The Land of a Thousand Hills
Rwanda safaris
Mist-covered volcanoes, terraced green hills and one of Africa’s cleanest, safest capitals. Rwanda makes mountain gorillas easier to reach than anywhere else.
Why visit Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park is only around two and a half hours from Kigali’s airport, so you can land in the morning and trek the next day. Add golden monkeys, the hike to Dian Fossey’s grave, chimpanzees in Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest and a Big Five game drive in Akagera, and a week covers the whole country with short, comfortable drives.
Rwanda is also an easy country to combine with Uganda. The gorilla parks of both countries sit close to the shared border, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers both.
Rwanda at a glance
- Main airport
- Kigali International (KGL)
- Gorilla permit
- $1,500
- Visa
- On arrival or online ($50); free for Commonwealth, AU and Francophonie citizens
- Best time
- June to September and December to February
- Currency
- Rwandan franc; US dollars widely accepted
- Languages
- Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili
National parks in Rwanda
Select a park to see its wildlife, best season and what a visit involves.
Rwanda safari itineraries
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Should I choose Uganda or Rwanda for my safari?
Both countries offer mountain gorilla trekking, but they suit different trips. Rwanda is compact and polished: Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours from Kigali airport, so a gorilla trek fits into two or three days. Uganda is bigger and more varied, with chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, the Nile at Murchison Falls and a gorilla permit that costs $800 against Rwanda's $1,500. Many guests combine the two.
Read our Uganda vs Rwanda guideCan I combine Uganda and Rwanda in one trip?
Yes, and it is one of the most rewarding ways to see the region. The two countries share a border close to the gorilla parks: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is about three hours from the Rushaga sector of Bwindi via the Cyanika border post. A popular route flies into Kigali, tracks golden monkeys or gorillas in Rwanda, then crosses into Uganda for Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale before flying home from Entebbe.
See our Uganda & Rwanda safarisWhat are golden monkeys and where can I see them?
Golden monkeys are an endangered primate with bright orange-gold fur, found only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda runs habituated golden monkey tracking, usually a shorter and easier walk than a gorilla trek. The permit is $100.
Do I need a visa for Uganda and Rwanda?
Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, applied for online before travel, as Uganda no longer issues visas on arrival. Rwanda issues visas on arrival to all nationalities, and citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie countries can visit Rwanda without a visa for up to 30 days. If you are visiting both, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on one visa.
Read our visa and entry guidePlan your Rwanda safari
Tell us your dates and what you would love to see, and Godwin will put together a route, lodges and a quote for you.