A First Time Guide to Rwanda
A First Time Guide to Rwanda
A First Time Guide to Rwanda : Situated in the center of Africa, the tiny landlocked Rwwanda is one of the best destinations for adventure in Africa. Known as Le Pays des Mille Collines “the Land of a Thousand Hills) for the endless mountains, Rwanda is blessed with stunning natural attractions and a journey in Rwanda will lead you through its fertile undulating landscapes of verdant jungle-clad volcanoes, pristine montane forests and emerald tea plantations.
Rwanda’s emerald rainforests of Volcanoes National Park offers an opportunity to meet with mountain gorillas face to face, which is one of the most enthralling and humbling wildlife encounters on the planet.
For a more memorable Rwanda’s adventure, add in chimpanzee sightings and safari adventures to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) to your Rwanda Itinerary.
No talk about Rwanda can be complete without mentioning the atrocities of the 1994 genocide when an estimated 800,000 victims tragically lost their lives. Thirty years on the healing continues in a country lauded for its resilience and reconciliation. This paved the way for a new chapter in Rwanda’s history, which not only is widely regarded as one of Africa’s safest countries for travelers, but one of its most prosperous, cleanest and greenest with progressive environmental and sustainability policies in place alongside gender equality rights.
When should I go to Rwanda?
If your intention for a Rwanda Safari is to see the endangered mountain gorillas, Rwanda is very much a year-round destination. But you should be prepared of the muddy trails in Volcanoes National Park, the jungle trails are always a bit of a slip and slide but come the rainy season (March to May and September to November) the conditions change.
Avoid the mud by visiting during the dry season (June to September), but with this comes with bigger crowds as it coincides with the peak tourism period in Rwanda. To coincide your visit with the Kwita Izina – Gorilla- Naming Ceremony, one of the biggest events of the year when crowds gather for the annual naming of newborn gorillas accompanied by festivities and celebrity visits.
For a cheaper Rwanda Safari Holiday, aim for the offseason (November to May) when there is a 30% discount on gorilla permits, which are much easier to secure.
The first rainy season from March to May is also a good time to see chimpanzees, who come down from the treetops to feed on the fruits at this time of the year. If you are interested in seeing the Big Five in Akagera National Park, the dry season is the best time to visit.
How much time Should I Spend in Rwanda?
If you have a few days to spend, it is possible to tick off the capital Kigali and Volcanoes National Park. But it will be a disservice to what Rwanda offers. Hence a week is the bare minimum, but two weeks or three are better to fully explore Rwanda.
One week would not only allow you to take in Kigali’s sights and cosmopolitan food and drink scene, but also allow gorilla trekking, volcano hikes and a trip to see the chimpanzees. For two weeks, you will be able to take in all the above and also experience some of its cultural activities, the World Heritage-listed memorial genocide sites and royal kingdoms and explore Akagera National Park to see all Africa’s most famous animals.
Is it easy to get in and around Rwanda?
Contrary to any misconceptions that travel in Africa is all about vast distances across dry, dusty terrains, Rwanda is much more of a self-contained destination where it is rare to spend more than a few hours to half a day on the road. Here most travel is along well-maintained sealed tarmac, ensuring smooth drives by private car or public buses, which run between the major towns.
Kigali International Airport is the arrival point for international tourists flying in Rwanda.
Top Things to do in Rwanda
Track Mountain Gorillas in their Natural Habitat
Rwanda is popular for its incredible wildlife encounters. Imagine standing face to face with a 200kg silverback gorilla. Hearing the cracking and crashing of bamboo to see these beautiful giants casually emerging through the thickets to strut mere meters from you is thrilling and humbling.
Mountain gorilla trekking offers an opportunity to observe the dynamics of a gorilla family of 20-plus gorillas who thrive along the slopes of Volcanoes National Park.
To take part in gorilla trekking in Rwanda you need to purchase a gorilla permit costing $ 1,500 per person allowing you one hour with the gorillas.
