Rwanda Safari Tours: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Akagera Big Five and Kigali

Rwanda is compact, and its roads are good, so a safari here covers a lot in a short time. A short trip can include gorillas and Kigali in three days. A week can add Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa's oldest rainforests, and Akagera National Park, a savannah park on the Tanzanian border. The country is also known for its clean cities and community-led conservation.

This page explains what each part of a Rwanda safari offers, how long to allow and how the pieces fit together. It also shows how Rwanda joins Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania in a larger trip. For the details of each park and for itinerary samples, follow the links to the dedicated guides.

This guide is part of our East Africa travel guides. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

The Main Experiences on a Rwanda Safari

See Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Akagera National Park and Kigali.

Akagera: Rwanda's Savannah Park

Akagera is the country's only savannah park, with lakes, papyrus swamps and rolling hills. Lions returned to the park in 2015 and rhinos in 2017, which brought it back to a Big Five park alongside elephants, buffalo and leopards. Giraffes, zebras, hippos and crocodiles are common, and the lakes attract many birds. Visitors can join game drives, boat cruises and, in season, night drives. Read Akagera game drives, boat trips and night safaris.

Nyungwe: Chimpanzees and the Canopy

Nyungwe Forest is a high-altitude rainforest in the south-west with chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and many birds. The canopy walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, is a highlight, and forest trails offer different lengths of walks. Chimpanzee tracking requires an early start and a permit. See Nyungwe canopy walk and forest trails and Nyungwe vs Kibale chimpanzee tracking.

Sample Rwanda Safari Lengths

• 3 days: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorillas and back; see 3-day Rwanda gorilla trekking.
• 5 days: gorillas, Lake Kivu and Kigali; see 5-day Rwanda adventure.
• 7 to 8 days: gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees and Akagera; see 8-day Rwanda primates safari.
• Longer: add Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania.

Compare options in Rwanda safari itineraries.

When to Go and How to Get Around

June to September and December to February are the drier seasons and the best for hiking and game viewing. The rainy months, March to May and October to November, are greener and quieter. Most transfers are on paved roads, with typical drives of two to four hours between main stops. A private 4x4 with a driver-guide is the usual choice. See the best time to visit Rwanda and visas, money and practical information.

Combining Rwanda With Other Countries

Rwanda sits between Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and joins easily to Uganda by road through the Kisoro and Katuna border posts. Many travellers fly into Kigali, trek in Rwanda and cross to Bwindi, or fly onward to Kenya or Tanzania. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, while Tanzania has its own visa. See Uganda and Rwanda safari and Rwanda vs Uganda.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team