Top 3 Famous National Parks in Rwanda

The top three famous Rwanda National Parks include Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park. Rwanda is a country with tourism as one of its best foreign exchange earners with Rwanda Development Board as the wildlife managing body in the country.

Most Popular Safaris

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

4 Day Rwanda gorilla trekking & wildlife viewing safari

5 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari

4 day gorilla trekking & Dian Fossey tomb visit

4 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

14 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

3 Day Akagera National Park Safari

3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali

Rwanda has its capital city as Kigali and taking a Kigali city tour immerse you into the economic center of the city. In addition to the visit to these Rwanda National Park, you can make plans to do a Kigali city tour which is where the Rwanda heart beats.

What Are The Top 3 Famous National Park of Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park tops the list of Rwanda National Park as it is home to the mountain gorillas which are the foremost attractions in the country. Volcanoes National Park is located in north western part of Rwanda in a mountainous area as 5 of the 6 Virunga mountains form part of the topography of this park that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo.

Volcanoes National Park is a biosphere reserve, home to a rich with fauna and flora including mountain gorillas, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys grey cheeked mangabey , olive baboons and others. More than 200 bird species have been recorded s residents of Volcanoes forest including Albertine rift endemics. Some of the birds of Volcanoes National Park including Shelley’s Crimsonwing , dusky’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin ad others.

What activities to do in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking Safaris

The principal activity of Volcanoes National Park is gorilla trekking safari where tourists search for a mountain gorilla family and have one hour with them. Gorilla trekking is restricted to one hour to reduce in the effects of having so much time with these primates and also, they are habituated to be before human for that time.

At the moment about 12 gorilla trekking families in this park  are fully habituated and open to the public  some of which include Umubano, Hirwa, Susa, Amahoro and others. To be allowed to do gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, one must book a gorilla permit that needs to be purchased in advance especially in the peak season. The Rwanda Development Board opens maximum 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family each day.

The steep nature of the topography of Volcanoes National Park makes gorilla trekking in this park quite challenging but worth the effort. When you finally locate the mountain gorillas, you may forget the hardships have gone through to find them. The mountain gorillas are so adorable to the extent that many tourists tend not want to leave there presence after an hour.

On the way to find the mountain gorillas, there are other primates that may show up including blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and many other. Because the time of finding the mountain gorillas in this park is hard to determine, diversifying your search to see other primates may keep you busy unit you finally find the mountain gorillas.       

What is the cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit.

Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and Other Africans, $200 for East Africans. This is inclusive of park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, conservation support and others.

Golden Monkey Trekking In Rwanda

The Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered golden monkeys with a body that is larger than the normal monkeys. They bear golden brown hairs on the lower bottom which is a unique appearance. Even though the golden monkeys are first habituated, they still posses there natural traits so expect not to stay in one position when before them.

Have a golden monkey trekking permit from Rwanda Development Board before you are allowed to be part of this adventure. The trails in the forest when search for the golden monkeys may have protruding under growth that may obstruct the way but the ranger guide with a machete may uses it to trim the paths. On the way, you may find other primates including grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and many others.

One hour is allowed with the golden monkeys when you finally find them as they are habituated to be before these primates for only that time. The presence of humans disrupts the daily life of these primates that have to search for food that will take them through the night and day.

Birding in Volcanoes national Park Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 200 bird species as the forest provides favorite environment for them to survive. Birding experience in Volcanoes National Park gives better results whay you start early morning before they disperse to go on with there daily life. Some of the birds of Volcanoes forest include Dusky’s  Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu  Ground Thrush, Malachite Sunbird, Alpine chat, White tailed Blue fly catcher, Handsome Francolin and others.

Hike To Diane Fossey Grave

The hike to the Diane Fossey grave is a hero’s walk as you make your way up to where the remains of the fallen philanthropist and primatologist Diane Fossey were laid to rest. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated her live to the survival of these vulnerable mountain gorillas but under scrutiny from different sources.

Dianne Fossey and team carried out census in the 1980s but by then the population of mountain gorillas was about 250 mountain gorillas there was in the world. She became the mouth piece of the mountain gorillas and there plight was brought to the concern of the rest of the world as both internal and external conservation bodies.

Unfortunately, Dianne Fossey was brutally murmured by unknown assassins in 1985 and her remains were laid to rest amongst the mountain gorillas who she considered as friends for life. By taking the hike to the Dianne Fossey grave, you get the chance to continue supporting research about these gentle primates. When Dianne fossey was in Rwanda, she set up the Karisoke Research Center which still exists.

