Rwanda Safari Tours, 22 Things To Do In Rwanda, Cost & Destinations.
There are a lot of tourist attractions in Rwanda, including mountains, national parks, and cultural centers, but if you are planning a safari there, you may also go gorilla trekking. Here are 22 activities you can do in Rwanda.
East Africa’s Rwanda is a landlocked nation with several tourism destinations spread around the nation. Rwanda, which is mostly made up of verdant hills, is most famous for housing endangered mountain gorillas and for the 1994 genocide that left many people dead and others homeless. Unity was the goal of the new administration when it took office, and this is still evident in the nation many years later.
Through marketing and ensuring that there are enough attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy while in Rwanda, the government has also made significant investments in the travel industry. The following is a list of some activities that you should not miss while visiting Rwanda and that we will learn about in this post.
1. Trekking with Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Safaris Musanze hamlet, in the country’s northwest, is home to the volcanoes national park. It is tucked away between Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. There are many gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, and gorilla trekking is the primary activity that visitors engage in there.
Only 12 of the approximately 18 habituated gorilla groups in the Volcanoes National Park are suitable for trekking, making it an excellent location for anybody interested in gorilla trekking. Tourists are split up into groups and given families to hike with, so gorilla trekking will take around an hour.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is only possible with a trekking permission. Because permits are constantly in great demand, it is best to get your gorilla trekking permit three to six months prior to the date of your trip. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1500 per person.
As you prepare for the walk, keep in mind all of the guidelines that were provided to you before to the start, such as avoiding close contact with the gorillas, turning off your flashlight when taking pictures, and refraining from feeding the primates, among other things.
Although gorilla trekking is possible year-round, the ideal time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June to September. In contrast to the rainy season, when the roads are slick, many of the gorilla trail routes are accessible during the dry season, making trekking easier. Although it is quite difficult to manage the muddy paths, gorilla permits are easier to get during the rainy season when the rains are intense. You also get to experience the park with less tourists.
2. Tracking Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park One of Rwanda’s most popular tourist sites is Nyungwe National Park, which is situated in the southwest of the country. It is most well-known for housing a variety of primates, including chimpanzees, who are the main attraction here, as well as colobus, blue, and golden monkeys.
Over 500 chimpanzees and 90 habituated gorilla populations may be found in Nyungwe National Park, which is available to the public year-round. The Cyamudongo forest is home to 30 of these habituated chimpanzee populations, while the Nyungwe forest is home to the remaining 60.
Each group of tourists, consisting of no more than eight individuals, spends around an hour with the family to whom they have been allocated. Trekking with chimpanzees may be challenging since they are always on the go, but it is simpler with habituated chimps because they are used to being near humans.
After receiving a briefing from the authorities on what to anticipate, chimpanzee trekking often begins as early as 5:00 am. The Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura parts are the three areas of Nyungwe where you may begin your hike.
Chimpanzee trekking permits, which cost $90 per person per day for all foreign non-residents and merely $60 for foreign residents, are required for all visitors. Your preferred tour operator may arrange for the chimpanzee permit, and reservations should be made well in advance.
In contrast to the rainy season, when the trek routes are completely muddy, the dry season, which runs from June to around October, is the ideal time of year to go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe. As you prepare for your trekking trip, it is advised that you bring a raincoat to prevent getting wet since Nyungwe National Park, which is home to many rainforest trees, gets rains throughout the year.
3. Trekking with Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park
Only located in the Volcanoes National Park, which is part of the Virunga area, are Rwanda’s most popular tourist attractions: golden monkeys. With gorilla trekking at the top of the list, golden monkey trekking is one of the most popular activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Due to the golden patches on their fur, which make them a unique species, golden monkeys are visually stunning and captivating. Although they sometimes try eating fresh potatoes, their primary food source is bamboo shoots and branches.
In comparison to the gorillas, the golden monkeys are more easier to walk and will take less time to descend. Following the bamboo shoots that the monkeys leave behind is the most effective technique to trek after these constantly moving animals. When hiking, there are a few guidelines you should attempt to adhere to, such as keeping a distance and turning off your camera when snapping pictures, since this usually drives the monkeys away.
Note that you will not be permitted to enter the National Park without a trekking permit, which costs around $100 per person per day. If at all feasible, it should be done during the dry season. The majority of visitors on Rwanda safari tours participate in the gorilla tracking and golden monkey trekking in the national park of the volcanoes.
