Volcanoes National Park is without doubt the most visited Rwanda safari park. Set in the far Northwestern Rwanda, about 2 to 3 hours’ drive, Volcanoes National Park is one of the best primate destinations Africa prides herself of. This is Dian Fossey’s pioneer research location where she conducted mountain gorilla research for over 18 years.

Founded in 1925, the Rwanda Volcanoes National Park is the country’s oldest park and also one of the smallest protected in Africa. It covers up to 160sq.kms of land area consisting of five volcanoes -Gahinga, Muhabura, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Gahinga volcanoes. There are some magical lakes, the Musanze caves, marshes worth visiting on Rwanda safaris.

A huge population of mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park. Its gorilla population follows that of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National Park also hosts about 200 colorful bird species including the grey backed fiscal, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, palm nut vulture, olive bellied, baglafetch weaver birds, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, blue spotted wood dove, Kivu ground thrush, etc.

Other than gorillas, the available wildlife of interest while at Volcanoes National Park: the spotted hyenas, black-fronted duikers, endangered golden monkeys, forest hogs, bush pigs, forest hogs, forest elephants, bush bucks, etc.

Activities to do; gorilla trekking to see the massive mountain gorillas, golden monkey tracking, birding, nature walks, volcano hiking or nature walks. In the nearby locations, engage in a cultural walk tour at Iby’Iwacu village, the Musanze caves. If you have plans to visit mountain gorillas, valid gorilla permits are available and each Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD1500 per person.

The available options to have a permit booked in Rwanda or Uganda are two: directly via Rwanda Development Board reservation (for Rwanda) or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for Uganda while indirectly, connect with a reliable tour operator who also plans the entire gorilla safari.

Situated in the far Southern Rwanda is Nyungwe Forest National Park, a home to 13 species of primates. The park was founded in 2004 and sits on the land area of about 1000sq.kms. It features the extensive Nyungwe Forest, a home to primates such as golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, silver monkeys, vervet monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, baboons, Angola colobus monkeys, 500 chimpanzees, pottos, black and white colobus monkeys.

Nyungwe National Park is a rich birding safari destination, with over 310 bird species awaiting exploration. The birds of Nyungwe Forest; Kivu ground thrush, regal sunbird, Doherty’s bush shrike, red faced woodland warblers, Congo Bay owlet, Rwenzori nightjars, red collared mountain babblers, turacos etc.

The best birding and nature walking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Karamba trail, Bigugu trail, Gisakura trail, Kamiranzovu trail etc. The best time to go birding in Nyungwe: July and late March. The main activities to indulge in while at Nyungwe: chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, birding, nature walks and more.

Akagera National Park is a home to the big five game in Rwanda. Located in the Eastern side of the country, about 2.5 hours’ drive and founded as a National Park in 1934. It expands up to 1122sq.kms, inhabiting diversity of wildlife such as bohor reedbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hyenas, topis, buffaloes, cape elands, klipspringer, roan antelopes, 500 birds, the Maasai giraffes, zebras, impalas, crocodiles, hippos, etc.

Birds of Akagera National Park Rwanda: vieillot’s black weavers, grey crowned crane, giant kingfishers, squacco herons, shoebill stork, grey-backed fiscals, Carruther’s cisticola, Augur buzzard, cattle egret, pied crow, long crested eagle, Senegal lapwing, African wattled plovers, water thick-knee, fan tailed widow bird and others.

Akagera National Park top tourist activities include a guided game drive, birding, nature walks, launch or boat cruise, sport fishing, cultural safari, hot air balloon safaris, helicopter tours and more. Getting to Akagera is easier while on road, 2.5 hours’ drive from Kigali city centre. At Akagera, the places to consider for overnight stay include Karenge Bush Camp (Seasonal camp), Magashi Tented Lodge/camp, Akagera Game Lodge and Ruzizi Tented Camp.

Established in 2015, Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GMNP) combines Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves. This is the smallest of all Rwanda National Parks with its land area measuring up to 34sq.kms. It is perched on the Congo-Nile ridges, offering tourists a remarkable opportunity to encounter variety of Albertine rift endemic species.

The park features animal species including variety of primates such as l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. The birds of Gishwati-Mukura N/Park Rwanda: Mountain yellow warblers, purple-breasted sunbirds, Grauer’s swamp warblers, regal sunbird, Ruwenzori turacos, martial eagle, Rwenzori batis, woodhoopoe, dusky crimson wing, red-throated alethe and more.

Key activities to do at Gishwati-Mukura National Park: hiking & nature walks, bird watching, cultural tour, biking/walking along the Congo Nile trail and more.

Other areas of interest while on Rwanda safari include Kigali, Lake Kivu, museum & cultural villages. Kigali unlike before has become a modern city, a city with about 1 million people. It was founded in 1907 under the German colonial rule, and only became Rwanda’s capital in 1962.

Kigali city tour is a must-do on Rwanda tour and it comes with large opportunities to explore and experience from Kigali or Gisozi genocide memorial to visiting local markets plus other attractions. Lake Kivu is a fresh water lake shared between Rwanda and Congo.