Nyungwe National Park           

Nyungwe National Park is a pristine tropical rain forest located close to Lake Kivu with Uwinka as ita main headquarters. This lush green forest is dense with natural trees that are fully grown. The terrain of Nyungwe forest is rugged with a number of highlands that form part if this forest. Rwanda is generally a mountainous area that is why it is referred to as the land of a thousand hills and this explains why the nature of this park is rugged.

Activities to do in Nyungwe National Park

• Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Nyungwe forest with one chimpanzees community with in the park and another in Cyamudondo on the periphery of the park. Two chimpanzee trekking sessions are carried out in the park that is morning and afternoon.

For one to do the chimpanzees trekking safari in Nyungwe National Park, booking a chimpanzee permit from Rwanda Development Board is the entry ticket. The trek to find the chimpanzees in this park starts after briefing at the ranger station then follow the different trails networked including Usamo trail, Igishigishigi trail and others. Watch for other forest dwellers and interesting features along the way.

When you finally locate the chimpanzees one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure. It is best to enjoy the presence of the chimpanzees and take as many photos as you can to keep as memories of your experience.

• Birding in Nyungwe Forest

Birding in Rwanda to Nyungwe forest is exciting with more than 300 bird species recorded. There are several forest birds including Albertine rift endemic that are residents of Nyungwe forest. Some of the residents birds of Nyungwe forest including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Dusk’s Crimsonwing and many others.

By following the trails in different parts of the forest, you may get access to finding these birds that spend time in this forest.

• Canopy Walk Over Nyungwe Forest

The canopy walk over Nyungwe forest is an adventure on the suspension bridge of about 160 meters long and 70 meters high. While standing on the bridge, you can enjoy the view of Nyungwe forest that is stunning with a number of features stand straight as you get the chance to admire the lash vegetation that shade these features.

From up on the suspension bridge over Nyungwe forest you can mark some special days to make them memorable especially those that may impact your life.

• Nature Walks In Nyungwe Forest

Embark on a guided Nature walk through Nyungwe forest following the trails constructed by regular visitors. Nyungwe forest has tails including Usamo trail where you may get the chance to find the Usamo falls, Igishigishigi trail and others. On the way, you may get the chance to spot animals including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys,olive baboons and any others.         Embark on a guided Nature walk through Nyungwe forest following the trails constructed by regular visitors. Nyungwe forest has tails including Usamo trail where you may get the chance to find the Usamo falls, Igishigishigi trail and others. On the way, you may get the chance to spot animals including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys,olive baboons and any others.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only game park in Rwanda hosting a number of wild animals. Akagera National Park was the first Rwanda wildlife reserve and had a large population of fauna and flora however it all came crushing. The human influx, endless civil wars and others caused a number of these animals to flee from the park leaving it almost empty.

From 2009 the African parks a non government  but nonprofit making  conservation body to the initiative to revamp the glory of Akagera National Park  with Rwanda Development Board. At the moment, the progress is quite impressive with a large number of wild animals. During the game drive, you may get the opportunity to spot animals including Zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, buffaloes, elephants, Rhinos and others.

What are some of the activities to do in Akagera National Park

Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Taking a game drive on the tracks of Akagera National Park may provide an opportunity to find animals including Zebras, giraffes, elephants, bushbucks, waterbucks, rhinos, lions, leopards and others. You may decide to enjoy the boat trip on Lake Ihema where you may get the opportunity to enjoy the features surrounding this area.

Birding in Akagera National Park

Organizing a Rwanda birding safari in Lake Ihema is incredible where you may get the chance to identify a number of birds. Having a professional birding guide is gives you a better chance to potting different bird species. Carry Birding guide book for better identification of the birds you come across.

What To Pack For Rwanda Safari

• Bugs spray in case your room is infected.
• Toiletries in case your skin is very sensitive or your lodge does not provide.
• Snacks to munch on in case you get hungry because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time in the wilderness.
• Raincoat or poncho in case it rains while in the wilderness. This area receives rain any time without warning.
• Long trousers and long sleeved shirt to wear in the wilderness in order to protect your body from harsh conditions in the forest.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and protect your body from insects that would creep into your clothes.
• Safari boots that can go through the soggy surfaces in the jungle as the wilderness is wet most of the times and rivers over flow especially in the severe rainy seasons.
• Safari hat to cover your hair from getting wet in case it rains or dew drips off the leaves.
• Pajamas to wear in the night when getting to bed.
• Duffel bag to carry with your belongings as at times you may get no help with off loading or loading your bags.
• Flip flops to change into in case you come from gorilla trekking and are tired of wearing closed shoes.
• Some cash to exchange into local currency when you wish to purchase anything locally.
• Clean Face masks to wear when standing before the mountain gorillas. This was adopted after the Covid-19 period . The mountain gorillas can be victims of this virus since they are susceptible to human infections because they have about 96% human DNA.

Contact us for more information.