Rwanda Travel Guide: Gorillas, Kigali and Forests

A different kind of safari country

Rwanda is small and hilly, with steep terraced farms, misty forests and one of the tidiest capital cities on the continent. Roads are paved and traffic is orderly. The country has invested heavily in conservation, and the gorillas are the centrepiece.

Its history also shapes any visit. The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi killed roughly a million people, and the memorials in Kigali are a serious and sobering part of understanding the country. Most travellers include at least a few hours at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

What to see

Volcanoes National Park is the gorilla park, two hours from Kigali. Nyungwe, in the southwest, is a big rainforest with chimps and a canopy walkway. Akagera, in the east, is a savanna park that has recovered its lions and black rhinos. Lake Kivu, on the western border, offers a lakeside break, and Gishwati-Mukura is a small forest for quiet walks.

Most people combine a gorilla trek with Kigali and one of the other parks. See our Rwanda gorillas and Kigali itinerary.

Cost

The gorilla permit is the big expense. Apart from that, Rwanda’s costs are moderate, and accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to some of the most expensive lodges in Africa. Combining Rwanda with a Ugandan trek can lower the total.

When to go

The main dry seasons are June to September and December to February. The wet months of March to May and October to November have more rain but treks still run. Permits for peak months sell out early.

Practical notes

Rwanda drives on the right, unlike Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The country is one hour behind those neighbours. Plastic bags are banned, and the last Saturday of each month is Umuganda, a community work morning during which shops may open late. Malaria risk is lower in the highlands but present elsewhere. Carry a yellow fever certificate if arriving from an affected country.