Why Rwanda Is Africa's Best Safari Secret
Rwanda, known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills,' offers one of the most diverse and compact safari experiences in Africa. Within this small country, you can track mountain gorillas in misty volcanic forests, spot the Big Five on savannah game drives, hike through ancient rainforests with chimpanzees, and experience one of Africa's most vibrant cultures. No other country on the continent offers this combination of experiences within such short travel distances. Rwanda's excellent infrastructure, safety, and hospitality make it a top-tier safari destination.
Akagera National Park: Big Five Safari
Your Rwanda safari adventure typically begins or ends at Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. As the country's only Big Five destination, Akagera offers classic savannah safari experiences including game drives, boat safaris, night drives, and bird watching across 1,122 square kilometres of diverse habitat. Lions, elephants, black rhinos, leopards, and buffalo all call this park home, alongside giraffes, hippos, zebras, and over 500 bird species. A 2-3 day visit is recommended to fully appreciate the park.
Volcanoes National Park: Mountain Gorilla Trekking
The crown jewel of Rwanda tourism. Volcanoes National Park in the northwest is home to about a third of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking permits are premium-priced and must be booked months in advance — contact us for current permit rates. The trek through bamboo forests to find a gorilla family takes 1-6 hours depending on their location. When you finally sit with a silverback and his family, mere metres away, it's one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. The park is a 2.5-hour drive from Kigali.
Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee Tracking
In southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa's oldest montane rainforests. It's home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and L'Hoest's monkeys. The canopy walkway — suspended 60 metres above the forest floor — is a thrilling experience. Chimpanzee tracking permits are available — contact us for current rates. The forest is also a birding hotspot with over 300 species, many found nowhere else. Nyungwe is about a 5-hour drive from Kigali.
Suggested 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, city tour and genocide memorial. Day 2: Drive to Akagera, afternoon game drive. Day 3: Full day in Akagera — morning game drive, afternoon boat safari. Day 4: Morning game drive, drive to Kigali. Day 5: Drive to Volcanoes National Park, afternoon at leisure. Day 6: Morning gorilla trekking, afternoon golden monkey tracking. Day 7: Drive to Kigali, departure. This itinerary can be extended to include Nyungwe Forest (add 2 days) or Lake Kivu (add 1-2 days).
Practical Information
Visa: Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival or apply online. Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF), but USD is widely accepted. Language: Kinyarwanda, English, and French are official languages. Health: Yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Safety: Rwanda is one of Africa's safest countries. Kigali is consistently rated Africa's cleanest city. Best time: June-September (dry season) for optimal conditions across all parks.
Why Book With Us
We are Akagera safari specialists with deep local knowledge and established relationships across Rwanda's tourism network. We handle all logistics — permits, transport, accommodation, and activities — so you can focus on the experience. Our packages are competitively priced with no hidden fees, and our guides are among the most experienced in the country. Whether you want a budget camping safari or a luxury lodge experience, we create the perfect Rwanda itinerary for you.