4. Akagera National Park Game Drives
Akagera National Park Lions Named after the Kagera River, the park is located in the country’s eastern region. The park has a huge area of protected territory with thick vegetation and marshy lakes. The most popular activities in the Akagera National Park are Rwanda safari trips, which mostly include game drives. You may do them at night as well as during the day.
Day game drives are conducted in two stages: early in the morning and late at night. You may see early-rising animals and a variety of bird species, including the Caruthers’ cisticola, Senegal lapwing, long crested eagle, Rwenzori batis, red-throated alethe, and black-headed weaver, during the morning game drive, which often starts at 7:00 or 8:00 am and lasts until mid-afternoon. After lunch, at around 3:00 pm, the afternoon drive begins and lasts until late in the evening.
The park’s safari vehicle is used for the night game drives, which begin late in the evening after supper and allow you to view the majority of the nocturnal creatures that hide during the day and hunt at night. Among the most popular animals seen at night are lions, leopards, impalas, and bushbucks.
The benefit of taking nighttime drives in Akagera is that you get to see a lot of animals because most of them are sleeping, unlike during the day when they are moving about. However, you will need a flashlight to see the animals better in the dark. An expert tour guide will show you around the Akagera night game drive and provide additional information about the animal species you will see for roughly USD 40.
Lions (introduced in 2015), leopards, elephants, black rhinos (added in 2019), hippos, zebras, antelopes, bushbucks, and many more species are among the creatures you may anticipate seeing on a game drive in Akagera. The dry season, which runs from June to September, is the ideal time of year for wildlife drives in Akagera National Park. Many animals may be seen congregating near the Akagera River during the dry season, when the grass is thinner and the animals are easier to see.
5. Observing birds in Nyungwe and Nyabarongo
Bird watching is one of the numerous activities that visitors to Rwanda engage in. The Nyungwe National Park and the Nyabarongo Wetlands are two places you should visit for bird watching. Permits are required to go birdwatching at these two sites, and July through late March is the ideal time to visit.
Although walking through Nyungwe National Park may sometimes be challenging due to its deep trees, there are hike routes inside the park that you can take to enjoy the birding experience. In Nyungwe, the Kamiranzovu, Karamba, Gisakura, and Bigugu hike paths are the most popular routes for birdwatching.
The Doherty Bushrike, Rwenzori Baits, Kivu ground thrush, Red collared mountain babbler, red-faced woodland warbler, Grey crested Kakamega, Grauer’s swamp warbler, short-tailed warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, and many more are among the bird species that are frequently sighted in Nyungwe.
The Nyabarongo River, Rwanda’s longest river, provides water to the Nyabarongo wetlands, which are home to around 50 different bird species. This protected region, which is located in the country’s southeast, is home to a variety of bird species, some of which are almost extinct worldwide. The lush foliage of the marsh and the wetland itself serve as the birds’ natural home in Nyabarongo.
The papyrus canary, papyrus yellow warbler, Madagascar Squacco Heron, white collared oliveback, Carruthers’ cisticola, Northern brown throated weaver, and papyrus gonolek are among the bird species to watch for at Nyabarongo. The three species of the Afrotropical and Lake Victoria biomes may also be found there.
6. Kivu Lake
Rwanda’s Lake Kivu is located in the country’s western region, close to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Boda. With a depth of around 485 meters, it is one of the tiniest lakes in the Great Rift Valley and is regarded as having Rwanda’s most picturesque perspective. The lake is close to the volcanoes National Park and is encircled by picturesque beaches, hills, and fishing communities.
Methane and carbon dioxide are both present in Lake Kivu, and when they combine, they may cause eruptions. While this hasn’t occurred in Rwanda yet, experts predict that it will, so those who live there should exercise more caution.
Kayaking, mountain biking, nature walks, island hopping (because of the many islands along Lake Kivu, such as the Nyamirundi, Munini, and Amahoro Islands), birding (you can see species like the African pied wagtail, common waxbill, Tropical Boubou, and the African fish eagle, to name a few), water sports (boat cruises between the various Islands, sport fishing, relaxing on the beaches, and many more) are some of the activities that will keep you alert while on a tour of Lake Kivu.
