Rwanda

What to do in Rwanda?

Called the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, a land of astonishing beauty, Rwanda has risen phoenix-like from its troubled history. With an increasingly rare wilderness, this small land-locked East African nation is home to half the world’s mountain gorillas and offers a great mix of cultural activities, rich wildlife and nature, and vibrant art to curious travellers.

Traditional Intore Dance

During a Intore dance performance your body will impulsively find the rhythm of the ingoma drums. It has been this way for centuries, though the dances weren’t strictly meant to be entertaining. The Intore (which translates to “The Chosen Ones”) were once an elite, protective force of warriors for the King. Promising students were taken under royal tutelage at a young age, and sworn to protect King and country.

The world's best lodges

Award winning Bisate Wilderness Lodge, One&Only Nyungwe House and Gorilla’s Nest, Magashi Tented Camp – Rwanda offers a range of top notch wilderness lodges that are worth a trip in their own right.

Tea Plantations

The tell-tale emerald leaves you see close to Nyungwe National Park, growing in perfectly marked square plots, are tea plantations. Watching farmers balance baskets laden with tea leaves on their heads and hips, as they weave seamlessly amongst the growth, is mesmerising. Book a tour of the tea plantations and pick your own tea for a unique souvenir!

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the best savanna destination in Rwanda. Enjoy thrilling game drives and boat rides during which you will get a chance to see a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras and giraffes. The shallow waters of Lake Ihema are home to a large number of crocodiles and hippos which can best be viewed during boat rides.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

For an unrivalled wildlife encounter hike Rwanda’s lush Volcanoes National Park for some of the greatest mountain gorilla trekking in Central-East Africa. For one invaluable hour, enter the lives of these remarkable primates. Infants playing, adults foraging, completely unconcerned and if you’re lucky, an encounter with a silverback never to be forgotten.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and stunningly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate. Nyungwe is also a place of active adventure, with hiking and cycling trails, canopy walkways, and enchanting waterfalls.

Rwanda Facts

Biodiversity

Rwanda is home to the largest mountain rainforests in Africa

Mountain Gorillas

Bwindi National Park is home to 10 Mountain Gorilla families

Equality

Rwanda has the highest % of women in parliament in the world (61%)

Environmentalism

Rwanda has completely banned plastic bags since 2008

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Nothing can prepare you for it. The moment you encounter a mountain gorilla in the wild. As you close in quietly to see a mother cradling her baby, just metres away from you in the legendary mist-shrouded Virunga Mountains, there’s a palpable sense of interconnectedness. From the land, to the wildlife, to the people. In Rwanda everything is seamlessly woven into every part of the ecosystem.

Whether you're wandering the streets of the capital Kigali, or relaxing on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of the seven African Great Lakes, going on a game drive in Akagera National Park or track the country's many primate species - the combination of history, culture, wildlife and biodiversity is what makes Rwanda one of Africa's most thrilling destinations. Today the tiny country of nearly 13 million people is Africa’s economic poster child, a model of reconciliation, regeneration and sustainability.

Best time to travel to Rwanda

Mar-May & Oct-Nov

Rainy Season

Jun-Sep

Best time to visit!

Dec-Feb

Shoulder Season - Okay time to travel

Rwanda Wildlife Adventure

8 Days

View Full Trip

Featured Itinerary

Experience the naturally beautiful Rwandan countryside including game drives and a boat ride in Akagera National Park
Get close to the country’s primates, including chimpanzee tracking in the picturesque Nyungwe Forest and the highlight - observing the remarkable Mountain Gorilla in the Virunga range
Learn about Rwanda’s tragic past in Kigali’s genocide museum and how the nation was able to grow back from the civil war in just a couple of decades
Take a helicopter flight from Akagera to Nyungwe National Park to capture some of the most amazing aerial photographs
Stay in stunning tented camps and lodges in the most spectacular settings throughout Rwanda