9 Reasons to go on Safari to Rwanda
Rwanda is a small country with unique experiences for 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
Top Luxury gorilla tracking Safari in the world.
Today, mountain gorilla tracking safaris are becoming popular wildlife adventures for luxury travelers. Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris are available in Volcanoes National Park. Travelers can start in Kigali city or any other location to explore the other parts of Rwanda. There are several luxury lodges and hotels where you can book. Some include Serena Hotel Kigali, Virunga Lodge, Bisate Wilderness Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and others.
Rwanda is home to mountain gorillas, which live in Volcanoes National Park located in Ruhengeri, about a 2-hour drive from Kigali. This park forms part of the 420 sq km Greater Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park houses 12 gorilla families, which are habituated for tourists.
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 its gorillas appeal to the luxury international travelers willing to pay high fees to see the mountain gorillas.
The number of tourists visiting gorillas has been growing in Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered species that face habitat loss and human disturbance resulting from too many visitations.
The gorilla trekking permit costs $1500. This amount of money was increased to limit the number of people visiting gorillas in Volcanoes. The park has a small area, yet receives many gorilla trackers. A small portion of the money from the gorilla permit is given back to the community for future conservation.
Volcanoes National Park was expanded to create a large habitat for its growing population of mountain gorillas. African Wildlife Foundation donated land of about 27.8 hectares. There are about 12 habituated gorilla families recorded in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla tracking safaris generate funding for the conservation of mountain gorillas, which has led to their numbers. Interestingly, Rwanda contributes to the successful conservation. Rwanda initiated Kwita Izina, a gorilla naming ceremony in 2009 and over 200 baby gorillas have been named. Kwita Izina is held annually in Volcanoes National Park, helping to keep a record of newborn gorillas. The gorilla numbers in Rwanda are increasing, in addition to the overall gorilla population in the Virunga Massif
Both tour guides/drivers and naturalist 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 to find the gorillas will start from where they left the gorillas yesterday evening, then look out for the trails, marks to the nests gorillas where the 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. Volcanoes National Park also houses golden monkeys. These primates have a golden fur coat, making them appear great in photographs. Volcanoes National Park has several habituated troops of golden monkeys, offering opportunities for golden monkey tracking. Interestingly, the golden monkey tracking fee is just $100 and has no age limit or number of tourists to track them, making it a better alternative to gorilla tracking.
Rwanda is home to chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. These primates are found in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura. Nyungwe Forest 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, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, and lots of antelopes.
A safari can be tailored to your interests
With 4 national parks, including Nyungwe tropical forest, Giswati-Mukura forest, Akagera, and incredible wildlife, a safari in Rwanda 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 black rhinos.
For instance, you can visit Volcanoes National Park without seeing gorillas and do other activities such as trekking with golden monkeys, hiking Mount Bisoke, or walking to the Dian Fossey tomb.
Untouched beaches
Rwanda is a landlocked country. Those who have traveled to Lake Kivu will surely talk about beautiful islands like Idwiji and the bustling town of Gisenyi. Visitors can relax on the beaches of Lake Kivu, which offers water sports like jet boating, swimming, boat rides, and spot fishing.
Incredible History
Rwanda has a very hurtful history, and learning about it is the best way to understand its people and be responsible for helping the country move on. Almost 1 million people died (70%), of whom were Tutsi, during the 100 days of genocide against Tutsi in 1994. However, Rwanda today has a fast-developing economy, and the efforts behind the redevelopment are something to learn while you visit this country. The Genocide memorials that mark the 1994 genocide against Tutsi can be found in Kigali city. The biggest memorial is the Kigali genocide memorial, where 250,000 people are buried. Visiting it or any other memorial site will be a memorable experience.
Visit Rwanda with highlights of Uganda and an East African safari
The single East African tourist visa helps visitors travel freely within Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. It means travelers won’t be required to pay visa fees for that particular destination. We welcome the chance to organise a perfect trip with major highlights of East Africa, such as gorilla tracking, wildlife safari, and wildebeest migration. On your trip to Rwanda, you will visit Uganda and Kenya. With so many domestic flights, it is easy to explore East African parks, either on a group or private tour to Bwindi, Kidepo Valley, and Masai Mara, Kenya.