Top Places to Visit on a Rwanda Safari, Rwanda may be famous around the world for its mountain gorillas, but there is much more to discover beyond gorilla trekking. From the savannah plains of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe National Park and the volcanic landscapes of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda offers an impressive variety of safari and wildlife experiences.
Despite being one of Africa’s smaller countries, Rwanda has several distinct ecosystems packed into a relatively short distance. Travelers can combine gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Big Five safaris, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, forest hikes and cultural experiences in one carefully planned holiday. Visit Rwanda currently identifies Akagera, Nyungwe, Volcanoes and Gishwati-Mukura as the country’s national parks.
So, what are the best safari destinations in Rwanda?
This guide explores the top destinations to consider when planning your next Rwanda safari.
1. Akagera National Park – Best Destination for a Classic Wildlife Safari
If your idea of an African safari involves lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes and zebras roaming across savannah plains, then Akagera National Park should be at the top of your Rwanda itinerary.
Located in eastern Rwanda near the Tanzanian border, Akagera is Rwanda’s principal savannah safari destination. The park contains savannah, woodland, wetlands, lakes and rolling hills, creating a diverse habitat for wildlife.
Akagera is particularly significant because it is once again home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Lions were reintroduced to the park in 2015, while eastern black rhinos were reintroduced in 2017.
Wildlife You Can See in Akagera
A game drive can give you opportunities to see:
Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos, Giraffes, Zebras, Hippos, Antelopes, Baboons, Monkeys, Crocodiles.
Akagera is also a superb birding destination. Visit Rwanda lists more than 500 bird species for the park, including the elusive shoebill.
Lake Ihema Boat Safari
One of the highlights of visiting Akagera is a boat safari on Lake Ihema.
From the water, you can look for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds while enjoying a different perspective of the park
Why Visit Akagera?
Choose Akagera if you want:
Big Five wildlife, Classic African game drives, Boat safaris, Bird watching, Savannah landscapes, Family-friendly safari experiences, A shorter wildlife safari from Kigali.
For travelers who want a Rwanda wildlife safari beyond gorillas, Akagera is arguably the country’s most important destination.
2. Volcanoes National Park – Best for Gorilla Trekking
No list of the best safari destinations in Rwanda would be complete without Volcanoes National Park.
Located in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is internationally famous for its mountain gorillas.
The park forms part of the Virunga Massif and protects volcanic mountains covered with rich montane vegetation. Visit Rwanda describes it as the country’s premium gorilla-tracking destination, with additional activities available in the surrounding area
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is the main reason international travelers visit Volcanoes National Park.
After an early-morning briefing, you enter the forest with experienced trackers and guides in search of a habituated gorilla family.
Once you locate the gorillas, you can observe their natural behavior from a respectful distance.
Seeing a silverback sitting quietly in the vegetation, watching young gorillas play or observing a mother caring for her infant can be one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Volcanoes National Park is also home to the endangered golden monkey.
A golden monkey trek provides a different primate experience and can be combined with gorilla trekking for travelers interested in Rwanda’s remarkable primate diversity. Visit Rwanda lists Volcanoes among the country’s principal destinations for primate trekking.
Other Activities
You can also consider:
Dian Fossey hiking experiences, Volcano hiking, Cultural experiences. Community visits, Nature walks, Golden monkey trekking
Who Should Visit Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is ideal for:
Gorilla trekking travelers, Honeymooners, Wildlife photographers, Primates enthusiasts, Adventure travelers, Luxury safari travelers, Travelers combining Rwanda and Uganda
3. Nyungwe National Park – Best for Chimpanzee Trekking and Rainforest Adventures
If Akagera represents Rwanda’s savannah ecosystem, Nyungwe National Park represents its ancient rainforest.
Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and is renowned for its biodiversity. The forest is home to chimpanzees, numerous primate species, birds, orchids, butterflies and other wildlife.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the main attractions.
Travelers hike through the forest accompanied by guides in search of chimpanzee communities.
The experience is different from gorilla trekking because chimpanzees are highly mobile and can move quickly through the forest canopy.
The forest is estimated to support around 500 chimpanzees, according to Visit Rwanda
Other Primates
Nyungwe is home to a remarkable variety of primates, with Visit Rwanda noting approximately 12 other primate species in the forest.
Depending on your itinerary, you may encounter:
Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Mangabeys, Chimpanzees
Nyungwe Canopy Walk
For travelers who enjoy adventure, the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway is a major attraction.
The suspension bridge provides spectacular views across the rainforest canopy and surrounding mountainous landscape.
It is an excellent addition to a chimpanzee trekking safari.
