The land of a thousand hills.
The verdant, green and mountainous country of Rwanda is home to gorillas, chimpanzees and numerous species of primates, and it is one of the best regions to see these creatures in the wild. The country is one of the safest to travel to in East Africa and has recovered from a major genocide that ended more than 20 years ago. Strict environmental regulations, including protecting wildlife, make Rwanda a very pleasant safari experience for travellers, and cities are international and modern. Rwanda calls itself "the easiest African country to visit" and that is true!
No Rwandan safari would be complete without a gorilla trek through Volcanoes National Park, which is also home to many other primates, such as the golden ape. Nyungwe National Park is perfect for seeing chimpanzees, whether habituated or trekking through the forest with a guide. Finally, it is easy to experience Rwandan hospitality and culture in the capital, with food from around the world, museums and art.
For the traveller who wants to see gorillas and chimpanzees up close, Rwanda is an extraordinary experience.
DISCOVER THE GORILLAS - AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life-changing. Encounters with gorillas during their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists to bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few metres away from the friendly creatures.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PÄRK
2-day Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is the ultimate adventure experience in Rwanda. Many people have been planning
people for years to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is one of four parks where mountain gorillas currently
inhabit. This 2-day tour is especially suitable for people flying to Kigali for a
conference or for business.
This gorilla safari brings you close to these huge but gentle animals that live in a communal
family led by the dominant silverback. In some gorilla groups you will find more than one silverback.
In which case the other silverbacks had to submit to his leadership or break off
and start their own families.
DAY TRIP
This one-day Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda is most excellent to carry out after an overnight stay in Kigali is, this safari starts between 4:30am from Kigali. You will begin a two-and-a-half-hour drive at 4:20am to Volcanoes National Park, the only park in Rwanda that acts as a home for mountain gorillas. At the briefing, gorilla families or groups will be assigned for safaris; however, some guests will be assigned gorilla families that are easily accessible. You will enjoy some misty views of the nearby mountains until when you will reach your hosts, the gorillas. After the trek, you will head to one of the hotels in Musanze for lunch, before being taken back to Kigali, where you will arrive in the late afternoon or evening. This is the end of the one-day gorilla safari
Kigali is not only the capital of Rwanda, but has also been named the cleanest city in Africa! Its rolling hills, progressive economy and vibrant centre mean that the city is also known as 'the Switzerland of Africa'. Here, travellers are introduced to impressive Rwandan history and African city life.
In the western part of Rwanda is Lake Kivu, the country's largest freshwater lake. Bordering Congo. For travellers in particular, it is an ideal location to unwind for a few days. But a visit to the lake is also worthwhile for hiking enthusiasts and travellers who want to meet the local inhabitants of Rwanda.
Akagera National Park is perhaps Africa's best-kept secret. The national park has a great diversity of landscapes and vegetation. From golden savannahs with rolling grasslands to swamps, mountain scenery and beautiful lakes. It is a true paradise for various animals, nowadays it is even home to the big 5! And all within a two-hour drive from capital Kigali. Akagera National Park is a secret ready to be discovered by you!
A two-hour drive from the bustling capital Kigali lies something very special: the Volcanoes National Park, officially called Parc National des Volcans. It is the oldest national park in the whole of Africa! The stunning area is dominated by eight Virunga volcanoes. On the flanks of the mountain range is tropical rainforest full of unusual primate species such as mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Lake Burera and Ruhondo are twin lakes between Mount Musanze and the Ugandan border. These lakes are fed by rivers in Uganda and are called twin lakes because they are close to each other. Lake Burera and Lake Ruhindo were formed as a result of volcanism due to a volcanic eruption that took place in the volcanic region of Rwanda that caused lava flows to block the channel of the Nyabarongo River, creating these twin lakes.
The banks of these twin lakes and the Rugezi swamp offer a good photogenic experience and a walking safari to spot birds. The area is so good for bird watching because you can see all the water birds around the lake. You will need binoculars to see bird species like the Ruwenzori batis, the Ruwenzori apalis and the handsome fringehead.
ACTIVITIES
Butare is known as the university town and cultural centre of Rwanda. The city is located in the south of the country as the capital of Huye district and has about 80,000 inhabitants. Biggest attraction of the city is the National Museum of Rwanda, which some say is known as the pearl of East African museums, because of its
Butare was founded in 1920 by Belgian settlers and originally named after their queen Astrid. The town was also called Astrida at the time. In 2006, it was decided to rename Butare to Huye, but popularly Butare is still often used as the name.
Near Butare is the Murambi Genocide Memorial which tells the terrible story of over 65,000 Tutsis who died in this former school building.
The vast Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest primeval forests in Africa! It is a paradise for lovers of flora and fauna. Travellers can look for primates, endemic birds, the source of the Nile and bright green tea plantations. Due to its location in the far south-west of the country, Nyungwe Forest is only visited by a small number of tourists. Possible to go on Chimpanzee trekking.
Virunga national park covers an area of 790,000 hectares. The park is unique for its active chain of volcanoes; it houses the spectacular mountain massifs of Rwenzori and Virunga, Africa's two most active volcanoes. In addition, the area has a variety of habitats that surpasses any other African park. There are swamps, steppes, as well as the snowfields of the Rwenzori at over 5,000 metres altitude. There are also lava plains, as well as savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. Mountain gorillas can be found in the park and some 20,000 hippos live in the rivers. The park is also the wintering place for birds from Siberia.
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Surrounded by swaying eucalyptus trees, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest awakens a wild spirit of adventure. A place that encourages you to gaze into the mirror through eye opening encounters with majestic mountain gorillas and experience the story of Rwanda.
Cushioned in the foothills of the breathtaking Volcanoes National Park, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest makes the magical possible as you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorillas roaming free in its own natural habitat.
A TRANQUIL LUXURY REFUGE
The Retreat is a luxury boutique hotel created by the American owners of Heaven, designed by Italian architects, brought to life by an extraordinary team of Rwandan hospitality leaders.
Nestled in the heart of Kigali, our luxury boutique hotel and spa grants seamless access to this dynamic city. As one of Kigali's top 5 star hotels, it blends tranquility, Rwandan charm, and vibrant urban energy.
Whether savoring Fusion's exotic cuisine or immersing in local culture, your memories here will linger forever.
Wilderness Bisate enjoys a truly dramatic natural setting at the heart of an amphitheatre formed by eroded volcano cones. Six conically shaped thatched forest villas are tucked into the lush forest setting with spacious verandas opening out onto magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. The traditional shapes of the suites are a nod to Rwandan culture, while the sumptuous interiors maximise comfort and warmth while making the most of the scenic views. Each 91 square metre villa consists of a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, all warmed by a central fireplace and with breathtaking views out across your private deck towards Mount Bisoke.
If you are researching when to visit Rwanda, chances are it will be for a gorilla trekking adventure. Although considered a year-round activity, the best time to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trek is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or during the long dry months from June to September. These periods offer by far the easiest trekking conditions and the lowest malaria risk.
You can visit Rwanda and trek gorillas outside this optimal time of year, but bear in mind that it will be more difficult in the rain, as the trails are steep and perhaps muddy. It pays to be as fit as possible before starting your trek.
However, the best time to go to Rwanda for a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe is during the two rainy seasons - mid-February to early June and mid-September to mid-December - as the monkeys are easier to find. During the dry seasons, food is harder to find and chimpanzee families often stretch far into the forest interior.
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