Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safaris in Volcanoes NP

Tour Rwanda with us for memorable safari adventures to Rwanda also proudly known as the land of a thousand hills. Safaris to Rwanda Include gorilla trekking tours, wildlife safaris, nature treks and cultural sites tours. Our available tour packages can be tailor-made, can depart any time of the year and are available for travelers all year round.

Our Rwanda Safari Packages

Rwanda Safaris / Gorilla tours and Wildlife

Rwanda, often referred to as the  “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is one of Africa’s leading safari destinations. The country is characterised by rolling green landscapes, volcanic mountains, tropical rainforests and lakes. Rwanda safaris is best known for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park but the country also offers Big five safaris in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk in Nyungwee National Park, bird watching and opportunities to experience Rwanda’s culture.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the major highlight of Rwanda safaris and it attracts a large number of visitors. The activity takes place in Volcanoes National Park located in northwestern Rwanda along the Virunga Mountain range. The park protects part of the habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas and several habituated gorilla families are open to tourism. Visitors going for gorilla trekking  gather at the park headquarters for a briefing before being assigned to a specific gorilla family based on the permit allocation. Visitors are guided by rangers and trackers as they hike through bamboo forest, montane vegetation and volcanic slopes in search of the gorillas. Trekking times vary depending on the location of each family and can range from 1 to 8 hours. 

Once the gorillas are located, visitors are allowed to spend an hour observing them as they feed, groom, play and interact with one another. To trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda, visitors must purchase gorilla permits in advance which cost $1500 per person. 

Game viewing 

Game viewing is also part of the Rwanda safaris and is done in Akagera National Park , the country’s only savannah park. The park is located in eastern Rwanda and it is a home to the big five, for instance, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes. Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda

Although gorilla trekking is Rwanda’s main attraction, the country also offers rewarding wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park. Located in eastern Rwanda, Akagera is the country’s only savannah national park and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. During game drives, visitors may also encounter giraffes, zebras, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos among others. Lake Ihema, which is located within the park, offers boat cruises to the visitors. During the boat ride, visitors get the opportunity to spot water mammals, for instance crocodiles, hippos and water birds. 

Chimpanzee tracking 

Chimpanzee tracking is offered in Nyungwe National Park located in the south of Rwanda. The park is home to a large population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other primate species. , one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests. The park is home to a large population of chimpanzees as well as several other primate species.

Guided chimpanzee treks begin at 5:30 am as visitors follow trackers into the forest in search of habituated chimpanzee groups. Once located, guests spend one hour observing their behaviour in the wild. Chimpanzees are always vocal in the forest and their loud chants can be heard even before meeting them. Besides chimpanzees, Nyungwe is home to species such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Golden Monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking can be included as part of a longer primate safari or enjoyed as a standalone activity in Volcanoes National Park. The park has two habituated troops that visitors can track. One troop is found on the lower slopes of Mount Karisimbi while the other lives in the bamboo forests on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo. Beyond golden monkeys, Rwanda is home to several other primate species. Nyungwe National Park is well known for its large troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as owl-faced monkeys, Dent’s monkeys, blue monkeys and vervet monkeys. The park also supports the Albertine Rift endemic L’Hoest’s monkey, making it one of the best places in the region for primate viewing.

In Akagera National Park, visitors may encounter olive baboons and vervet monkeys during game drives. The small potto, a nocturnal primate, is occasionally seen on night drives within the park.

Bird watching

Rwanda is a home to over 700 bird species. The country’s diverse habitats support Albertine Rift endemics, forest birds, Lake Victoria Basin endemics and savannah species. Popular birding destinations in Rwanda include Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Volcanoes National park. Some of the bird species that can be spotted include Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s Ground Robin, great blue turaco, Rwenzori Batis, red-collared babbler, Shoebill, Grauer’s swamp warbler and Albertine Owlet. 

Canopy Walk

The canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park is one of Rwanda’s most distinctive outdoor experiences and the only suspended forest canopy walkway in the country. The walk takes visitors above the rainforest on a steel suspension bridge measuring about 160 metres in length and rising approximately 70 metres above the forest floor. From this height, the forest canopy stretches in every direction, offering a different perspective of Nyungwe rainforest. The canopy walkway is reached as part of a guided hike through the forest with several trail options leading to the bridge. Along the way, guides point out interesting plants, towering trees and wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed. Once on the bridge, visitors enjoy sweeping views across the forest canopy, surrounding hills and valleys especially on clear mornings.

The area around the canopy walk is rich in biodiversity. Birdwatchers often spot some of Nyungwe’s forest birds while colourful butterflies, orchids, ferns and other indigenous plant species thrive in the surrounding vegetation. Although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, monkeys such as blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are occasionally seen moving through the treetops.

The canopy walk is suitable for most visitors with a reasonable level of fitness, as it involves walking on uneven forest trails before reaching the bridge. The activity is usually combined with one of Nyungwe’s guided hiking trails. 

Volcano hiking

Volcano hiking is one of the most challenging outdoor activities in Rwanda and is ideal for visitors who enjoy long walks and mountain climbing. The hikes take place in Volcanoes National Park where five of the eight Virunga volcanoes are found within Rwanda’s borders. Each mountain offers a different hiking experience with trails passing through bamboo forests, montane woodland and alpine vegetation before reaching the summit.

The most popular hikes are to Mount Karisimbi (4,507 metres), the highest mountain in Rwanda, Mount Bisoke (3,711 metres) and Mount Sabyinyo. Mount Karisimbi is usually climbed over two days with an overnight camp on the mountain, while Mount Bisoke can often be completed in a single day. Hiking Mount Sabyinyo is only possible from the Ugandan side of the Virunga Mountains although its distinctive peaks are clearly visible from Rwanda.

Each hike rewards climbers with wide views of the Virunga Mountains, nearby volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. One of the highlights is the scenic crater lake at the summit of Mount Bisoke while Mount Karisimbi offers far-reaching views across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on clear days. Along the trails, hikers may also spot golden monkeys, a variety of forest birds and unique high-altitude plants.

Other safari experiences 

Rwanda offers much more than wildlife and national parks. Visitors can also explore the country’s history, culture and everyday life through a range of cultural and historical experiences found across the country. Many trips begin with a tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. A city tour usually includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where visitors learn about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda’s journey of recovery. Other popular stops include local markets, museums, art galleries and craft centres, where visitors can meet local artists and shop for handmade souvenirs. Kigali is also a good place to enjoy activities such as cycling, golf, running and cricket.

Outside the capital, cultural visits give travellers the opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s traditions from local communities. One of the best-known cultural centres is the Gorilla Guardians Village, formerly called the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, near Volcanoes National Park. Here, visitors can watch traditional Intore dance performances, listen to local music, learn about traditional hunting techniques, visit a replica of the King’s palace and take part in activities that showcase Rwanda’s customs and way of life.

Visitors interested in Rwanda’s royal history can also tour the country’s historic royal palaces. These sites provide insight into the former Kingdom of Rwanda, including its kings, traditional leadership, architecture and cultural practices that shaped the country’s history before the colonial period.