7. Plantations of Tea
Rwandan agritourism behind being introduced in the 1950s, tea became the nation’s second-largest revenue crop, behind coffee. While there are numerous tea plantations dotted throughout Rwanda’s hills, some are privately owned while others are owned by corporations. The Gisovu and Gisakura tea estates are the most popular and accessible to the general public, and a tour of the tea plantations typically lasts three to four hours.
The majority of Rwanda’s tea production is sold to various nations worldwide, with the remainder being offered for local use. Keep in mind that although farmers conduct the majority of the tours of the farms, you are unable to schedule a trip with the plantation owners; instead, you must use a tour operator to arrange a visit to the tea estates.
The most visited tea plantation in the nation is Gisakura, which is situated near the western edge of Nyungwe National Park. The tea estate is rather expansive, and during a tour of the plantation, you may see the tea in its many phases, interact with the people, sample the tea directly from the factory, and take part in other events that are held there.
The Gisovu tea estate: The Gisovu plantation is situated in the northern section of the Nyungwe forest. You may go mountain biking here, take in the cupping ritual following the tour, and enjoy a wonderful view of the forest and the tea plants in their various phases while strolling around the tea estate.
The Pfunda tea plantation is renowned for being the biggest tea estate in the nation and for producing the most tea. The plantation, which spans several hectares of land and is situated directly under the Virunga volcano, will provide you with an understanding of the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of tea.
8. Go to the National Museums
The National Museum of Rwanda, located in Butare, was built in 1989 and is a popular destination for those interested in learning more about the history of the nation. You may learn more about the distinctive Banyarwanda culture throughout history by stopping at the National Museum, which is located along the same path that leads to Nyungwe National Park.
Ancient tools, ceramics, photographs, and royal regalia from more than 500 years ago are on display in these galleries. You will be given a tour of the National Park by guides who will tell you more about the genocide, the progress made since then, and the lives of the presidents and royal families prior to the genocide.
President Habyarimana was the last president to inhabit the state house before it was converted into a museum. You may also visit the State House Museum, which was once a presidential palace. This is the location of the Habyarimana aircraft accident, and the debris remains. Visitors come to the palace to learn more about Habyarimana and the origins of the massacre.
9. Genocide Memorial in Kigali
Kigali Genocide Memorial Built in 2004, the Kigali Genocide Memorial was established to honor all those who perished in the 1994 Genocide, which claimed thousands of lives. Parts of it depict the outside world, survivors, and the younger generation what occurred years ago and the value of togetherness. It is situated in Gisozi, which is north of the capital city.
There is a mass grave where the majority of the deceased have not yet been identified, a garden, and an exhibit of the dead’s bones and photographs. To ensure that everyone who visits the monument remembers and honors those who lost their lives, the names of all those who died have been posted, and more are constantly being added.
10. The Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile Trail, which runs beside Lake Kivu, is regarded as East Africa’s top riding and motorcycling route. The path was formally launched in 2011 with the goal of enhancing the nation’s tourist sector. With its starting point in Gisenyi, the 227-kilometer track winds past the beaches of Lake Kivu, the lush woods of Nyungwe National Park, a number of hills, and the Kiziba refugee camp.
From there, you can also get a glimpse of the Congo. For someone who is not physically active, the trail path is difficult since it contains rock, becomes muddy during the rainy season, and includes high hills and slopes that you should be ready for.
The Congo Nile Trail is accessible to visitors in four different ways: walking, riding a motorbike, cycling, and driving. It will take you 10 days to walk the path and 5 days to cycle it. These two methods are said to be the greatest ways for travelers to experience the trail since they allow you to meet locals while exploring.
Since the path was designed to travel through many communities, it is simple to get food and beverages. As for lodging, there are a number of lodging options available inside the villages, as well as the option for those who like to camp out along the trail. Snacks, gloves, bicycle headlights, toiletries, a dust mask, gloves, and sunglasses are a few necessities that you should not overlook. Gisenyi offers the bikes for rent at a reasonable cost.
11. Kigali City Center
Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has been referred to be the cleanest and best-organized capital city in East Africa. Since Kigali has a lot to offer, it is safe to spend at least a few hours seeing the city. Many travelers use Kigali as a layover before moving on to the several national parks across the nation. A journey around Kigali won’t be a waste of time since the city is well-planned and has solid infrastructure, including highways and lodging.
