RWANDA SAFARI
Rwanda Safari Tours and Gorilla Trekking Destinations
The Land of a Thousand Hills. Mountain gorillas two hours from the capital, chimpanzees in Nyungwe and the Big Five back in Akagera.
WHY RWANDA
The Easiest Gorilla Trek in Africa
Rwanda is the short trip option. Kigali airport to the gorilla lodges at Volcanoes National Park is a two to three hour drive on good tarmac, which means you can land, trek and be home inside four days. Nowhere else in the gorilla range makes that possible.
The country has also rebuilt Akagera from near collapse. Lions returned in 2015 and black rhino in 2017, so Rwanda now offers gorillas and a Big Five savanna park within a few hours of each other.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
Why Choose Rwanda For A Safari?
Short Transfers
Everything is close. Kigali to Volcanoes is under three hours, and Akagera is about two and a half in the other direction.
Gorillas and Big Five
The only country where you can trek mountain gorillas and see the Big Five on the same short itinerary.
Conservation Record
Permit revenue is shared with communities around the parks, and gorilla numbers in the Virungas have risen steadily.
Kigali Itself
Clean, safe and easy to move around, with the Genocide Memorial as essential context for any visit.
WHERE TO GO
Top Rwanda Safari Destinations
Rwanda has four national parks and one great lake worth building a trip around. Each guide below covers wildlife, permits, the best months to go and how to get there.
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas on the Virunga slopes, plus golden monkeys and the Dian Fossey memorial hike.
Akagera National Park
Rwanda only savanna park and now a Big Five destination after the return of lion and black rhino.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Ancient montane rainforest with chimpanzee tracking and East Africa only canopy walkway.
All Rwanda destinations: Volcanoes National Park · Akagera National Park · Nyungwe Forest National Park · Lake Kivu · Gishwati-Mukura National Park
BUDGETING
How Much Does A Rwanda Safari Cost?
The gorilla permit dominates the budget. It is currently USD 1,500 per person, set by the Rwanda Development Board, which is close to double the Uganda price. What you buy for the difference is time. Shorter transfers mean a Rwanda gorilla trip can be done in three or four days rather than eight, and for many travellers the saving on flights, lodges and leave makes the total comparable.
Outside the permit, expect USD 300 to USD 500 per person per day at the mid range, with a private vehicle, driver guide, park fees and full board. Rwanda has fewer budget options than Uganda and a strong high end lodge market around Volcanoes. Permit rates change from time to time, so we confirm the current figure in writing with every quote.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Rwanda Safari, Key Questions
It depends on what is scarce for you, time or money. Rwanda costs USD 1,500 for a permit but the trek is two hours from the airport, so a long weekend works. Uganda costs USD 800 but the drive from Entebbe to Bwindi is most of a day each way, so you need a longer trip. The gorillas themselves are the same species in the same mountain range.
Anywhere from thirty minutes to five hours each way, depending on which family you are allocated on the morning. Guides match groups to fitness at the briefing, so tell them honestly what you can manage. Porters are available and worth taking.
Rwanda issues a visa on arrival to all nationalities, so no advance application is strictly required. If you are combining Rwanda with Kenya and Uganda, the East Africa Tourist Visa is usually the cheaper route and allows movement between all three.
June to September is the long dry season and the most comfortable time to trek. December to February is a shorter dry spell and also good. The wet months bring mud on the trails but greener forest and lower lodge rates. Rwanda sits at altitude, so evenings are cool all year and you will want a fleece.
Yes. Kigali connects easily to Nairobi and Kilimanjaro, so a common route is gorillas in Rwanda followed by the Masai Mara or the Serengeti. Ten to twelve days covers both properly.
Plan Your Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Permits sell out months ahead in peak season. Send us your dates and we will check live availability before quoting.
TAILOR MADE SAFARI
Want to Know More? Talk to Us
Create an unforgettable memory with a customised Kenya or Tanzania safari. Tell us how you like to travel and our safari experts will shape the route around you, with no obligation.
Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com