Why Visit Nyungwe?
Nyungwe is ideal for:
Chimpanzee trekking, Primate safaris, Bird watching, Forest hiking, Canopy walks, Photography, Nature lovers, Travelers seeking a rainforest experience
4. Gishwati-Mukura National Park – Best for Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences
For travelers who want to explore a less-visited destination, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is an interesting addition to a Rwanda safari.
It is Rwanda’s fourth national park and consists of two forest areas: Gishwati and Mukura.
The park supports chimpanzees, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and numerous bird species.
Gishwati-Mukura is particularly appealing to travelers who enjoy:
Forest walks, Primate watching, Birding, Nature photography, Community tourism, Off-the-beaten-path adventures
While it does not have the same international profile as Volcanoes, Nyungwe or Akagera, it can provide a quieter and more intimate forest experience.
5. Kigali – The Best Starting Point for a Rwanda Safari
Kigali is not a national park, but it deserves a place on your Rwanda safari itinerary.
For most international travelers, Kigali is the gateway to Rwanda.
The city is clean, organized and surrounded by beautiful hills. Visit Rwanda describes Kigali as a dynamic capital with cultural attractions and a strong modern identity
Things to Do in Kigali
Before or after your safari, consider:
Kigali city tour, Kigali Genocide Memorial, Local markets, Art galleries, Restaurants, Cultural experiences, Coffee experiences, Craft shopping
A night or two in Kigali can also make your safari itinerary more comfortable by allowing you to recover from an international flight before traveling to the national parks.
6. Lake Kivu – Best for Relaxation After a Safari
After several days of gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and game drives, you may want somewhere peaceful to relax.
Lake Kivu is an excellent option.
Located in western Rwanda, Lake Kivu forms part of the Great Rift Valley and features islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful mountain scenery.
Activities include:
Boat trips, Kayaking, Swimming, Cycling, Hiking, Relaxing at lakeside resorts, Coffee tours, Romantic getaways
Lake Kivu works especially well as an extension to a Rwanda gorilla trekking honeymoon.
Rwanda Gorilla and Nyungwe Chimpanzee Safari
This is one of the best options for primate lovers.
You can combine:
Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, Colobus monkeys, Forest birds, Canopy walking.
A longer itinerary can also include Lake Kivu.
Rwanda Big Five and Gorilla Safari
For travelers who want a more comprehensive wildlife experience, combine Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
You get:
Savannah wildlife + mountain gorillas
This combination is ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience the diversity of Rwanda in one safari.
Rwanda Primates Safari
If primates are your main interest, consider combining:
Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park
This can create a fascinating Rwanda primate safari featuring gorillas, chimpanzees and several monkey species.
How Many Days Do You Need for a Rwanda Safari?
The number of days depends on how many destinations you want to visit.
3-Day Rwanda Safari
Perfect for a short trip.
You could focus on:
Akagera wildlife safari, or, Gorilla trekking
5-Day Rwanda Safari
A five-day trip allows you to combine two major experiences.
For example:
Kigali + Volcanoes + Gorilla Trekking + Akagera
7-Day Rwanda Safari
Seven days gives you more flexibility.
You could combine:
Kigali, Akagera, Volcanoes.Gorilla trekking,Lake Kivu
10-Day Rwanda Safari
A longer itinerary can include:
Kigali, Akagera, Volcanoes,Gorilla trekking, Nyungwe, Chimpanzee trekking, Lake Kivu
This is an excellent option for travelers who want to experience Rwanda beyond gorilla trekking.
Best Time to Visit Rwanda for a Safari
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year, but the best period depends on the activities you plan to do.
For many travelers, the relatively drier months are attractive for wildlife viewing and trekking because trails can be easier to navigate.
However, Rwanda’s rainy periods can also be rewarding.
The forests become lush and green, and wildlife experiences remain possible.
If your primary goal is gorilla trekking, the most important consideration is not simply choosing a “perfect” month but preparing properly for changing mountain weather.
For a Big Five safari in Akagera, game viewing can be combined with other activities such as the Lake Ihema boat trip.
Why Choose Rwanda for Your Safari?
Rwanda offers something unusual: a compact country with several dramatically different ecosystems and wildlife experiences.
Within one trip, you can move from:
Savannah → Rainforest → Volcanoes → Lakes
You can watch lions in Akagera, trek through rainforest in search of chimpanzees in Nyungwe, hike through volcanic forests looking for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and then relax beside Lake Kivu.
That diversity makes Rwanda an increasingly attractive destination for travelers looking beyond traditional East African safari routes.