Thrill of a Lifetime: Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda.

Among the most thrilling travel experiences in East Africa and the Great Lakes region are the Rwanda Safaris. Rwanda is a stunning landlocked nation located in East Africa. It is referred to as “the land of a thousand hills” because of the beautiful and varied hilly terrain, including valleys. Due to her breathtaking beauty and the exceptional hospitality shown to visitors by the locals, she has earned the moniker “the heart of Africa” over the years.

Beautiful landscapes, particularly those of lakes, mountains, and rainforests, are Rwanda’s speciality. It is the location of Kigali, Africa’s city with the fastest rate of growth, a famous hub for culture, nature, and friendly hospitality. Because to her and her counterparts’ conservation efforts, Rwanda stands out on the African continent, drawing millions of tourists to see the sensational beauty.

Rwanda National Parks.

Known for its conservationist efforts, Rwanda has established national parks in recent years to help preserve the biodiversity found in its natural areas. Among these are;

Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda’s northwest is home to the Volcanoes National Park. It stands out for having steep slopes covered in a thick layer of bamboo vegetation. Five out of the eight Virunga Mountain ranges—Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo, and Mikeno—are located within the National Park.

Thick tropical rainforests envelop these, particularly along their bases, providing a suitable home for a variety of primate species. It is the only national park in Rwanda where visitors may get up close and personal with gorillas. There are ten completely habituated gorillas in Volcanoes National Park that are accessible by tourists.

Thick tropical rainforests envelop these, particularly along their bases, providing a suitable home for a variety of primate species. It is the only national park in Rwanda where visitors may get up close and personal with gorillas. There are ten completely habituated gorillas in Volcanoes National Park that are accessible by tourists. Situated approximately 160 square kilometres from Kigali City, it takes two hours and fifteen minutes to drive to the park.

Akagera National Park. The eastern provinces of Rwanda are host the Akagera National Park. It is composed of low mountains, wetlands, swampy vegetation, savannah grasslands, and scattered woods that stretches all the way to Tanzania’s border with Rwanda. The Big 5 animals—lions, leopards, African Bush elephants, African buffaloes, and rhinoceroses—are the most iconic species living in Akagera.

There are other wildlife species that call Akagera home for instance; zebras, Springboks, common eland, common warthogs, and genets. It is Rwanda’s sole location where visitors can view the Big Five. Above all, a combination of a safari expedition to Akagera National Park and other experiences will offer you a view of breathtaking flora and fauna, transforming your perception of the natural world.

Akagera National Park is the largest in Rwanda, spanning over an approximate size of 1122 square kilometres. It was first created as a game reserve in 1934 in a bid to safeguard wildlife from human harassment.

Nyungwe National Park. This national park is one more remarkable symbol of Rwandan conservation that is well worth visiting. Nyungwe sits in Rwanda’s western and southern regions. It is recognized for its abundant animals and breathtaking scenery. The Rwandan government designated it as a forest reserve in 1933, but it was raised to national park status in 2005.

Covering an approximate area of 1019 square kilometres, this National Park is made up of bamboo, grasslands, bogs, and deep rain forests. Numerous primates live in Nyungwe, most notably the red-tailed, black-and-white colobus, golden, and chimpanzee monkeys. It’s crucial to bear in mind that Nyungwe is home to roughly 13 different species of primates, both day and night. It is home to 25% of all primates in Africa.

Gishwati – Mukura National Park. The Gishwati-Mukura wilderness sits near the magnificent Lake Kivu in northwest Rwanda. The spectacular primate species that frequent its Gishwati forest, particularly the chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys, set it apart from the other national parks. The bigger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura rainforests constitute this national park; thus, the name Gishwati Mukura National Park. Its surface area is about 34 square kilometres, mostly covered in hardwood trees and bamboo.

Tourist activities to do in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking. The gorilla trekking activity involves looking for wild gorillas by navigating dense tropical rainforests. Only the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to this thrilling pastime. The Rangers offer a briefing at the beginning of gorilla trekking to provide travellers with the relevant information on the dos and don’ts while on the trek.

Following the briefing, tourists trek with the thrilling mountain gorillas in the jungle under the direction of professionals. Visitors spend up to sixty minutes closely observing the gentle giants as they interact with their families, tend to their young, and learn other behavioural facts.

Chimpanzee trekking. The dense tropical rainforests of Rwanda’s national parks are the setting for chimpanzee trekking. Rwanda’s Volcanoes, Nyungwe, and Gishwati Mukura national parks are the most well-liked locations for chimpanzee trekking. In addition, they also offer opportunities to view multiple other individuals in the primates family.

Boat cruises. Boat rides in Rwanda give visitors the impression that they are floating on gorgeous bodies of water. They take place in comfortable settings that enhance visitors’ enjoyment. Additionally, tour guides accompany boat cruises to impart knowledge to guests. They help explorers reach the farthest reaches of national parks and increase the number of animal and bird observations. They happen on lakes, particularly Ihema and Kivu.

