Rwanda
Rwanda, known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a burgeoning gem in the heart of Africa, rapidly gaining recognition as a premier tourism destination. Nestled in East Africa, this small yet incredibly diverse country offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and transformative history. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, Rwanda is home to a variety of ecosystems, from lush rainforests to sweeping savannahs.
Trek through the rainforests in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys, set out on game drive seeking out the big game, cruise along one of Africa’s Great Lakes, walk through the emotive Genocide Museum to understand their tragic history, interact with the friendly locals and learn some of the cultures and experience the incredible birdlife which is home to a third of Africa’s bird species. This country has so much to offer and can easily be combinable with Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda or even Burundi and DR.Congo
Rwanda, though small and landlocked, offers remarkable diversity, making it a must-visit destination. The renowned Volcanoes National Park stands out, where tracking endangered mountain gorillas delivers a profoundly humbling safari experience. Rwanda’s richness extends to primate tracking, including golden monkeys in Volcanoes and Nyungwe, and chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. These treks vary in duration but generally require 2-4 hours, with up to an hour of precious ape encounter time. Beyond primates, Akagera National Park houses larger mammals like elephants, buffalos, rhinos, and lions. Private game drives there offer a personalized adventure and seamless combinations with other Rwandan destinations.
SAFARI
Track mountain gorillas
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers the iconic and highly sought-after opportunity to trek with mountain gorillas, of which fewer than 1,000 remain in the wild. The physically demanding journey is well-suited to active individuals. Mountain gorilla permits cost $1,500 per person per trek, and trekkers receive an hour with a habituated gorilla family after a briefing at the park headquarters.
Observe the chimpanzees
In Rwanda, after gorillas, chimpanzee treks in Nyungwe National Park are highly sought-after. Observing these intelligent, social primates in their natural habitat reveals their diverse behaviours. The activity, suitable for those fit for a few hours of hiking, occurs in a park ranging from 1,600 to 2,590 meters above sea level.
Game drives in Akagera
Akagera National Park offers game drives and safaris with opportunities to see larger mammals such as elephants, buffalo, lions and giraffes. While not on par with other East African national parks, it’s a great choice for experiencing a Rwanda safari, which can be easily combined with other destinations in the country. Private game drives in 4×4 safari jeeps with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide are available.
ACTIVITY
Canopy tree walks
Nyungwe Forest hosts various primate species, rich flora, fauna, and birdlife. Exploring on foot offers deep insight into the ancient rainforest’s ecosystem. The canopy walks, a 160-meter suspended bridge 70 meters above the forest floor, provides elevated forest views and is a recommended activity bookable through your lodge.
CULTURE
Community projects and village walks
Rwandans are warm, proud, and passionate about their country, culture, and traditions. Exploring local villages on foot provides insights into their way of life. Many lodges offer community-focused activities, which can complement your safari or gorilla experiences.
Visit Kigali’s museums and explore local artist workshops
Kigali, scarred by the Rwandan genocide less than 30 years ago, houses a genocide museum with the remains of over 250,000 victims. Despite its somber nature, understanding the genocide’s impact and the resilience of the local people is inspiring. A private guided tour, led by a local guide with personal experiences from the war, is available. Kigali is also emerging as a hub for local artists and artisans, and we can arrange visits to workshops and craft stores for shopping.
Like most national parks and reserves in East Africa, the best time to visit Rwanda is the June to October period which is the dry season. This period lies in-between the rains so the conditions for activities like gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives and forest hikes are best. The period between December and March is also a good time to visit the country, although the festive period can often be very busy so make sure you plan well in advance.
DRY PEAK SEASON
December to March
This period is another good opportunity to visit Rwanda, as it is after the short rains of November, and before the long rains arrive in April. Sometimes the rains arrive early in late March so we’d advise traveling early March if that is your desired month. Obviously, the festive period – between Christmas and New Year in particular – is busy so if you would like to travel over this time, please book at least a year in advance.
