Lying in the east of Africa, Rwanda is a renowned destination for safaris providing meaningful connections to nature and unforgettable experiences for travelers. Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage further sets it apart. Travelers to the country not only get immersed in the wonderful nature but also get a deep dive into the heartwarming hospitality of the Rwandan citizens getting entertainment in form of cultural dances, vibrant traditional music. The interesting folklore adds another level of fascination that leaves visitors in awe. Rwanda indeed is a leading destination for travelers looking for a diverse array of natural wonders.

A gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is a realm of adventure that gets travelers to the country excited.  It is not only about meeting the endangered mountain gorillas but also presents travellers with the uncommon opportunity to traverse through the moist, intact tropical rainforests of the country. The Virunga conservation area is renowned for the breathtaking views it provides to guests.

Observing the fascinating behaviours of the mountain gorillas up close, amidst the views of the towering volcanoes is an adventure that is indeed worthwhile, the gorilla trekking activity in Rwanda parades exactly that! Rwanda is indeed an absolute gem when it comes to gorilla trekking.

Volcanoes National Park is perched in the northwestern provinces of Rwanda. It is seated on an area of approximately 160 square kilometres encompassing intact tropical rainforests and five of the eight Virunga volcanoes that is to say Karisimbi, Bisoke, Mikeno, Sabyinyo and Muhabura mountains. Volcanoes National Park is a renowned host of mountain gorillas and the only place where one can see them in Rwanda.

The park boasts as the pioneer of gorilla tourism activities, it was the main researching ground of the conservation activities that were initiated with the renowned researcher Dian Fossey  that led to the booming gorilla tourism activities today.  The vegetation of Volcanoes National Park varies according to the altitudes.

The lower slopes of the mountains in the park are covered with bamboo which favours their ability to host the mountain gorillas. The higher slopes are covered by hagenia hypericum forests and the Summit is covered by thickets, marshes, meadows that add up to the overall beauty of the destination.

Volcanoes National Park is home to the Iby’iwacu Cultural village, a renowned one stop centre for heartwarming hospitality and vibrant traditional dances. The visitors to Volcanoes National Park are not only blessed to watch the incredible gentle giants but also get immersed into the beauty of the cultures and unique traditions of Rwanda.

All these marvellous attractions make Volcanoes National Park a gem for real adventurers to look out for.

City tours. It is important to note that Rwanda is host to the fastest growing city in Africa and arguably the cleanest. Visitors to the country have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city and conduct visits to the most popular places especially genocide museums, Kigali convention centre, Inema art gallery, BK Arena and the state-of-the-art malls that help travellers do extensive shopping, purchase souvenirs that help remind them of their African journeys.  Visits can also be conducted to Kimironko market where travellers can buy several things and get a taste of the local delicacies.

Bird watching. The bird watching activity in Rwanda helps the traveler observe the beautiful Great Lakes region endemic bird species. Visitors therefore have the opportunity to set their eyes on the beautiful bird species living in the tropical rainforests and the overall ecosystems of Rwanda.

Visitors get the chance to set their eyes on birds especially the lanner falcons, Black bee-eaters, oxpeckers, songbirds, sunbirds, vultures, hammerkops, African paradise flycatchers, African darters, African jacanas, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black breasted barbet, woodpeckers, shoebills and black and white casquered hornbills.

Chimpanzee trekking. Rwanda is a renowned habitat variety of primates and chimpanzees are a part of them. The chimpanzee trekking tour is done in the tropical rainforests of Rwanda amidst the guidance of Ranger guides who provide additional information about the primates. It is conducted in Nyungwe national park.

Golden monkey trekking. This is yet another exciting activity that is carried out in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Visitors have the opportunity to trek through the various terrain of the park and set their eyes on the beautiful golden monkeys. They are part of other 13 primates in the park and therefore visitors not only watch the golden monkeys but also other primates especially the black and white colobus monkeys, lhoests, vervet monkeys, blue and red-tailed monkeys. Having the chance to observe these exciting primates up close is an adventure that is indeed worth the efforts.

Canopy walks. These are conducted to help equip the visitors with the opportunity to watch a variety of primates in the towering tropical or in forest canopies. The activity unveils the beauty of the intact evergreen tropical rainforests. Undertaking the activity in the golden hours of the day even makes it more satisfying. Visitors have the opportunity to indulge in this sightseeing adventure and photography since they are blessed with the beautiful scenery of the diverse landscapes of the country when on this activity.

Hiking. The hiking activity takes visitors through the diverse landscapes and dense rainforests of the country. Visitors get to explore more of the beauty of the country as they maneuver through the slopes of the mountains in the region. The hikes to the top of the mountains expose the travelers to the breathtaking beauty of crater lakes especially the Burera and Ruhondo. Hiking is done In Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe national park and other Highlands in the country.

Museum and art gallery tours. In the museum and art gallery tours are conducted to help the traveller learn more about the history of the country and observe the work of the gifted hands of the artists in the country. Rwanda has a lot of stories to tell and the arts of the country help realize the dreams.  Visits conducted to Inema arts centre and the genocide museum help the guests understand the Rwanda story.

Cultural encounters. These are conducted to the communities and homesteads of the indigenous Rwanda people. They provide entertainment to guests in the form of their traditional dances and the exciting folklore they tell. All these help the travelers get a deep understanding of the way of life of these beautiful people. While in the homesteads, visitors also get a taste of the local cuisine which even makes the encounters more rewarding. Cultural encounters usually happen at Iby’iwacu cultural village.

Game drives. The game drives in Rwanda are usually done in Akagera National Park to help the visitors have an encounter with the big 5 animals and other exciting creatures that inhabit the magnificent landscapes and beautiful vegetation of the park. Game drives in the country are conducted in comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicles that help travellers maneuver through all the ends of the National Park leaving the traveller exposed to the beautiful endowments of the park. They enable the traveller to have close observation of the animals within, take beautiful photographs and have lifetime memories in the region.

The dry seasons of the year are the best times in which one can embark on a safari in Rwanda. They usually occur twice in a year, that is to say, mid-year and at the end of the year all through the start of the year.

The dry seasons in Rwanda take two forms that is to say the long dry season which is always on from June to September and the short right season that runs from December to early March.

These are the best times to do a safari in Rwanda because they are characterized with low temperatures, low rainfall that leaves the ground is steady and therefore enables the travellers to traverse through with no hardships.

Visitors embarking on Rwanda safaris are highly advised to be organized and ensure that they pack appropriately in order to have an exceptional safari. Visitors should endeavour to carry things encompassing;

A tourist day pack. This aids carriage of the personal things especially the first aid equipment, snacks and drinking water, computers to mention but a few. These help the travellers have uninterrupted experiences and capture the moments.

Hiking boots. The hiking boots enable travellers to maneuver through the various terrain in the national parks with limited hardships.

A rain coat. A jacket is necessary while on a trip in Rwanda since it tends to get cold in the rainforests as one is exploring.

Light clothes. Light clothes are important especially on the game drives as the travellers are exploring the national parks.