Best Rwanda Safari Activities

The best Rwanda safari activities are those that are exceptional and awe-inspiring for travelers on safari to Rwanda. Rwanda is endowed with bounties of beauty in one of the most scenic locations of Africa. However, there are Rwanda safari activities that are the major drawcard for tourism in the country.

Rwanda may not be the ultimate African safari destination as it does not host numerous wildlife like the neighboring East African countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. However, it is definitely a top primate tracking destination with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

It is such a unique and memory-lasting experience to have a walk through the lush jungles of the country dubbed the land of a thousand hills. For any first-time traveler, wondering what activities they can undertake when they choose to visit Rwanda, here are the best 5 tour packages and activities to choose from.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the habitats with Mountain gorillas that live only in three countries the two others being Uganda and Congo. Rwanda gorilla treks are a major drawcard for tourism in Rwanda.

To have an amazing encounter with one of the 10 gorilla families in the park, a person must be 15 years and above. A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$ 1500 for each trek.

80 permits are available each day to enable 8 tourists to trek a single family of the 10 habituated gorilla families in the park. Rwanda gorilla safari permits are the most expensive but still, travelers have opted to visit the country because it’s said to be easier to trek the gorilla in Rwanda than any other destination.

Some of the top Rwanda gorilla tour packages include the 3 days Volcanoes Park Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and 6 day Rwanda wildlife safari

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the popular Rwanda safari activities carried out in the area known as Cyamudongo within the park. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a high a dense rainforest in southern Rwanda on the border with Burundi.

Nyungwe forest has a wide diversity of animal species which makes it a priority for conservation in Africa. The popular primates in the park are the chimpanzees that are popularly tracked.

The forest has about 500 chimpanzee individuals and two troops have been habituated for chimpanzee trekking. One troop of the habituated chimpanzees is within the main Nyungwe forest and the other in Cyamudongo which is a small patch of the forest in the eastern part of Nyungwe National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National park

Our 3 days Rwanda primate tracking tour, is one that is affordable for a chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe.

Wildlife game drives

Akagera National Park is home to the big five wildlife African game which are the Buffaloes, Rhinos, Leopards, Lions, and Elephants.

Akagera is a much preferable East African destination since it is one of the closest wildlife parks to the country’s national Airport-Kigali international Airport. It is just about a 3 hours’ drive to the park from the Airport. You also spot other wild animals like giraffes, zebras, and hippos.

Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park

Bird watching or birding

Rwanda has 703 bird species recorded within her boundaries, 510 species known to be resident, and 183 being seasonal and migrant birds.

The best spots for birding in Rwanda are Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and several other spots outside the parks. With a much vegetated large area, Rwanda arguably offers the best montane birding experiences in Africa.

Other factors that make birding in Rwanda much referable is that the country hosts 29 Albertine Rift bird species, there’s a very good road network and as well good security.

Canopy walk

The canopy walk is in the ancient Nyungwe Forest on a suspension bridge rising 70m high and covering 60m long.

A canopy walk is one of a kind as you see the forest from above whereas sighting several bird and primate species. The walk starts from any of the three trailheads where you will walk from the Uwinka visitor center. If you need a unique safari activity then the canopy walk is a preferable option with experiences like no other.

Best Rwanda Safari Activities – Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park

Visit Rwanda and have a kind of luxury experience within very scenic backdrops of the land of a thousand hills. These best Rwanda safari activities are a must-do on your trip to the country.