Where to go in Rwanda

Whether you plan to peruse the markets of Kigali or go on a gorilla safari in the forests of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is certainly worth shouting about.

Annie Irankunda

Rwanda Travel Specialist

Read about Annie

Volcanoes

Make all your wildlife dreams come true with gorilla treks in an enchanting forest setting.

Straddling the border of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda, the Virungas are the luscious, magical and utterly spellbinding home of 480 mountain gorillas (sadly, that's more than half the world’s remaining population). On the Rwandan side, the Parc National des Volcans, or Volcanoes National Park, is the place to go for face-to-face encounters with these wonderful primates – an experience worthy of every superlative in the dictionary. But don’t stop at the gorillas; the Virungas are also home to the rare golden monkey and offer a variety of excellent climbing and trekking options, both deserving of an extra linger.

Akagera

Visit Rwanda’s rising star and witness exceptional conservation in action alongside your game drives.

In a country of neat, cultivated hills and forests of mountain gorilla, Akagera National Park is a fascinating contrast. The undulating plains and rolling grasslands are just made for game drives, whilst the Akagera River and surrounding juicy wetlands add a touch of something different - and the chance to see the rare shoebill stork. On the wildlife front, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and hyena are all in residence and new additions to the four-legged scene include lion and black rhino, reintroduced in 2015 and 2017. Managed by the ever-wonderful African Parks, the reintroductions were part of a larger conservation effort to restore Akagera to its pre-genocide glory and although wildlife numbers still aren’t as high as other safari-stalwarts in East Africa, it looks like it will only be a matter of time.

Kigali

Clean, pretty and supremely peaceful, the capital is a cosmopolitan place with a sobering history.

There are African cities, noisy, bustling and glorious in their own right, and then there’s Kigali. Having not only survived its turbulent political past, the capital has positively blossomed into one of Africa’s most cosmopolitan hotspots. Safe and clean (the last Saturday of every month is reserved for hedge-clipping, rubbish-collecting and other novel community activities), it’s also remarkably picturesque, surrounded by emerald-green hills and sweeping valleys. Our advice? Don’t just stop for a night on the way to or from a gorilla trek but spend a couple of days exploring the jacaranda-ed boulevards, aromatic food markets and cafes and the eye-opening (and appealingly sensitive) genocide memorials.

Nyungwe

A place for primate lovers, stop off and search for chimps and monkeys in the jungled rainforest.

Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda's most important area of biodiversity, and is currently the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa. A pretty good claim to fame, and for good reason too. The vast rainforest is truly enchanting: dense stands of mahoganies tangled with ancient ferns tower overhead; herbaceous plants and cornucopias of colourful orchids and butterflies charm every sense. As for wildlife, more than a quarter of Africa’s primates live here. The big drawcard is chimpanzee trekking, but 400-strong troops of monkeys, baboon, mongoose, otter, bushpig, civet and genet also deserve your attention. And don't forget East Africa’s highest canopy walk – a metal bridge suspended 50 metres above the forest floor, offering vertiginous views of the enchanting scenery.

Lake Kivu

Enjoy a little beachside R&R on the “Rwandan Riviera” in an otherwise landlocked country.

An enormous, freshwater lake in the heart of the Albertine Rift, Lake Kivu is bordered by Rwanda to one side, and the DRC to the other. The setting is dramatic and beautiful: steep escarpments and terraced tea plantations plunge into the glassy water, pretty islets and peninsulas are draped in thick forest, and crescents of golden sand peek out from under the greenery. On a journey from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park, pop in to one of the quaint resort towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye. Both offer good accommodation and some excellent swimming spots in the predator-free water, and a little "beachside" R&R in an otherwise landlocked country.

Frequently asked questions

Essential information for travel to Rwanda

Where can you trek to see gorillas in Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park, in north-west Rwanda, is where you trek to see mountain gorillas. The park covers Rwanda's side of the Virunga volcanoes, on the borders with Uganda and the DRC, and is home to several habituated gorilla families. Once you find them, you get one precious hour in their company.

How fit do you need to be for gorilla trekking?

You need a decent level of fitness for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and you must be at least 15. Treks in Volcanoes National Park can take anything from 30 minutes to six hours, on steep, muddy slopes at altitude. Hiring a porter to carry your bag and lend a hand helps a great deal.

Where can you see chimpanzees in Rwanda?

Nyungwe National Park is the place for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, with monkeys to search for in the same vast rainforest. It is the country's most important area of biodiversity and currently Africa's highest priority for forest conservation, which you feel on every walk: towering stands of mahogany tangled with ancient ferns, herbaceous plants underfoot, and colourful orchids and butterflies at every turn.

How many days do you need in Rwanda?

Plan on a week to 10 days in Rwanda. Give Volcanoes National Park three nights for gorillas and golden monkeys, then add Nyungwe for chimpanzees, Akagera for a classic safari, or both. With less time, Rwanda also works as a short gorilla add-on to a Kenya or Tanzania safari.