Rwanda Travel Guide For First Time Travelers
Rwanda is infamous for its tragic 1994 Genocide which resulted into its social collapse. But while this tragic event is a big part of the country’s modern history, Rwanda has evolved into a united, proud and optimistic nation.
A safari visit to Rwanda will leave you with an overwhelming sense of admiration for its people’s hope and determination, and the remarkable way the country has rose from its ashes.
Today. Rwanda is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. It has more women in government than any other country in the world, and is one of the cleanest, friendliest and safest places you can visit in world. Rwanda boasts a well-organized tourism infrastructure with good roads and high-end accommodation options, as well as advanced conservation initiatives like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
If you are thinking of visiting Rwanda for the first time, we have complied this handy Rwanda Travel Guide to help you.
Where is Rwanda?
The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country in Central Africa’s Great Rift Valley, where Africa’s Great Lake Region intersects with Southeast Africa. Bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is dominated by mountains, savanna and numerous lakes. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda’s quilt like topography and highly elevated position have given it the nickname, “land of a thousand hills”.
Why Go to Rwanda?
Africa’s Most Accessible Gorilla Trekking Destination
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the country’s greatest tourist attraction and arguably the most compelling wildlife encounter on Earth. Encounters with a small families of the world’s last surviving mountain gorillas leave lasting impressions on every visitors to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. There are only about 1,064 mountain gorillas left on earth and trekking into their native forests is the only way to see these critically endangered animals, as they cannot survive in captivity.
Rwanda delivers the most accessible gorilla trekking experiences in Africa – Volcanoes National Park lies only 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Kigali International Airport. If you are visiting Rwanda and have limited time, then this is where to see gorillas in Africa.
Simply you can land in Kigali, be driven to your lodge, trek the next day and leave for the airport the following morning, making it possible to wrap up your gorilla trekking trip in five days or less.
Track Chimpanzees and other Primates
Although gorilla trekking is one of the biggest Rwanda Tourist Attractions, there are plenty of other primate trekking experiences to enjoy when visiting Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species, about quarter of all Africa’s primates, including chimpanzees and Rwenzori colobus monkeys.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the Southwest corner of Rwanda, this expansive and untouched tropical rainforest with a tall, thick canopy spreading over 1,000 square kilometers. Nyungwe Forest is protects the biggest area of remaining montane forest in East or Central Africa, it is home to about 310 bird species, over 75 different species of mammals, and hundreds of butterflies and orchids.
The misty hills of Nyungwe echo with the calls of chimpanzees and birdsong, a place of spectacular biodiversity and the quintessential tropical rainforest.
See The Big 5
Rwanda may not always be an obvious choice for a classic African safari but if you are visiting Rwanda for gorilla trekking, then a trip with a safari in Akagera National Park is worth considering. With its savannah plains, lakes, papyrus, swamps, rolling hills and gaping valleys, Akagera is scenically one of the beautiful parks in Africa.
Akagera National Park is home to the biggest protected wetlands in Central Africa and about 8,000 animals. In 2015, lions were reintroduced in Akagera National Park, followed by Eastern black rhinos two years later. These successful reintroduction programmes made Akagera National Park a celebrated Big 5 safari destination for the first time in almost 20 years. Today, Akagera is managed in partnership with Africa Parks, a non-governmental conservation organisations, which has made a very positive impact on life in this beautiful park.
Explore One of Africa’s Cleanest & Most Inspiring Cities
Rwanda is a frontrunner in creating a single-use plastic free Africa. A shining star on the African continent, the country instituted a national ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2008. Rwanda also introduced a universal service called Umuganda, a community clean-up project on the last Saturday morning of each month when citizens get together to help keep the streets clean, tend to gardens and assist their neighbors.
When visiting Rwanda, you will most likely need to spend a night or two in its modern and spotlessly clean city, Kigali. It is a beautiful city that sprawls across countless hills, ridges and valleys, with a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. There are also numerous shopping malls in the city centre, featuring some chic boutiques and quaint coffee shops. And if you are looking for something more authentic during your Rwanda Safari, then head to one of Kigali’s many lively and genial markets.
The city’s State House Museum and the Natural History Museum are both worth a visit if you are staying in Kigali. But perhaps one of the best-known Rwanda landmarks is the soul-stirring Kigali Genocide Memorial. This insightful monument presents the history preceding the genocide in the country, helps to give context to the origins of the genocide, and recognizes just how far Rwanda has moved on in the intervening years.
Where To Go In Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park “Gorillas In The Mist”
The stunning Volcanoes National Park is arguably the most famous of all Rwanda’s tourist attractions, the park is the country’s flagship reserve covering 160 square kilometers of prime rainforest, encompassing five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains range. It is a mystical backdrop of life changing gorilla trekking adventures – no other wildlife encounter on earth compares with the experience of spending time with a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Guided by experienced gorilla trackers through the towering African redwoods, bamboo, weaving vines and flowering lobelias, Volcanoes National Park offers some of the best gorilla trekking expeditions in Africa. Also, the park was the base for pioneering primatologist Dian Fossey. You can pay your respects at Fossey’s Grave and even enjoy immersive gorilla conservation experiences with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Volcanoes National Park is well-protected and monitored site full of monkeys including the rare golden monkeys and forest birds. When visiting Rwanda, a percentage of your travel spend goes to community projects around the park, reinforcing the positive impact of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes and making conservation of these great apes meaningful to rural communities in a very practical way.
