Rwanda national parks offer an amazing variety of experiences in a small, easy-to-travel country. Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, and the name fits perfectly. In just a few days, you can track mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Then, you can follow chimpanzees through ancient rainforest and look for lions, elephants and rhinos on the savannah.
The country has four national parks. Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera are the ones most visitors see, while Gishwati-Mukura is the newest and smallest. Because distances are short and the roads are good, you can visit several parks without long days on the road. In addition, the capital, Kigali, is clean, safe and welcoming. It is a great place to start or end your trip. For official visitor information, see Visit Rwanda.
At Roots Tours & Travel, we plan tailor-made Rwanda safaris from our base in Kampala. Below, you will find our guide to each park. That way, you can compare them and choose the places that suit you best.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s home of the mountain gorilla. It sits in the far north-west of the country, about two hours’ drive from Kigali, on the steep slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Here you can trek to see some of the last mountain gorillas on Earth, follow playful golden
Nyungwe Forest National Park protects one of the oldest and richest montane rainforests in Africa. It lies in south-west Rwanda, next to Burundi, with Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Above all, it is Rwanda’s top place for chimpanzee trekking. On top of that, you
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah park and its Big Five destination. It lies in the east of the country, along the border with Tanzania. Here you swap misty mountain forest for rolling plains, acacia woodland, lakes and papyrus swamps. As a result, Akagera National Park is the perfect
Each of the Rwanda national parks has its own character. Therefore, it helps to know what makes each one special before you plan your route. Here is a short guide to the three parks we visit most often.
Volcanoes National Park is the heart of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. It protects the Rwandan side of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of dramatic volcanoes on the borders with Uganda and Congo. Here, you hike through bamboo and montane forest with a ranger until you reach a habituated gorilla family. Then, you spend a magical hour watching them feed, rest and play.
There is much more to see, too. For example, you can track the playful golden monkeys or hike to the grave of Dian Fossey, the famous gorilla researcher. Fit walkers can also climb one of the volcanoes. Afterwards, many travellers relax at the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, which are close to the park. To learn more, read our full guide to mountain gorilla treks in Rwanda.
Nyungwe Forest National Park lies in the southwest of the country. It is one of the oldest and largest montane rainforests in Africa. The forest is home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees and large troops of Rwenzori colobus monkeys. As a result, it is the best place in Rwanda for primate lovers.
Chimpanzee trekking usually starts early in the morning. Later, you can walk the canopy walkway, which hangs high above the forest floor and gives you a bird’s-eye view of the trees. Nyungwe is also a superb birding area, with many species found only in the Albertine Rift. Besides, the tea plantations on the edge of the forest make a beautiful backdrop.
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah park. It lies in the east, on the border with Tanzania. Its landscape of rolling hills, acacia woodland, lakes and papyrus swamps is very different from the rest of the country. Thanks to strong conservation work, lions and rhinos have returned. Today, the park is home to the Big Five.
On game drives, you can look for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and many kinds of antelope. In addition, a boat trip on Lake Ihema takes you close to hippos, crocodiles and water birds. With over 500 bird species recorded, Akagera is also a rewarding stop for birders.
You can visit Rwanda all year round. However, most travellers prefer the two dry seasons. These run roughly from June to September and from December to February. During these months, forest trails are drier, so gorilla and chimpanzee treks are a little easier. On the savannah in Akagera, animals also gather near water, which makes them easier to spot.
The long rains usually fall from March to May, while the short rains come around October and November. Even so, the wet months have their own rewards. For instance, the hills are lush and green, and there are fewer visitors in the parks. Because gorillas live in the forest all year, you can still have a great trek. Just bring good rain gear and sturdy boots.
Most trips start and end in Kigali. From there, Volcanoes National Park is only a few hours away by road, so it is easy to add to any itinerary. Nyungwe takes longer to reach, in the southwest. Akagera, on the other hand, is in the east and works well as a short safari from Kigali.
For a complete trip, many travellers combine all three parks. For example, you can start with game drives in Akagera, then head to Nyungwe for chimps. Next, you can relax on the shores of Lake Kivu before ending with gorillas in Volcanoes. As a rule, try to spend at least two nights in each park. That way, you avoid rushing and you can enjoy the early mornings, when wildlife is most active.
Rwanda also combines well with its neighbours. For instance, you can cross into Uganda for Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth, or into Congo for Mount Nyiragongo.
To make planning easier, we have created sample itineraries. You can book them as they are, or we can adjust them to your pace and budget.
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based safari company and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We specialise in tailor-made trips across East Africa. So, you can easily combine Rwanda with Uganda, Congo, Kenya or Tanzania. First, tell us when you want to travel and what you hope to see. Then, we will send you a clear, personal itinerary for free. Get in touch today and start planning your visit to the national parks of Rwanda.
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