Rwanda is a beautiful, landlocked country found in Eastern Africa. The country has had a tumultuous past, but the resilient people have focused on rebuilding and restoring the beautiful nation. This is most evident in the country's national parks.
Since the violence of 1994, the Rwandan government has built infrastructure to support tourism, protected land and wildlife from extinction, and supported conservation.
Nicknamed 'the land of a thousand hills,' the country is filled with wonderous landscapes and famous mountain gorillas. Rwanda is a dream for holiday seekers, a land of volcanoes, rainforests, mountains, and diverse wildlife.
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The Magnificent Parks of Rwanda
Here's our guide to the parks of Rwanda. Learn which park is perfect for Rwandan gorilla trekking and which park is great for bird-watching and more.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is found in northwestern Rwanda. The park borders Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes National Park was established in 1925 to protect Rwandan gorillas.
This national park stretches out 160 square kilometres and encompasses 5 of the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. These are Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke (the only active volcano in the park), and Karisimbi.
The landscape includes rainforests, lakes, bamboo forests, marshes, meadows, and the Musanze caves. Fun fact! Thanks to the high altitude of the park, Volcanoes National Park is cooler than the other parks. Another fun fact, the park was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983.
There are 178 bird species in the park, no doubt a treat for bird watchers. The park also hosts forest elephants, spotted hyenas, buffalos, bushbucks, and golden monkeys. Of course, the main attraction is the iconic mountain gorillas.
If you've been wanting to embark on Rwandan gorilla tours, there's no better place to start. At the entrance of the park, there's a massive wooden tribute to the mountain gorilla. Inside the park, you can go on a gorilla and golden monkey trekking or go hiking up the volcanoes. Mount Karisimbi is the most popular destination for hikers, followed by Mount Bisoke. There are so many mountains, you're bound to find your favourite.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park was established in 2004 and covers 1,019 square kilometres. It’s found near the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park is covered in grasslands, swamps, bogs, and rainforest.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is named after Nyungwe Forest, which is the largest and oldest montane forest in Africa. The forest is considered the best preserved montane forest in Central and East Africa, and it can be dated back to the last Ice Age (yes, it's that old).
The rainforest is located between the basins of the Congo River and the Nile. It is a Rwandan safari park tour favourite thanks to the evergreen rainforest, which provides a beautiful sight for tourists.
The park boasts a variety of over 1,000 plant species that are bound to wow botany enthusiasts, as well as 275 bird species (making it a top bird-watching destination in the country) and 85 mammal species. Of those mammal species, 13 are primates like the golden monkeys, the grey-cheeked mangabeys, the silver monkeys, Hamlyn's monkeys, baboons, and more.
You can go on chimpanzee tracking on Nyungwe Forest's well-built canopy walks. Go hiking along the majestic Nile and Congo rivers. Walk along 20 kilometres of well-maintained trails through the forest and see its waterfalls, marshlands, wildlife, and beautiful trees.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park was formed in 1934 and covers 1,122 square kilometres. It was named after the Kagera River, and over a third of the park is covered by a system of lakes, making it the largest protected wetlands in East and Central Africa.
Unfortunately, political violence in the late 90s did a lot of damage to the environment and wildlife of the park. The government, after the Rwandan genocide, put a lot of effort into transforming the park into a haven for nature. This effort paid off as the park has become one of the most popular destinations for Rwanda safari park tours.
Akagera doesn’t offer much when it comes to Rwandan gorilla safaris, but you can see the big 5 African game animals roaming the savannah. In the savannah, you'll also catch glimpses of zebras, impalas, crocodiles, hippos, elands, bushbucks, tsessebe, and more.
Over 425 bird species can be found in the park, including many water birds and birds of prey like eagles. Visit this beautiful park for its scenic savannah and diverse wildlife.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park was created in 2015 after the Gishwati and Mukura forests were combined to protect forests from extinction. Since then, the park has turned into an ecotourism site. In 2020, the park was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Forest corridors to connect the two forests to each other and Nyungwe Forest were re-established. The forests sit near the ridge that divides the water catchment areas of the Congo and Nile rivers. They have about 60 species of trees, including indigenous bamboo trees. The park is home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s, and Blue Monkeys. There is a mindboggling 400 bird species in the park.
Park activities starting from 2019 include guided hikes, monkey and chimp tracking, bird watching, and visiting the park's waterfalls. Additionally, you can take part in community-based activities like beekeeping, cultural dances, making traditional handicrafts, staying on a farm, and watching traditional healers work.
Going on a Rwanda Safari
Before going on a Rwanda safari park tour, you should know a few things.
First, you're expected to take anti-malaria medication—after seeing your doctor, of course!
Next, you're expected to be up to date with your vaccinations. In particular, you should bring proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Thirdly, don’t drink tap water. Bottled mineral water is available in every town.
Finally, the best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season, which is from June to September.
Below is a list of items and documents you should also bring with you:
- Passport (with visa if necessary)
- Proof of required vaccinations
- Health and Travel Insurance
- Credit card – remember to notify your bank you are travelling abroad
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Prescription Medication (Check with your GP what medication you need while travelling)
- Antihistamine for allergies and insect bites
- 2/3 pair of neutral–coloured cotton trousers or chinos – jeans are not recommended while on safari as it can get really hot at times
- 2 pairs of shorts
- At least 4 t-shirts or short-sleeved shirts
- 2 long-sleeved t-shirts or shirts
For a comprehensive list of documentation, toiletry, clothes, and other basics, check out our complete Safari Packing Guide.
Rwanda safari park tours are a fantastic way to spend your holidays. The national parks offer unique and fulfilling experiences, from beautiful landscapes to incredible wildlife. You can choose to go to one of the national parks or all of them, regardless of your choice, you will have a fantastic time visiting this tiny country!
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us via the form below for details on our incredible Rwanda safari packages.