Rwanda Safari Holidays: Mountain Gorillas, Rainforest and the Land of a Thousand Hills

A Rwanda safari offers one of the most accessible mountain gorilla experiences in Africa, in the bamboo and forest slopes of Volcanoes National Park, only a few hours’ drive from the capital, Kigali. Add chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Big Five game drives in Akagera and quiet days on Lake Kivu, and this small, green country delivers a remarkably complete journey.

Sense of Adventure is a licensed Nairobi-based safari operator and East Africa specialist. We plan private, tailor-made Rwanda safari itineraries for travellers from the USA, the UK, Europe, India and Australia, on their own or combined with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This guide covers the parks, the best months, wildlife, sample routes, where to stay, permits, entry rules and how to plan with us.

Why Choose a Rwanda Safari?

Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, and the name fits: terraced farms, tea plantations, volcanoes and forest roll away in every direction. Distances are short, roads are good, and the country is known for being clean and well organised.

• Gorillas close to the capital. Volcanoes National Park can be reached from Kigali in a few hours, so even a short trip can include a gorilla trek.
• Three very different parks. Volcanic forest in the north-west, ancient rainforest in the south-west and savannah in the east.
• Big Five in Akagera. Lions and rhinos have been reintroduced, so Akagera now offers classic savannah game drives alongside the primates.
• A strong conservation story. Rwanda shares tourism revenue with communities around its parks, and visitors can see how conservation and local life connect.
• Easy to combine. Short flights link Kigali with Nairobi, and Bwindi in Uganda is within driving distance.

Popular Rwanda Safari Packages

These Rwanda safari routes are the ones our guests ask about most. Every trip runs privately and can be adjusted to your dates and pace.

Top Parks and Places for a Rwanda Safari

International flights arrive at Kigali International Airport. From the capital, the main parks lie to the north-west, south-west and east, which makes it easy to build a loop around the country.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda’s share of the Virunga volcanoes, a chain of extinct and dormant peaks on the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its bamboo and montane forests are home to habituated mountain gorilla families and endangered golden monkeys. Most visitors stay around Musanze or in lodges near the park edge, ready for an early start at the park headquarters in Kinigi.

Beyond the gorillas, you can hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke, walk to Dian Fossey’s grave and the site of her Karisoke research centre, or explore the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe in the south-west is one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa. It is the place to track chimpanzees in Rwanda, and it shelters many other primates, including large troops of Angola colobus. A canopy walkway suspended high above a forested valley gives a bird’s-eye view of the forest, and the birdlife is outstanding. Nyungwe is a scenic drive of most of a day from Kigali, so we usually plan at least two nights.

Akagera National Park

Akagera in the east is Rwanda’s savannah park, a landscape of lakes, papyrus swamps, grassland and woodland along the Tanzanian border. With lions and rhinos reintroduced, it offers Big Five game drives, and a boat trip on Lake Ihema brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. It is about two and a half hours from Kigali by road, so it fits neatly at the start or end of a trip.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu runs along Rwanda’s western border, framed by steep green hills. The lakeside towns of Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi are perfect for rest days after trekking, with boat trips to small islands, swimming, kayaking and sections of the Congo Nile Trail for hiking or cycling.

Kigali

Kigali is a clean, green and welcoming capital spread over several hills. Most guests begin with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving place to understand Rwanda’s history and recovery. Craft markets, art galleries, coffee shops and good restaurants make it easy to spend a relaxed day before or after your safari.

Best Time for a Rwanda Safari, Month by Month

Rwanda can be visited all year. The long dry season from June to September and the short dry season from December to February are the most popular for gorilla trekking, while the rainy months are greener, quieter and still rewarding.

Month	What to expect
January	Short dry season. Good trekking conditions and pleasant weather in Kigali and on Lake Kivu.
February	Usually dry. A popular month for gorillas; book permits early.
March	Long rains begin. Lush forests and fewer visitors.
April	Often the wettest month. Trekking continues; muddier trails and quiet lodges.
May	Rains begin to ease towards the end of the month. Green landscapes and good availability.
June	Long dry season begins. Excellent for gorillas, chimps and Akagera game drives.
July	Peak season with dry trails. Permits and top lodges book up early.
August	Peak season continues. Ideal for combining Rwanda with Kenya’s migration season.
September	Mostly dry. A great balance of conditions and availability.
October	Short rains begin. Quieter parks and fresh scenery.
November	Rains continue. Good for travellers who prefer fewer people on the trails.
December	Drier weather returns. Festive season is busy, so plan ahead.

Our best time for safari in Africa calendar compares Rwanda with its neighbours.

Wildlife and Experiences

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Your gorilla day begins with an early briefing at Kinigi, where rangers assign visitors to a gorilla family. Groups of up to eight people walk through farmland and into the forest with guides and trackers, and the trek can take from under an hour to several hours. You then spend one magical hour with the family, watching them feed, play and rest. The minimum age is 15, and porters can be hired to carry your bag.

