Rwanda is small, green and remarkably easy to travel. From Kigali you can be at the edge of Volcanoes National Park in under three hours, which makes it ideal for a short gorilla safari or as part of a longer trip with Uganda. Here is how we think about planning it.
Why Rwanda
The country has invested heavily in conservation and in high quality, low volume tourism. Roads are good, Kigali is clean and safe to explore, and the lodges around the volcanoes are some of the finest in Africa. You spend your time trekking and resting rather than driving.
The places to know
- Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and hikes to Dian Fossey’s grave or Mount Bisoke.
- Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzees, a canopy walkway and more than 300 bird species.
- Akagera for a classic savannah safari with the Big Five, lakes and boat trips.
- Lake Kivu for slow days by the water between the forest and the volcanoes.
- Kigali for the Genocide Memorial, markets, galleries and very good food.
When to go
June to September and December to February are the drier months and the most popular. Trekking continues all year, and the wetter months bring fewer people and lusher forest. We book permits early for the busy months.
Permits and costs
At the time of writing a Rwanda gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person. It is more than in Uganda, but the park is closer to the airport and treks are often shorter. Many travellers trek once in Rwanda and once in Uganda to compare the two.
How long to stay
Four days covers Kigali and a gorilla trek. Seven to ten days lets you add Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, a night or two on Lake Kivu and a few days in Akagera. Rwanda also combines naturally with Uganda’s Bwindi, which is a short drive over the border.