RWANDA

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 880 Gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unique moment.

Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours + depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel at seeing the gorillas!

Costs for gorilla permits:

US$ 1500 per person for all vistors

EXCLUSIVE VISITS

US$ 15,000 for personalized & exclusive mountain gorilla visits for a targeted Gorilla family
US$ 30,000 for a minimum of 3 visitors for 3 consecutive days (Behind the scenes).

SPECIAL DISCOUNT PACKAGES

30% discount (US$ 1,050) for combined trips within National Parks in Rwanda (Gorilla Trekking, Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park) for at least 3 days during the months of November-May,
15% discount (US$ 1,275) on conference delegates who stay pre & post MICE events to see gorillas.

US$ 5,000 for 3 consecutive days for Mountain Gorilla filming and professional photography,
US$ 12,000 for Mountain Gorilla filming and photography per crew per day (maximum 8 people).

The fees are inclusive of park entry fees.

Getting There:

From Kigali, you need to get to Muzanze. Muzanze is a 90 minute drive from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. From there, you need to get to Kinigi, where the trip begins. On the day of your scheduled trek, you must present yourself for briefing at the RDB Tourism & Conservation offices situated at the prefecture offices in Kinigi at 7:00 AM.

Beyond the gorillas that made Rwanda famous, wildlife junkies will be thrilled to know that they can track three more species of primate on their Rwandan holiday: Chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, and the endangered Golden monkey. Chimpanzee groups live high in the canopy of Nyungwe National Park, and catching your first glimpse of one crashing through the forest after hiking into their territory is nothing short of astonishing. The black-and-white colobus live in Nyungwe as well, and these resplendent, long-haired creatures are every wildlife photographer’s dream. Finally, like their neighbours the gorillas, the Golden monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their rich colors, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are truly a sight to behold.

These cousins to humans can be found and tracked in Nyungwe National Forest. A beautiful guided hike through the forest will lead you to these fascinating creatures where you can watch them play and interact up close.

Chimpanzee tracking can be done year-round in Nyungwe Forest, rain or shine, and while it is never guaranteed that you will see them, sightings are very common and guides are skillful in tracking them. The experience differs from gorilla tracking as the chimps are running around, so the sightings are a bit more sporadic and rushed, but worthwhile nonetheless

These striking primates are a treat for the eyes. With their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains – it’s a photographers dream! Visitors meet with their guides at Volcanoes National Park’s Kinigi Headquarters and the visit is done once per day, time will be allocated once booked.

These striking primates are a treat for the eyes. With their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains – it’s a photographers dream! Visitors meet with their guides at Volcanoes National Park’s Kinigi Headquarters and the visit is done once per day, time will be allocated once booked.

When it comes to birding, Rwanda is amongst Africa’s most exciting destinaitons – within this relatively small and compact country, there over 701 bird species of which 27 are Albertine Rift endemics.

Highlights include the Red-Faced Barbet, Shoebill Stork, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Papyrus Gonolek and the Miombo Wren-Warblers.
Rwanda has seven Important Birding Areas (IBAs) including the three National Parks—Volcanoes, Akagera and Nyungwe. The other IBAs are at: Rugezi Swamp, Akanyaru, Nyabarongo and Cyamudongo

If you’re looking for a fun outdoors activity, try kayaking on Lake Kivu or canoeing near the gorillas with Kingfisher Journeys.

Experience a classic African Safari in beautiful Akagera National Park. With Lake Ihema in the background and cooler temperatures, this is a safari experience unlike any of Rwanda’s neighbors.

Akagera National Park also offers boat safaris on Lake Ihema. Boat safaris take one hour at any time of the day. This may change as scheduled boat trips are being implemented, so it’s best to check beforehand. Boat safaris can be booked on arrival or in advance.

On Lake Kivu, they organise short excursions from Gisenyi and Kibuye as well as full-day and overnight journeys that are an exciting way to discover some of the most spectacular scenery in Rwanda. And near Musanze, in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, you can spend a morning or afternoon canoeing though some of the most beautiful countryside in Rwanda.

One of the most spectacular ways to see Rwanda is from the air!

Indulge in a helicopter ride above the land of a thousand hills to get a birdseye view of our endless rolling green hills and pristine water banks. Helicopter is also a rapid way to get from one attraction to another. Heli-safaris and transportation are offered by Akagera Aviation.

The Congo Nile Trail is a trail along Lake Kivu that extends from Rubavu, continues through Rutsiro via the Karongi, Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi District.

Biking the Congo Nile Trail can be completed in 5 days, with rich views and immersive cultural experiences along the way. This trail appeals to adventure travelers and is a great way to experience Rwanda. The trail can also be split up if visitors do not have the time to commit to the 5 day journey. However, it is an experience worth selling to those who crave an off the beaten path adventure.

While it might have been the gorillas that entice you to Rwanda, it’s the people of Rwanda who will keep you coming back. Ancient traditions of honour and hospitality run strong here, and anybody who takes the time to discover Rwandan culture for themselves will find a proud and unique people, happy to welcome you into their lives and introduce you to their traditions. Music and dance play an indispensable role in everyday life here, and performances range from dashing demonstrations of bravery and prowess to humorous songs, light-hearted dances, and rural artistry with roots in traditional agriculture. Traditional songs are often accompanied by a solitary lulunga—a harp-like instrument with eight strings—while more celebratory dances are backed by a drum orchestra, which typically comprises seven to nine members who collectively produce a hypnotic and exciting explosion set of intertwining rhythms. Below we list different cultural experiences that you can easily incorporate into your trip to Rwanda

Whatever you’re into, coordinating a trip to Rwanda with one of our award-winning festivals is the cherry on top of any trip to the land of a thousand hills. Most festivals fall in the northern summer months, and there’s an event for everyone! Whether you want to catch some of the biggest names in African music at KigaliUP, freshen up your wardrobe at either of our two fashion festivals, see a film at ‘Hillywood’, dance at the Hobe Rwanda Festival, or celebrate our world-famous gorillas, natural wonders and conservation successes at Kwita Izina, it’s all right here