Rwanda Safari 2026 — The Land of a Thousand Hills
Rwanda is one of Africa’s most extraordinary and surprising safari destinations. Compact enough to drive across in half a day yet containing more wildlife diversity per square kilometre than almost any country on the continent Rwanda offers a safari experience unlike anything else in Africa.
This is the land of the mountain gorilla — the most famous and most moving wildlife encounter available anywhere on Earth. It is also the land of the Big Five the ancient Nyungwe rainforest the pristine Great Lakes and Kigali — one of Africa’s most progressive and beautiful capital cities.
A Rwanda safari with Go Safaris Africa — your local Kigali-based safari experts — connects you with the very best of this extraordinary country. From the misty Virunga volcanoes in the northwest to the open savanna of Akagera in the east Rwanda reveals itself as one of Africa’s most complete and rewarding safari destinations.
Rwanda at a Glance
| Capital | Kigali |
| Population | Approximately 14.2 million |
| Size | 26,340 km² — smaller than Belgium |
| Currency | Rwandan Franc (RWF) — USD widely accepted |
| Official languages | Kinyarwanda · English · French |
| Main airport | Kigali International Airport (KGL) |
| Best time to visit | June–September · December–February |
| Known for | Mountain gorillas · conservation · cleanliness · safety |
| Visa | On arrival or e-visa — $50 USD for most nationalities |
For complete Rwanda travel planning read our Rwanda travel guide 2026 — covering visas safety health money transport and everything you need to know before you go.
Rwanda’s Top Safari Destinations
1. Volcanoes National Park — The Home of the Mountain Gorilla
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most famous and most extraordinary destination — home to 12 habituated mountain gorilla families and one of the most dramatic landscapes in Africa. Five ancient volcanoes rise above the misty Virunga forest — Karisimbi Bisoke Sabyinyo Gahinga and Muhabura — forming the most spectacular backdrop for wildlife encounters available anywhere on the continent.
This is the land that Dian Fossey called home. Her legacy of gorilla conservation — immortalised in Gorillas in the Mist — is woven into every gorilla trek you take here.
What to do in Volcanoes National Park:
- 🦍 Gorilla trekking — $1,500 permit — the greatest wildlife encounter on Earth
- 🐒 Golden monkey trekking — $100 permit — joyful and spectacular
- 🥾 Mount Bisoke hike — crater lake summit at 3,711m — spectacular views
- ⛰️ Mount Karisimbi summit — 4,507m — Rwanda’s highest peak — 2-day overnight trek
- 🪦 Dian Fossey tomb hike — deeply moving historical trek
- 🌿 Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village — former poacher community now working in conservation
Best lodges: Singita Kwitonda · Bisate Lodge · One&Only Gorilla’s Nest · Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge · Mountain Gorilla View Lodge · Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
👉 Complete Volcanoes National Park guide 👉 Rwanda gorilla permit booking guide 👉 Gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda comparison 👉 Is gorilla trekking worth it?
2. Akagera National Park — Rwanda’s Big Five Safari
Akagera National Park is one of Africa’s greatest conservation comeback stories and Rwanda’s only savanna national park — a completely different Rwanda experience from the highland forests of the northwest.
Devastated after the 1994 genocide Akagera has been transformed since 2010 under a management partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Lions were reintroduced from South Africa in 2015. Black rhinos arrived in 2017 and 2019. Today Akagera is a fully functioning Big Five ecosystem and one of the most exciting safari destinations in East Africa.
What to do in Akagera National Park:
- 🦁 Game drives — lions black rhinos elephants leopards buffalos giraffes zebras
- 🚤 Lake Ihema boat safari — hippos and crocodiles at extraordinary close range
- 🦏 Rhino trekking on foot — guided foot tracking with monitoring rangers
- 🌙 Night game drive — bush babies leopards African civets and nocturnal wildlife
- 🐟 Sport fishing — Nile perch and tigerfish on Lake Shakani
- 🦅 Birding — 500+ species including the sought-after shoebill stork
Best lodges: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge · Ruzizi Tented Lodge · Karenge Bush Camp
👉 Complete Akagera National Park guide 👉 7-day Rwanda safari itinerary including Akagera
3. Nyungwe Forest National Park — Rwanda’s Ancient Rainforest
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse forests — over 29 million years old and home to 13 primate species 300+ bird species and the largest population of Angola colobus monkeys on the continent.
While Volcanoes National Park draws the most visitors Nyungwe rewards those who make the journey to southwestern Rwanda with primate encounters bird diversity and forest experiences that rival anything in East Africa.
