Rwanda luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari

THE LAND A THOUSAND HILLS

Rwanda luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari experience in the Eastern region of Africa, located 2 degrees Celsius South of the Equator ; Known as the land of a thousand hills which cascade off the ranges of the Virunga volcanic mountains in Northern Rwanda giving a stunning scenery to the country. With warmly welcoming and friendly people, extraordinary biodiversity, incredible wildlife living throughout it’s volcanoes, montane rainforests and sweeping plains, Rwanda offers a unique experience making it one of the most remarkable countries in the world.

Rwanda’s capital, Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest and green cities is centrally positioned and serves as the main gateway to a range of exciting attractions and beautiful experiences out-doors. Kigali has got beautiful state of the art infrastructure that has left any visitor amazed after having a cool city tour around the capital.

Kigali also provides a wide range of local art and craft made by the local people that represent their culture from all over the walks of the history of the country, along with golf courses, resorts and parks that keep you relaxed and warmly occupied.

Rwanda’s nature and geographical set set up has gifted it with natural habitats for wildlife, mountains and montane rainforests, crater lakes, Fresh water lakes, rivers and game parks. some of these include the Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, leisure spots like lake Kivu, eco-parks along with various historical sites decoding the walk of life of the Rwandese people. Kigali city is also a place not to pass-by as it is a stronghold and pillar of the nation with it’s iconic infrastructure.

Where is Rwanda located?
How is the weather in Rwanda?
What is the capital city of Rwanda?
What’s Rwanda’s history and cult ure?
What’s the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
What are the incentives / discounts on gorilla trekking permits?
What is the cost of chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda?
Where to find crafts & souvenirs in Rwanda
Coffee shops in Kigali

Rwanda luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari packages

Gorilla trekking safaris

Rwanda is one of the only 3 destinations in the world that are a natural habitat to the endangered mountain gorillas and has up to 450 gorilla individuals almost 50% of the world’s total population of mountain Gorillas. Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking activities can only be done at the volcanoes national park in the Virunga massifs- an area formed by a combination of various volcano mountains in Virunga area.

COST OF GORILLA PERMITS IN RWANDA

A gorilla permit on Rwanda luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari costs $1500 for foreign nationals, $500 for foreign residents in Rwanda, rest of Africa and African nationals and $200 for East African residents and Rwandan citizens.

Incentives and discounts;

All delegates are entitled to a 15% discount on mountain gorilla permits
All African and foreign residents with residence in Africa pay $500 for mountain Gorilla permits.
All East Africans pay $200 for mountain Gorilla permits.
10% of park revenues contribute to community projects around National Parks.

Luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari packages

Chimpanzee tracking

Nyungwe National Park has high population of chimpanzees (over 400 individuals) and other primates – 13 species in total. Two chimpanzee communities have been partially habituated in Nyungwe National Park. Most of them live in Nyungwe forest (60 individuals) while the rest are found in Cyamudongo Forest (30 individuals). Other species include blue monkeys, mona monkeys, silver monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, the Dent’s monkey, black faced ververt monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Rwenzori colobus, black and white colobus monkeys.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking safaris

Chimpanzee tracking permits on Rwanda luxury & affordable Gorilla trekking & wild safari will cost you $150 as a foreign national resident, $75 as a East African foreign resident and $25 as an East African or Rwandan resident.

Rwanda luxury & affordable chimpanzee trekking & wild safari

Plastic Free Rwanda on Rwanda safaris- gorilla trekking- Africa's big 5 trips

Rwanda has been plastic free since 2008. Please leave any plastic bags in your luggage or containing items purchased at duty-free at the airports. Single-use plastics have also been banned and you are advised to use non-plastic packaging.

Kigali

Founded in 1907 as a small administrative outpost with limited access to the outside world, Kigali is today the modern metropolis and heart of emerging Rwandan economy and one of the safest and cleanest capital cities in Africa. The city is buzzing with warmth and creativity plus a burgeoning art scene where you can enjoy a meal or two at the array of restaurants and cafes’ across the city with exquisite views.

Activities to do in Kigali

Kigali city markets

The Kigali Genocide Memorial; Inaugurated in 2004, the memorial center is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Visit and learn more about the Rwandan society before colonisation, details on the genocide and the post-genocide nation rebuilding through unity and reconciliation.
Made in Rwanda shopping; Looking for souvenirs? Kigali has a variety of locally made textiles, accessories, traditional baskets and more for you and your loved ones. Visit the various markets in surrounding communities across the city for affordable made in Rwanda items. They can be found at the Kimironko market, Kaplaki and the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre.

Kigali Golf Resort & Villas; Enjoy a great round at the new 18-hole state of the art golf course. Designed by renown golf legend Gary Player, the beauty of the course lies in the diverse flora and fauna. The omnipresence of the birdlife transforms the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas into the best nature get-away experience so close to the vibrant city centre.
Umusambi Village; This 21-hectare beautifully restored wetland, Umusambi village provides a sanctuary where you can spot over 130 bird species including 50 endangered grey crowned cranes saved from captivity. These majestic birds were disabled and unable to be returned to the wild. Their new permanent home provides an enriching environment for them to enjoy nature again.

City tours

Arts and crafts

Nyandungu Eco-Park; Kigali’s newly restored urban wetland, Nyandungu Eco-Park offers a space for visitors to explore and learn from nature and is part of Rwanda’s efforts to harness eco-tourism to restore biodiversity and conserve urban wetland ecosystems. The wetland features a 10km network of walking and cycling paths, viewing areas, picnic areas and a restaurant among other facilities.
Arts & Craft; Kigali features an array of contemporary art studios, including fashion; local handicrafts and art galleries where you can view and buy Rwandan art from art galleries, fashion houses and more.
Fazenda Sengha; Located on Mt. Kigali, this outdoor and recreational centre is suited for families and groups to satisfy an urge to try new hobbies such as paintball, quad bikes, horseback riding, ziplining, badminton, archery and many more.

