Destinations
Rwanda Safari Destinations
Mountain gorillas in cloud forest, chimpanzees in ancient rainforest, Big Five on open savannah and a quiet lake at day’s end. Four landscapes, one small country, planned privately around you.
Why destination matters
Rwanda is small. Where you go is everything.
You can cross Rwanda in a day, yet no two regions feel alike. The volcanic north, the rainforest of the southwest, the savannah of the east and the shores of Lake Kivu each offer a different kind of safari. We help you choose the right ones, in the right order, with unhurried days between them.
3
National parks
5
Signature destinations
1
Great lake
100%
Private journeys
01 — Northern Province
Volcanoes National Park: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rising above the town of Musanze, the Virunga volcanoes shelter one of the last populations of endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking here means climbing through bamboo and moss-draped forest to sit, quietly, within metres of a gorilla family.
Beyond the gorillas, the park offers golden monkey tracking, the hike to Mount Bisoke’s crater lake and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Permits are limited and must be secured well ahead, which is why we handle them for you. Read our full Volcanoes National Park guide or see our 3-day gorilla trek.
Best for
Gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, volcano hikes
Best time
June to September, December to February
From Kigali
About 2 to 2½ hours by road
02 — Southwest Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
One of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests, Nyungwe is a vast, misty wilderness of ridge-top trails and tea-covered hills. It is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and more than 300 bird species.
Track a chimpanzee community at dawn, then walk the suspended canopy walkway above the forest floor. Nyungwe rewards travellers who want depth over speed. Read our full Nyungwe National Park guide, or pair it with gorillas on our 5-day gorillas and chimpanzees journey.
Best for
Chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, birding
Best time
June to September, December to February
From Kigali
About 5 to 6 hours by road
03 — Eastern Rwanda
Akagera National Park: Big Five Safari in Rwanda
Rwanda’s wild side opens out across lakes, papyrus swamps and rolling savannah. Akagera is the country’s only Big Five park, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra and hippo.
Spend mornings on game drives and afternoons on the water of Lake Ihema. It is an ideal contrast to the forests, and an easy extension to any itinerary. Explore the 3-day Akagera Big Five safari, or read our Akagera National Park guide.
Best for
Game drives, boat safari, Big Five
Best time
June to September, with good wildlife year-round
From Kigali
About 2½ hours by road
04 — Western Rwanda
Lake Kivu: A Lakeside Escape After Safari
Edged by green hills and fishing villages, Lake Kivu is the place to slow down. Take a boat to the islands, kayak at sunrise, walk lakeside trails or simply watch the evening light settle over the water.
It is the natural finish to a gorilla or chimpanzee journey, and a destination in its own right. Our 3-day Lake Kivu retreat is built for rest, and our Lake Kivu guide covers the islands, lodges and how to combine it with a safari.
Best for
Boat trips, kayaking, relaxing, coffee and village visits
Best time
All year, driest June to September
From Kigali
About 3 to 4 hours by road
05 — Gateway city
Kigali: Culture, Coffee and Rwanda's Story
Most journeys begin and end in Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most welcoming capitals. A little time here gives context to everything else you will see.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, browse local art, taste Rwandan coffee and meet the traditions that make the country so distinctive. We can add a half-day or full-day city experience to any package.
Best for
Culture, history, art, coffee, dining
Best time
All year
From the airport
About 30 to 40 minutes to most hotels
Planning
When to Visit Rwanda
Rwanda is a year-round destination, but the seasons shape your experience. Our team will match your dates to the right destinations.
June – September
Long dry season
The classic safari window. Drier trails for gorilla and chimpanzee treks and excellent game viewing in Akagera. Book early.
December – February
Short dry season
Warm, bright and good for trekking and wildlife. Popular over the holidays.
March – May
Long rains
Lush, green and quiet. Lower rates and fewer travellers, with some muddier trails.
October – November
Short rains
Brief showers with beautiful light. Good value and still very rewarding.
Sample routes
How Rwanda's Destinations Fit Together
Start with one of these journeys, then tell us how you would like to change it.
3 days
Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
Volcanoes National Park in a short, focused journey.
7 days
The Rwanda Grand Journey
Volcanoes, Akagera and Lake Kivu in one signature itinerary.
Good to know
Rwanda Destinations: Frequently Asked Questions
Three days is enough for a gorilla trek from Kigali. Five to seven days lets you combine Volcanoes, Nyungwe or Akagera with time at Lake Kivu without rushing.
June to September is the driest and most popular period, and December to February is also good. Gorilla trekking runs year-round, so the rainy months are a quieter option.
Volcanoes National Park is the classic first choice for mountain gorillas. Many guests add Akagera for Big Five wildlife or Lake Kivu for rest.
Volcanoes and Akagera are roughly two to two and a half hours by road, Lake Kivu about three to four hours and Nyungwe about five to six. Times vary with traffic and road conditions.
Yes. Rwanda’s distances are short, so most itineraries combine two or three destinations with a private guide and vehicle. We design each route around your pace.
Yes. Gorilla permits are limited and sell out in peak months, so we recommend booking as early as possible. We arrange permits as part of your itinerary.
Begin the journey
Tell us where Rwanda is calling you
Share your dates and interests, and a Rwanda specialist will design a private itinerary through the destinations that suit you best.