Top 10 Inspiring Rwanda Destinations

Rwanda is renowned for its rare mountain gorillas, and rightly so. Some 400 of our distant primate cousins roam the rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, with ten groups available for tracking activities. However, this tiny country has so much more to see. Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, it’s rich with beautiful mountains, valleys and lakes, with a gleaming capital city, abundant wildlife and resilient and gracious people. Here are ten reasons to explore further.

Primarily, the main attraction to the Rwanda luxury safari experience is the mountain gorilla.  But with time, this has changed. The modern tourist to Rwanda enjoys a selection of mid to high-end lodges and properties, and the safari sights and sounds that go beyond the mountain gorillas.

From its inland Lake Kivu and its warm inland beaches, that remain very inviting especially if all that you want to have is just to chill down. Deep in the forest of Nyungwe lies another life-changing wildlife encounter. Here chimpanzees crash noisily through the forests, and witnessing these distant relatives and their human-like behavior is another highlight of an extra Rwandan holiday.

When it comes to the Big 5 wildlife safari of East Africa, Rwanda hasn’t remained behind. A visit to the Akagera National Park will bring you face to face with the iconic animals that make the big 5. Another attraction for the nature lovers is birdwatching in the so many wetlands, lakes, forests and rivers that host a good number of bird species.

For luxury safaris, Rwanda is becoming a top-notch destination for those who are eager to see primates; the most popular being the gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys. For ornithologists, Rwanda has a good number of bird species that are restricted to its Albertine Rift Valley system where any birder is guaranteed to experience the finest ornithological experience in Rwanda.

The country offers unmatched activities that range from hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, canopy walk and trekking through the forest looking for apes, butterflies and birds. Rwanda is densely populated country with perfect opportunities to meet and interact with local people. 

Safari to Rwanda can stand on its own, but also can be combined with the traditional destinations in East Africa namely, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and lately DR Congo. Many tourists who prefer the mentioned destinations normally consider an extended Gorilla Safari to Rwanda before the end of their safari.

Included Highlights

Located only three hours away from the city of  Kigali, Volcanoes National Park can be enjoyed with much ease allowing holiday pace to slow down as you indulge into the best that Rwanda has to offer.

For nature lovers and photography enthusiasts, a hike combined with mountain gorilla trekking would be the best option to capture nature’s best gifts.

• There are a number of genocide memorials at Nyamata and Ntarama. These are in addition to the well-known Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
• If you want to do your gorilla trekking in Rwanda don’t look at the permit fee, consider the $1,500 gorilla permit fee as a donation towards conservation of these gentle apes.
• Allowing some time to spend a moment or a few days with locals in the village will be an enriching experience and will positively affect your destination.
• From the Kigali city tour to hiking the mountains and hills, or walking in the forest on foot as you explore the numerous volcanic mountains, and visit the crater lakes our advice is that, Rwanda is best explored through the eyes of the local guides.
• If cultural experiences are what you are looking for, remember that you cane begin enjoying this right in the heart of Kigali and it will continue to be even better in the small villages deep in the countryside. Whenever you take this path, learn to accept the local culture and embrace the locals as they share with you the best of their culture.

Accommodation forms the main component of every luxury safari and Rwanda offers exactly this. Having a wide range of accommodation that spans from the well-appointed city hotels, luxurious safari lodges to the chick luxury urban hotels.

While in Rwanda, it’s possible indulge in the Rwandese fineness of hospitality and enjoy the best  sights, sounds and the warmth of Rwanda’s accommodation. Have the value of satisfaction as you plan on your next safari itinerary that may include  exploring the countryside for the informative cultural immersion and of course enjoying coming face to face with mountain gorillas and  other primates.

Accommodation may range from a safari lodge overlooking Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, to a distinctive, timeless back in Africa tented camp nestled within riverine forests, to a full-blown 5 star luxury hotel looking out over a private sandy beach and the vistas of Volcanic National Park, the variety of accommodations on offer in Rwanda is good to excellent. 

Among them is the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge might not have quite the standards of luxury and aesthetic appeal as others, but is well known, accepted, clean and a good value-for-money option. The capital city. Kigali offers more accommodation options for guests who would love to spend more time in the city.

Putting its dark past behind, Rwanda’s investment is its habitats, people and wildlife. The country has once again begun to invest heavily in its tourism industry and this can be experienced in every corner of the country.

Rwanda is at the forefront of conservation of the Mountain Gorilla. In fact, Rwanda is among the only few places in the world where this rare and incredible ape continues to thrive in harmony. In Rwanda, the Parc National Des Volcans, with its protected forests and mountain slopes, is today a world-class tourist destination, thanks to the conservation effort.

Every year, in June, it celebrates Kwita Izina, a centuries-old Rwandan naming ceremony that, for the last thirty years, has been dedicated to new arrivals among the mountain gorilla community. Designed to highlight the ongoing plight of the mountain gorilla, it is an event that attracts international attention and in particular, the conservationists.

For those with time and conservation fee to spend towards visiting the gorillas, a gorilla trek is an electrifying, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spend your golden time hiking through lushly sloping hills; spotting a gorilla peeking out from the bush; or happening upon a mother watching over her babies.

On Oluokos Signature luxury Rwanda gorilla safaris, we venture to one of the best places on earth to track gorillas. The exciting Parc National de Volcans is 62-square-mile game park is home to the last surviving mountain gorilla as well as the endangered golden monkey, a species of old world monkey with a golden-orange patch on its upper flanks and back.

Gorilla isn’t the only reason for visiting, but the park is also one of Rwanda’s conservation epicenters. While on this tours, Oluokos Signature guests can see the burial place of legendary scientist Dian Fossey and visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which continues her legacy of research and gorilla conservation advocacy. Beyond the stunning gorillas conservancy, feel free to explore  Rwandan life at its best during city and village tours where we visit some vibrant,  local markets.

Like the its neighboring safari destinations, Rwanda is remarkably a year-round destination. However, our best advice is that you should plan to visit during the dry months of June to mid-September or December to February.

The dry season has light cloud coverage, which helps to regulate the temperatures, although you may experience some rain. March to May is Rwanda’s long rainy season which can make for a wet gorilla trek. In Rwanda, rain