Rwanda National Park

A landlocked nation, Rwanda is small in comparison to other east African nations. It is undoubtedly one of the top travel destinations in East Africa, despite its small size. Rwanda, also known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is among the greatest places in Africa to go on a safari through its four national parks. Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park are the four national parks of Rwanda. These are the main locations where daily safaris into Rwanda are held.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) manages each of Rwanda’s four national parks, which offer varied ecosystems. Visiting any of Rwanda’s National Parks provides tourists with an exceptionally unique experience. Rwanda is home to some of the world’s most sought-after primates, including mountain gorillas and the big five.

Akagera National Park (ANP)

Akagera National Park (ANP), located in northeastern Rwanda, is the largest of Rwanda’s four national parks. The park covers a size of 1122 square kilometers and, astonishingly, is the only savanna protected region that attracts tourists on Rwanda big game safaris. Akagera national Park is roughly a 2-hour and 30-minute drive from Kigali, the capital city. Akagera National Park is named after the Kagera River and is known for its distinctive scenery, which includes acacia woodland and savanna grassland. This is by far the greatest area to go for game viewing when on a Rwanda safari tour. Baboons, zebras, Maasai giraffes, African bush elephants, gazelles, buffaloes, elands, roan antelopes, lions, leopards, rhinos, bush bucks, duikers, impalas, Oribis, hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles are among the animal species that inhabit Akagera’s savanna ecology. Akagera also protects primates such as blue monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, and velvet monkeys. Akagera National Park safaris provide more than simply big game watching. The park also shelters over 500 bird species, that live throughout its different environments. The fan-tailed widow bird, cattle egret, sacred and Hadada Ibis, fish eagles, shoe bill stork, Caruther’s Cisticola, black headed and viellot black weavers, long crested eagles, African darter, Senegal lapwing, papyrus gonoleks, squacco herons, and African wattled plovers, to name a few, can be found in the park’s various habitats. Akagera National Park Rwanda offers a variety of intriguing experiences and activities to engage in. The park is ideal for guided game drives, bird watching, boat trips, natural walks, helicopter tours, and cultural experiences.

Normal board basis is full board inclusive of breakfast lunch and dinner.

Volcanoes National Park (VNP)

Volcanoes National Park is a great primate destination located in northwestern Rwanda. This is one of Africa’s most tiny parks, covering approximately 160 square kilometres and part of the Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park is a great destination for mountain gorilla trekking. It is a must-see place for travellers seeking gorilla safaris.

Volcanoes National Park protects a portion of the 1063 endangered mountain gorillas that still exist on Earth, and it presently contains 13 habituated gorilla groups ready for gorilla trekking, including Hirwa, Amahoro, Agashya, Ugenda, Susa A, Kwitonda, Titus, Susa B, and Bwenge. In addition to mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to forest elephants, gigantic forest hogs, spotted hyenas, bush bucks, bush pigs, golden monkeys, and other wildlife. Volcanoes National Park’s habitats support over 200 bird species, including a major Albertine Rift unique species, making it a fantastic birding site to visit on Rwanda safaris.

A birding excursion at Volcanoes National Park may lead you to interesting sights of birds like as red-faced woodland warblers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Grauer’s rush warblers, dusky crimson wings, Archer’s ground robins, Rwenzori batis, turacos, and more. Other activities include volcano/mountain climbing (the Virunga volcanoes in this park are Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, and Gahinga Volcanoes), golden monkey tracking, cave exploring, and a Dian Fossey tomb hike.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park (NFNP) is located in Rwanda’s south-west, about a 6-hour drive from Kigali. This is the second largest of Rwanda’s four national parks, comprising around 1000 square kilometres of territory and consisting primarily of rainforest. Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is one of the best spots in East Africa to go chimpanzee tracking for chimpanzee tracking.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda protects 75 animal species, 13 of which are primates. These include 500 chimps, 400 colobus monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons, Dent’s Mona monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and more. Aside from monkeys, Nyungwe is a unique birding destination, boasting more than 310 bird species, 120 of which are forest birds.

On Rwanda safaris, watch for Rwenzori Batis, stripe breasted tit, Ruwenzori turacos, chestnut owlet, bush shrike, Archer’s robin chit, white-headed wood hoopoe, collared apalis, white-tailed flycatcher, and others. Nyungwe Forest National Park safaris provide excellent opportunities for chimpanzee tracking, forest walks/hiking, canopy hikes, and bird watching. The Congo-Nile divide trail (227kms), Karamba, Umugote, Umoyove, the Igishigishigi trail, Rukuzi, Ngabwe, Muzimu, and Kamiranzovu trails are just a few of the many options for forest walks/hiking in Nyungwe.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GNP)

Gishwai-Mukura National Park is the newest of Rwanda’s four national parks. This was established in 2015 by combining the Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves in Rwanda. The park preserves a large number of primates, including chimps, L’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and others. Gishwati-Mukura National Park also protects a large number of species, including grey-crowned cranes, purple-breasted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, regal sunbirds, mountain yellow warblers, and martial eagles.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GNP) is another excellent destination for unforgettable chimp tracking, bird watching, nature walks, cultural excursions, monkey hikes, and other activities. Gishwati-Mukura is the smallest of the four Rwanda National Parks, making it an easier place to visit. The park is only 34 square kilometres and is primarily made up of rain forest, with Gishwati Lodge serving as an overnight accommodation. Other than national parks, Rwanda also protects a significant number of tourist attractions. These include Lake Kivu, Rwanda genocide sites, museums and others.