Rwanda

Why go

The permit is the heart of the cost and the reason most people come. The rest — Lake Kivu, Nyungwe, Akagera — is what makes it more than a single trek.

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  Gorillas

  Volcanoes National Park is the trek. Groups are small. The hike can be short or several hours, depending on where the family moved overnight. A briefing the evening before is part of it.

  • Trekking runs through the year. Dry months are the kinder trails.
  • Golden monkeys are a separate, shorter visit in the same park.
  • Nyungwe, in the south-west, is the chimpanzee forest and a canopy walk.
  • The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus, near the park, is a conservation visit: a researcher-led tour, not a second trek.
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  Nyungwe

  A large montane forest in the south-west. Chimpanzees, colobus, and a canopy walk. It is the reason to continue after the gorillas.

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  Akagera

  The savannah park in the east, restored to hold lions and rhinos again. A game drive here is the Big Five contrast to the bamboo forest.

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  Distances

  Almost everything is within about a half-day of Kigali. You can do gorillas and be back in the capital the same night, though a lodge at the park is the kinder plan.

Where to go

• Volcanoes National ParkThe Virunga volcanoes in the north. Gorilla permits, golden monkeys, and a community walk such as Iby'Iwacu if you want a visit that is not another trek.
• Nyungwe ForestSouth-west of Kigali. Chimp tracking and trails. Allow two nights. The road from Volcanoes is a long day, so many people fly or break it.
• Akagera National ParkEast of Kigali, on the Tanzanian border. Plains game, lions, and rhinos. A day and a night is a fair taste. Longer if the drive is the holiday.
• Lake KivuThe western lake, with towns such as Kibuye and Gisenyi. A rest between forests. Swimming advice varies by bay, so ask on the spot.

When to go

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  June to September

  The long dry season. The best footing on the volcanoes and the most popular permits. Book the permit before you book the flight.

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  December to February

  The shorter dry spell. Still a strong time to trek. Highland days are warm and nights at the park are cool.

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  March to May, and October to November

  The rainy seasons. Trekking continues, but trails are steep and muddy, and last-minute permits are sometimes easier. Pack gaiters and a proper rain layer.

Travel advice

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  The permit

  A gorilla permit is issued by the park authority and is limited each day. It is often the largest single cost. We include it in a gorilla quote when the itinerary says so. It is not a casual add-on the night before.

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  Fitness

  You need to walk uphill, sometimes for hours, at altitude. Tell us if knees or lungs are a concern and we will say honestly if this is the right park.

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  Kigali

  The airport is the gateway. A city tour or the genocide memorial is a solemn, worthwhile morning if you want it. It should be offered, not sprung on anyone.

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  Entry and health

  Check visa and yellow-fever rules. Malaria risk is lower in the highlands than on the savannah, not zero. Ask a clinic.

Accommodation

Costs

From the journal

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  Places

  Rwanda Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

  Rwanda Travel Guide for First Time Visitors is a planning note from Safari Continents Travel. It sits beside the destination guides for Rwanda. Published trip prices are a guide. You receive a quote before anything is paid.

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  Places

  Top Picks for Rwanda Safari Tours

  Top Picks for Rwanda Safari Tours is a planning note from Safari Continents Travel. It sits beside the destination guides for Rwanda. Published trip prices are a guide. You receive a quote before anything is paid.

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  Places

  Best Places to Stay on a Rwanda Safari

  Best Places to Stay on a Rwanda Safari is a planning note from Safari Continents Travel. It sits beside the destination guides for Rwanda. Published trip prices are a guide. You receive a quote before anything is paid.