Rwanda Safari Destinations 2026/2027

About Rwanda

Rwanda is a small country that has achieved something remarkable: in three decades it has transformed from the site of one of the 20th century's worst genocides into one of Africa's most progressive, cleanest and best-governed states — and simultaneously become the world's most prestigious gorilla trekking destination. The two facts are not unrelated. Rwanda's extraordinary post-1994 recovery, driven by a government that invested in conservation as an economic strategy, has created the finest wildlife tourism infrastructure in central Africa.

Mountain gorilla trekking

Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda protects the Rwandan portion of the Virunga Volcanoes — eight dormant and active volcanoes straddling the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Twelve habituated gorilla families are open to trekking, with a maximum of 8 visitors per family per day. Rwanda's gorilla trekking permits ($1,500 per person) are the most expensive in the world and are universally described by those who hold them as worth the cost.

The trekking experience at Volcanoes differs from Uganda's Bwindi in logistics and terrain: the Rwandan side of the Virungas is more accessible from Kigali (2 hours by road), the park infrastructure is more developed, and the shorter average trek distances (1 to 4 hours vs Bwindi's 1 to 8 hours) suit travellers with less time. The gorilla encounter itself — one hour with a family of 8 to 25 animals at 3 to 5 metre proximity — is the same profound experience regardless of which country you trek in.

Golden monkey tracking

Volcanoes National Park also offers golden monkey tracking — an encounter with groups of 50 to 80 Cercopithecus kandti, the rare golden monkey found only in the Virunga Volcanoes. The tracking permit is separate from the gorilla permit and significantly cheaper. The bamboo forest sections of the park where the golden monkeys range are often the most beautiful part of the Virunga landscape. A full day at Volcanoes (gorilla trek in the morning, golden monkey in the afternoon) is the most complete primate trekking day available in Africa.

Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda is one of Africa's oldest mountain rainforests — 1,019 sq km of ancient forest at 1,600 to 2,950m altitude with 13 primate species including habituated chimpanzee, Angola colobus in enormous troops, L'Hoest's monkey and the rare owl-faced monkey. The Nyungwe canopy walk — a 90-metre suspension bridge 50 metres above the forest floor — is the longest canopy walkway in Africa. Combined with chimpanzee trekking (separate permit required), Nyungwe adds a full primate day to any Rwanda itinerary.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda is one of Africa's great conservation recovery stories. The park was severely depleted during the genocide and its aftermath, then restored through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Lion (reintroduced 2015) and black rhino (reintroduced 2017) have completed the Big Five, making Akagera Rwanda's only Big Five destination. The park's lakes and the Kagera River floodplain support hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, topi and an extraordinary diversity of waterbirds. Game drives in Akagera are genuinely exclusive — far fewer vehicles than comparable East African parks.

Kigali

Rwanda's capital is one of Africa's most liveable and safest cities — a remarkable achievement. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of the most carefully presented and important memorial sites on the continent: a visit is sobering, essential and respectfully done. The city's restaurant scene, boutique hotels and craft markets have matured significantly in the past decade, making Kigali a genuine 1 to 2 night destination rather than simply an airport transit.