Top 5 Rwanda safari activities for families

The top 5 Rwanda safari activities to do as families may consider the age of the participants. Rwanda has several safari activities which include primates safaris, water activities, cultural safaris in Rwanda, game safari, adventure safaris in Rwanda.

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 may be a small country in Africa but it is very significant destination because of its pro ecotourism initiative, which goes as far as not accepting to carelessly dump garbage in the city, and it is punishable by law. Compared to most of the African cities, Kigali city is one of the cleanest in Africa.

When arranging the Rwanda safari, do not forget to reserve the most important requirements especially for the primates safaris in Rwanda that require having permits. The number of gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking permits for Rwanda are restricted as a conservation measure to protect these primates from the effects of mass tourism.

Highlights of the 5 Rwanda safari activities for families

• Primate safaris in Rwanda
• Water activities on Rwanda safari
• Cultural Safari in Rwanda
• Game safaris in Rwanda
• Adventure safaris in Rwanda

Details of the 5 Rwanda safari activities for families

Primate safaris in Rwanda

• Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

The forest most safari activity of Rwanda is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is one of the three countries where the few leftover mountain gorillas in the world are surviving that is with Uganda and D.R.Congo.

At the moment, Rwanda has about 12 gorillas trekking families open to the public including Hirwa, Susa, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya, Karisimbi, Muhoza and others. Each day Maximum 8 gorilla trekking permits are opened to the public with only one hour accepted to be in company of these primates so that they can be left alone to about there day today activities.

The Rwanda Development Board has the mandate to regulate the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits. On Gorilla trekking day, tourists gather at the ORTPN to be briefed about what is expected of them before, during and after this adventure while still in the forest. 

Compared to her counter parts, Rwanda gorilla trekking experience is quite steep resulting from the several highlands situated around the park including Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Sabyinyo. These highlands influence the flow of the gorilla search in Volcanoes National Park because sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands or deep in the valleys.     

Having some level of fitness before the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is very handy and also wear the right gorilla trekking gears to protect yourself from the rough conditions in the wilderness.

Note that for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, the age limit is 15 years and over as people of this age may be capable of traversing the steep slopes of Volcanoes National Park and also maintain the cool for the time they may spend searching for the mountain gorillas.

What is the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits

The current cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is $ 1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

For discounted Rwanda gorilla permits, it is not guaranteed every year but only approved by the Rwanda Development Authority as a promotional deal especially in the low tourism season.

• Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is in Nyungwe National Park and on the periphery of the park where Cyamudondo is situated. At the moment there are two chimpanzees trekking communities open to the public even though they are still semi habituated. These chimpanzees still show some odd behavior but be sure to find them.

For chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park, you need to purchase the Rwanda chimpanzee permit either for the morning or afternoon session. Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe National Park start with briefing at the Uwinka which is the headquarters of the park then tourists are allocated to different chimpanzee troops and tourists follow the trail heads into the forest.

Some of the prominent trails in Nyungwe National Park include Usamo trail leading to the Usamo falls, Igishigishigi trail and others. Note that Nyungwe National Park topography is uneven because of the serious volcanic actions that affected Rwanda in general. This is the reason why Rwanda is regarded as the land of a thousand hills.

The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is 12 years and over as at this age, the tourists is expected to follow the rules of this adventure and be patient before finding the location of these primates.

• Golden monkey Trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is home to the golden monkeys and as a family you may decide to do golden monkey trekking. The golden monkeys are an interesting group of monkeys with charming characters compared to other monkeys. There physical body structure is larger than the normal monkeys with golden brown hairs at the lower bottom.

The golden monkeys live in troops under the leadership of an alpha male. Even though the golden monkeys are habituated, they still posses there natural traits so be ready to spend most of the time on your toes. They are very exciting primates to watch as they hope from one branch to another.

For one top do golden monkeys trekking in Rwanda, you need to book a permit from the Rwanda Development Board.  

• Other Primates To See On Rwanda Safari

Which traversing the forest searching for the mountain gorillas  or chimpanzees or golden monkeys in Rwanda safari, you may come across other primates including Dent Mona Monkeys, Black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, L’hoest, red tailed monkeys and others.

