Rwanda Gorilla Wildlife Safari

This Rwanda safari will take you to Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. Volcanoes National Park one of the 3 homes of the endangered mountain gorillas within the Virunga mountains lead visitors to the park’s 12 habituated gorilla groups.

It being a 2 hours’ drive from Kigali International Airport make it the most accessible and easy to experience gorilla tours in Rwanda‘s park. It is also a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects among other creatures which together make it exceptional and rewarding.

On the day of trekking after an early breakfast, carry your gorilla permit of $1500 with you and any other necessary documents and make sure you have packed all the necessary gears like gloves, trekking boots, long-sleeved wear, rain jackets, snacks and packed lunch, walking stick among others.

After briefing on safety measures and what to expect during the day, you will be grouped in groups of 8 people maximum and each group is assigned one gorilla family to trek depending on your level of fitness and head to the starting point then hike in search of the apes.

Each gorilla tracking group consists of the main guide and two scouts who carry AK-47 guns, one walking in front and another behind the group. The reason for armed scouts is for protection in the forest against wild elephants or angry, wild gorillas. The scouts are trained to fire shots into the air first in order to scare away the animals but this is only done on rarest occasions when all other options like hiding away from such dangerous animals have been done.

It may take as little as 30 minutes to find your gorilla family and as long as five to seven hours. Once located, spend one hour with them. Try to get yourself the best view for photographs and learn all their behaviours. Once you are done, descent to pick your trekking certificate then back to lodge for lunch. You can go for IbyI’wacu village tour in the afternoon. IbyI’wacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions.

Be genuinely welcomed by the community as a special visitor while they proudly present to your aspects of their traditions and beliefs. The only way to get to know people, is getting close and interacting with local people, and taking part in their daily activities and most of all with them.

A hike to Dian Fossey tomb has presently become a not miss on every Rwanda tour to Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and anthropologist who committed her life to the conservation of the mountain gorilla by conducting an 18-year comprehensive study about the fateful ape. Having been raised with dejection and lack of parental love from the step father following her mother’s divorce with her father, Dian found love and comfort with the animals. This made her prominent in the gorilla family hence saving their lives in Rwanda.

She started anti-poaching campaigns with a team of her staff, who would carry out patrols rescuing some of the gorillas whose parents were killed during the raids. The gorillas in her study range soon got protection and this makes an important person in the lives of gorillas worth to be remembered.

The golden monkey trek is worth going for while in Volcanoes National Park and if you’re interested in wildlife, this is a rare and delightful experience not to be missed. They live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and habituation has helped them to overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. Trekking golden monkeys and gorillas is a similar experience, in a small group of no more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them.

When all is done, head to Akagera national park for yet another interesting wild life encounter. A Safari in Akagera National Park is special because of the unique scenery in the park which makes for a very great feeling for those who love nature. It is a perfect destination for those who have come to the capital for a conference, business trip or workshop and desire to go and see Africa’s famous animals in the wild. In order to take part in any of the park activities or drive inside the park, one needs clearance. Some of the activities like game drives and boat cruises need to be booked in advance.

Game drives can be done in the morning, afternoon and at night in the hills, plains and lakes. Akagera is one of the few places where night game drives can be arranged. Night game drives are done using spotlights and an open-roof vehicle to allow visitors spot nocturnal animals like genet, mongoose, bush babies, owls, night jar, leopards and hyenas.

Lake Ihema is famous for boat trips. While on the boat trip, you might encounter crocodiles, hippos and elephants drinking along the shores. The Lakes and nearby swamps are breeding grounds for several bird species.

Nature walks in the park can be arranged with the help of a park guide. A walk-through selected sections of the park gives you opportunities to appreciate the great biodiversity in the park. The nature walks involve following established park trails that lead to forests, lakes and swamps.

Bird watching in Akagera provides opportunities to spot over 450 species. There are few forest birds and Albertine Rift species. The great Shoe bill stock can be spotted in the park though their numbers are small.

The park is the best place to go for sport fishing in Rwanda.  The shores of Lake Shakani are great for fishing species like the Tilapia and catfish. While fishing, you will get to see many birds and animals drinking by the shores. Fishing tournaments are arranged frequently and winners are rewarded with a chance to prepare and eat their catch. The fishing permit will cost you $20. The choice for the activities to be done will yours. After all is done, you will transfer back to Kigali for your final flight.