Game drives. Travelers can have outstanding game viewing experiences by participating in game drives. Tour guides with excellent safari abilities and extensive knowledge of the majority of the nation’s flora and animals lead guests in comfortable safari vehicles. Furthermore, they actively share information on the composition, history, and interactions with diverse species. Typically, game drives take place at Akagera National Park.

Golden monkey trekking. Volcanoes National Park is home to a wide variety of primates, including golden monkeys. These live in the Virunga conservation area’s thick jungles and along the mountain bases. Guests watch them for an hour while they go about their wild, untamed lives when they come across them.

Dian Fossey grave hike. Travellers searching for amazing experiences should check out the Dian Fossey cemetery, an attraction in Volcanoes National Park. The walk to the tomb of the renowned conservationist passes via the incredible views above Mount Karisimbi. In addition, through their actions, visitors are able to learn from Dian Fossey and continue her legacy of conservation and animal-friendly coexistence.

Canopy walks. Walking beneath magnificent tree canopies and taking in views of the nearby volcanoes is an amazing experience offered by canopy walks. Furthermore, it is possible for visitors to see stunning bird species and see primates playing in the trees. There are canopy walks in the national parks of Volcanoes, Gishwati Mukura, and Nyungwe.

Hiking Volcanoes. Another fun thing to consider while visiting Volcanoes National Park is hiking. For instance, there are five extinct volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park which provide fantastic hiking options. Challenge yourself to climb volcanoes while enjoying in the gorgeous scenery of adjacent mountain ranges, abundant vegetation, and diverse wildlife.

Other exciting Tourist destinations to spice up Rwanda Safaris.

Ethnographic museum. Formerly known as the National Museum of Rwanda, the Ethnographic Museum is a tourist site that shouldn’t miss on your bucket list while in Rwanda. In reality, this is the state’s National Museum, and therein are many antiques that offer an overview of Rwanda’s long history. The Butare Ethnographic Museum is a short commute from Kigali City. Local translation is “Inzu Ndangamurage.” Objects from the fields of anthropology, art, history, and archaeology are on display in this museum, and each one tells a unique tale about the nation.

Nyamata and Ntarama memorial sites. These two breathtaking locations serve as archives for artefacts that narrate the tale of the violent genocide that struck Rwanda in 1994 and left thousands of people dead. On April 14, 1995, Ntarama, once a church, was turned into a genocide memorial site. This was a move in honour of the 5,000 people who perished at the hands of ruthless killers. Today, the locations honour the deaths of the lost, defenceless Rwandans and draw tourists.

Buhanga Eco park. Based in Nyakinama, this breathtaking nature park is well-known for providing visitors with exceptional opportunities for bird viewing. There are several medicinal plants in this forest. The fact that they have been utilised for so long makes them somewhat of a treasure trove. Buhanga Eco Park is notable for its biological and cultural significance as well as the long-standing bond it has with Rwandan people.

Twin lakes. Rwanda’s twin lakes are a secret adventure treasure! They display stunning vistas of valley water features surrounded by dense foliage. They are; Ruhondo and Lake Burera. Twin Lakes got their name from the proximity of the lakes to one another. The two crater lakes provide an ideal location for sightseeing and photography. They are located close to Musanze town in Rwanda’s northwest.

Kigali city. Kigali, a renowned African city, is acknowledged for its exceptional efforts in growth and conservation. It is the cleanest city in Africa and one of those expanding the fastest. The city, perched on Mount Kigali, rises to a height of 1567 metres above sea level. Kigali is the starting point of most expeditions because of its advantageous location in the heart of Rwanda. There are many tourist attractions in Kigali City, for instance; the BK Arena, the Kigali Genocide Museum, the Convention Centre, lively dining options, and a thriving nightlife.

Iby’iwacu cultural village. The “gorilla guardians’ village” is another name for Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. It lies in Kinigi, Musanze district, north of Rwanda, on the outer edge of Volcanoes National Park. It has individuals committed to preserving Rwanda’s cultural heritage. They also ensure that uncivilised people don’t meddle with the mountain gorillas’ habitat. In addition, their lifestyle, dress code, cuisine, and dance forms all serve to highlight Rwandan culture. To entertain the guests and preserve their tradition, the residents of the cultural village engage in a variety of Kinyarwanda dances.

The most appropriate time to visit.

The ideal seasons to travel to Rwanda are during the dry seasons. Generally speaking, these are divided into two categories: the extended dry seasons, which span from early June to September, and the shortened dry seasons, which span from December to late February. However, it is important for visitors to remember that Rwanda is accessible year-round and is explored in any season.

In short, Rwanda is a stunning country with a lot to offer tourists who find time to visit.  SEND INQUIRY to plan your Rwandan adventure with our Tour Consultant. You can as well contact us directly at  +256 393 247 137 / +256 742 678 918 or email us at  info@ibuthsafaris.com to book your Safari.