SHORT RAINY SEASON
April to May
This is the rainy season in Rwanda, and across most of East Africa. These rains arrive in countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and can often be intense downpours. While these are often sporadic and heavy downpours in the morning and late afternoon, the rains can last all day and will, inevitably, make the forests and national parks denser and thicker in vegetation. This makes the forest floors very slippery and difficult for trekking. The mountain gorillas also tend to move to higher ground during the rains so your gorilla hike may be longer than other times of the year.
PEAK SEASON
June to October
This is regarded the best time of the year to visit Rwanda. This period offers warm and dry conditions, making it perfect for activities like gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking and game drives. This is also the busiest time of the year to visit Rwanda, especially the July and August months during school holidays. That said, there is a minimum age of 15 years for gorilla tracking. We would recommend booking at least 9 months (ideally a year) in advance for your Rwanda safari and gorilla trek, to ensure you get your desired accommodation. There is also a limited number of permits available each day so it’s definitely advisable to book in advance.
November-December
This is the period of shorter rains, which usually arrive mid November. These are shorter and less intense rains than the April- May rains, but they can still be heavy and sporadic downpours. That said, activities like gorilla tracking and chimpanzee tracking are still possible to do and, with the right clothing, it is still very much an enjoyable experience. We would highly recommend taking waterproof trousers, waterproof jackets and coverings for your personal bags and any camera equipment.
From 1st Jan 2018, Nationals of all countries receive visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders.
Citizens of countries members to the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a visit of 30 days. These include;
Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Dominica, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, Grenada, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Kiribati, Jamaica, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Maldive, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Principality of Andorra, Romania, Republic of Macedonia, Saharawi Republic, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, The Bahamas, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A citizen of East African Community Member States (Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and South Sudan) shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months.
The following countries to be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius,
Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state Qatar.
Requirements and other useful info for entry/obtaining Visa to Rwanda;
Travel documents:
Passport must be valid for six months after the date of entry into Rwanda. Travelers should have at least five (5) blank pages. Visa pages referred to do not include those reserved for Endorsements, Amendments or Observations.
You may apply at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence before departure. Please check with our office for guidance – safaritrail@nyumbujourneys.com
Cost and how to pay;
30-day tourist visa USD 50 (single entry)
Multiple entry visa USD 70
How to pay:
You can either pay online or cash upon arrival. Please follow this link for detailed and easy instructions on how to pay online.
https://irembo.gov.rw/home/citizen/all_services?lang=en
Credit cards are generally accepted at the Kigali International Airport but are not accepted at some land borders. Nyumbu Beyond Journeys recommends that travellers arrive at any point of entry with sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for the visa in case credit card transactions are not possible at the time of your arrival.
If you opt to pay on arrival, please bring your printed visa confirmation and dollar notes to be paid at the airport/any point of entry on arrival. Remember to bring crisp, fifty-dollar US bill or changed bills (dated 2013 or later).
Health Requirements and vaccinations;
Yellow fever vaccination if entering from a country where yellow fever is endemic and/or where there is an active outbreak of yellow fever.In the event of a major disease outbreak, specific requirements could be set and put to the knowledge of the public. Please check with our office for any assistance that might be required – safaritrail@nyumbujourneys.com
Although there are plenty of national parks and forests to visit across the country, Rwanda safaris tend to be shorter, or combined with other countries to make a longer trip. The most desirable thing to do in Rwanda is trek to see the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park and this can be done in a two or three-night private tour, depending on how many gorilla treks you’d like to do. That said, there are plenty of destinations to combine to offer a fantastic week-long safari in Rwanda.
Rwanda has four national parks which are all protected and closely monitored ecosystems. These include Akagera National Park, Nyugwe National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, and the Volcanoes National Park. Nyungwe National Park is in the south of the country and is home to 13 primate species including the blue monkey, the red-tailed monkey, the velvet monkey, and the golden monkey. The Volcanoes National Park is in the north and is the go-to for mountain gorilla treks. Akagera National Park, in eastern Rwanda, is more of a varied safari destination and, as a result of the successful translocation in 2021, they now have southern white rhinos in the parks.
