Mountain gorillas in misty volcanoes, primates in ancient rainforest, and the Big Five on golden plains — Rwanda, intimate and extraordinary.
Rwanda is an essential stop on any African journey. Fondly known as the “land of a thousand hills,” it is a country of warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, rare and unusual wildlife, peaceful seclusion, and deeply rewarding cultural experiences. Quick Facts Capital Kigali Best time to visit December–February and June–September Parks & reserves 3 national parks and 1 game reserve Time difference GMT+2 Currency Rwandan Franc Population Approximately 13.28 million (2021 estimate) Why Visit RwandaLakeside relaxation · Gorilla trekking · Cultural tours · Game drives · Birding · Guided nature walks · Volcano climbing More About…
Rwanda is an essential stop on any African journey. Fondly known as the “land of a thousand hills,” it is a country of warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, rare and unusual wildlife, peaceful seclusion, and deeply rewarding cultural experiences.
Quick Facts
Capital
Kigali
Best time to visit
December–February and June–September
Parks & reserves
3 national parks and 1 game reserve
Time difference
GMT+2
Currency
Rwandan Franc
Population
Approximately 13.28 million (2021 estimate)
Why Visit RwandaLakeside relaxation · Gorilla trekking · Cultural tours · Game drives · Birding · Guided nature walks · Volcano climbing
More About Rwanda
Rwanda carries a profound history. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi unfolded over roughly 100 days, and its memory remains deeply felt by survivors today. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and are encouraged to honour the victims and respect the memory of all who were lost.
There are countless reasons to visit: unwinding beside the lakes, trekking mountain gorillas, cultural tours, game drives, birding, guided nature walks and volcano climbing.
Captivating Mountain Gorilla TreksRwanda’s mountain gorilla treks take place in Volcanoes National Park in the northwest, home to five of the eight Virunga volcanoes. This is the land made famous by the pioneering researcher Dian Fossey, and a visit to her tomb and the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a moving addition to any gorilla trekking journey.
World-Class Volcano ClimbingThe Virunga volcanoes offer some of Africa’s finest climbing. Mount Karisimbi, the highest of the range, is a two-day ascent, while Mount Bisoke can be climbed in around 6–7 hours, rewarding hikers with its crater lake at the summit. Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura complete the chain. In the south, Nyungwe Forest offers 13 hiking trails through one of Africa’s oldest rainforests.
Other PrimatesBeyond the gorillas, Rwanda is a primate paradise. Chimpanzee treks, golden monkey tracking and Angolan colobus monkey treks are all on offer, with Nyungwe Forest alone sheltering around 13 primate species.
KigaliRwanda’s clean and vibrant capital rewards exploration, from city tours and birding to art shopping at the Inema Art Centre, Niyo Art Gallery and Ivuka Arts Centre. Visit the Kandt House natural history museum and browse the lively Kimironko Market.
Cultural CommunitiesCultural tours can include the Gorilla Guardian Village, Kagano Village, the Humure Refugee Village, the Ubumwe Community and the Nyange Community — genuine encounters with Rwandan life and resilience.
Akagera National ParkIn the east, Akagera is Rwanda’s Big Five destination, its savannah, lakes and wetlands home to lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, warthogs, topis, kobs, Burchell’s zebras, hippos and crocodiles.
Lake KivuOne of Africa’s great lakes, Lake Kivu offers watersports, beachfront relaxation, fishing, and gentle nature walks the perfect place to unwind between adventures.
BirdingRwanda is a birder’s delight, with rewarding birding across Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe National Parks, along the shores of Lake Kivu, around Kigali, and in wetlands throughout the country.
ExperiencesBatwa Cultural Experience · Canopy Walk · Hot Air Balloon Safari · Dian Fossey Tomb Hike · Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village · Gorilla Trekking · Chimpanzee Tracking
The best time to visit Rwanda
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
- Recommended
- Transitional
- Challenging conditions
Rwanda sits just south of the equator and enjoys a mild, temperate climate year-round, with no true off-season. The long dry season from June to September and the short dry season from December to February are the most popular, offering firmer trails for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and easy game viewing in Akagera. The wetter months bring lush, green landscapes, lower rates and fewer visitors, and gorilla trekking is possible all year. The guide below shows what to expect month by month.
- January
- Short dry season; warm, clear days and excellent conditions for gorilla trekking and wildlife.
- February
- Dry and reliable, with firm trekking trails and superb game viewing in Akagera.
- March
- The long rains usually begin late in the month; early March is still favourable and green, with fewer travellers.
- April
- The height of the long rains. Trails are muddy and trekking is more demanding, though the scenery is vivid and low-season rates apply.
- May
- The long rains continue into early May, the wettest stretch of the year; lush, quiet and the best value.
- June
- The rains clear and the long dry season begins — prime time for gorilla trekking and primates.
- July
- Dry, settled weather and excellent trekking and wildlife viewing; a popular month, so book early.
- August
- Continued dry season, with firm trails and strong sightings across all three parks.
- September
- Dry and rewarding, with good trekking conditions and thinner crowds. Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla-naming ceremony, is usually held early in the month.
- October
- The short rains arrive, bringing afternoon showers, green landscapes and fewer visitors.
- November
- The wettest of the short-rains months; trails can be slippery, but birding is excellent with migratory species present.
- December
- The short dry season returns from mid-month, bringing clear, festive-season conditions ideal for trekking and safaris.
Areas to visit
Rwanda’s national parks are few but exceptional, each offering something distinct. Volcanoes National Park in the northwest, cradling five of the eight Virunga volcanoes, is Rwanda’s home of the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey. Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest is one of Africa’s oldest and richest rainforests, famous for chimpanzees and some…
Frequently asked questions
Rwanda is very easy to enter — visitors of all nationalities can get a visa on arrival, or apply beforehand through the official Irembo portal. If you are also visiting Uganda and Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries on a single application.
A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended, and we advise consulting your doctor or a travel clinic before departure for current personal advice.
A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per person for a single trek. Permits are limited and in high demand, so they should be booked well in advance — we secure yours and plan your itinerary around your confirmed trekking date.
Lightweight, long-sleeved layers in neutral colours, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening-style gloves for the vegetation, and a daypack for water and your camera. Trails can be steep, muddy, and cool, so come prepared for mud and sudden showers.
In Volcanoes National Park in the northwest, set among five of the eight Virunga volcanoes. It is also where the pioneering researcher Dian Fossey lived and worked, and a hike to her tomb and former research camp is a moving addition to any gorilla journey.
Yes. Nyungwe Forest in the southwest is a primate stronghold, home to chimpanzees and around thirteen species in total, including the famous large troops of Angolan colobus. Golden monkey tracking is also offered in Volcanoes National Park.
Yes — Akagera National Park in the east has been restored to a full Big Five destination, with lions reintroduced in 2015 and rhinos in 2017, alongside elephants, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles.
Very much so. From the Albertine Rift endemics of Nyungwe and the wetlands of Akagera to the shores of Lake Kivu and the marshes around Kigali, Rwanda offers rich and varied birding across its many habitats.
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the easiest trekking and game viewing, but Rwanda is a rewarding year-round destination, and gorilla trekking continues through every month.
Rwanda is compact, so most journeys are a few scenic hours by private 4x4 with a driver-guide — Volcanoes and Akagera are each around two to three hours from Kigali. For Nyungwe in the far southwest, we also arrange scheduled flights and private helicopter transfers to save time.
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