Best National parks in Rwanda to see the Big Five animals on a game drive

Akagera National Park is the only game park in Rwanda where chances of seeing the big five are more open. During the game drive on the tracks distributed within Akagera National Park, you may have a chance to see lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants. Although the population of wild animals in Akagera National Park is still low because the park is recovering from the effects of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

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Rwanda is becoming one of the growing African safari destinations but is most known for hosting the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. You can do gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in this Rwanda National Park. 

Not only is it home to the mountain gorillas but also other primates like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and several others. More than 200 bird species are recorded as residents of Volcanoes forest, including Albertine rift endemics.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is exciting, but another chimpanzee community also lives in Cyamudondo at the periphery of Nyungwe forest. A long list of other primates also lives in the Nyungwe forest, like olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey , red-tailed monkeys, and others. Nyungwe forest is a Rwanda birding haven with more than 250 bird species recorded as residents.

To enjoy the best of your Rwanda visit for a safari, you can make a combo of Rwanda game safari, chimpanzee and gorilla trekking. 

Where To See The Big Five On Rwanda Safari?

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only game park in Rwanda. This park was affected by the 1994 Rwanda genocide as wild animals fled for safety while others were victims of these 100 days of ignorance. On return, the local people also encroached on the park land for agriculture.

To renew the Akagera National Park wildlife glory, in 2009, the African Parks and Rwanda Development Board formed a coalition to renew Akagera National Park.

During the game drive in Akagera National park, you may spot animals like rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, impalas, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks and others.

Birding in Akagera National Park is exciting as this opens more chances to spot Albertine endemics too. Other than wild animals, you enjoy the stunning scenery of Akagera National Park with evergreen surrounding on the slope of various highlands in this park.

Although the big five a noted to be present in Akagera National Park, seeing them in a single game safari doesn't guarantee spotting them all. These wild animals are not restricted by any fence, so they move freely to different parts of the park.

Other Rwanda National parks also include

Volcanoes National park

For gorilla trekking adventures on a visit to Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the place to be. This pristine forest is suspected to be among the survivors of the ice age era that affected Africa between 12000 and 18000 years ago. 

At the moment, volcanoes National Park is home to about 12 gorilla trekking families. Some of these Rwanda gorilla families include Susa, Hirwa, Umubano, Amahoro, Karisimbi, Agashya, and others. You need to book a gorilla trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board to visit these primates. Each day maximum 8 gorilla permits are allowed for the public to book per gorilla family.

Golden monkey trekking is also possible in Volcanoes National Park, and these are some of the endangered primates in the world. Their unique body structure and outlook distinguished them from other monkey species in the park. They have golden brown hairs at the lower body and have a charming character. You must book a Golden Monkey trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board to have access to these primates.

 More than 200 bird species, including Albertine rift endemics, are residents of Volcanoes National Park, like the handsome Francolin, Shelley's Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, and others.

Taking an excursion hike on the five mountains of the six Virunga volcanoes is exciting, but you must be in the company of a ranger guide and requires advance booking. The Dian Fossey Grave hike takes you in the last steps of this mountain gorilla hero, a primatologist with a golden heart who saved the mountain gorillas from the rim of extinction.

Volcanoes National Park also hosts some games, like forest elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs, and others.

Nyungwe National park

Nyungwe National Park is the chimpanzee trekking haven in Rwanda. Another community of chimpanzees lives in Cyamudondo close to Nyungwe forest. The head of Nyungwe National Park is in the Uwinka visitor center. Where tourists gather for briefing before starting chimpanzees trekking adventure.

You can do the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking adventure, but you must first purchase a chimpanzee trekking permit from Rwanda Development Board.

While searching for the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park through the various trails, you may come across stunning waterfalls like Usamo Sparkling Falls; look out for various monkey species like blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and others.

Over 300 bird species are residents of Nyungwe forest some of which include Red throated Alethe, Kivu Ground Thrush, Shelleys Crimsonwing, Barred Long Tailed, Red Collared Mountain Babblers and others.

When is the best Time to Book a Rwanda Safari To See the Big Five?

Game safaris in Rwanda's Akagera National Park are best enjoyed in the dry season when the grass is lower and animals can clearly be spotted. Lions love taking into action the prey time during the dry season. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, January but this is the peak tourism season too.

It is best to book accommodations and other Rwanda safari logistics in advance in case you hope to travel in the peak season to do a game drive in Akagera National Park. Many people are also looking to do game drives in this Rwanda game Park. In case your Rwanda safari itinerary also includes gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park too. Ensure you secure your gorilla trekking permit in advance at least 6 months to a year in advance.

