Travel to Rwanda: gorillas, safari and what to see in Kigali

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda brings together, within a few hours' drive, mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga, the savannahs of Akagera, the ancient forests of Nyungwe and a clean, safe capital shaped by the memory of 1994.

Why go to Rwanda?

Along with Uganda and the DRC, Rwanda is one of only three countries where mountain gorillas can be seen in the wild. Its small size lets you combine primates, a Big Five safari and a visit to Kigali in a week, on roads in good condition.

What to discover in Rwanda?

Kigali and the nation's memory

Set at about 1,500 m, Kigali surprises with its cleanliness, tree-lined pavements and safety. Start at the Gisozi memorial, dedicated to the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi between April and July 1994: allow two to three hours, as the visit is harrowing. Two nights let you add Kimironko market, contemporary art galleries such as the Inema Arts Center and the presidential palace museum. The city is the country's only international air gateway.

The north and the Virunga volcanoes

About two hours by road from Kigali, Musanze is the base for Volcanoes National Park, set against the Virunga range. Gorilla treks leave at 7am and last from one to several hours depending on the family assigned, followed by an hour of observation. Plan at least three nights to add the golden monkeys, the hike to Dian Fossey's grave and a day by Lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

Akagera and the eastern savannahs

Along the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park is about two and a half hours by road from Kigali. With lions returning in 2015 and rhinos in 2017, it is once again home to the Big Five. Two days are enough for a game drive, a boat cruise on hippo-rich Lake Ihema and a night drive. The park can be explored independently in a 4x4.

Nyungwe and the south-western forests

Five to six hours by road from Kigali, Nyungwe is one of Africa's oldest montane forests and home to thirteen primate species. Chimpanzee tracking starts before dawn and takes half a day; the canopy walkway, with its access trail, takes about two hours. Allow two nights. The area borders Burundi: check the French foreign ministry's travel advice map before heading there.

Lake Kivu and the Congo Nile Trail

Lake Kivu marks the border with the DRC and its Rwandan shore is followed by the Congo Nile Trail, about 220 km by bike or on foot between Rubavu and Rusizi. Since fighting resumed in the eastern DRC, the border area, Rubavu and Rusizi included, has been under an alert from the French foreign ministry: check its map before any plans. If it allows, Karongi, three hours from Kigali, makes a one or two day lakeside stop.

Cities to visit in Rwanda

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Must-sees in Rwanda

Seven experiences that make the country unique.

Mountain Gorillas

One hour up close with a habituated family in the bamboo of Volcanoes National Park: the experience behind most trips to Rwanda.

Gisozi Memorial

Memorial and burial site for victims of the 1994 genocide in Kigali, essential to understanding the country's recent history.

Golden Monkeys

Primates endemic to the Virunga range, seen in bamboo thickets on a shorter and cheaper trek than the gorilla one.

Dian Fossey's Grave

Forest hike to the remains of the Karisoke research centre, where the American primatologist is buried near her gorillas.

Nyungwe Canopy Walkway

Suspension bridge above the canopy of Nyungwe forest, offering a bird's-eye view over the trees and birdlife.

Lake Ihema

Akagera's largest lake, explored by boat among hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.

Kimironko Market

Kigali's large covered market, known for printed fabrics that tailors turn into made-to-measure clothes in a day or two.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
The official Volcanoes National Park permit costs 1,500 US dollars per person for one hour of observation. This high price funds gorilla protection and the surrounding communities. Gorilla tracking in Uganda, in Bwindi park, is cheaper but further from Kigali.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
The minimum age is 15, for reasons of safety and the animals' health. Anyone who is ill, even with a simple cold, may be refused access, as gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases. Groups are limited to eight visitors per gorilla family.
Is gorilla trekking physically hard?
It depends on the family assigned: some are less than an hour's walk away, others require several hours of climbing through dense vegetation at 2,500 to 3,000 m. Mention your fitness at the briefing and hire a local porter.
What happens on the last Saturday of the month in Rwanda?
It is Umuganda, a day of compulsory community work for residents. In the morning, shops and services close and traffic is heavily reduced until late morning. Visitors are not required to take part but should plan their journeys and bookings around it.
Can you travel to Rwanda during Kwibuka in April?
Yes. The genocide commemoration begins on 7 April and lasts one hundred days, with a particularly solemn first week. Festive events are limited and visitors should behave respectfully. It is also a period of heavy rain, less suited to treks.
Can you visit Akagera without a guide?
Yes, the park allows self-drive visits with a suitable vehicle, ideally a 4x4. An Akagera guide can ride along for a few hours, which greatly improves the chances of spotting lions and rhinos. Night drives are only run by rangers.
Where can you see chimpanzees in Rwanda?
In Nyungwe forest in the south-west, and in the small Gishwati forest. In Nyungwe, tracking starts around 5am and permits are limited. Chimpanzees move fast: sightings are less certain and more strenuous than with gorillas.
Is one week enough for gorillas, Kigali and Akagera?
Yes, it is the most common format: one or two nights in Kigali, three nights in Musanze for gorillas and golden monkeys, two nights in Akagera. Add three to four days for Nyungwe, given the long drive.
Can you combine Rwanda with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania?
Yes, Kigali has direct flights to Nairobi and several Tanzanian cities. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, making it easy to combine gorillas with the great plains of the Masai Mara.

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