The price for a gorilla permit in Rwanda is currently $1,500 per person per trek. The cost of the permit, although high, is extremely fundamental in keeping these gorillas safe. The money is spread across the team of dedicated rangers, trackers, guides, and staff at the park headquarters, whose sole job is to protect these endangered species and to ensure their numbers stay stable. The total cost of your gorilla safari will vary depending on how many treks you decide to do, and which camp you decide to stay in. We offer four and five-star lodges in the Volcanoes National Park but we can create an itinerary that is suited to you and your budget.
Absolutely! Rwanda is perfect for those looking for an adventurous honeymoon, with unique destinations and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As most of the safari experiences – like the golden monkey and mountain gorilla treks – are quite demanding physically, I would recommend Rwanda for younger or active honeymooners. There are plenty of incredibly special lodges across the country I would recommend for couples, like Bisate Lodge and the One and Only portfolio in particular.
earlier you book, the better. Booking early (10-12 months or more recommended) is especially important for travelers visiting during the height of the dry season, Dec-Feb or June-Sept, as many of these departures fill up months in advance. Travelers visiting outside of these busy months can often book a bit more last minute, though a 4-6-month notice is still recommended.
Further, we usually recommend that you wait to book your international flights until after your tour is confirmed. The sooner that we arrange your tour, the sooner that you can take advantage of flight deals as they become available.
Gorilla Tracking and Permits
Only a limited number of permits are available in each gorilla park per day. It is therefore essential to book well in advance. Permits need to be paid for at the time of the initial safari booking so that they can be purchased immediately. Delay in payment can result in permits not being secured.
To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking. Trackers must be fit and in good health as tracking in thick forest at heights up to 3,000m traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines can be tough, arduous and wet. Permits are non-refundable. Gorilla viewing can be denied at short notice because of national park or border closures, security changes or gorillas going out of range. In such circumstance’s refunds are at the discretion of the authority and are not within the company’s control. Obtaining a gorilla permit therefore is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla. One hour is allowed with the gorillas, at a distance of at least 7 meters. Flash photography is not allowed. Personal DVD recorders are allowed.
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Yes. A solo traveller is welcome to join any set departure date for the safaris. The nature of the programs creates an environment where travelers are coming and going from lodges, but there is always a group activity to participate in.
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You can purchase international flights on your own, or we can certainly help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator who specializes in international flights to Africa.
No. Although there are many great destinations in Africa for children, the nature of Gorilla Tracking, and the government restrictions, mandate the participants be at least 15 years of age at the time of travel.
Due to the high altitude and proximity to the equator, you can expect to find a remarkably pleasant tropical highland climate in Rwanda and Uganda. Rainy season runs March to May, during which the rain is fairly constant. June to mid-September is generally noted as the best time to travel. October and November will also be rainy, and there is a short dry season December to February. Even in the dry season’s travelers should expect light rain shower.
Uganda uses 240 volts electricity and requires a 3-pin (square) sockets. Rwanda uses 230/240 volts at 50 Hz and a 2-pin (round) socket is required. Travelers will need a voltage converter for 110-volt devices. It is best to travel with your own adapters. Even if they do not have power, most camps or lodges, can decide for recharging batteries. Consult your guide if needed.
Our Africa tours tend to attract all ages. The more adventurous trekking tours tend to attract a slightly younger group (mostly 20s-40s), but we’ve also had active 70-year old’s do great on these treks so don’t let age discourage you if you are fit and healthy. Expect a wide range of ages and ask your trip planner if you are curious about the demographics for a particular departure.
Local culture believes the level of tips should be at the discretion of the client and any token of appreciation is gladly received. These are our suggestions:
About 3-5% in restaurants; at lodges/camps US$ $10-15 per guest for a stay of 1-3 days; for driver/guides US$ $20 – 30 per day per client; for the Head Ranger when gorilla tracking $30 per day per client; porters at parks – $20-25 per day per person; Hotel/lodge baggage porters – $10 to $20 per client per stay. Forest walks – $20 per client.