Best for those looking for amazing scenery, gorilla experiences and easy travel.
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Rwanda is also sometimes known as the ‘Land of a thousand hills’ or the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, largely because of the lush green landscape and the endless peaks that spread across this small country. Breathtakingly beautiful to view, a drive across Rwanda takes in verdant valleys, rich forest and everything from volcanic peaks to inland beaches. It also helps that Rwanda is arguably one of the cleanest countries in Africa (if not the world). The population, the memory of a past genocide burned into their subconscious, focused on making their home a great place to live and thrive. There are plenty of other activities on offer for those willing to search them out.
Rwanda is often combined with Kenya or Tanzania as part of a larger East Africa itinerary. It is also and often combined with Uganda for the gorilla experience. This is usually either to double up the trekking or to take advantage of Rwanda’s great air connections.
Conditions are good for road travel in Rwanda with well-maintained roads. The country’s smaller size enables relatively quick and easy transport around between attractions.
The main attraction for tourism in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is home to the country’s population of mountain gorillas. Forming part of the larger Virunga Massif that spans three countries (Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and enables greater gorilla numbers, this park sees visitors hiking into the forest to spend an hour with the gorillas in an amazing experience unlike any other.
An old and primeval rainforest, Nyungwe is home to many primate species including the chimpanzee and the L’Hoest’s monkey. It is the primate tracking that is the major attraction here but hikers and birders also enjoy spending time in the atmospheric landscape, an attraction in its own right.
A safe and clean cosmopolitan capital with great nightlife and food scene, Kigali is also home to the Kigali Genocide Museum, a must see for any visitor to Rwanda. It will take visitors through the events that led up to the 1994 Genocide and the road towards healing that has seen the country move forward towards a new future.
The main attraction for tourism in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is home to the country’s population of mountain gorillas. Forming part of the larger Virunga Massif that spans three countries (Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and enables greater gorilla numbers, this park sees visitors hiking into the forest to spend an hour with the gorillas in an amazing experience unlike any other.
An old and primeval rainforest, Nyungwe is home to many primate species including the chimpanzee and the L’Hoest’s monkey. It is the primate tracking that is the major attraction here but hikers and birders also enjoy spending time in the atmospheric landscape, an attraction in its own right.
A safe and clean cosmopolitan capital with great nightlife and food scene, Kigali is also home to the Kigali Genocide Museum, a must see for any visitor to Rwanda. It will take visitors through the events that led up to the 1994 Genocide and the road towards healing that has seen the country move forward towards a new future.
Rwanda’s only ‘Big Five’ park, Akagera National Park is an easy drive from Kigali and with its savannah landscape is a great contrast to the forests of both Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks. For birders, the rare shoebill can also be seen here and the park is a great testament to Rwanda’s conservation ethos.
Roughly halfway between the Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks, Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s largest lakes and a lovely place to take some time and relax between safaris. Take a break by the shores or visit the villages around to get a local experience.
This remarkable place is the former research station, and now the resting place, of Dian Fossey. Her work with gorillas here changed much about the perception of the animals and led the way to their resurgence. You can visit her grave as well as those of her first subjects, including Digit. You might even see a modern gorilla relative on your way.
At The Explorer Society, we are always discovering new pockets of wonder on our own adventures and through chats with our local logistics team. Get in touch with us to find out what hidden gems you might discover on your rip.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Given Rwanda’s small size, a week is an adequate time to explore most attractions. You can do it in as little as three days if you are solely visiting the gorillas for the one trek. However, we recommend more time to take in some additional sights.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