How sure can I Be to see the big five in Akagera National Park

Game safaris are a probability experience unlike the animals living in the zoos or sanctuaries where you are guaranteed to finding the wild animals. The population of wild animals in Akagera National Park is still growing, but you may have a chance to see at least some of the big five.

To arouse the game safari spirits even though you may not see some of your favorite animals, look out for other park inhabitants like the zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs and others. At least when you spot just two or three of the big five, it's a good start for a wild safari.

What Is The Cost Of Rwanda Game Safari?

The cost of the Rwanda game safari varies with the package you choose. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package Rwanda safaris according to Luxury, Mid-range, and basic. The cost of Park entrance fees is the universal cost but this is based in age, time in the park and more. 

Other items considered during Rwanda safaris include the number of people, number of safari days, additional activities to combine with game safari.

In case gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are part of the activities to do in Rwanda with the game safari, you need to book the gorilla or chimpanzee permits in advance. These sell out during the peak season because of their limited supply.

How Safe Is Rwanda For A Game Safari?

Rwanda is safe for all safaris as well trained ranger guides are on ground to protect the wild animals and there habitants. Even tourists must never move into the game parks without registering their presence to help with follow-up in case the need arises.

Other Rwanda Security agencies are on ground to keep law and order in Akagera National Park. 

 Tourists must follow the rules of game drives in Akagera National Park so that they do not fall prey to the savages in this park. In case you have to drive off track while on a game safari, ensure you seek permission in advance so that you are given a ranger guide who will provide the right directions and not land you in dangerous spots of the park.

As a tourist, you need to know the dos and don'ts of game safaris in Rwanda, like no hooting at animals when you locate them. 

Want are the Guidelines of Game Safaris in Rwanda?

• Do not go off track while on a game drive in Rwanda, as this is punishable, and you may kill some animals. In case you have to seek permission from the Rwanda Development Board.
• Do not enter any national park without a ranger guide, especially if you have to walk. The wilderness has other occupants that may be harmful to you. Even at the lodge, follow the instructions given by the lodge staff, as wild animals have no boundaries.
• Dumping garbage is forbidden while in the wilderness as plastic wraps, cans alter the nature of the habitats where wild animals thrive.
• Shouting or making noise while in the wilderness is forbidden as this scares the wild animals. There are other tourists who may want to have the same joy as you get when you locate these animals.
• Feeding wild animals is forbidden because they must depend on the supplies from their habitats and not on human provision.
• When traveling with children, let them be in the company of a guardian or parent all the time.
• Do not drive off track during game drive unless you seek permission from the Rwanda Development Board. Chances of driving over some hard to see wild animals are more open. Even driving into an unsafe location that may cause an accident to you is possible when you drive off track.
• Drive on the speed limit advised by park authorities because when you knock animal, you are penalized.
• Open your mind to different features, animals, and sceneries in the park, and do not expect to see all the animals in the pack everywhere. These are wild animals that move freely so enjoy your Uganda safari and not focus on spotting particular animals.

What to Pack For a Safari in Rwanda?

• Binoculars to get a clearer view of the far ranging attractions in the park. Sometimes the wild animals are far from reach and you need to get a clearer view of them.
• Sunscreen to smear on your body in case stinging insects attack you during the game drives or Boat rides. This is to protect yourself from getting sunburns while in the wilderness.
• A torch to use for lighting when the lights go out especially at night. Most accommodations in Akagera National Park use solar power.
• Pack wilderness friend wear but try to avoid bright colors as these may be misunderstood by animals and insects and they attack you.
• A camera to photos and keep as memories of your game safari in Akagera National Park Rwanda. Taking the photos of the game safari keeps the memories of your experience on Rwanda safari fresh.
• Some hard cash to change into local currency in case you wish to do any local transactions. Credit cards are not commonly used in Rwanda because of there lengthy procedures.
• Carry an extra fully charged battery for the camera or your phone to exchange with when one runs low.
• Insect repellant as the wilderness is habitat to a number of insects that may be stingers.
• Pack a First Aid kit just in case of an injury while in the wilderness and if you have any personal illness. Do not forget some of the health documents from your doctor.
• Toiletries, just in case the lodge doesn't provide them, pack the ones that are friendly to your skin.
• Energy snacks to bite while on game drives and other activities in the pack

Contact us to plan your safari to Rwanda today.