9 Reasons to go on Safari to Rwanda
Rwanda is a small country but it offers unique experiences both for the wildlife safari enthusiasts, culture and business travelers. The country is known as the land of a thousand hills simply because of its beautiful green rolling hills. The country also has rich biodiversity mostly found in its virunga volcanoes section, the tropical rainforests in the southwest and the savannah plains to the east on the border with Tanzania.
if you are planning to visit Rwanda, here you can find reasons why;
Top Luxury gorilla tracking Safari in the world.
Today mountain gorilla tracking safaris are increasingly becoming popular wildlife adventures at least for travelers who have thousands of dollars to spend.
Rwanda gorilla trekking safari available in volcanoes national park is the type of gorilla safari you want to look into. It starts in Kigali city, you travel by 4*4 safari vehicle, arrive at kinigi and get an introduction to Rwanda’s traditional culture and history right at the start of the gorilla trek 07:00 a.m in the morning. As well you will stay at Rwanda’s high end luxury eco-lodges.
Rwanda is home to mountain gorillas which live in volcanoes national park located in Ruhengeri about 2 hours drive from Kigali. This park forms part of the 420 sq km Greater Virunga Conservation Area home to 604 population of mountain gorilla. Volcanoes national park alone has about 200 gorillas and there 10 gorilla families which are habituated for tourists to track.
Rwanda development naturalist guides and rangers are so confident on a trek that they offer a guarantee to see gorillas in their natural habitat.
Rwanda takes conservation seriously
Tourism in Rwanda mainly depends on wildlife and it is the biggest foreign exchange earner. Gorilla tourism, for instance, Rwanda has harnessed marketing efforts to make her gorillas appeal to the luxury international travelers who are willing to pay high fees in order to see the mountain gorillas.
A number of tourists visiting gorillas has been growing in volcanoes, a national park located in virunga massif northern Rwanda. Gorillas are critically endangered species faced with habitat loss and human disturbance resulting from too many visitations.
The gorilla permit fee was increased to $1500 in the order to limit the number of people visiting gorillas in Volcanoes. this park has a small area yet has been receiving many gorilla trackers.
To tackle this challenge, volcanoes national park was expanded to create a large habitat for its growing population of mountain gorillas. in 2017 African wildlife foundation donated land about 27.8 hectares (equivalent to 70 football fields.)
gorilla tracking safaris generates funding for conservation of mountain gorillas which has led to their increase. Recently the Virunga conservation area gorilla census has announced an increase of gorilla population since 2011 from 400 to 604 individuals. Interestingly Rwanda contributes to this successful conservation. Rwanda initiated Kwita Izina, a gorilla naming ceremony since 2009; over 200 baby gorillas have been named. Kwita izina is held annually in volcanoes national park helping to keep record of new born gorillas. The gorilla numbers in Rwanda are increasing in addition to the overall Virunga gorilla population.
Both tour guides/drivers and naturalists safari guides
When you book a trip to Rwanda, you will be driven around and to the national park in a vehicle by a tour guide. The tour guides know how to keep you safe on the tour and will tell you about different areas, history and culture. On the other hand, at the park, you will find Rwandan development board guides who not only know the national parks but have in depth knowledge and expertise when it comes to wildlife and searching for them. For example, during a gorilla trek in volcanoes national park, the trackers in order to find the gorillas will start from where they left gorillas yesterday evening, then look out for the trails, marks to the nests gorillas where gorillas slept.
Mountain gorillas are not the only primates to see
While gorillas may be the most famed animals and the (Dian Fossey’s book Gorillas in the Mist), they aren’t the only primates to see in Rwanda. In volcanoes national park itself, there are golden monkeys. These primates have got a golden fur coat making them appear great in photographs. Volcanoes national park has got several habituated troops of golden monkeys offering opportunities for golden monkey tracking. Interestingly, golden monkey tracking fee is just $100 and has no age limit and number of tourists making it a better alternative to gorilla tracking.
You will also be amazed to find out that Rwanda is home to chimpanzee along with 12 species of primates which are found in Nyungwe forest national park. This park offers primate viewing activities such as chimpanzee tracking and colobus monkey tracking.
You can see black rhinos in Akagera national park
Akagera national park located in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania is home to black rhinos. These endangered species were reintroduced in 2015 nearly a decade after their local extinction because of poaching. 20 black rhinos can now be found in Akagera national park. The best way to spot them is to arrange a safari to Akagera national park where you will do game drives and have the chance to see other mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, lion, giraffe, zebra and lots of antelopes.
A safari can be tailored to your interests
With 4 national parks, including Nyungwe tropical forest, Giswati-Mukura forest, akagera, all with incredible wildlife, a safari in Rwandan can be tailored to your interests. Of course gorillas are the highlight animals to see in Rwanda but there are other animals not to miss such as golden monkeys, chimpanzees, and the black rhinos.
For instance you can visit volcanoes national park minus seeing gorillas and get to do other activities such as golden monkey trekking, hiking mount Bisoke or walking to the Dian fossey tomb.
Untouched beaches
Everyone knows Rwanda is a landlocked country but who has traveled to Lake Kivu will basically talk about beautiful islands like Idwiji and bustling town of Gisenyi. Visitors can relax on the beaches of Lake Kivu which offers water spots like jet boating, swimming, boat rides, and spot fishing.
History
Rwanda has a very hurting history and learning about it is the best way to understand her people and be responsible to help the country move on. Almost 1 million people died majority (70%) of which were Tutsi, during the 100 days of genocide against tutsi in 1994. on good note however, Rwanda today has a fast developing economy and the efforts behind the redevelopment is something to learn while you visit this country. Genocide memorials marking the genocide against tutsi can be found in Kigali city and various places countryside. the biggest memorial is the Kigali genocide memorial where 250,000 people are buried. Visiting this or any other memorial will be painful but important.
Visit Rwanda with highlights of Uganda and East African safari
The single East African tourist visa helps visitors to travel freely within Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. It means travelers won’t be subjected to pay visa fees for particular destination. Africa Tours Adventure welcomes the chance to design a perfect trip with major highlights of East Africa such as gorilla tracking and wildebeest migration. On your trip to Rwanda, it is very possible to visit uganda and Kenya. with so many domestic flights, it is easy when it comes to exploring parks of East Africa either on a group or private tour to Bwindi, Kidepo valley and Masai Mara kenya.