Rwanda’s wildlife switches from savannah to mountain forest species within a single day’s driving – and includes mountain gorillas as well as the little-known golden monkey.
Rwanda is less than half the size of Scotland but with three million more inhabitants. It’s tucked deep in the heart of Africa, over 1500km from the nearest sea port. Into its tiny frame it packs many mountains, rivers, lakes, marshes, savannahs and forests – including Nyungwe, the largest remaining single tract of montane forest in East and Central Africa.
Tea bushes vie with coffee trees for space on the crowded hillsides and a patchwork of intensive cultivation covers the valleys. There are 670 recorded bird species in the country, and nowhere are they more abundant than at Nyungwe, where the blue touraco is the biggest tick. But the gorilla is still king. Watching these giants interact only a stone’s throw away is among life’s greatest wildlife wonders.
Where To Stay
These are some of our favorite lodges and places to stay around Rwanda
Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas find refuge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge’s unrivalled position puts life changing gorilla trekking experiences within easy reach. Each of the eight luxurious suites features a private heated plunge pool, wellness treatment area, in- and outdoor fireplaces and large timber-framed windows that welcome breathtaking scenery and volcano views inside.
Created in response to its dramatic setting, the luxury lodge includes elements such as woven ceilings and hand-fired terracotta brickwork crafted by local artisans, while a dedicated Conservation Room and on-site nursery and vegetable garden – which provides fresh produce for Kwitonda’s farm-to-table food journey – further enhances the experience. Offering guests a nurturing space within which to contemplate their encounters with the remarkable “gentle giants of the forest”, the lodge envelopes them in a sanctuary of warmth, stillness & solitude.
Activities: gorilla Trekking, Monkey Trekking, Hiking & Walking, Yoga, Cycling, Community Visit, Bird Watching
Budget: $$$ (Luxury)
Wilderness Bisate is a celebration of life in Rwanda. It embraces a nourishing Earth-to-plate food journey, visionary reforestation programme, community initiatives, and rich wildlife, with a fierce passion to conserve and protect the beauty of this land, and all who call it home.
Like giant birds’ nests tucked into the trees, the six Forest Villas that make up Wilderness Bisate at Volcanoes National Park are simply breath-taking. And arguably the finest base in Africa from which to trek to see the famous mountain gorillas of the Virungas.
Activities: gorilla Trekking, Monkey Trekking, Hiking & Walking, Yoga, Cycling, Community Visit, Bird Watching
Budget: $$$ (Luxury)
Your stunning Nyungwe National Park accommodation offers a one-of-a-kind escape, bordering one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Situated in five striking wooden villa clusters, our treetop-skimming, luxury treetops and villas are secluded in wonderfully untamed surroundings, accommodating all adventure seekers and paying homage to Rwanda’s beauty and heritage. Enjoy exceptional dining and selected beverages included in your stay, plus two signature resort experiences daily.
Activities: Chimpanzee Trekking, Colobus Monkey Trekking, Hiking & Walking, Yoga, Cycling, Community Visit, Bird Watching
Budget: $$$ (Luxury)
Witness the abundance of Akagera National Park from Wilderness Magashi. Home once more to an abundance of apex predators and their prey. Marvel at lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant roaming its hills and vast savannah. This is the quintessential East African safari adventure and the perfect complement to your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.
Everything about Magashi is a thrilling quest. Watch elephants, near camp, submerge in the lake’s silvery blue waters. Drive across miles of open savannah tracking rhinos, giraffes and lions. Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing, watched by a shy sitatunga. And listen to the stories of the land during a traditional Kugisha supper around a roaring fire with friends old and new.
Activities: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives, Boating Safari, Catch & Release Fishing, Birding
Budget: $$ (Mid-Range)
Our Suggested Itineraries
Rwanda is fast becoming a very sought after destination. A glimpse into this fascinating country includes Kigali, Rwanda’s capital which stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains. Visit the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops before heading to the Volcanoes National Park which is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat.
Explore Here: RWANDA GORILLA TREKKING – 4 DAYS (PLATINUM PACKAGE)
Rwanda is fast becoming a very sought after destination. A glimpse into this fascinating country includes Kigali, Rwanda’s capital which stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains. Visit the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops before heading to the Volcanoes National Park which is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat.
Explore Here: RWANDA GORILLA TREKKING – 4 DAYS (GOLD PACKAGE)
Experiences
These are some of the experiences on offer in Rwanda
Awards and Accolades
