GUIDE FOR WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN RWANDA WITH AFRICANMECCA

The beating of your heart and the low rumble of a massive, yet peaceful silverback are the only sounds you hear as you peer through the dense rainforest vegetation to witness, for the first time, some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas of the Virungas. Slowly, you release your breath, stifling a giggle as you watch the antics of infant gorillas and its family members. Your nature-seeking travel has brought you to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, and now it dawns on you that this moment will change your life forever.

The world’s love for these amazing creatures stems from the work of famed primatologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to studying and protecting the now critically endangered gorillas. Because so few are left on the planet, seeing them in their natural habitat is a heartwarming experience that will deeply touch your soul and spirit.

Your senses are heightened thanks to this Rwanda’s gorgeous scenery, your sense of adventure is sparked, and your concern is aroused for the conservation and protection of this species. Mountain gorilla trekking is the primary reason international guests safari in Rwanda, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the 880 or so left in the wild.



Visits to the 10 gorilla families habituated to humans in Volcanoes is tightly regulated; with only 80 permits issued each day, we recommend that you plan activities for your gorilla wilderness holiday well in advance, especially if you are coming to Africa during the height of the tourist season. The treks to locate the gorillas are one to four hours long, depending on which family you are visiting and the availability of food sources at that time of year. As you traverse the trail, you may see elusive spotted hyenas, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, forest elephants, and other mammals.

The canopy is filled with the chatter of birds, and you may even sight a galago peering back at you. If your schedule allows for an additional day at Volcanoes National Park, we can arrange a special outing to locate the golden monkeys, as well as many other rainforest denizens. You will require a separate permit to track golden monkeys.

If hiking tops the wish list for your dream vacation in Africa, we recommend that you visit Nyungwe National Park, another protected forested area in southwestern Rwanda that is home to an intact population of more than 500 chimpanzees. You will visit the primates at Cyamdungo Forest or near Uwinka Forest, the two communities open to guests.

In addition to chimpanzee trekking, Nyungwe National Park is known for having the highest diversity of primate species in one location. Species include black and white colobus, silver monkeys, golden monkeys, Dent’s mona monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, to name just a few.

All of these scampering creatures can be observed on specialized primate tours with AfricanMecca. Primates are just some of 85 species of mammals in the park, which share this unique ecosystem with more than 300 bird species including the great blue turaco, goliath heron, giant hornbill, hamerkop, and red-breasted sparrow hawk.

In addition to fauna walks, we recommend that you take advantage of the Nyungwe Canopy Walk for a unique perspective of the forest, as well as the many hiking tours available, which range from one to seven hours long. You can even trek in the footsteps of anthropologists, conservationists, and explorers along the Congo-Nile Divide Trail.



No African tour would be complete without a classic wildlife safari experience, and Rwanda will exceed your every expectation. Akagera National Park is the only protected savannah in the country, and many plains game find refuge within the park boundaries. Both rare and common species can be observed on the open expanses, as well as in the papyrus swamps, woodland hills, and lakes. Birdwatchers may prefer the swamps, where sitatunga and shoebill storks are often seen. If you’re searching for large mammals then the grasslands are the place to be. Elephants, zebras, topis, buffalos, roan antelopes, klipspringers, impalas, rhinos and many other herbivores graze quietly here.

Akagera National Park was once void of lions, but these majestic felines were reintroduced in recent years and join leopards, side-striped jackals, and hyenas as the park’s primary hunters. You can witness all the park’s flora and fauna on Big 5 game drives, specialized boating tours, nature-walks, and birding safaris. We recommend that serious bird lovers take a boat excursion on Lake Ihema. The leisure fishing at Lake Shakani is also exceptional.

Rounding out your ideal Rwanda trip itinerary, you can spend two or three days at Lake Kivu, one of the unsung gems in this part of Africa. Avifauna and fish species are the primary animal life in this region. Your schedule can include taking leisurely walks along the beach to see the unique hot springs, lazing in the sun, and touring the nearby villages, memorials, and other points of interest.

Should you still have a bit of pent-up energy, try your hand at fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, biking, sailing, and beach volleyball. Just a quick boat ride away from the shoreline are the islands of Napoleon, Bugarama, and Nkomo, which offer intriguing ecosystems to explore. You can even swim in its blue water waters; thanks to the absence of crocodiles and hippos, Lake Kivu is one of the safest lakes in Africa.

Select Your Preferred Rwanda Trip Ideas & Experiences

1. Rwanda Safari Trip Ideas

2. Sample Itinerary Trips For Rwanda

3. Gorilla & Primate Safari Prices For Rwanda