When you make the decision to visit Kigali, your first destination should be the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you may learn about the events of the genocide and pay respect to the deceased by looking at the pictures and names of those who perished.
Other activities include visiting the Rwanda Arts Museum, hiking Kigali Mountain, horseback riding, meeting locals, watching local dances, visiting the Museum of Natural History, touring the renowned Hotel des Milles Collines, shopping at the city’s various markets, and dining at local eateries.
12. Savor Rwandan cuisine.
When you go to the nation, you will have the opportunity to sample some of the greatest local food, which is produced in the many hotels located around the cities. Rwandans mostly work in agriculture, so their diet typically consists of peas, millet, beans, maize, sweet potatoes, bananas, fresh fish from the lakes (since they don’t often eat meat), a variety of fruits, and international cuisines that are served in urban hotels.
You should try some of the popular local dishes, such as Isombe, which is made with mashed dried fish and mashed cassava leaves; Ibihaza, which is boiled with chopped pumpkin and beans; Matolie, which is essentially steamed or baked plantains; Igisafuria, which is made with a pot; and Ugali, which is made with maize flour and hot water. When it comes to local beverages, keep an eye out for Ikiviguto, which is fermented milk, Icayi, which is regular black tea, and Urwagwa, called banana beer.
13. Cultural Tours of Rwanda
Rwandan dancers The nation of Rwanda has a distinct culture that is evident across its many regions. The Tusti, who kept cattle, the Twa, who gathered, and the Hutus, who hunted, are Rwanda’s three ethnic groupings. You will get the opportunity to learn more about the people of Rwanda via one-on-one conversations, taking part in traditional dances and music, and other activities.
There are many ways to experience Rwandan culture, including visiting the King’s Palace in Nyanza, where royal regalia used by former Rwandan kings is kept; visiting the many genocide memorial centers located throughout the country to honor those who perished; taking a tour of the Iby’iwacu cultural village, where you can learn more about Rwandan culture from the daily activities conducted in a homestead to the cuisine; and visiting the Bugesera Reconciliation village, where the majority of the genocide survivors who lost their properties were relocated.
14. The Canopy Walk
There are many activities available to visitors to Rwanda, but one that you should not miss is the canopy walk, which is a great way to explore the National Park and get a good look at the forest and some primates soaring from tree to tree. The canopy walk is one of the greatest canopy walkways in Africa and is exclusively available in Nyungwe National Park.
It was first installed there in 2010. The 160-meter canopy walk, which is separated into three categories and elevated up to 50 meters, is best enjoyed during the dry season. The shortest stroll is the first one, which is 25 meters long; the second one is around 45 meters long; and the last one is 90 meters long. While some pick the whole promenade, visitors are free to choose the stroll type they like.
The canopy walks are conducted in two stages, beginning at around 8:00 am in the morning and ending at 3:00 pm in the afternoon. Each part lasts roughly two hours. The canopy walk costs 5,000 Rwandan francs, $150 for foreign non-residents, and $60 for foreign residents. Although children under the age of 15 must always be accompanied by an adult, it is open to those aged 6 and above.
15. Go to the Kimironko Market.
Local market in Rwanda It is claimed that visiting a new place’s market is one of the finest ways to learn more about its culture, and the same is true of the Kimironko market. Various goods are offered in the Kimironko market, which is housed in a big warehouse building in Kigali.
The mazes within the market make it a little difficult to navigate, but if you get lost, there are individuals wearing yellow cooperative shirts who can help you find your way. The majority of individuals go shopping there, whether they are making modest or large purchases.
The majority of household goods are sold at the market’s main entrance, which is right across from the Kimironko bus station. Fresh meat and fish are sold at the entrance on the left, various kinds of kitenge are sold at the entrance on the right, and tailoring and used clothing are sold at the last entrance.
16. Go to Lake Burera.
Located in the Volcanoes National Park, Lake Burera is a twin lake to Ruhondo Lake and is mostly frequented by visitors in the nights. After a long day of hiking with the gorillas, you may unwind here. Other things you can do here include fishing, birdwatching, paddling, and camping along the lake’s banks.
