Rwanda Safaris

Nothing can prepare you for it. The moment you first encounter a mountain gorilla nestled in the midst of the verdant Rwandan thicket. As soon as you step foot in the legendary Virunga Mountains, there’s a palpable sense of interconnectedness, rippling from the land, to the wildlife, to the people.

Rwanda is one of Africa’s most thrilling safari destinations. Nicknamed ‘the land of a thousand hills’, it offers a tapestry landscape that winds its way from the eastern plains of Tanzania through to the central forests of the Congo Basin. Not a typical safari destination when compared to the likes of Kenya and Tanzania, a Rwanda safari offers something entirely different, whether it be tracking the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes, searching high and low for the cheeky chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest, or relaxing on the savannah plains of Akagera National Park.

A landlocked destination set in the heart of Africa, Rwanda has gone from strength to strength in recent years, having one of the fastest growing economies on the African continent. A Rwanda safari used to be primarily focused on a mountain gorilla safari, this has changed. The Rwandan government has invested heavily in the tourism infrastructure over the years to the extent that there is now a healthy selection of mid to high-end lodges and properties, and the safari sights and sounds do not rely wholly on the mountain gorillas. This growth is apparent as typical Rwandan safaris can include a selection of national parks with an array of wildlife highlights.

Why Natural World Safaris for your Rwanda Safari?

NWS originally started as World Primate Safaris back in 2005; when it comes to primates we are the experts with a long history of sending clients on transformative gorilla tracking expeditions. Our team of destination specialists have extensive experience tracking gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the gorillas and what constitutes a top-class gorilla tracking safari, we are recognised as one of the leading authorities in gorilla tourism, awarded by both Travel+Leisure and Conde Nast for our expertise in this area.

Our exclusive safaris dig a little deeper than the norm. We can include scenic helicopter transfers offering a remarkable bird’s-eye view of this endangered habitat. We also offer the opportunity to spend time with the doctors of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project learning about the incredible conservation work they do through veterinary medicine; you can choose to visit them, have them join you at your lodge for dinner, or even have a Gorilla Doctor accompany you on your trek. Working closely with conservationists, we can offer the change to join habituation safaris and more. Our exclusive network on the ground links us to all the best lodges in the region and we are often able to add that little NWS twist to your trip, transforming it into something really special.

How much does Rwanda cost?

For a 6-day safari in Rwanda, we recommend a starting price of £6000 per person. This will generally include gorilla permits, accommodation and private guides. If you are looking to stay in some of Rwanda’s most iconic and best loved lodges, you’ll need to increase the budget to £20000 per person including private helicopter transfers, multiple gorilla permits and private guides.

Staying purely within this landlocked country, a Rwandan safari can now completely cater to your needs without you needing to go further afield. A good week to ten days can afford you gorillas, chimpanzees, and savannah game, negating the need to travel further afield and keeping costs within reason. On your travels you will meet and discover one of the friendliest populations on the African continent, hospitable, generous, and forgiving. As well as exploring the vast wildlife highlights on your Rwanda safari, make sure you spend time to stop, listen, and enjoy the hospitality of the Rwandan people themselves.

You may wish to include the following in your Rwanda itinerary:

• Gorilla Tracking - Track the world-famous mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park
• History - Learn more about Rwanda's history with a visit to the thought-provoking Genocide Memorial.
• Classic Safari - Enjoy a safari on the vast savannah plains of Katavi in search of hippo, elephant, lion and leopard
• Track Chimpanzees - Search for chimpanzees in the forested foothills of the Mahale Mountains
• Conservation - Visit the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Centre and learn about the work done to save Rwanda’s injured apes
• Game Drives - Enjoy the thrill of wildlife interactions and see incredible game on morning and afternoon game drives
• Night Game Drives - Discover the nocturnal side to the plains with night drives and witness the bush come alive.
• Boat Safari - View wildlife from the water including crocodiles, hippos and a dazzling array of birds.

Where to stay in Rwanda?

Accommodation in Rwanda forms part of your experience, and standards between the various options can differ according to location. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is in enviable close proximity to the Parc National des Volcans, whilst Volcanoes Virunga Lodge is an eco-friendly option in one of the most stunning locations in the continent. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge also offers a mid-range choice with close proximity to the park. Throughout the rest of Rwanda, accommodation varies with the majority of investment having been made around the gorilla park. Read more on where to stay.

When to go to Rwanda?

The best time to visit Rwanda is from mid-May to mid-October, this is the long dry season and has perfect conditions for tracking gorillas. There are four seasons to consider when planning your Rwanda safari, however the weather is fairly temperate and favours travel year round. You can track gorillas year-round in Rwanda, however, you will want to bear in mind that the rainier months will make tracking more difficult with muddy conditions. Read more about when to go to Rwanda.