Tucked in between the iconic safari destinations of Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda offers guests some of the best primate tracking on the planet – set against the backdrop of its endless green hills and soaring mountainsides.
With over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, it’s no surprise that the majority of guests visit Rwanda to track and view our highly endangered cousins. Rwanda is superb for primates in general, including the fun-loving Sykes monkey, the Golden monkey and the boisterous chimpanzee in the Nyungwe Forest. Despite a turbulent past, Rwanda is a safe and friendly destination – testament to the resilience of its people.
Why Visit?
- Nothing quite encapsulates the awe-inspiring feeling of sitting in tranquil forest surroundings with a family of magnificent mountain gorillas – the last of their kind.
- Expect bouts of laughter as the humerous antics of the Sykes monkeys will keep you entertained.
- Track the elusive Golden monkey through Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Experience the renowned Parc des Volcans, covered in lush mountain forest. It sits on the shared border between Uganda and Rwanda.
- Visit the attractive capital city of Kigali and stop to visit the Genocide Memorial for a moving reminder of what Rwanda has survived.
Rwanda is a wonderful family destination. However, if the sole purpose of the trip is gorillas, please note that in order to protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 or people with illnesses may go tracking.
Peak season for gorilla trekking is usually from June to November, although there are great savings to be had traveling in the slighty wetter low season. This is usually April to May and October to November with the wettest month being April.
A wide variety of accommodation can be found, though the majority would be safari lodges or camps. For those hoping to go gorilla trekking there are several well-located and scenic lodges to choose from. The recommended lodges are of a high standard, although not as high as their ultra-luxurious counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania. It is strongly recommended that you reserve all your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
Climate
Summer (October – April)
18˚C/65˚F 27˚C/80˚F
Winter (May – September)
16˚C/61˚F 25˚C/77˚F
Long Rains are from 01 Mar-31 May, although in many places it rains lightly every day for a large part of the year.
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