17. Horseback Riding in Fazenda Sengha
Horseback riding in Rwanda The capital city of Rwanda, Kigali, offers a variety of activities for visitors, including horseback riding. With the assistance of a tour guide, you may ride the trained horses at the Fazenda Sengha horse ranch, which is located just atop Mount Kigali. You shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try horseback riding, which is still relatively new in Kigali.
However, you must be ready for the mountain trek that will take you to the ranch, where you may ride a horse and enjoy a breathtaking view of Kigali. Bottled water will be available for the approximately one-hour horseback ride at Fazenda. To get the most out of the session, you must make reservations in advance and make sure to wear pants.
18. Rwandan hot springs
Visit one of Rwanda’s many hot springs, which are now popular tourist destinations, to see boiling water that is almost 100 degrees Celsius. Although it is unknown how long they have existed, the majority of the local populations who surround the springs take a superstitious and mystical view of them.
The springs vary in temperature; some contain mild water that is suitable for swimming, while other portions have water that is hot enough to cook an egg and is dangerous to humans. While in Rwanda, you may visit a few of the following hot springs:
The Rubavu area is home to the Nyamyumba hot springs. The locals refer to the hot springs as “magical waters” because they think they have a mystical significance. In some places, the water is so hot that it may even cook an egg, yet in other places, swimming is simple. Many illnesses and infections are also said to be cured by the springs.
The Bugarama Hot Spring: The Bugarama Hot Springs are situated in Cyangugu town, Rusizi district, in western Rwanda. The springs, which are located at the foot of a limestone quarry, seem to be no more than any other green-covered body of water from a distance, but the closer you go, the more breathtaking the view becomes. It is also said that the hot springs contain healing water that helps with blood circulation, heals illnesses, and lifts people’s curses.
The Gisenyi and Kinigi hot springs are located close to Lake Kivu and, like other hot springs in the nation, are said to contain water that may treat ailments including the flu, headaches, wounds, and joint difficulties.
19. Rwandan Volunteers Umuganda
Every year on the last Saturday of the month, I participated in a volunteer activity in Rwanda called Umubanda, which is roughly defined as “coming together with a common purpose to achieve an outcome.” Every last Saturday of the month, everyone between the ages of 18 and 65 is expected to gather all of their cleaning supplies and head down to the streets to clean. This is because the Umuganda was established to keep the country clean and the communities together after the genocide in Rwanda left the country in chaos.
All citizens are required to participate in the Umuganda activity as it is seen as a civic obligation. Although they are encouraged to participate in the activities, visitors and expatriates are not. Volunteering for the Umuganda will allow you to travel the several streets where the event is held while also getting to know the residents.
20. Naming Ceremony for Kwita Izina Gorilla
Gorilla naming in Rwanda: The Kwita Izina is a customary naming ritual in Rwanda when infants are given names as soon as they are born. Since its introduction in 2005, over 240 gorillas have been named at the ceremony, which was modified to accommodate the naming of the nation’s new mountain gorillas.
The gorillas’ names, which are typically selected by the trackers, invariably refer to anything noteworthy that occurred at the precise moment of their birth. A list of three names is created, and each of these is selected for each gorilla at the ceremony. Many people in Rwanda, as well as in neighboring nations and other countries, commemorate this day. The president of the Republic of Rwanda also attends.
21. Rwandan glamping
Glamping, commonly referred to as glamor camping, is one of the greatest experiences you can have in Rwanda. The nation has adjusted to the new camping trend, where you can get a pre-made tent with all the opulent amenities you need rather than packing your own. The Inzu lodge in Gisenyi, Macheo Ecolodge, Nyungwe Nzizi lodge, and the vintage cottage are a few locations in Rwanda that provide glamping, which is a stunning and varied way for visitors to see the nation and all it has to offer.
22. Go to the Milk Bars.
One way visitors may see Rwanda like the people do is by exploring the milk bars. The Rwandan people value cows and milk, as seen by the cans of milk with the words “Amata Meza,” which are taken to milk bars to improve the milk’s quality and make it safe to consume.
One of Rwanda’s most well-known bars is located in the center of Kigali and serves exclusively milk. While in the country, you should keep an eye out for the Kiruhumba Milk Bar, one of the remaining milk bars in the nation. If you ask the locals where you may sample Rwandan milk, they will be happy to point you in the proper direction. It’s located immediately after the market.