Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills
Rwanda's volcanic landscapes and rolling hills hide some of the continent's most extraordinary wildlife encounters. From mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park to chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda pairs conservation success stories with rich cultural history.
National Parks
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking and habituated golden monkey trekking among the Virunga volcanoes.
Akagera National Park
Savannah wildlife, including the Big Five, along Rwanda's eastern border.
Nyungwe National Park
Primate tracking, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, in one of Africa's oldest rainforests.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda's newest national park (2015) — a community-based ecotourism forest with chimpanzees and golden monkeys.
Animal Encounters
- • Mountain gorilla trekking
- • Chimpanzee tracking
- • Golden monkey encounters
Unique Activities
- • Genocide Memorial visit
- • Inema Art Center tour
- • Volcanoes National Park hikes
Permits & Pricing
Permit prices and regulations change — the figures above reflect our most recent confirmation and are always re-verified before we issue a quote.
Permits
Gorilla trekking permit (Volcanoes National Park)
$1,500 per person for international visitors. Reduced rates apply for East African Community citizens (around $200) and for other African citizens or foreign residents in Africa (around $500). Permits should be secured 3–6 months in advance through a licensed operator or the Rwanda Development Board.
Best Time to Visit
The long dry season (June–September) and short dry season (December–February) offer the best trekking conditions.
Getting There
Kigali International Airport is the main gateway, with a scenic 2.5–3 hour drive to the Kinigi/Musanze area at the base of Volcanoes National Park.
Gallery
Trip Planning FAQ
How many days should we plan for a Rwanda itinerary?
Gorilla trekking alone can be done as a 3-day trip from Kigali. Most clients extend to 5–6 days to add Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking, or Akagera for a savannah game drive.
How far in advance do we need to book a gorilla permit?
We recommend securing permits 3–6 months ahead, especially for June–September and December–February travel. Permits are $1,500 per person for international visitors, with reduced rates for EAC citizens and African residents.
Is Rwanda better as a standalone trip or paired with another country?
Both work well. Rwanda makes a strong short standalone trip given Kigali's direct international connections, and pairs naturally with Uganda via the overland border crossing near Volcanoes National Park.
What fitness level does gorilla trekking in the Virunga volcanoes require?
Similar to Uganda — treks can involve steep volcanic terrain and take 2–6 hours round trip. Moderate fitness is recommended, and porters are available on request.