How To Experience Rwanda Safari On A Budget

To experience a Rwanda safari on a budget, first choose the activities to include in the itinerary. Gorilla trekking is the highlight of safaris in Rwanda but you must have a permit. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in Volcanoes Nation in the Northwestern part of the country.

Most Popular Safaris

4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Safari

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

5 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

5 Day off season Gorilla and Chimp Safari

5 Day Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Safari

16 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari

5 Day Gorilla & Chimp Tracking Safari

5 Day Low season Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari

To book a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit one needs to select a date for this adventure, the number of people traveling them find permit availability. It is better to reserve the Rwanda gorilla permit as soon as possible because their status changes at any time without warning.

Choose other Rwanda safari activities in case you have more time on holiday including chimpanzee trekking, game safaris, cultural experiences, golden monkeys trekking and others. Having well-tailored Rwanda safari gives you a perfect flow of this African tour.

Reserve the necessary logistics that support Rwanda safaris including accommodation, transport and others. During the high tourism season in Rwanda, the competition for these safari logistics gets to its peak leaving no or fewer options for late bookers. Get in touch for more information.

What Activities to do During Rwanda safari on a Budget

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is the face of Rwanda's safari activities as the country is one of the only three countries in the world that host these primates. Volcanoes National Park a prehistoric forest and a biosphere reserve is home to currently 12 gorilla trekking families in Rwanda. Some of the Rwanda gorilla families include Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Hirwa, Karisimbi and others.

The topography of Volcanoes National Park is influenced by several highlands that are affected by volcanic action in Rwanda. Some of the most outstanding highlands in Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and Bisoke. Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands making the Rwanda gorilla trek quite steep and challenging.

Other than the mountain gorillas Volcanoes National Park is home to other primates that you may come across including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons to mention but a few. More than 200 bird species have been recorded as residents of Volcanoes forest including Albertine endemics.

How much is the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking permit

At the moment, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 other Africans and $200 East Africans.

During the low season, the Rwanda Development Board may sometimes discount the cost of the gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda to $1050 per person but this has terms and conditions. This is not a guarantee every year.

The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit includes ranger guide fees, park entrance fee, mountain gorilla conservation support, security, one hour with the mountain gorillas and others. the cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit doesn’t discriminate which safari package you choose.

Budget accommodations in Nyungwe National Park include Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Muhavura, Gorilla Nest lodge

Chimpanzee Trekking on Rwanda safari.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is one of the topmost safari activities in the country. Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari is in Nyungwe National Park in the Southwestern part of the country. This pristine forest is situated close to Lake Kivu at the border of Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

The headquarters of Nyungwe National Park are in Uwinka where most activities in this park start. Two chimpanzee communities are open for tourism in Rwanda with one in Nyungwe National Park and another on the outskirts of the park at Cyamudondo.

During chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, tourists start with briefing then follow the various trails constructed in the park including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others. On the way, you may find other interesting features like the iridescent Usamo falls, other primates including Dent Mona Monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. A wide range of birds over 300 bird species are residents of this park including Albertine rift endemics.

How Much Is The Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking Permit In Rwanda

At the moment, the cost of chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda is $150 for foreign nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $25 for East Africans.

The cost of chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda includes one hour with the chimpanzees, conservation support, ranger guide fee, security and others.

Exclusions in the cost of Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit are park entrance fees into Nyungwe National Park, tips, accommodation and others.

• Accommodations in Nyungwe National Park include Nyungwe House, Gisaku Family Hostel

Game safaris in Akagera National Park

While on Budget safari in Rwanda, a game safari in Akagera National Park would make a great choice. During the game safari on the tracks of Akagera National Park, you may spot animals like giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras, Rhinos, carnivores like lions, rare leopards and others.

Akagera National Park is still recovering from the effects of poaching and human encroachments and so far there is steady progress. Enjoy the scenery around the park with captivating crater lakes like Lake Ihema where you can enjoy the boat ride, watch out for a wide range of birds that flock the shoreline. The best game safari time in Akagera National Park is early morning and late afternoon.

• Accommodations in Akagera National Park include Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Karenga Bush Camp.

Sports Fishing in Akagera National Park

During the Rwanda safari in Akagera National Park, you may choose to do sports fishing. You need a sports fishing permit from the Rwanda Development Board and carry your own fishing equipment. Hire a boat for the time you hope to be at the lake. Some of the lakes in Akagera National Park where you can do sports fishing include Lake Shakari or Lake Rwanyakazinga.

Some of the fish species you may catch on a sports fishing adventure in Akagera National Park include Mud fishing, Tilapia, cut fish, lungfish and others.

Golden monkey trekking on Rwanda safari

Golden monkeys that are scientifically known as Cercopithecus mitis kandti are very exciting primates to be in company with. The golden monkeys are some of the endangered primates in the world with a population of about 4000 golden monkeys suspected to be living in the world.

