SAFARI GUIDE TO RWANDA
Rwanda: Safari Destinations & When to Go
Renowned for its lush hills and verdant landscape, Rwanda offers opportunities to view wildlife, track gorillas and other primates, and go bird watching within its borders. In the capital, explore the local cultural scene or learn about Rwanda’s tragic history through its museums and memorials.
If anything in this guide inspires you to explore Rwanda with Hornbill Treks and Safaris, browse our collection of Luxury Rwanda Safaris and please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Below, explore some of the most popular national parks and travel destinations in Rwanda.
When to Visit Rwanda
While Rwanda can be visited year-round, the drier months of June-September are generally the most popular time to visit. Gorilla permits and lodges often need to be booked farther in advance during this period, as they book up quickly.
15° C | 28° C
June-September
DRY SEASON
16° C | 27° C
October-November
SHORT RAINS
16° C | 27° C
December-February
SHORT DRY SEASON WITH SOME RAIN
16° C | 26° C
March-May
LONG RAINS
Where to Go in Rwanda
Rwanda offers a select number of national parks, each boasting unique wildlife and cultural experiences.
Once nearly decimated by human encroachment on its borders, Akagera National Park now benefits from strict conservation guidelines by the Rwandan government. Wildlife includes an expansive hippo population, crocodiles, leopars, spotted hyena, lions, genets, and over 500 bird species. Sadly, due to its challenging history, Akagera’s wildlife doesn’t come close to the herds of Kenya and Tanzania. However, the park still offers beautiful savannah, a swamp region studded with lush islands along the border with Tanzania, and a mountain range along the edge of the park. It is also the only place in Rwanda that offers game drives while on safari.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is comprised of two distinct forests: Gishwati and Mukura. Both forests together cover 34km2 and they rest on the Albertine Rift.
At the time of writing, there are 60 known species of trees in Gishwati-Mukura National Park, including various indigenous hardwood species.
There are also various groups of golden monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and a large group of chimpanzees. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is also an excellent place for birdwatchers, with over 230 species found in Gishwati and over 160 founds in Mukura.
Rwanda’s appealing capital city is spread out over lush hillsides and boasts numerous cultural opportunities for any interested traveler. Visit the presidential palace museum, browse local markets, or honor the victims of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide with a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial.
When you’re craving the beach in landlocked Rwanda, Lake Kivu is the place to go. One of the African Great Lakes, Lake Kivu lies on the border between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Relax along the shores of the lake, or explore the nearby coffee and banana plantations with a tour of their traditional farming methods.
Although it is one of Rwanda’s most recently designated national parks, Nyungwe Forest offers lush, verdant valleys of rainforest. Popular draws to the park include hiking, chimpanzee tracking, Colobus monkey tracking, birdwatching, and the Canopy Walkway above the forest. Trails can get wet and muddy, so pack accordingly. Despite its small size, Nyungwe Forest offers some of the richest biodiversity in all of Africa, with over 1000 plant species, 13 species of primates, 275 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, and an incredible 120 species of butterflies.
Commonly known as Parc National des Volcans, this park runs along the border with the DRC and Uganda. It’s comprised of five different volcanoes and is home to the Rwandan stretch of the Virunga Mountains, which are widely considered one of the most beautiful sights in East Africa. Volcanoes National Park is popular among visitors for gorilla trekking, and also offers Golden Monkey trekking during your travels. Many visitors also enjoy taking advantage of the numerous hikes throughout the region, include a trek to the grave site of famed primatologist Dian Fossey at the former Karisoke Research Center.
