What to Expect on a typical Safari to Rwanda in 2019

The land of a thousand hills today has become an alluring safari destination, gorilla tracking in the Virunga Volcanoes national park being the most attended by almost all visitors coming into the country.
Although a small country, Rwanda is a scenitic mountainous destination that takes your breath away once there.

The country is endowed with a variety of tourist attractions ranging from rich Rwandan culture to primates, wildlife and nature. The country is characterized by many majestic hills from which the country derives its name of “Country of thousand Hills”.

A large number of tourists from all over the world come to visit Rwanda mostly to see gorillas of the Volcanoes national park. The Volcanoes national park is a home to the few remaining mountain gorillas located in north east of the country, also named as Parc National des Volcans. The gorilla park is located just 2-3 hours drive from Kigali capital city of Rwanda. The major reason as to why today Rwanda is becoming a favorite gorilla destination and is flocking with tourists is because the destination offers a shorter driving distance from a capital to the volcanoes national park, unlike a whole day driving distance to Bwindi impenetrable national park from Entebbe airport which is very tiresome.

Other than mountain gorilla tours in Volcanoes national park offers a number of other attractions you should not miss whole at the park. Among these is golden monkey tracking, Dian Fossey tomb hike, cultural and community tours to the neighboring local communities and nature walk to the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, Karisimbi mountain climbing.

Apart from mountain gorillas, destination Rwanda also offers 13 primate species in Nyungwe national park, which recorded to comprise of the highest primates population with in East and Central Africa. Nyungwe forest the largest Mountainous forest in East and Central Africa. It is located in south western part of the country, 5hours drive from Kigali, the capital.

The part is mostly know for its large Chimpanzee troops, black and white colobus monkeys, which are predicted to be over 400-500 individuals. Among other primates present in the park are the red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, Mangabeys and many bird species ranging up to 288 species. Nyungwe Forest is now becoming popular for Canopy Walk with different trails at different altitudes. Also forest walks to waterfalls, village walks, birding and many other tour activities.

The country also has wildlife situated in Akagera National Park located in the Eastern part of the country about 3 hours drive from Kigali city. A game drive through Akagera wildlife Park, offers you views of different wildlife species including Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras and other antelopes, Hippos, crocodiles and 450 bird species seen along the boat ride on Lake Ihema.

A visit to the genocide memorial museums is a must visit while on your Rwanda trip. Rwanda’s genocide sites encode sites include the Gisozi genocide memorial center situated Kigali, Nyamata genocide memorial site, Murambi, Nyamata and Ntarama genocide memorial centers among others.
Its also possible to combine your Rwanda adventure with other neighboring countries like the DRCongo and Uganda so you spice up your itinerary with experiencing the Uganda gorillas, chimpanzees in Kibale national park, wildlife viewing and tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, white water rafting at the source of the Nile.