What to do in Nyungwe Forest:
- 🦧 Chimpanzee trekking — the Cyamudongo sector’s habituated community
- 🐒 Colobus monkey trekking — troops of 300–400 spectacular black and white colobus
- 🌿 Canopy walkway — 160 metres suspended 60 metres above the ancient forest floor
- 🥾 Hiking trails — 130+ km of marked trails from 2-hour walks to multi-day treks
- 🦜 Birding — 29 Albertine Rift endemic species found almost nowhere else on Earth
- 💧 Isumo waterfall trail — beautiful forest waterfall accessible to all fitness levels
Best lodges: One&Only Nyungwe House · Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel · Gisakura Guest House
👉 Complete Nyungwe Forest National Park guide
4. Gishwati-Mukura National Park — Rwanda’s Hidden Gem
Gishwati-Mukura National Park — gazetted in 2015 as Rwanda’s fourth and newest national park — is a two-block forest reserve in western Rwanda that is slowly recovering from near-total deforestation. A genuinely off-the-beaten-path destination offering chimpanzee tracking golden monkey encounters and extraordinary birding in a completely uncrowded forest environment.
For adventurous travellers wanting to explore a Rwanda destination that most visitors never discover Gishwati-Mukura offers an authentic and exclusive experience.
What to do in Gishwati-Mukura:
- 🦧 Chimpanzee tracking — a small habituated chimp community in the Gishwati block
- 🐒 Golden monkey tracking — another population of Rwanda’s golden monkeys
- 🦜 Birding — Albertine Rift endemic species in a pristine forest environment
- 🌿 Nature walks — guided forest walks through recovering montane rainforest
- 🏘️ Community visits — meaningful encounters with communities rebuilding alongside the forest
👉 Contact Go Safaris Africa to include Gishwati-Mukura in your Rwanda itinerary
5. Lake Kivu — Rwanda’s Great Lake
Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s Great Lakes — 90 km long 50 km wide and sitting at 1,460 metres above sea level on the border between Rwanda and the DRC. Surrounded by steep volcanic hills dotted with fishing villages and fringed with beautiful boutique lodges Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s perfect safari relaxation destination.
After the intensity of gorilla trekking most visitors find Lake Kivu a magnificent place to slow down breathe and absorb the extraordinary beauty of Rwanda’s landscape.
What to do on Lake Kivu:
- 🚣 Boat trips — explore the 29 islands of Lake Kivu
- 🏊 Swimming — clear freshwater safe for swimming
- 🚵 Kayaking — paddle along the beautiful lake shore
- 🌅 Sunset cruises — watch the DRC mountains turn gold across the water
- 🐟 Fishing — early morning fishing with local fishermen in dugout canoes
- 🍵 Tea plantation visits — the hills above Kibuye are covered in beautiful tea gardens
Where to stay: Kivu Lake Retreat · Macuba Island · Lake Kivu Serena · Cormoran Lodge
6. Kigali — Africa’s Most Impressive Capital
Kigali is not just a gateway city — it is a genuine destination in its own right and one of the most impressive capital cities in Africa. Spotlessly clean extraordinarily safe and full of excellent restaurants coffee shops arts venues and cultural sites Kigali deserves at least a full day of exploration on any Rwanda safari itinerary.
What to do in Kigali:
- 🏛️ Kigali Genocide Memorial — one of the most important and moving sites in Africa — free entry — allow 2–3 hours
- 🎨 Inema Arts Centre — Rwanda’s vibrant contemporary arts scene
- 🛍️ Kimironko Market — Kigali’s most authentic and colourful local market
- ☕ Question Coffee — Rwanda’s finest specialty coffee roastery and social enterprise
- 🍽️ Repub Lounge — rooftop restaurant serving the best Rwandan cuisine in Kigali
- 🏘️ Nyamirambo neighbourhood — Kigali’s most authentic and lively quarter
- 🎭 Kigali Cultural Village — traditional dance drumming and craft demonstrations
Rwanda Safari Itineraries
3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari (Most Popular)
Day 1: Arrive Kigali → transfer to Volcanoes National Park → afternoon golden monkey trek Day 2: Gorilla trekking — Volcanoes National Park Day 3: Dian Fossey hike or Musanze Caves → return Kigali → depart
From: $2,450 per person (budget) · $2,850 per person (mid-range) · $4,500+ (luxury) 👉 View 3-day Rwanda safari package
7-Day Complete Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Arrive Kigali → Genocide Memorial + city tour Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes NP → golden monkey trek Day 3: Gorilla trekking Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu → relaxation Day 5: Lake Kivu → transfer to Akagera National Park Day 6: Akagera game drives + boat safari Day 7: Dawn game drive → return Kigali → depart
From: $3,190 per person (budget) · $4,220 per person (mid-range) · $8,150+ (luxury) 👉 Complete 7-day Rwanda safari itinerary
10-Day Complete Rwanda Safari — All Four Parks
Days 1–2: Kigali city Days 3–4: Volcanoes National Park — gorillas + golden monkeys Days 5–6: Lake Kivu — relaxation Days 7–8: Nyungwe Forest — chimps + canopy walkway Days 9–10: Akagera National Park — Big Five game drives
👉 Contact Go Safaris Africa to plan this itinerary
Combined Rwanda and Uganda Safari
Combine Rwanda gorilla trekking with Uganda gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking for the ultimate East Africa primate safari.