Nyungwe Forest National Park – Scenes from A Fairy Tale
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a tropical forest that includes the biggest strip of remaining montane forest in Central or East Africa. It is home to a plethora of bird, butterfly and orchid species, and about a quarter of all Africa’s primates.
The heart of Nyungwe is like a scene from a fairy tale. Ancient Mahogany and ebony trees tower above, gorgeous orchids cling to every branch, and colorful birds and butterflies flit around while you are quietly following the calls of primates.
Chimpanzee trekking and primate safaris are among the top Rwanda Tourist attractions, and Nyungwe is the ideal destination for these tracking experiences. With 13 different primate species living in Nyungwe Forest, trekking in search of chimpanzees, Rwenzori Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and the grey-cheeked mangabeys are among the many highlights in this incredible rainforest.
Best Things To Do in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest is has over 130 kilometers (80 miles) of hiking routes, which allow visitors to explore its magical interior and enchanting habitats with expert guides. Walking in Nyungwe Forest is magnificent.
Although the Igishigishigi Trail is one of the shortest hikes in the park, it features the highest canopy walk in East Africa. A metal bridge suspended 50 metres (164 feet) above the forest. It is not for the faint-hearted but if you want to get a real sense of the sheer scale of Nyungwe Forest, it is one of the most unique experiences you can have when visiting Rwanda.
Akagera National Park – A Conservation Success Story
Covering about 1,120 square kilometers, Akagera National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It was first gazetted in 1934, the park endured a troubled period in the late 1990s when its ecosystems were harmed by cattle-grazing and poaching in consequence of Rwanda’s civil war.
However today, Akagera National Park is managed in partnership with African Parks, a non-governmental conservation organisation which has made a very positive impact on the park’s animal populations. Thanks to various anti-poaching measures and the reintroductions of lions and rhinos, Akagera is well on its way to being restored.
Akagera National Park boasts a beautiful blend of low-lying grasslands and savannah plains, rolling hills and valleys, as well as a series of lakes, marshes and papyrus swamps that make up the biggest protected wetlands in central and eastern Africa. This extremely diverse variety of habitats make Akagera National Park a very pretty park.
When you visit in Rwanda and enjoying a safari in Akagera National Park, you are most likely to see the usual plains species like impalas, topi, eland, giraffes, sable and roan antelopes, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants are commonly spotted on game drives. Thanks to the successful reintroduction of rhino and lion, Akagera National Park is also home to the Big 5, leopards are present but a little trickier to spot, no matter where you are on safari because of their mastery of camouflage and stealth.
If you are keen birder, then a safari in Akagera National Park will float your boat. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise of over 480 species, raptors and savannah birds are common, as well as numerous endemic species like the red-faced barbet. Plenty of bird species like African fish eagles, open-billed storks, cormorants, herons, and crowned cranes can also be spotted on boat cruises on the lakes in Akagera. And if you are lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the peculiar and prehistoric – looking shoebill.
Kigali – The Cleanliest City in Africa
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda is the entry and exit point for gorilla trekking safaris. When visiting Rwanda, you will usually fly into Kigali International Airport, and depending on your itinerary, either transfer straight to Volcanoes National Park or an overnight in this attractive, safe and surprisingly neat Kigali. Most tourists utilize Kigali as a quick stopover before and after a gorilla trekking adventure, but if you have a couple of days to spare while visiting Rwanda, it is a wonderful city to explore. Kigali City sees relatively low tourist numbers, so if you do take the time to traverse the city, you will be rewarded by warm interactions with the friendly locals and fantastic insight into Rwanda.
The poignant Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of the most important Rwanda Tourist Attractions. Standing amid gorgeous rose gardens and water fountains, the memorial presents the history preceding Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, helps to clarify the reasons for this devastating massacre and recognizes just how much healing and recovery the country has gone through in the intervening years. If you are visiting Rwanda for the first time, the memorial is an essential stop that will leave a lasting impression.
Other museums in the city that are worth a visit are the State House Museum and the Natural History Museum. Kigali also boasts a fantastic selection of contemporary shopping malls, a vibrant café and bar culture, authentic and lively markets, and hotels that are a good international standard.
Best Things to Do in Kigali City
- Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Browse for curious and souvenirs at the Caplaki handcrafts cooperative
- Stop at the Kigali Cultural Village for live music and art workshops
- Sample delicious fair-trade coffee at the Hingakwa Women’s Coffee Cooperative
Lake Kivu – Sixth Largest Lake in Africa
Found in the western side of Rwanda is Lake Kivu, one of a series of massive freshwater lakes that lie along Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Considered a hidden gem among the Rwanda Tourist attraction, the exciting thing of the Lake Kivu region is driving between its towns, the road gently twists back and forth as it zigzags through the gorgeous hills and mountain beside the lake. It is a fantastic option if you want to take a slowly route between Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Parks, stopping over to enjoy Lake Kivu’s immaculate beaches and warm, safe swimming waters.
