Rwanda National Parks

Volcanoes National Park, in the Virungas a couple of hours from Kigali, is Rwanda’s crown jewel, where Dian Fossey did her famous research and where most visitors come for gorilla trekking. It also offers golden monkeys and volcano hikes up Bisoke and Karisimbi. It is gorilla trekking at its most polished.

Nyungwe, in the south-west, is one of Africa’s oldest and largest mountain rainforests, home to thirteen primate species, over three hundred birds and the region’s flagship canopy walkway. Chimp tracking, colobus visits and forest trails fill the days. The forest is glorious and cool.

Akagera, in the east on the Tanzanian border, has been transformed by conservation into a fine Big Five park of lakes, swamps and rolling savanna, with lions and rhino reintroduced. Game drives and boat trips on Lake Ihema turn up elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippo. It is a conservation success worth seeing.

Gishwati-Mukura, Rwanda’s newest park, protects two restored forests in the west, now recovering as a haven for chimps, golden monkeys and birds. It is a young ecotourism destination with forest walks and community projects. It shows conservation in action.

Combining the gorillas of the Virungas with the rainforest of Nyungwe and the savanna of Akagera, securing scarce gorilla permits and pacing the short drives between them all go more smoothly with someone who knows the country, so your Rwanda trip flows from forest to plains without fuss. African Safari Trails has spent years building Rwanda safari itineraries across all four parks and the wider list of things to do in Rwanda. They will tell you straight which parks suit your time and interests and how to tie them together, and handle the permits, lodges and transfers quietly in the background.

Want a proper quote, or just a steer on planning a Rwanda trip? Reach out to African Safari Trails and a real person gets back to you.