiring you to travel outside of this landlocked country. Gorillas, chimps, and savannah wildlife may all be seen in a week to 12 days, reducing the need to travel further away and keeping expenditures low. Rwanda is not only just a great spot to follow these amazing, human-like primates in their native habitat, but it also has chimps. Chimpanzees, often overshadowed by gorillas, are one of our closest cousins in the animal kingdom, and tracking them during your Rwanda vacation or safari is an amazing experience.
WHY VISIT RWANDA?
Rwanda, often known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” offers one-of-a-kind experiences in one of the world’s most amazing countries. Volcanoes National Park is the main attraction, where tourists can see gorillas, golden monkeys, and other primates. During your safari to Rwanda, Bring no plastic bags; they are illegal in the country and will be confiscated at customs. Birdwatching, classic game drives, nature hikes, cultural experiences, climbing, and lakeside relaxation are just a few of the other reasons to visit Rwanda and enjoy a safari.
Hiking and trekking through deep rainforests to the tops of volcanic peaks and even high above the tree canopy are also available throughout the country. In Rwanda, you are constantly surrounded by incredible animals, both large and small. The chatter of primates and the calls of birds fill the treetops. Butterflies flit through the wind currents looking for the ideal wildflower.
KEY/MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ON YOUR RWANDA TOUR
Volcanoes National Park
“Great, old volcanoes soaring almost 15,000 feet and nearly covered with beautiful, green rainforest the Virungas,” observed noted primatologist Dian Fossey, “are in the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat.” Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda’s far northwest, protects the steep slopes of this majestic mountain range, which is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and a diverse mosaic of montane ecosystems, including evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, marsh, and moorland.
About 400 mountain gorillas and ten habituated gorilla families live in the park. The park is known for its dense woodland and mountainous terrain, which can make gorilla tracking difficult, but Rwanda excursions are exciting. The country has become a leader in global mountain gorilla conservation and research activities since Dian Fossey set up camp in the Volcanoes national park.
Visitors can arrange to see Dian Fossey’s former research station and tomb. While mountain gorilla tracking is the primary activity at the Volcanoes national park, tourists can also see forest elephants, forest hogs, golden monkeys, buffalo, birds, and a variety of butterfly species while on a Rwanda wildlife tour.
Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, rich in species and breathtakingly gorgeous. The hilly terrain is teeming with wildlife, including a small population of chimps and 12 other primate species, including the Albertine Rift’s rare L’Hoest’s monkey. On a Rwanda wildlife tour, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most appealing sites. Nyungwe Forest is a large tropical forest with over 1000 plant species that exemplifies Rwanda’s diverse biodiversity. The woodland is the best area to track chimpanzees after tracking mountain gorillas on a Rwanda tour.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is one of Rwanda’s largest national parks, offering some of the best wildlife safari experiences in the country. The park, which is located in the country’s eastern region, comprises about 1000 square kilometers of savanna comparable to those found in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The park is located near Kigali and is home to a diverse range of African mammals that congregate at the park’s multiple water sources, including the Akagera River and Lake Shakani. A game drive through Akagera National Park is the most popular activity for seeing hyenas, jackals, antelopes, giraffe, baboons, zebras, buffalos, leopards, and elephants, among other animals. On your wildlife safari in Akagera, bird watchers can expect to see around 500 species, including shoebill storks.
Gishwati Forest
The park is Rwanda’s fourth national park and the country’s most popular tourist destination. Gishwati Mukura is made up of two different woods, the larger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura, spanning 34 square kilometers plus a buffer zone. The woods are located along the Albertine Rift in the west of the country, on a ridge that separates the Congo and Nile water catchment zones. It is made up of 60 different tree species, including native hardwoods and bamboo. A group of 20 chimps lives in Gishwati with golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and blue monkeys.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, which straddles the boundary between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one of Rwanda’s natural wonders, covering approximately 2,600 square kilometers. The lake is Africa’s highest, flowing at roughly 1450 meters above the earth. It is one of only three lakes in the world that occasionally releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as “exploding lakes.” There has been no recent volcanic activity to worry about, so visitors can expect to see beautiful beaches, lush vegetation, islands, fishing communities, and ports like Rubavu. Hiking, bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, and boat rides are all options when touring Lake Kivu on a safari.
Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi, one of Africa’s highest peaks, is part of the Virunga mountain range. One of the best things to do in Rwanda is hike Mount Karisimbi. Visitors who can make the 6-hour climb to the peak will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the volcanoes in the national park as well as an opportunity to see a variety of birds. Hiking Mount Karisimbi can be combined with mountain gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Combining a Mount Karisimbi hike with gorilla trekking during a Rwanda safari is a physically demanding endeavor that requires a high level of fitness if completed in a few days.
MAJOR TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN RWANDA
Though Rwanda is a small, landlocked country, but still there are many things to do. Rwanda is a country in East Africa that spans 26,338 square kilometers. Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania share borders with Rwanda. Rwanda is recognized for its gorgeous hills, volcanoes, mountain gorillas, and attractive people, but it is also known for having experienced one of the deadliest genocides in recent history. Some of the attractions are one-of-a-kind. Rwanda features some of the best and most unique tourist activities and things to do during your visit, making your safari even more distinctive and fantastic. Some of the activities/things to do in Rwanda include:
- Visiting the capital city and major city of Rwanda, Kigali,
- Mountain gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking
- Game driving at the Akagera National Park
- Biking along the Congo Nile Trail
- Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
- Bird watching in Nyungwe forest and Lake Kivu
- Cultural and community visits to places like the Iby’iwacu cultural village for traditional dances
- Visiting the genocide memorial centers like Gisozi, Murambi, Nyamata, Bisesero, and Ntarama
- Hiking Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke
- Kigali Convention Center is a must-see.
- Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey
- Sport fishing in Rwanda
- Gishwati-Mukura National Park offers nature walks, bird watching, and primate tracking.
- Visit coffee and tea plantations.
- Visit the National Museum of Rwanda.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT RWANDA
From mid-May to mid-October, the best time to visit Rwanda is during the long dry season, when you have the best chance of seeing the country’s unquestionable highlight-the mountain gorilla, and the weather is ideal for tracking gorillas. The wet seasons, which run from March to May and November, are ideal for locating chimps. It’s also quieter at that time.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN RWANDA
Rwanda, which is well-developed for tourism activities, has some of the top tourist hotels to allow visitors to enjoy and experience the country’s beauty. You will have numerous alternatives for accommodation throughout your Rwanda tour, including budget, mid-range, and luxury hotels to accommodate all safari group categories, including lone travelers, families, friends, Honeymooners. You can opt to stay both inside and outside the park, and those interested in camping will find some of the best private and public campsites in Rwanda’s national parks.