Bars and Restaurants; Enjoy a wide range of international and local cuisines at the various restaurants and hotels located through the city while taking in breathtaking views. These get you served for both day and Nightlife in the city.
Specialty Coffee tasting; Enjoy an immersive, one of a kind master class of the coffee supply chain that doesn’t require taking a step beyond the cafe at Question Coffee, Kivu Noir or Rubia Cafe all located in the heart of the city. This will include a coffee history lesson, cherry harvesting from trees, a tasting experience of coffees from all over Rwanda and a chance to create your own custom coffee blend.

Restaurants and coffee on Rwanda safari

What is Rwanda's culture & traditional history?

Rwanda has a rich history that precedes colonial time and a tour of our museums speak the importance of Rwanda’s culture and history to the country. Most of these sites showcase in the southern province. A replica of the traditional royal residence, the King’s palace museum is a beautifully crafted thatched dwelling shaped like a beehive. This museum offers a detailed look into the Rwandan traditional seat of the old monarchy. It was restored to it’s 19th century state and made entirely with traditional materials. Traditional dance performances of the Kinyarwanda dance and dress codes are great entertainment on Rwanda safaris.

How to get a tourist visa to Rwanda;

All visitors entering Rwanda can apply on Rwanda’s online immigration portal from anywhere in the world and receive a visa upon arrival a process that saves you from moving with lots of documents. African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie member states can get free visas upon arrival in Rwanda for a one month visit.

What is Rwanda's currency?

Rwanda’s currency is the Rwandan Franc (RwF). You will find ATMs and point of sales devices that accept all cards such as VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB and China Union Pay, Credit cards are also accepted in shopping malls and restaurants.

What tourist activities can be done in Rwanda?

Gorilla Trekking is the most popular tourist activity in Rwanda followed by;
Chimpanzee tracking
Golden monkey and other primate tracking
Nature walks
Canopy walks
Mountain climbing
Hiking
Safari drives
The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos)
Boat cruises
Kayaking
City tours
Birding
Cultural experience
Cycling among many others.

Cost of Rwanda safari

A Rwanda safari will cost you a daily expense of between $330-$380 for budget travel, $650-$700 for mid-range travel and $1,500-$20,000 and more for luxury travel. These costs will increase depending on the amenities like class of lodge or hotel, transport means, length of visit, tourist activities to be done among other offers.

What is Rwanda's weather, climate and seasons?

Rwanda lies south of the equator and much of the country lying at altitude; Rwanda enjoys an agreeable tropical highland climate. Peak temperatures rarely exceed 30⁰C (86⁰F) in the day time and drop below 15⁰C(59⁰F) at night. The average daily temperature in Kigali is 21⁰C (70⁰F). Overall, the country’s four climactic seasons are represented through the long rainy season: March to May, and short rainy season: September to November. These seasons alternate with the long dry season: June to August, and short dry season: December to February.

What is the best time to visit Rwanda?

The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry seasons of June to August and from December to February when the ground is also dry making hiking is easy and the roads being maneuverable by vehicles making it good for visitors to access all various parts of different game parks in the country.

Reasons to visit Rwanda;

Gorilla trekking
Golden monkey tracking
Chimpanzee trekking
Rwanda is one of Africa’s top luxury destinations.
Rwanda is renown for its safety & security record.
Is the cleanest country in Africa and plastic free zone.
One of the top technological hubs in Africa.
One of the most beautiful countries with unique sceneries.
Rwanda has a diverse history and memories with monuments worth visiting like the Kigali genocide memorial grounds.
Enjoy the best modern luxury lodges & accommodation.
The beauty of Kigali city, culture, traditional arts and crafts shops.

Rwanda's location, map & facts

Rwanda is a landlocked nation located in the African Great Lakes region of Central/Eastern Africa and covers an area of 26,338 sq. km at the co-ordinates 2°00′S 30°0′E. Surrounded on all sides by its neighbors, Rwanda shares a border with the four nations of Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda has quite a diverse geological character. Sharp flowing mountain ranges that grant it the name land of a thousand hills, rushing rivers, shallow flood plains, and enormous lakes can all be found here.

Mountains dominate the landscape of western Rwanda. The mountains found in the west are a part of the Albertine Rift range that runs from north to south. The Virunga Mountains to the northwest of the country host the highest peak of Rwanda, Mount Karisimbi (marked on the physical map above) which is 4,507 m tall.

How to book flights for an African safari;

From various parts of the world, flights to Rwanda from all over the world through Kigali international airport. The country has a national airlines/ carrier i.e. Rwanda air, that has direct flights to Europe and Asia. By road, Rwanda is accessible through its neighboring countries, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and DR. Congo with a well build road network.

Rwanda has an excellent phone and internet network covering almost the entire country and international calls can be made easily. The country is among the top 3 African countries in terms of internet connectivity, with an ever growing fibre optic network.

Manage, plan and book your safari flights by clicking on any airlines of your choice

Inquire about time efficient and fast airline booking tips from travel experts.

The Best Safaris, Vacations and African Trips

Embark On The Unique Gorilla Trekking Excursions

It's Never Complete Without Sights Of Africa's Big 5

Chimpanzee Tracking And Golden Monkeys

Experience The Top Sports Of Nature