Rwanda is small, but its parks are remarkably varied. Rwanda national parks include the volcano forests where mountain gorillas live, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and a savanna of lakes, hippo and Big Five wildlife. Each park below has its own page with wildlife, the best time to visit, where to stay and how to get there. Sense of Adventure is a licensed Nairobi-based operator, and we plan every park into a private safari for you.
Rwanda National Parks at a Glance
Rwanda has three national parks, all managed by the Rwanda Development Board. They lie in different corners of the country, and because Rwanda is compact and its roads are good, you can see all three in about a week. Click any card to read the full guide.
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkeys and volcano hikes in the Virunga Mountains.
Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee tracking, a canopy walk and many primate species in ancient rainforest.
Akagera
Game drives, boat trips and the Big Five on the lakes and plains of eastern Rwanda.
Looking beyond Rwanda? See the national parks of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, or the full East Africa national parks guide.
Rwanda National Parks by Region
North-west: Volcanoes National Park
The Virunga Mountains rise above terraced farmland near the town of Musanze, and the park protects some of the last mountain gorillas on Earth. Gorilla trekking is the main activity, with golden monkey tracking, the hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and crater-lake climbs for those who want more. It is about two to two and a half hours from Kigali.
South-west: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe is a vast montane rainforest on the Congo-Nile divide. It offers chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkeys, birdwatching, tea plantations and a high canopy walkway. The drive from Kigali takes five to six hours, so most guests combine it with a stay on Lake Kivu.
East: Akagera National Park
Akagera lies along the Tanzanian border and is Rwanda’s only savanna park. Its lakes and papyrus swamps shelter hippo, crocodile and birds, while the plains hold elephant, giraffe, buffalo and lion, with black rhino also present. It is a morning’s drive from Kigali, making it an easy addition to a trip.
Lake Kivu and Kigali
Lake Kivu is not a national park, but its beaches, boat trips and lakeside roads make a natural rest between Volcanoes and Nyungwe. Kigali, the capital, is a clean, calm city with museums, markets and good restaurants, and the starting point for every Rwanda trip.
Gorillas, Chimpanzees or Big Five: Which Park for You?
The Rwanda national parks offer three different safari styles, and the right choice depends on what you want to see.
- Mountain gorillas: Volcanoes National Park, with an hour among a gorilla family.
- Chimpanzees and forest walking: Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Classic game drives and boat trips: Akagera National Park.
- Golden monkeys and volcano hikes: Volcanoes National Park.
- Birds: Nyungwe for forest species and Akagera for lakes and swamps.
Most of our guests visit Volcanoes first and add one or both of the others. We explain the trade-offs when we send your quote.
Sample Rwanda National Parks Itineraries
3 days: gorillas in a long weekend
Fly into Kigali, drive to Musanze, trek to a gorilla family on the second morning and return to Kigali on day three. It is the shortest trip that still gives a full gorilla encounter.
5 days: gorillas and the Big Five
Two nights at Akagera for game drives and a boat trip, then two nights near Volcanoes for gorilla trekking. This pairs savanna and mountains in one short Rwanda itinerary.
7 days: the classic circuit
Kigali, Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and Nyungwe. You trek gorillas, rest on the lake and track chimpanzees or walk the canopy, all in one private vehicle.
9 days: Rwanda complete
Add Akagera to the classic circuit for a full picture of the Rwanda national parks, with a night in Kigali at each end for flights and the city’s museums.
Wildlife Highlights by Park
| Park | Known for | Suggested nights |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes National Park | Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, volcano hikes | 2 to 3 |
| Nyungwe Forest | Chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, canopy walk, birds | 2 to 3 |
| Akagera | Big Five, hippo, giraffe, boat trips, birds | 2 to 3 |
Getting Between the Rwanda National Parks
Most of our guests travel by road in a private 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide, which makes the scenery of the Land of a Thousand Hills part of the safari. Typical driving times from Kigali are about two to two and a half hours to Volcanoes National Park, two to two and a half hours to Akagera and five to six hours to Nyungwe. Volcanoes and Nyungwe are connected by the winding lakeside road along Lake Kivu, which is a highlight in itself.
Because distances are short, you rarely need domestic flights, and the roads are generally paved and well kept. We usually suggest at least two nights at each park so you spend your time with wildlife rather than in the vehicle.
Starting With Kigali
Most guests arrive at Kigali International Airport, and a day in the capital is a good start. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a moving place to learn about Rwanda’s history and its recovery, and the city’s craft markets, coffee shops and restaurants show the modern country. Stay at a hotel such as the Kigali Serena or the Kigali Marriott and leave for the parks the next morning.
Gorilla Trekking Across the Rwanda National Parks
Gorilla trekking is the activity most people come for. Visitors are limited to eight per gorilla family per day, and each visit lasts one hour, so the experience is small, quiet and carefully managed. The minimum age is 15. Treks can last from under an hour to several hours over steep ground, and porters are available at the start. Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board, and we arrange them for you. Read the full Volcanoes National Park safari guide for details.
Family Safaris in the Rwanda National Parks
Akagera suits families with children of any age, because game drives and boat trips are short and varied. Gorilla trekking is limited to ages 15 and over, so younger children cannot join that activity, and we can arrange alternatives such as golden monkey tracking where age rules allow and cultural experiences in the villages. Private vehicles mean you set the pace and can return to the lodge whenever you need.