Hike the Virunga Mountains
Even if you are not interested in seeing gorillas in Rwanda, you can hike the Virunga Mountains. Forming an evocative backdrop of the region is a chain of five dormant volcanoes that stretch across the borders with Uganda and the DR.Congo reaching attitudes of over 4000m (13,123ft).
Treks vary from a half-day to more hardcore overnight expeditions. The most popular is the hike up to Mt. Bisoke (3711m/12,175ft) to see its volcano crater although at these altitudes, the hike is not for faint hearted.
More challenging options include Mt. Karisimbi (4507m/14,787ft), the tallest of the volcanoes, or Mt Gahinga (3474m/11,398ft) and Mt Muhabura (4127m/13,540), which can be climbed as a pair.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe Forest one of Africa’s oldest and largest protected montane rainforest is World Heritage-listed Nyungwe National Park, home to a stunning biodiversity with 13 primate species including a huge population of chimpanzees, 1000-plus species of plant, 300 birds, 75 mammals and 300 butterflies.
Chimpanzees are the stars of Nyungwe Forest National Park, sharing 99% of our DNA, their resemblance and behavior to humans is uncanny, so hanging out with our closest relatives is a truly unforgettable experience. In addition to encounter with chimpanzees, you can trek to see the only habituated group of Angolan Colobus in the world, a very wise-looking species of primate, with a striking shaggy black and white coast who live in troops as large as 700.
Game Safari in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in Rwanda and home to the Big Five (lion, leopards, cape buffaloes, rhinos and elephants). Situated in east where Rwanda’s rolling landscapes give way to lowland savannah as you hit the open grasslands of Akagera.
On game safaris in Akagera National Park you will see several animals including the Big Five, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and several bird species.
In addition to game drives (morning, afternoon and night game drives), you can do boat safaris on Lake Ihema offering unique perspectives of the park and incredible sightings of marine wildlife and birds.
Hang out in Lake Kivu
Given Rwanda is a landlocked nation, you shouldn’t be surprised that Rwanda offers its own brand of tropical island bliss on the beautiful Lake Kivu, you can sip sunset cocktails amid white sands and palm trees in Rubavu, which has long been the place for locals and travelers to head for some beachside R&R. Covering a massive 2700 sq km (1042 sq miles), Kivu offers beach resorts, hot springs and island-hopping to go with its 227 km Congo-Nile Trail, which you can traverse on foot or by bicycle, an epic overland adventure following the Congo-Nile divide.
How do I arrange gorilla permits?
You purchase you gorilla permit through a local registered operator or through Rwanda Development Board’s online platform.
Am I guaranteed to see gorillas?
Since gorillas are wild animals, it means there are never guarantees but you would be very unlucky not to. If you were to miss out on them you are able to go the next day or otherwise receive a 75% refund.
Are there any age restrictions?
To take part in gorilla trekking you need to be at least 15 years of age for gorilla tracking.
Can less mobile people go?
Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding especially in the rainy season, with dense, humid conditions combined with muddy, steep up and down trails. Gorilla trekkers often locate the position of each of the 12 habituated families the night before, hence visitors will have a reasonable idea of how far they expect to trek.
The less mobile walkers will be grouped to the families covering less distances. While walkers are provided with hiking sticks, those needing further assistance can hire a porter to lend you a hand or assist with luggage. For those unable to walk, porters can also hoist trekkers in chair, making it an activity for everyone.
What should I pack?
On a gorilla and chimpanzee trek, good hiking shoes are essential to go with long pants tucked into your socks to protect against insects. Also be sure to pack a raincoat/jacket/poncho along with hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Are there any health restrictions?
Both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are susceptible to the same infectious diseases as humans. Hence if you have flu-like symptoms it is essential to report this so as not to risk the health of the entire species.
While trekkers are no longer required to get PCR tests for Covid, it remains compulsory for all participants to wear masks for the one-hour duration they are in the presence of both gorillas and chimpanzees.
