Rwanda

The land of 1000 hills

Why Visit Rwanda

Rwanda captivates visitors with its remarkable beauty, compelling history, and leading conservation efforts. At its heart lies the awe-inspiring Volcanoes National Park, a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas. A bucket list experience for many travellers, trekking through dense forests to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Rwanda also offers treks to discover both the Chimpanzees and the Golden Monkeys as well as being a hikers paradise with overnight hikes to some of the summits of the country’s highest volcanoes.

Rwanda’s stunning landscapes unveil themselves across lush green hills, serene lakes, and vibrant city life in Kigali.
Rwanda’s poignant history also beckons exploration. The Kigali Genocide Memorial stands as a powerful tribute, offering insights into the country’s resilience and efforts towards reconciliation.

For those looking for a unique wildlife experience then head to Akagera National Park, where this conservation miracle has led to savannahs that teem with diverse wildlife, including the Big 5.

Wilderness Bisate Gorilla
Gorilla Tracking
Singita Rwanda
Volcano Hiking
Magashi Akagera
Green Safaris
Golden Monkey
Golden Monkeys
One and Only Nyungwe House Rwanda
Luxury Lodges
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee Tracking
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Conservation Led Tourism

Discover Rwanda

Top Destinations

Volcanoes National Park

A bucket list destination, and only 1 of 3 places in the world to discover the majestic mountain gorillas. Trekking through mist-laden forests to encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring and deeply emotional journey. The chance to observe and connect with these endangered creatures is a moment that will live with you forever. Beyond gorilla encounters, the park's lush landscapes, defined by verdant hills and volcanic terrain, present captivating vistas. The opportunity to immerse oneself in this breathtaking scenery, coupled with the chance to engage with local communities and learn about conservation efforts, creates a holistic and enriching experience.

Attraction List:

  • Gorilla Tracking
  • Golden Monkey Tracking
  • Batwa Pygmy Visits
  • Overnight Volcano Hike to Mount Karisimbi (4,507 metres/ 14,787 Feet)
  • Day Volcano Hike up Mount Bisoke (3,711 m / 12,752 Feet)

Top Experiences

Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
Gorilla Tracking
Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
Wilderness Magashi Boat
Boat Safaris
Hiking Bisate Lodge Rwanda
Hiking
Visit Rwanda Birding
Birding
The Retreat Kigali
Shopping and Markets

Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The best time to visit Rwanda for the full experience: Gorilla’s, Chimpanzees and Safaris is in the dry season (June to September and December to February).

The above months are the best time of year to trek for the mountain gorillas as these periods offer the best hiking conditions and the lowest risk of malaria.

The other months are also adequate for trekking but expect more rainfall and slippery hiking paths.

Rwanda has two wet seasons and two dry seasons each year. The longer dry season between June and September is best for safaris.

Rwanda Climate

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Monthly  Features

Long Dry Season (June to September) offer perfect conditions for trekking and safari. This is the least rainfall during the year. Therefore, conditions are easier for trekking and for spotting wildlife. These months are also a perfect time to combine a Kenyan or Tanzanian safari to your gorilla trekking experience.

Short Dry Season (December to February) is very good for gorilla and chimp trekking. Also decent for a safari in Akagera National Park, as Rwanda has a high annual rainfall the vegetation will be lush during this short dry season.

Wet Seasons (March to May and October to November) have the highest rainfall. If you are strong and fit, then these months are still fine for gorilla trekking, expect slightly slippery conditions. Safari is more difficult as the bush is thick but due to rain usually being short downpours it still allows for outdoor activities in this period.

Fequently Asked Questions

Rwanda is generally an expensive destination to visit. This is definitely the case if you are wanting to see the Gorillas. Most of the tourist lodges in Uganda are aimed at high end travellers looking for the ultimately in luxury and service.

The reason for the relatively high prices is:

Conservation Model: Rwanda adopted a tourism model similar to Botswana, ‘’high prices low volume tourism’’. This means that the lodging in prime areas is limited, very luxurious and are in line with the high activity pricing.

Gorilla Permits Limited: Due to the Gorilla’s being endangered and limited to a small area (Volcanoes National Park) means that only a few permits are available each day. The National Park limits the amount of permits and visitors to avoid encroachment on these gentle giants and to conserve the region.

Exchange Rates: Although the country has its own currency being Rwandan Franc (RWF), the tourism industry largely uses USD to price base their pricing. Therefore, one cannot take advantage of the local currencies’ depreciation.

Luxury Lodges: Rwanda has some of the world’s most luxurious lodges, including Bisate Lodge, Nyungwe House and Kwitonda. In Akagera there are also not many options for accommodation and therefore one would usually stay at the higher end Magashi Camp.