Responsible Travel in the Parks
Park rules exist to protect the animals and your experience. Keep your distance from gorillas and chimpanzees, speak quietly, never eat near wildlife and stay on the paths. Do not trek if you are ill, because primates can catch human diseases. Our driver-guides follow the rules at every stop, and we work with lodges that employ local staff, support community projects and manage water and waste carefully. Your permits and park fees fund rangers and conservation, so each visit helps keep the Rwanda national parks wild.
Costs: What Affects the Price of a Rwanda National Parks Safari
Four things drive the price of a safari across the Rwanda national parks: the lodges you choose, the permits and activities you book, the vehicle, and how many days you travel.
Accommodation makes the biggest difference, from comfortable boutique hotels to luxury lodges. Gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits and park fees are set by the Rwanda Development Board and can change, so we do not list prices here. A private vehicle with a driver-guide is shared by everyone in your group, so the cost per person falls as the group grows. We quote a single all-in price per person and confirm the current permit and park fees in your written quote.
What to Pack for the Parks
Rwanda’s parks are cool and damp in the mountains and warm in the east. Pack layers, waterproof walking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, a warm fleece, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun cream. Bring insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, a power bank and a refillable water bottle. Light gardening gloves protect your hands on gorilla treks, and a waterproof bag keeps your gear dry.
Planning Your Route Through the Rwanda National Parks
A good route follows the map. From Kigali, Akagera lies to the east, Volcanoes to the north-west and Nyungwe to the south-west, with Lake Kivu between the last two. We usually suggest no more than one long drive every second day, and at least two nights at each park. Our safari finder helps you match parks to your interests, and our tailor-made safari page lets you tell us what you want.
How to Choose the Right Rwanda National Parks for Your Trip
- Gorillas on a short trip: Volcanoes National Park.
- Primates and walking: Nyungwe Forest, with chimpanzees and the canopy walk.
- Big game and boats: Akagera.
- Families with younger children: Akagera, with Kigali and Lake Kivu.
- Photography: gorillas at Volcanoes and lakes and light at Akagera.
- Gorillas and a Kenya or Tanzania safari: fly to Kigali after the Masai Mara or Serengeti.
When to Visit Rwanda National Parks
The Rwanda national parks are open all year. The driest months, June to September and December to February, give the firmest trails, clearest views and best game viewing at Akagera. March to May and October to November are the wetter months, with lush scenery, fewer visitors and easier permit availability. Mountain parks are cool in any month, so pack for rain. Each park page gives more detail for that area.
Permits, Fees and Conservation
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits and park fees are set by the Rwanda Development Board. Part of tourism revenue is shared with the communities beside the parks, funding schools, clinics and clean water, and the rest supports rangers, trackers and vets. Because permits are limited and can sell out, we recommend that you tell us your dates early, and we always confirm the current rates in your quote.
How We Plan a Rwanda National Parks Safari
Every Sense of Adventure trip runs in a private 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide. We arrange lodges, permits, park fees, transfers and flights as one package, so you deal with one team from your first enquiry to your return home. Tell us the parks you would like to see, or let us suggest a route to suit your dates and budget.
See where to sleep on our Rwanda lodges page, browse our Rwanda safari holidays, or read our travel guides for planning tips.
Practical Notes for Visiting Rwanda
Rwanda is an easy country to travel in. The official languages are Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili, so English-speaking guests are well looked after, and the currency is the Rwandan franc, although most lodges accept major cards and US dollars. The country is one hour behind Kenya, so set your watch back when you cross. Plastic bags have been banned in Rwanda for many years, so pack your belongings in cloth or sturdy bags and leave single-use plastic at home. Check entry rules before you travel, because visa and health requirements can change, and we confirm the current rules in your trip notes.
Speak to your doctor well before departure about vaccinations and malaria advice, and take out travel insurance that covers trekking and medical evacuation. Our safaris also include emergency evacuation cover as a standard part of the service.
Combining Rwanda with Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda
Rwanda pairs well with the rest of East Africa. A common route flies from Nairobi to Kigali after a Masai Mara safari, so the savanna comes first and the gorillas follow. Others cross by road from Uganda, trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga and then continuing to Volcanoes National Park. Because Sense of Adventure plans trips across the region, you get a single itinerary and a single quote, whatever the combination. See our multi-country safaris for sample routes.
Choosing your pace
Rwanda rewards unhurried travel. The parks are close together, but the best moments are the quiet ones: the first light on the volcanoes, the mist lifting off Nyungwe, a hippo yawning in a lake at Akagera. We suggest building a day of rest into any trip of a week or more, ideally on Lake Kivu, and we avoid packing three long drives into three days. If you only have a few days, we help you decide what to leave out, so that what you do see is done properly.
Seasons and permits
Permits are limited, and the dry months fill first. If your dates are fixed, for a honeymoon or a school holiday for instance, contact us as early as you can so that we can secure gorilla permits and your preferred lodges. If your dates are flexible, the wetter months offer quieter trails, greener scenery and easier availability.
Rwanda National Parks FAQs
How many national parks does Rwanda have?
Rwanda has three: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park.
Which of the Rwanda national parks is the best?
Volcanoes National Park is the most popular because of the gorillas, but the best park depends on what you want. Nyungwe suits chimpanzees and walking, and Akagera suits game drives and boat trips.
How many parks can I visit in one trip?
All three in about a week to nine days. Distances are short, and the roads are good.
Do I need to book permits in advance?
Yes. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are limited, and we handle them as part of your safari so you have nothing to arrange on arrival.
Are the Rwanda national parks suitable for families?
Yes, especially Akagera. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, and we recommend other activities for younger children.