Wildlife Viewing Safaris in Rwanda
Wildlife Viewing Safaris in Rwanda are one of the top activities on the travel list of a great majority of tourists on a safari in Rwanda. Some of the wildlife animals that top the list of most wildlife viewing safaris in Rwanda include; mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and the Big Five which include Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos and Rhinos.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Rwanda involve tourists travelling to national parks in the country. Rwanda has four national parks which include Volcanoes national park, Akagera national park, Nyungwe Forest national park, and the recently opened Gishwati-Mukura national park. All national parks in the country are managed by Rwanda Development Board (RDB), except for Akagera national park which is managed by both the RDB and a non-government organization called African Parks.
Wildlife Viewing Safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Volcanoes national park are a must for any tourist visiting Rwanda. Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is home to over 300 mountain gorillas which are a major tourist attraction in the national park. The park is located in the far northeastern part of the country in Ruhengeri district, just a few kilometers from Musanze town.
Other activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda involve activities such as; Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking which can be combined with other activities in the park like; Dian Fossey Hike, Bird Watching, Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi hikes, Guided nature walks in the forest, visit Musanze caves, and the Iby’iwacu village cultural tour.
Where to Stay in Volcanoes National Park.
While on your wildlife viewing safari in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, you can spend a night or two in the following lodges; Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain gorilla view, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi guesthouse and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge.
How to get to the Park.
Volcanoes national park can easily be accessed by road from Kigali city. The national park is situated just a 2⅟₂ hours’ drive from Kigali. The park can also be accessed from Uganda using the border at Cyanika, which is about a 30 minutes’ drive from the border to the national park.
You can also access the park by air with charters flight offered by Akagera Aviation Company. You can fly from Kigali international airport to Kinigi airstrip which is located in the park.
Wildlife Viewing Safaris in Akagera National Park.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Akagera national park are the best for those looking to view savannah wildlife animals during your Rwanda safari. Akagera is managed by both the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. The park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda and the only place where you stand a chance of seeing the famous Big Five animals in their natural habitats while in the country.
Akagera national park in Rwanda has a record of about 8,000 land animals and over 500 bird species. Wildlife viewing safaris in Akagera national park are best done during a guided game drive which can be conducted either in the morning, evening or at night. Night game drives in Akagera are great if you are looking to see nocturnal animals in the park.
Activities in Akagera National Park.
Activities that you can do while on a wildlife viewing safari in Akagera national park include; Game drives, Boat cruise, Birding, Sport fishing, Community cultural tours, Behind the Scenes Akagera Tour, Walk the line tour, Camping, and guided nature walks among others.
Accommodation in the Park.
Visitors looking to spend a night or two in Akagera national park can stay in lodges like; Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Magashi Safari Camp, and Ruzizi Tented Camp. The park also has some secure camping sites which include; Shakani Akagera Campsite, Mutumba Campsite, and Muyumbu campsite.
How to get to Akagera.
Akagera national park is located about 110 kilometers from Kigali city which is about a 2 hours’ drive. There are also air transfers offered by Akagera Aviation Company from Kigali to the park.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Nyungwe Forest national park majorly to see primates like chimpanzees and monkeys like the Vervet monkeys, Black and White colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys and many more. Other attractions that you are likely to see while on a wildlife viewing safari in Nyungwe national park include; forest hogs, forest elephants, different bird species, Isumo waterfalls, butterfly species and lots of tree and plant species.
The national park is part of the renowned Nyungwe forest which is one of the oldest forest reserves in Africa. It is also among the most biologically diverse forests on the continent, with a variety of both flora and fauna species.
Nyungwe Forest national park spans over a radius of approximately 1020 square kilometers of rainforest. The park is home to a total of 75 species of mammals and 13 primate species including chimpanzees. It also shelters more than 300 species of birds, which makes it an ideal destination for birding tours in Rwanda.
Other Activities in the Park.
Activities carried out in Nyungwe Forest national park include; Chimpanzee trekking, Primate tracking, Hiking, Guide nature walks, Bird watching, Tour tea estates in Gisakura, Canopy walk, and community cultural tours to mention but a few.
Where to stay while in the Park.
There are some good accommodation facilities near the park and these include; Gisakura Guest House, One & Only Nyungwe Lodge, and Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel.
How to get to the Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located about 225 kilometers from Kigali city, taking about a 4 to 5 hours’ drive to get to the park by road. It is recommended that you hire a 4×4 wheel drive safari vehicle when travelling to the park in order to easily navigate the dirt roads that lead to the national park.
You can also choose to travel to Nyungwe by air. There are domestic flights that leave Kigali International Airport to Kamembe International Airport, which is just few kilometers from Nyungwe Forest national park. You can then hire a helicopter to fly you to the park or simply drive 32 kilometers to the park.
Wildlife Viewing Safaris in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
The Gishwati-Mukura national park, also known as Gishwati Forest national park, is a newly established national park in Rwanda. The national park was established in 2015 and recently opened to the general public in 2019. It is a small national park covering about 34 square kilometers of rainforest.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Gishwati-Mukura national park are amazing; and given the its close proximity to Volcanoes national park, the park is a great stopover for visitors on a gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes national park.
While on wildlife viewing safari in Gishwati-Mukura national park, you will be able to carry out activities like; chimpanzee trekking, Hiking, Golden monkey tracking, Bird watching, Community tours, and guided nature walks.
Accommodation in the park.
For those looking to spend a night at the park, the Gishwati Lodge located within the national park provides excellent and quality lodging options. The lodge has six spacious and cozy cottages and can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests per night.
How to get to the Park.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park in Rwanda is located approximately 157 kilometers from Kigali City, which is about a 3-4 hours drive. For those traveling from Volcanoes national park, it takes about a 1-2 hour drive to Gishwati forest national park.
In conclusion: Wildlife viewing safaris in Rwanda offer visitors a chance to explore the beautiful scenery and wildlife in the country. It is also a great way to experience the amazing, diverse and rich Rwandan cultures.
Book now a wildlife viewing safari in Rwanda through a trusted tour operator company like Explore Rwanda Tours.
