Rwanda is a landlocked country bordered by Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the East, Burundi in the south and DR Congo in the west. Rwanda is covered by beautiful landscapes best known as a country of 100o hills, it is one of the cleanest and organized countries in Africa. The scenery is the most dramatic along the Northern, western and eastern borders. The western Rift valley runs from north to the south along the Rwanda-Congo border. Rwanda’s highest point is the 4,507 meters (14,787 ft) at Mount Karisimbi a volcano found in the Virunga volcano chain in the northwest in Virunga National Park.
Are you planning your trip or safari to Rwanda? Rwanda has everything for nature and adventure enthusiasts including seeing the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and all the Big 5 animals. Eco Adventure Safaris will help you organize an unforgettable safari to volcanoes national park with a lot to see and do. The is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) which is found in North-Eastern in a small town called Musanze, Rwanda in East Africa. Volcanoes National park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda and East Africa and one of the oldest parks in Africa, it is a home to the endangered apes and primates that include the Mountain Gorillas and golden Monkeys, there also many species of birds, Monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks among others in the forest as well as the unique culture.
Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. The park was gazette by the government of Rwanda to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching, primates and other wildlife that inhabit in the forest. The tropical forest boarders Uganda’s Mgahinga national park and DR Congo’s Virunga National park and these primates have always crossed either sides, this has enhanced conservation efforts from these three countries to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. The park was gazette by the government of Rwanda to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching, primates and other wildlife that inhabit in the forest.
The tropical forest boarders Uganda’s Mgahinga national park and DR Congo’s Virunga National park and these primates have always crossed either sides, this has enhanced conservation efforts from these three countries to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park was founded in 1934 and includes savannah, montane and swamp habitats, has all the Big 5 animals. The park is named for the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. The complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps makes up over a third of the park, which is the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa.
There are about 480 bird species in Akagera National park. One of the major activities include game drives and a Boat cruise on Lake Ihema on which you will be able to see its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant water birds on the island in the middle of the lake.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is great for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Rwanda, the park was established in 2004 and covers an area of approximately 970 km2 of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. In October 2020, the Rwanda Development Board signed an agreement with African Parks to assume management of Nyungwe National Park for an initial 20 years, all tourism activities are now under the management of Rwanda development board.
Nyungwe is best known for its primates including the chimpanzees and large troops of white and black Colobus monkeys.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest National Park which was created in 2015 merging Gishwati forest and Mukura forest it is the smallest with 34 square kilometers and least visited national park in Rwanda. It is situated on the ridge which separates the Congo and the Nile water from catchment areas along the diverse Albertine Rift.
The park is home to various primates, birds, reptiles and tree species including the endangered species that is the Eastern Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. The park is home to over 232 bird species among them including the Albertine endemic species this has made it one of the best places for birding in Rwanda.
Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is a green city to. It is near the nation’s geographic center in a region of rolling hills, with a series of valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. The city has been Rwanda’s economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became the capital following independence from Belgian rule in 1962. Kigali is developing rapidly, with new shopping malls, office buildings and a world-class convention center built in the style of the King’s Palace of olden days, which lights up the night sky atop of one of the many hills. Eco-friendly Safari Lodges to stay in Rwanda include;
Kigali, Rwanda
- Kigali Marriot Hotel
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Hotel Des Millie Collins
- Radisson Blue Hotel Kigali
- Onomo Hotel Hilltop Hotel
Volcanoes National Park
- Bisate lodge
- Gorilla Nest
- Virunga lodge
- Sabinyo silverback lodge
- Five volcanoes lodge
- Le bamboo Mountain Gorilla lodge
- Kinigi guesthouse
- Hotel Muhavura and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge
Nyungwe Forest National Park
- One & Only Nyungwe House
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Gisakura Guest house
Akagera National Park
- Magashi camp
- Dereva Hotel
- Akagera Bush Lodge
- Akagera Game Lodge
- Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Ruzizi Tented Camp
Giswhati-Mukura National Park
- Gishwati Lodge
Lake Kivu, Gishenyi
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel
- Palm Beach Resort Lake Kivu
- Kivu Paradise Resort
- Goma Serena Hotel
The best time for wildlife viewing in Rwanda is during the months of June to September. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Rwanda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Volcanoes National park for gorilla trekking, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for creating trails and viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Dry season is to be the best time to visit Rwanda. This is true because when it is raining, it becomes hard to drive through the parks for wildlife viewing because of the heavy rains that makes the trails too slippery. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the months of December to February and then June to September which are relatively dry than March to May and October to November.
Rwanda Weather and Climate
Knowing the Rwanda weather and climate is very important during planning your trip to Rwanda, this will help you understand how the weather and climate will be during your trip in Rwanda. In general Rwanda has mostly tropical climate making it much warmer during the day and cooler at night. Rwanda has two seasons the dry and wet season which occur on specific month throughout the year. The climate is influenced by the topography and vegetation areas at high altitude.
The dry season in Rwanda occurs in the months of June to September and December to February every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning.
The wet season in Rwanda occurs in the months of March, April, May, October & November every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 28°C/82°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. During this time as well it can still be dry especially in the tropical rain forests.
What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.