Distinctive Safari Experiences in Rwanda
Distinctive safari experiences in Rwanda are alive with color and sound. Not many safari destinations can match up to this remote country when it comes to providing the best and most authentic safari experiences. Home to the endangered mountain gorillas, magnificent rolling hills that gave birth to the name “land of a thousand hills”, convenient and easy-to-access National Parks, stupendous Eco lodges, and warm and friendly people, Rwanda is undeniably perfect for Adventure-seekers, honeymooners, and family travelers. If you are looking for distinctive Safari Experiences in Rwanda, here are some of the activities to try out;
Trekking the endangered Mountain Gorilla. BOOK NOW
The most popular and distinctive safari experience in Rwanda is undeniably mountain gorilla trekking, with most travelers to this country getting the chance to meet face-to-face with these Giant Apes in their natural habitat. This Safari experience provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with a habituated family of mountain gorillas, providing mutual and unforgettable encounters. The forest-walking experience starts with a briefing at the Park Headquarters (Kinigi), followed by the 1-5-hour search for the Giant Apes, and one-hour observation and photography as they go about their daily routines of playing, foraging, resting, and grooming each other. While a gorilla permit costs $1500 per person, it is totally worthwhile. Indeed, among the most-rated safari experiences in Rwanda.
Watching the endangered Chimpanzee.
On the southwestern side of Rwanda is the verdant 1000-square-kilometer Nyungwe Forest National Park, an Afromontane Protected Area that shelters over 14 primate species that include chimpanzees (about 500 individuals). Taking a guided walk through this Park usually feels like wandering through Jurassic Park but nothing beats the experience of encountering endangered chimpanzees to be amazed by their human-like behavior. Daily chimp trekking excursions are conducted here, leading to one of the two habituated communities (one in Nyungwe and the other in Cyamudongo).
Tracking the frisky Golden Monkeys.
The frisky Golden monkeys can also be tracked in Volcanoes National Park, offering the opportunity to learn about their natural habitat, incredible behavior, appearance, and many other details that will make you fall in love with them. These creatures live in troops of up to 60 individuals in the Bamboo zone of Virunga Mountain slopes and their diet mainly comprises bamboo branchlets, bamboo shoots, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Feel fresh to track golden monkeys in Rwanda.
The Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
While mountain gorillas are found in three countries, Rwanda is the only place that conducts an annual public naming ceremony for these endangered creatures. Held in September (free entry), travelers are free to gatecrash this event, which is in line with the traditional Kinyarwanda “child naming ceremony” a few weeks after birth. During Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, different Celebrities and conservationists are invited to name each of the baby gorillas, with a number of activities that include dance and music performances from local artists, traditional music, art, and culture exhibitions, to mention a few.
Savoring on Local Cuisines.
You can’t leave Rwanda without savoring the delicious local cuisines from the street food stalls, and fine dining restaurants, to the luxurious Lodges and Hotels. Kigali for instance has a wide range of eateries where you can taste dishes while the Lodges/Hotels close to the Protected Areas have on-site Nurseries and Vegetable gardens providing the supply of fresh and organic produce and ingredients.
Canopy walks.
Canopy walks only happen in Nyungwe Forest National Park and this makes Rwanda one of the few African safari destinations offering this experience. It involves walking through the 160-meter-long suspension bridge about 70 meters above the forest floor while enjoying the sights of primates, birds, and the lush Valleys.
Big game viewing in Akagera National Park.
Big game viewing in Rwanda is only possible in Akagera National Park, the country’s only savannah-dominated Protected Area. Enjoy game-viewing in Akagera with a chance to spot the big five animals (lions, Rhinos, leopards, Elephants, and Buffaloes), Burchell’s zebras, Masai giraffes, warthogs, Topis, Bushbucks, vervet monkeys, Olive baboons, Hippos and others.
Climbing the Virunga Volcanoes.
A total of five (of the eight) Virunga Volcanoes ranging between 2400 and 4507 meters above sea level have their peaks or slopes in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Of these, two Volcanoes are frequently hiked in this country and they include the 8-9-hour hike to Mount Bisoke peak with an opportunity of sighting the Lake (Ngezi) at the top. Visitors can also embark on the two-day hike through Mount Karisimbi with opportunities of sighting lots of birds and primate species.
Cultural Experiences.
Make sure to experience Rwanda’s cultures and traditions by visiting Azizi life, King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, Gorilla Guardian Village, and Kigali Cultural Village among others to take a trip back in time and get immersed in the unique ways of life, customs, traditional dressing, and local cuisines that define a typical Rwandan life.
Experiencing the Luxurious Ecolodges of Rwanda.
Another distinctive safari experience in Rwanda is staying at any of the renowned luxurious Ecolodges that provide privacy, and comfort and directly/indirectly contribute to the conservation of the natural environment. The majority of these places provide exquisite comfort with their infinity pools, private plunge pools, mouth-watering cuisines prepared from organic ingredients and produce, refreshing spas, and other amenities. You can stay at Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House, the Retreat by Heaven in Kigali, and many others.
Exploring the Genocide Memorial Sites.
You can embark on an emotional tour of any of the 6 Genocide Memorial Sites, the final resting place for the 1 million lives that were lost during the 1994 Genocide. This place isn’t for the faint-hearted or very emotional people as you get to learn the painful history that shaped Rwanda’s Unity and peace. During visits to these Sites, get the chance to learn about the history of the 100-day Rwandan Genocide, listen to or watch testimonies of survivors, view the exhibits, and pay tribute to the victims.
Tea Tasting Experiences.
Rwanda has a number of tea estates- Sorwathe, Gisovu, and Gisakura surrounded by rolling hills and contrasting blue skies hence providing an incredible backdrop for photography. Undertake a guided walk through these estates to learn about how tea is grown, harvested, dried, processed, and finally brewed for tasting.
Helicopter Tours through Rwanda.
Luxury helicopter tours are other distinctive safari experiences in Rwanda offering the chance to explore the mountainous/hills terrains, sweeping savannah plains, forests, developed areas, and other dramatic landscapes in the country. These Helicopter tours last between half an hour to over 3 hours.