These elusive monkeys possess a bigger body structure compared to other monkey species living in the world. They have a charming nature that often excites those who visit them and even those they are habituated, they donot give up on this character so be ready to stay at your feet.

The golden monkeys in Rwanda are residents of Volcanoes National Park but you need a golden monkeys trekking permit to be part of this adventure.

Boat Safaris in Akagera National Park

While on a budget safari in Akagera National Park, you may choose to do a boat ride on Lake Ihema. During this relaxing adventure, you enjoy the cool breeze of the lake as you listen to the calls of the wilderness.

Enjoy the features that surround these highlands most of which are decorated with green vegetation that shades the slopes of the highlands. Watch out for the birds that often flock the shores of Lake Ihema.

Canopy’s walk over Nyungwe National Park during Rwanda safari

Take your Rwanda safari adventure by choosing to view the canopy of Nyungwe forest from a more elevated point. The 160 meters long suspension bridge which is elevated at about 70 meters high, is a unique experience you may take. The canopy walks over Nyungwe National Park  are not for the faint hearted but worth a try.

From this bridge, you enjoy several birds that fly out of the forest, the different features that overlook the park and so much more. Having a pair of binoculars while at this bridge may provide better visibility.

Rwanda Cultural Safari

Sink into the heritage of the Rwandese by choosing to do a cultural tour during Rwanda safari. The people of Rwanda are very proud to share their culture with the rest of the world. Some of the notable activities that showcase the Rwandese culture is crafts making, pottery, basketry, weaving and others.

The presence of the Ethnological Museum in Huye where things used by the Rwandese in the past are preserved is worth adding to the destinations to visit while in the country. The culture of the Rwandese is also portrayed in the dance performances, like Intore dance moves that is the face of the traditional entertainment for the people of Rwanda. This Rwandese traditional dance is accompanied by an orchestra of drums and a harp like instrument. On a visit to the National Park Museum, you may get chance to enjoy the Intore dance.

Kigali City Tour

Experience Rwanda where the heart beats by choosing to do a Kigali city tour. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda where most business and administrative work of the country happens. Tour the shopping malls, crafts shops to purchase some unique locally made souvenirs, enjoy the irresistible taste of Rwanda coffee that is locally grown and brewed to greatness.

In case you wish to have a taste of Rwandese cuisine, choose a restaurant with the help of your driver guide. Try to avoid street food that may cause food poisoning.

When is the best time to book Budget Rwanda safari

Rwanda is open for any safari package all year but the low season advantages may favor those with a limited budget. The low tourism season in Rwanda is normally March to May and November when the number of tourists is expected to be lower. Even the demand for logistics that support Rwanda safaris is lower which sometimes ends in discounting the costs.  

Chances of having less company during the Rwanda safari in the low tourism season are higher without spending extra on closing off the activity in case you wish to exclusively enjoy the experience.

The dry season in Rwanda that is June, July, August, September, December and January is great time for a budget Rwanda safari. Note that the competition for Rwanda safari activities and logistics that support tourism is high creating scarcity for those who do late bookings.

If you hope to do a budget Rwanda safari in the high season, it is best to reserve all the items necessary for this tour like permits, accommodation, transport to mention but a few.

What to do And Not to Do on Rwanda Safari

• Rwanda government is very keen on the regulations expected to be followed while on a visit to this country. In case you must have a visa before entering Rwanda, ensure to apply for it earlier to avoid inconveniences when on ground. You may apply for the Rwanda visa at immigration but it is time wasting.
• Do not feed the wild animals during Rwanda safari because they must not depend on human provision even those habituated to human presence like the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
• Spitting on the ground while on Rwanda safari is forbidden as most of the wild animals feed on grass especially the mountain gorillas that are naturally vegetarian yet are susceptible to human communicable infections like COVID-19, cough, flu and others
• Dangling your feet during a Rwanda game safari is forbidden as you may be hurt by carnivores like lions, hyenas, leopards and others
• Never enter a wild park without an escorting ranger guide even those parks with habituated primates like Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe National Park. The wilderness has other dwellers that may hurt you.
• Taking flash photographs during gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking because these primates are easily scared of unfamiliar occurrences in their environment.
• Dumping garbage on the roads is forbidden in Rwanda and in the national park because this alters the nature of the environment. There are designated points in Rwanda where you can place your rubbish.
• The age limit for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is 15 years and chimpanzee trekking is above 12 years as children below these ages may not withstand the forest conditions. The first glance the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are scaring and may cause you to scream. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are easily scared of unfamiliar noise in their vicinity.
• Do not carry any piece of the wild animals out of the national park without permission. Even worldwide, animal parts are not allowed to be carried without permission. You can be penalized for this
• Rwanda is a pro-eco tourism country do not violet the environmental conservation policies or you may end in jail.

Contact our team for more information and check out our trip advisor for clients' reviews.