Your safari to Rwanda

Kigali

Rwanda's thriving capital city has modern infrastructure and plenty of restaurants and coffee shops. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a must-visit if you have a few hours to spare on arrival day or before you head out to the national parks. We recommend doing the memorial visit at the beginning of your Rwandan adventure, to allow you to better process and contextualise the emotional nature of this profound experience. Kigali is blessed with a wide selection of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.

Akagera National Park

Akagera NP shelters Central Africa's largest protected wetland system and offers a superb Big 5 safari experience via game drives and boat trips.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe NP is a magical tract of montane forest bursting with extraordinary biodiversity - excellent for chimp trekking, finding other primates such as the megatroop of 400 Rwenzori pied colobus monkeys, bird watching and the awesome Canopy Walkway suspended bridge.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes NP is a volcanic landscape offering stunning scenery & biodiversity. Major activities include trekking for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys and visiting the legendary Dian Fossey’s grave.

Rwanda's climate

The most popular time to travel to Rwanda is when there is the lowest chance of rain.

Rwanda's positioning just south of the equator and the relatively high altitude results in a mild and pleasant climate, albeit with plenty of rain. Temperatures in specific locations are relatively constant month-to-month but can vary significantly between locations - depending on the altitude.

Rwanda's long rainy season lasts from about March to May, with heavy and persistent rain. Then, from June to mid-September is the long dry season - usually the best time to visit. October to November hosts a shorter rainy season, followed by a short dry season from December to February.

There is often light cloud cover in both of Rwanda's dry seasons. This helps to moderate the temperatures but also occasionally brings light rain showers.

Note that gorilla and chimp trekking during rain is also an enriching experience. The trails may be slippery, but fewer tourists results in a more private encounter.

Gorilla trekking

Best place: Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking has been described by many as a life-changing experience. Time spent with this fellow great ape is a humbling and profoundly spiritual experience that has to be at the top of your bucket list.

Perhaps more importantly, your gorilla trek has become a vital financial lifeline for conserving the last remaining mountain gorillas and their highland habitat. Read more about gorilla trekking here

Chimp trekking

Best place: Nyungwe National Park

Spending time with chimpanzees - our closest genetic ancestors - is a humbling experience. Chimps are more active than gorillas, and finding them as they forage widely can be challenging.

Once found, expect a fascinating encounter as they play, bicker, mate and care for their babies. If you are lucky, you may hear them pant-hooting - a truly evocative sound. Few fortunate tourists get to witness chimps hunting monkeys. Read more about chimp trekking here

Big 5

Best Place: Akagera National Park

Seeing lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalos & black or white rhinos - the Big 5 - is always a special experience. However, experienced safari travellers also tend to focus on other species and experiences - to get the most out of their safari. Read more about the Big 5 here.