Golden monkeys, hikes and history

Golden monkey treks are shorter and gentler than gorilla treks, and the monkeys are lively and photogenic. Keen walkers can climb Mount Bisoke to its crater lake, while others follow the trail to Dian Fossey’s grave, where she worked to protect the gorillas.

Chimpanzees and the canopy walk

In Nyungwe, chimp tracking starts very early, as the chimps move fast through the forest. The canopy walkway, nature trails and waterfalls make Nyungwe rewarding even beyond the chimps.

Savannah game drives and boat trips

Akagera’s game drives can reveal lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and many antelope, and its lakes are full of hippos and birds.

Sample Rwanda Safari Itinerary Ideas

Every trip we plan is tailor-made, but these outlines show how a Rwanda safari usually fits together.

3 to 4 days: gorilla express

Kigali, then Volcanoes National Park for one gorilla trek, with golden monkeys or the Dian Fossey hike on the extra day. Ideal as an add-on to a Kenya safari.

5 to 6 days: gorillas and Lake Kivu or Nyungwe

Add two lakeside nights at Rubavu after your trek, or head south to Nyungwe for chimps and the canopy walkway.

7 days: Rwanda’s highlights

Akagera for game drives, Volcanoes for gorillas, Lake Kivu to rest and Nyungwe for chimps, linked by scenic drives.

10 days: the complete country

The full loop at an easy pace, with two gorilla days, the Bisoke hike, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe and Akagera.

Rwanda with Uganda or Kenya

Trek gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda, or combine a Rwanda trek with the Masai Mara. See our safari combinations and our guide to gorilla trekking from Kenya.

Where to Stay on a Rwanda Safari

Rwanda has a wide choice of places to stay, from simple guesthouses to some of Africa’s most refined forest lodges. For your gorilla day, a lodge close to Kinigi means a calmer early start.

• Volcano-view lodges: stone cottages and suites near the park edge, with fireplaces for cool evenings and views of the peaks.
• Forest lodges: lodges on the edge of Nyungwe, surrounded by tea plantations and rainforest.
• Savannah camps: tented camps and lodges in Akagera, some overlooking lakes.
• Lakeside hotels: relaxed hotels and boutique stays on the shores of Lake Kivu.
• City hotels: comfortable hotels in Kigali for your first and last nights.

We usually quote a Midrange 3-star option and a Standard Luxury 4-star option side by side. See our Rwanda safari lodges and camps.

Rwanda Safari Costs, Gorilla Permits and Park Fees

The cost of a Rwanda safari depends on your trip length, accommodation level, the number of permits and whether you add other countries. We send an itemised quote so every part is clear.

• Gorilla trekking permit: USD 1,500 per person, set by the Rwanda Development Board.
• Rules: minimum age 15, up to eight visitors per gorilla family, one hour with the gorillas.
• Other activities: golden monkey treks, chimp tracking, the canopy walk, Akagera entry and hikes have their own fees, confirmed at booking.
• Book early: gorilla permits are limited each day and sell out first for June to September and the festive season.

Official permit information is published on Visit Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board’s tourism site. Our guide to how much an African safari costs explains how style and season affect the total.

Entry Requirements for Rwanda

• Visa: Rwanda offers a visa on arrival to all nationalities, and citizens of some countries are exempt from the fee. We confirm what applies to your passport when you book.
• East Africa Tourist Visa: USD 100, covering Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda with multiple entries between them.
• Passport: valid for at least six months, with blank pages.
• Health: check yellow fever rules for your full route; read our yellow fever certificate guide.
• Plastic bags: Rwanda bans plastic bags, so pack toiletries in reusable pouches.

We brief every guest on the current entry rules for their nationality and route when they book.

Combining Rwanda With Kenya and Uganda

Rwanda pairs beautifully with Kenya’s savannah. As a Nairobi-based team, we plan these combinations end to end, with one itinerary and one point of contact.

• Kenya and Rwanda: big cats and the migration in the Masai Mara, then a short flight from Nairobi to Kigali for the gorillas.
• Rwanda and Uganda: gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and in Bwindi, which is within driving distance of Kigali.
• One visa for three countries: the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

Kenya has its own mandatory visitor insurance and entry system, which we explain when you book. Read our Uganda destination guide and our Kenya destination guide.

Why Plan Your Rwanda Safari With Sense of Adventure

• East Africa specialists in Nairobi. We are a licensed Kenyan tour operator (Tourism Regulatory Authority, licence TRA1/47/C01/77087), established in 2022, and we plan Rwanda as part of our wider East Africa work.
• Permits handled for you. We check gorilla permit availability for your dates and build the rest of your trip around it.
• Private travel by default. In Kenya we use private 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, reclining seats and charging ports, and we plan your Rwanda days to the same private standard. The vehicle and guide for each country are confirmed in writing in your quote.
• Honest, itemised quotes. Permits, activities, accommodation and transport are listed clearly, with two comfort levels to compare.
• One team for multi-country trips. Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania planned together.

Rwanda Safari FAQs