Can you travel Rwanda on a budget?

Rwanda is not a preferred destination for budget travel. For a similar experience at better value for money, we would recommend Uganda. There is slightly less exclusivity but far more activities, accommodation and National Parks.

2024 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit Costs Per Person Per Day:

Gorilla Trekking Permit

 

Chimp Trekking Permit

 

Rwanda Uganda Rwanda Uganda
Volcanoes NP Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga NP Nyungwe Forest NP

(incl Entry Fee)

Kibale Forest NP
USD 1,500 USD 700/USD 800 USD 250 USD 200/USD 250

To note, Uganda also offers gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experiences where you get to spend more time with both the Gorillas and Chimpanzees.

Rwanda is an easy country to travel to.

The countries national airline (RwandAir) travels throughout the world and has a growing network of flights.

There are also many international airlines flying into Kigali.

International Airports:

  • Kigali International Airport

There are also regional flights directly from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Rwanda is a small country and has great infrastructure.

The distances between the National Parks are not very far and can all be done within a day’s travel.

Options for travelling in Rwanda:

Safari Guide: A common way of travelling in East Africa where you would have a tour guide taking you in a safari vehicle from one location to another, he/she would also be your point of contact, general information and help with keeping your itinerary in line.

Road Transfers: One can do road transfers from one main destination to another.

Fly In: For travellers short on time or wanting to fly straight into the prime locations, many of the luxury lodges offer light aircraft or helicopter transfers.

Self-Drive: One may rent a vehicle in Kigali and travel throughout the country.

Taxis and Public Transport: This is possible and is more affordable although it won’t be as convenient or as comfortable as the above options.

Rwanda is generally safe for travellers. It has a relatively low crime rate compared to some other African countries. However, like any destination, it’s wise to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas where petty theft and opportunistic crimes can occur.

Overall, Rwanda is a beautiful country with welcoming people, but as with travel anywhere, staying vigilant and informed is key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.

At AfriVenture we will never design an itinerary that would put you into a risky situation or area.

Yes, Malaria is present in all parts of Rwanda. The risk of malaria is considered high especially during the wet seasons (see ‘best time to travel’).

It’s important to take precautionary measures if you’re traveling to malaria-prone areas, especially during the rainy season when mosquito populations are higher.

Preventive measures against malaria includes:

  • Taking anti-malarial medication prescribed by a healthcare professional (if necessary).
  • Using insect repellent.
  • Wearing protective clothing in the evenings. (eg, Long Sleeves and Long Pants)
  • Sleeping in accommodations with mosquito nets, screened windows, fans and air conditioning.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor before your trip to get the most up-to-date and personalized advice on malaria prevention based on the specific areas you plan to visit and your individual health considerations.

Visa requirements for Rwanda vary depending on your nationality.

Some countries have visa-free arrangements with Rwanda, allowing their citizens to visit for a specified period without needing a visa. Other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance.

To determine whether you need a visa to visit Rwanda, you should check with the nearest Rwandan embassy or consulate in your country or visit the official website of the Rwandan Department of Home Affairs. They will have the most updated information about visa requirements.

Visa requirements can change, so it’s essential to confirm the most current information well before your planned travel dates.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor several weeks before your trip to get personalized advice based on your health history, itinerary, and current health recommendations.

At the time of writing there are no compulsory vaccinations for travellers entering Rwanda.

However, the country may require a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from, or have recently visited a Yellow Fever endemic area. This requirement usually applies to travellers coming from certain African and South American countries.

Malaria Prevention: Please see other frequently asked question on Malaria.

The currency used in Rwanda is Rwandan Franc (RWF), however a lot of the tourist establishments accept United States Dollar (USD).

There are a variety of methods to pay for goods and services:

  1. Credit and Debit Cards: The most popular means of paying for goods and services. Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted in most establishments. American Express and Diners Club cards are less widely accepted. Inform your bank about your travel plans to prevent any issues with card usage abroad.
  2. Cash: Carrying some cash in RWF can be useful for small purchases, markets, tipping, and places where card payments might not be accepted. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns and accept most international cards.

Tipping:

It is customary to tip for services in Rwanda.

  • Restaurants: Tipping around 10% of the total bill is common if the service charge is not already included. Check the bill; sometimes a service charge is included, in which case additional tipping might not be expected.
  • Hotels: Tipping hotel staff, such as porters and housekeeping, is customary.
  • Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers isn’t mandatory, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
  • Lodges: This depends on the lodge standard and services, please enquire with us or directly with lodge management.

Even though tipping is customary, it is still discretionary, and the amount can vary based on the quality of service you received.

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