Best Things to Do While Visiting Lake Kivu.
While on a Rwanda Safari, we recommend spending a couple of days in Gisenyi, a large town that is spread over various hills on Lake Kivu’s northern edge. Once a well-known colonial beach resort, Gisenyi’s lakeside is lined with old mansions, trendy bars ideal for sundowner cocktails, and a few hotels of international standard.
When To Go To Rwanda
Between June and September is the best time to visit Rwanda. This time of the year has the most comfortable climate for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a safari in Akagera National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and is the lowest risk of malaria.
It is possible to hike to see mountain gorillas at other times in the year, but bear in mind that it may be more difficult due to the rainfall as well as steep and muddy paths.
When visiting Rwanda during January and February, the high and medium altitude areas are like Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park, Kigali City and Nyungwe Forest are hot in the day but cool in the evenings. Low-lying regions like Akagera National Park are hot in the day and warn in the evenings. This is a good time to go on a Akagera Safari and a great opportunity to take in the breath-taking scenery of Rwanda. Also, this is a good time for gorilla trekking, although it can get a little more humid than the June to September period.
Guidelines For The Best Time to Visit Rwanda
| Rwanda Experience | Best Time |
| Gorilla trekking | June to September |
| Chimpanzee trekking | June to September |
| Safari in Akagera National Park | June to September January to February |
| Beach holiday at Lake Kivu | June to September January to February |
Budget for a Rwanda Safari: What It Will Cost To Visit Rwanda
It is not always easy to give a single figure when it comes to costs. There are so many variables to consider, such as time of the year you are traveling. How long you are staying, and whether you prefer comfortable or luxurious accommodations. This is why most reputable travel companies do not believe in a one package deal fits all approach and prefer to consult with each client individually, using on-the-ground-expertise to tailor-make an itinerary from scratch.
However, if you are looking for ballpark figures that may help with formulating a budget, here are some guidelines.
| 4-Star Comfort | 4-Star Luxury | 5-Star Luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $1,150 | $2,800 | $1,150 | $2,800 | $2,650 | $3,025 |
Note: all costs are guidelines only and an average for per person, per night, sharing a room in low and high season. They exclude international flights, visas and optional activities.
Where to Stay in Rwanda
Kigali
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Heaven Boutique
- Hotel Des Mille Collins
Volcanoes National Park
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge
- Wilderness Sabyinyo
- Five Volcanoes Hotel
- Volcanoes Virunga Lodge
- Bisate Lodge
Akagera National Park
- Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
- Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Akagera Transit Lodge
- Magashi Camp
- Ruzizi Tented Camp
Nyungwe Forest National Park
- One&Only Nyungwe House
- Inzu Lodge
- Nyungwe Eco Village
- Emaurade Kivu Resort
How To Plan Your First-Time Visit to Rwanda
Thinking of visiting Rwanda for the first time, here are some expert tips in making a seamless process:
Know when you want to Go
When visiting Rwanda, timing is everything. Most of the best Rwanda tourist attractions and experience like gorilla trekking depend entirely on naturally occurring factors like seasonal rainfall. This means that having preferred travel dates will make a big difference to your Rwanda Tour Itinerary.
Know Where You Want to Go
Start with having a specific goal for your first time visit to Rwanda. May be you have dreamt of seeing gorillas since you were a child or seeing all the Big 5 in the wild. Which animals or experiences are at the heart of your dream trip to Rwanda? The answer will more than likely help determine your ideal destinations in Rwanda.
Have a Budget Estimate
A trip to Rwanda is not an inexpensive experience. It is always a good idea to have a budget that you feel comfortable working within and disclosing this to your travel agent at the easies opportunity. This will hugely expedite the consultation process and you will arrive at your ideal itinerary sooner.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed or cautious when thinking or talking about what you are willing to invest in your travels, but knowing your budget has a massive impact on the planning of your first-time visit Rwanda.
Choose an Established Travel Agent
If you are thinking about planning a first time visit to Rwanda, look for the following criteria when choosing a travel agent.
- Personal travel experience in Rwanda
- Independent, unbiased advice, your agent should not be employed by a specific lodge, safari activity operator or marketing company
- Financial protection – the necessary supplier insurance to protect your travel investment
- Full travel booking service, it is in your best interest to work with a full-service partner, an agent that takes care of every detail from your flights, activities, accommodation, transfers and everything
- 24/7 on-safari support – an important advantage of booking with a credible agent who is based on Africa.
- Recent reviews published on independent websites like TripAdvisor
Read To Start Planning Your First-Time Visit To Rwanda?
We have been planning safaris for so many years. Get in touch with our team of Safari Experts to help tailor – make an itinerary based on your personal travel wishes.