👉 10-day Uganda safari itinerary 👉 Gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda guide
Rwanda Safari Costs
| Safari Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1-day gorilla trek (from Kigali) | From $1,650 |
| 3-day Rwanda safari | From $2,450 |
| 7-day complete Rwanda safari | From $3,190 |
| Luxury 7-day Rwanda safari | From $8,000 per couple |
Key permit costs:
- Gorilla trekking permit: $1,500 per person
- Golden monkey permit: $100 per person
- Chimpanzee trekking (Nyungwe): contact us for current fees
- Canopy walkway (Nyungwe): contact us for current fees
👉 Complete Rwanda gorilla trekking cost guide 👉 Luxury safari Rwanda guide
Essential Rwanda Safari Reading
Everything you need to plan your perfect Rwanda safari — written by our local expert team based in Kigali:
📖 Rwanda travel guide 2026 — complete visitor information 🦍 Gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda — complete comparison 💰 Gorilla trekking cost 2026 — full breakdown 📅 Best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking 🎒 What to pack for gorilla trekking 🌋 Volcanoes National Park complete guide 🎫 Rwanda gorilla permit 2026 — complete booking guide 🗺️ 7-day Rwanda safari itinerary 🐆 Akagera National Park complete guide 🌿 Nyungwe Forest National Park complete guide ✅ Is gorilla trekking worth it? 👑 Luxury safari Rwanda 2026 💍 Honeymoon safari East Africa 👨👩👧👦 Family safari Rwanda with teenagers 👤 Solo gorilla trekking Rwanda guide
Why Book Your Rwanda Safari with Go Safaris Africa
Go Safaris Africa is based in Kigali — Rwanda is our home. Every member of our team lives and works in Rwanda. We guide gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park game drives in Akagera and forest experiences in Nyungwe every single week of the year.
When you book your Rwanda safari with us:
- ✅ Local knowledge — we know every park lodge trail and gorilla family personally
- ✅ Gorilla permit guarantee — we secure your permit months in advance
- ✅ Complete logistics — transport accommodation activities and permits all handled
- ✅ Tailor-made itineraries — every safari is designed around your interests and budget
- ✅ Transparent pricing — no hidden fees clear inclusions
- ✅ Responsible tourism — every safari supports gorilla conservation and local communities
- ✅ 24/7 local support — our Kigali team is available before and throughout your safari
📞 Call or WhatsApp: +250 788 365 595 📧 info@gosafarisafrica.com 🌐 www.gosafarisafrica.com
Plan your Rwanda safari today →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rwanda located? Rwanda is a small landlocked country in East-Central Africa bordered by Uganda to the north Tanzania to the east Burundi to the south and the DRC to the west. Despite its compact size — smaller than Belgium — Rwanda contains extraordinary wildlife diversity and some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
What is Rwanda most famous for? Rwanda is world-famous for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park — the greatest wildlife encounter available to travellers anywhere on Earth. Rwanda is also known for its remarkable conservation success story its extraordinary cleanliness and safety and its inspiring journey of national renewal after the 1994 genocide.
What language is spoken in Rwanda? Rwanda has four official languages — Kinyarwanda (spoken by all Rwandans) English French and Swahili. English is widely spoken throughout the tourism industry.
Is Rwanda safe for tourists? Yes — Rwanda is consistently ranked one of Africa’s safest countries and one of the safest in the world. Kigali is one of Africa’s safest capital cities. Solo travellers women travelling alone and families all report feeling completely comfortable throughout Rwanda.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda? June–September and December–February are best for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing — dry trails excellent photography and comfortable temperatures. Rwanda can be visited year-round — gorillas are present every day. Read our best time to visit Rwanda guide for the complete seasonal breakdown.
How much does a Rwanda safari cost? A 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari starts from approximately $2,450 per person (budget) including the $1,500 gorilla permit. A 7-day complete Rwanda safari costs $3,190–$8,150+ per person. Read our complete gorilla trekking cost guide for a full breakdown.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda? Most nationalities need a Rwanda e-visa ($50 USD) available at irembo.gov.rw. Citizens of African Union and Commonwealth countries may enter without a visa. The East African Tourist Visa ($100) covers Rwanda Uganda and Kenya — excellent value for combined safaris.
What is the best Rwanda safari experience? Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s greatest wildlife experience — the $1,500 permit delivers one hour with a wild mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat. For the complete Rwanda experience combine gorilla trekking with Big Five game drives in Akagera and chimpanzees in Nyungwe. Read our 7-day Rwanda safari itinerary.
How far is Volcanoes National Park from Kigali? Volcanoes National Park is 110 km from Kigali — approximately 2.5 hours by road on well-maintained tarmac. Go Safaris Africa provides comfortable 4×4 transfers as part of all Rwanda safari packages.
Can I combine Rwanda with Uganda or Tanzania? Absolutely — Rwanda combines perfectly with Uganda for a combined gorilla and chimpanzee primate safari or with Tanzania for gorillas plus the Great Migration. Read our 10-day Uganda safari guide and Great Migration Serengeti guide for combined itinerary ideas.
Go Safaris Africa — Kigali-based safari experts specialising in gorilla trekking and tailor-made Rwanda adventures. 📍 Prince House Second Floor Office #5 Kigali Rwanda 📞 +250 788 365 595 | 🌐 www.gosafarisafrica.com