Questions About Rwanda Safaris

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

Rwanda safari trips are available year-round and the best time depends a bit on your personal interest and tolerance for rainy conditions. Most people come to Rwanda for gorilla trekking, which can be done throughout the year. However, the wet climate in the Virunga Mountains (home of the gorillas) can make trekking a challenge, especially in the peaks of the Wet season (March, April, October and November). The driest months (June to August) are best for gorilla trekking and also recommended for hiking in Nyungwe National Park. Most of the primates in Nyungwe can also be located throughout the year, but chimps are easier to track during the Wet, as they tend to move farther into the forest when food becomes scarce. Having said all that, if you have good weatherproof gear and you don’t mind being caught in the rain on occasion, the Wet season months have their advantages as they tend to be less crowded and lodges often offer lower rates. Gorilla permits are also easier to obtain in the Wet season.

What are the major attractions in Rwanda?

Rwanda is a beautiful little country most known for the genocide of 1994. The good news is that the country largely recovered from this terrible event and is now very safe and totally geared for tourism. The Rwandan authorities managed to keep their gorillas safe throughout this turbulent time, and seeing these gentle giants has become one of the top attractions in Africa. So, mountain gorilla trekking is by far the prime attraction in Rwanda and most tourists will visit the country for that reason alone, often adding a few days in Rwanda to a safari in Kenya or Tanzania. However, there is a lot more to see and do in Rwanda than gorilla trekking. Other attractions include golden monkey treks and climbing one of the volcanoes in the Virungas. Nyungwe National Park is worth a visit as well. This beautiful, high-altitude forest is remarkably accessible and home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah reserve. It doesn’t quite compare to the likes of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, but this scenic park has a lot to offer in terms of wilderness appeal. Following recent reintroductions, it is also home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo).

What does Rwanda gorilla trekking cost?

Tracking mountain gorillas doesn’t come cheaply. In 2017 Rwanda doubled its prices for a gorilla trekking permit, which brings the current price to US$1,500. The justification for this high fee is that there are only 12 habituated groups of gorillas that can be visited by tourists in Volcanoes National Park, and each group can be visited by a maximum of eight tourists per day. So this makes a limit of 96 permits a day. Is it worth it? If you can afford it, it is worth every penny. How can you put a price on such an amazing experience, described by many who’ve done it as a travel highlight of their life?

What wildlife can I expect to see when on safari in Rwanda?

A Rwanda safari is quite different from most classic East African safari holidays. Most of the activities here require hiking in rainforests. Aside from gorillas, other primates can be tracked, such as chimpanzees and golden monkeys. Viewing any of these primates is a very rewarding experience but difficult to compare to a safari in the Masai Mara, for example. Longer Rwanda holidays can include a trip to Akagera National Park for a more conventional safari. Akagera suffered hugely from human encroachment and poaching in the past, but this is now mostly under control thanks to the commitment of African Parks. Animals are still quite skittish and you have to work a bit harder for your sightings than in some other iconic savannah parks, but a trip to Akagera shouldn’t be missed.

How safe is Rwanda for tourists?

Rwanda is a safe destination. Unfortunately, the country is still stained by the memory of the genocide, which occurred as a result of historical conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples. The genocide took place in 1994 and there have been no incidents since. Today, Rwanda feels like quite a well-run country and the people are very gracious and friendly. Many have returned after years of exile, which gives Rwanda quite a cosmopolitan feel as many of the returnees have studied abroad. As in any country, most crime occurs in cities and urban areas and visitors should take normal safety precautions in these places. You are unlikely to encounter any problems on guided activities if you have booked with a reputable operator.

How do you choose a reliable tour operator for a Rwanda trip?

Most specialist Africa tour operators will be able to add a Rwanda gorilla trekking package to any African safari. If you’re considering a holiday in Rwanda, as opposed to an add-on to a trip to another country, you should carefully choose your operator to ensure you end up in the right hands. Checking the operators and Rwanda gorilla trekking tours offered on SafariBookings.com is a good start. Always read the customer reviews (but never base an opinion on a handful of reviews only) and consider using a local operator. This means all your money will go into the Rwandan economy and you’ll be doing your bit to support local communities. The downside is that small operators don’t always have the backup and resources to deal with a situation if things go wrong, such as a vehicle breakdown. International operators, on the other hand, can include your flights in a Rwandan safari package.

What type of accommodation can I expect?

Rwanda has come a long way since its early days of safari tourism a few decades ago. There are now top-notch accommodation options in all the main tourist destinations. Where once there were only a handful of local guesthouses available, there are now tourist-class hotels in or around Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks. In recent years, several small, exclusive safari lodges (so popular in more mainstream safari countries) have opened as well. This should help put Rwanda on the map for the repeat African visitor who loves the classic safari holiday.

What can I expect from a safari in Rwanda?

Although Akagera National Park is developing as a great savannah safari destination, Rwanda safaris are not on the same level as classic safaris offered in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. So, the word ‘safari’ might be slightly misleading. Most people come to Rwanda for the activities offered in the rainforest environment: gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, volcano hikes and bird watching. Seeing mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and most people walk away in awe of these magnificent gentle giants living their life in this stunning rainforest setting. Spending an hour with them is an absolute privilege. Because of this, and since gorilla trekking has been publicized more in recent years, it has become a bucket-list activity for many general tourists. The other activities will mostly appeal to the more active traveler. Rwanda has high rainfall throughout the year, so you’ll be walking a lot on slippery forest paths and you might well get wet on a few occasions. The daily limit on the gorilla permits means tourist numbers tend to be low wherever you go, and you’ll enjoy a feeling of exclusivity and discovery. The Rwandan people are extremely proud of their country and very welcoming to visitors.