Water activities on Rwanda safari

• Boat Trip On Lake Ihema

During the Rwanda safari as a family, you may choose to do some water activities at the destination including a boat ride on lake Ihema from which you may get the chance to enjoy the park surroundings. Lake Ihema is s volcanic lake within Akagera National Park. Have fun while relaxing on the boat trip and look out for several birds that flock the shores of the lake, animals that spend time on the banks as the move there to quench thirst or take a bath.

• Sports Fishing On Rwanda Safari

During a safari in Rwanda, you can do sports fishing on Lake Shakari or Lake Rwanyakazinga. You need to hire a fishing boat to use when sailing to the point of the lake where to do the sports fishing safari. You need to have a fishing permit and lures.

• Cultural Safari in Rwanda

The rich cultural of the people in Rwanda is worth enjoying when on safari. The Rwandese are great crafts men and women with some of the items they make including crafts, baskets, pottery and much more. The Rwandese culture also extends to oral traditions such as proverbs, oral songs and others.

The Nyakarimbi area is the crafts haven in Rwanda where you may get better chances of dinging the Imigongo which is cow dung painting. A Visit to the Ethnological Museum in Rwanda gives you chance to walk into the past life of the people of Rwanda as some of the items they used are preserved here.

In case you get the chance of attending the Intore dance, you may feel like joining the dancers because of the rhythmic sound from the long drums called lulunga.

A visit to the royal palace of the fallen Rwandese king residence of king Mutara III.

Game Safaris In Rwanda

While on Rwanda safari, you may choose to do a game safari in Akagera National Park. The Akagera National Park is the only home to a number of wild animals in Rwanda even though the park was damaged by human activities such as poaching, human encroachment for agricultural use, wild spread fires and much more. The African Parks a none government and non-profit making conservation organization patterned with Rwanda Development Board to retrieve the glory of this park.

During the game drive in Akagera National Park, you may find elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, zebras, giraffes, warthogs and others.

Akagera National Park has great sceneries where you may get the chance to enjoy the beauty of several land forms surrounding this park because Rwanda is a land of a thousand hills.      

Adventure Safaris In Rwanda

Rwanda has a number of spots where you can enjoy some adventure and test your level of resilience under some circumstances.

• The Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park

If you wish to test your fears, you can take a canopy walk on the suspension bridge over Nyungwe National Park. The suspension bridge is about 160 meters long and 70 meters above the forest canopy. From the top, you may get the opportunity to see the scenery around the park, its interesting features, different birds that may fly out of the forest and much more.

You need to be ready to see the Nyungwe forest from a more elevated point.

• Mountain climbing in Rwanda

Rwanda is a country endowed with a number of hills that is why it is called a country of a thousand hills. You can hike the mountains around Rwanda but you need a guide. Some of the destinations where you can do mountaineering adventures in Rwanda include Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi.

• Nature walks on Rwanda safari

Rwanda has a number of places where you can do nature walks especially in the forests which are endowed with a number of inhabitants that you may come a cross. You can plan the nature walk with your safari consultant which you can take at your own pace.

Visit to the genocide memorials of Rwanda

Rwanda was affected by the 1994 genocide memorial where a number of locals were massacred under unlawful circumstances and ignorance. Some of the remains of the victims of this era are preserved in certain centers some including Blue Barret, St Famille Church and others. You can arrange to use a walkie talkie to help you understand what may have happened at some of these spots.  

Kigali city tour

How do you visit Rwanda and do not go where its heart beats in Kigali. You may arrange the Kigali city tour where you can visit the market centers, have a coffee, visit some local homes and others. It is best to start the adventure early so as to cover a wider area before traffic jam sets in. 

What To Pack For A Rwanda Safari

• 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 ride. This is to protect yourself from getting sun burns while in the wilderness.
• A torch to use for lighting when the lights go out especially in the night. Most accommodations in  Rwanda 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  safari in 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 transaction. 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 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 health documents from your doctor.
• Toiletries just in case the lodge doesn’t provide pack the ones that are friendly to your skin.
• Energy snacks to bite while on game drives and other activities in the pack

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