National Parks

GISHWATI-MUKURA NATIONAL PARK​

GISHWATI-MUKURA NATIONAL PARK

Rwanda’s 4th national park, Gishwati-Mukura is made up of 2 separate forests – the larger Gishwati and small Mukura, forming a total of 34 square km plus a buffer zone. The forests sit on the ridge which divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, along the incredibly biodiverse Albertine Rift in the west of the country. It is made up of 60 species of trees, including indigenous hardwoods and bamboo. Gishwati is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees which live alongside golden monkeys, L’ Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. Birds are well represented too, 232 species have been seen at Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, among them Albertine Rift Endemic species and forest specialists.

  1. Climbing the Gishwati-Mukura waterfall
  2. Trekking to the top of the Gishwati-Mukura peak
  3. Golden monkey trekking
  4. Visit the Iby’ iwacu Cultural Village
  5. Rafting on the Mubuku River
  6. The Gishwati Nature Reserve walk
  7. A trip to Musanze Gorilla Park

 DURATION: 3 days

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

  1. Airport pickup
  2. Accommodation; both hotel and camping
  3. Visiting all activities found in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
  4. Meal plan
  5. Drinks
  1. Not wheelchair accessible
  2. Near public transportation
  1. Hiking shoes
  2. Raincoat and cold weather essentials
  3. Comfortable hiking clothes
  1. Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  2. Please wear non slippery shoes
  3. Please advise of any food allergies or illness
  4. This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 Hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera National Park is the only haven for savannah wildlife animals in the Republic of Rwanda. The national park has recorded over 8,000 large animals, with over 100 African bush elephants, more than 80 Rothschild giraffes, over 15 lions, and about 25 black eastern rhinos. There are plenty of wildlife animals living in the national park and these include: zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, crocodiles, duikers, bush babies, impalas, cape eland and so many more.

The park also shelters over 500 species of birds, and these include, the grey crowned crane, cattle egret, papyrus gonolek, the African darter, giant kingfisher among others.

DURATION: 4 days

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

ACTIVITIES FOUND IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

 Game drives in Akagera National Park are the ideal way for visitors to explore this beautiful, rich and vast national park. The National Park offers its visitors both day and night game drives, with morning game drives starting as early as 6am and night game drives commence at 6pm in the evening. Among some of the wildlife animals that visitors can see during a game drive include: sitatunga, jackals, hyenas, elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos, leopards, rhinos and so many more. Night game drives in Akagera National Park, offer tourists better chances to see nocturnal animals such as: jackals, leopards, lions, serval cats and civets.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

boat trips in Akagera National Park launch trips or rather boat trips/cruises in Akagera National Park, give visitors the chance to explore the beautiful crystal lakes within the National Park. Most boat cruises in Akagera are carried out on Lake Ihema where you will get to see lots of hippos and crocodiles. Boat trips in the park are schedules 4 times a day at exactly 7:30am, 9am, 3pm and 4:30pm. However, there are also unscheduled boat trips available in the park for visitors who wish to take private tours.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

there are over 500 bird species that inhabit Akagera national park and some of the birds that visitors are likely to see while on a birding expedition in the park include; the rare and highly sought after Shoebill Stork, Swamp Fly Catchers, white egrets, the marabou Stork, the Yellow Sunbird, the grey crowned crested cranes and herons to mention but a few.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

 

Fishing in Akagera National Park is done on Lake Shakani, and common fish species such as Tilapia and Cat fish can be caught in the lake. The park also organizes fishing tournaments on this lake, however visitors interested in taking part in these fishing competition will have to directly contact us for more information about reservations.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

 

visitors in Akagera can embark on hiking adventures and guided nature walks in the national park. Hiking and natures walks in the park give visitors an opportunity to view a variety of flora and fauna species including plant, tree, insects, butterfly and bird species.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

 

community tours in Akagera National Park present visitors with the opportunity to mingle with the local people living in the communities near the national park. During the community tours, visitors are introduced to the Rwandan culture through dance performances, folk songs and stories as well as traditional arts and crafts. Visitors also get to visit local farms and get to learn how to milk cows and make local ghee. Going on a community tour will also give you, the visitor an opportunity to learn how to cook tradition Rwandan dishes, make local banana beer and harvest honey from bee farms.

DURATION: 1-3 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 5 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Game drive
  2. Lunch
  3. Transport
  4. Photoshoot (bonus)

 

  1. Accommodation i.e. lodges, hotels, camping sites, apartments
  2. Activity i.e. game drives, boat trips, fishing, camping
  3. Attraction i.e. birds, water bodies, wildlife
  4. Accessibility i.e. transport by both road and air transport
  5. Amenities i.e. forex bureaus, markets, etc.
  1. Wheelchair accessible
  2. Near public transportation
  3. Infant seats available
  1. Clothing: light weight and breathable clothing for daytime activities and warmer clothing for evening time, waterproof gear and sturdy hiking
  2. Insect repellent
  3. Sun protection
  4. Medication
  5. Camera
  6. Backpack or day pack
  7. Travel adapter
  8. Cash and credit cards
  9. Travel documents
  1. Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  2. Please advise of any food allergies or illness
  3. This is a private tour/ activity. Only your group will participate

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK​

NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’ Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.

DURATION: 3 days

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

Bird watching in Nyungwe National Park is an amazing activity that many people engage in first for its affordability and the amazing experiences. Nyungwe forest national park is one of the seven important birding areas found in Rwanda that has been considered as an important Bird Area by the Bird Life International. Nyungwe is home to 310 bird species and surprisingly 29 are endemic to the Albertine Rift.

ACTIVITY SNAPSHOT

FITNESS LEVEL: everybody welcome

DURATION: 2 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Transport: road and air transport
  2. Photoshoot (bonus)
  3. Drinking water
  4. Lunch

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

  1. Raincoat and cold weather essentials like coats, jumpers
  2. Hiking shoes
  3. Comfortable attires especially for hiking

The Canopy Walk in Rwanda is an exhilarating experience done in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park on a bridge 70m high above the great Nyungwe forest and this walk is guided walk on a 160m long walkway that takes about 2hours on this suspended bridge.

ACTIVITY SNAPSHOT:

FITNESS LEVEL: everybody welcome

DURATION: 2 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Transport/ Hotel or Airport pickup
  2. Photoshoot (bonus)
  3. Drinking water
  4. Lunch

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

  1. Raincoat and cold weather essentials like coats, jumpers, trousers
  2. Hiking shoes
  3. Comfortable attires especially for hiking

Nyungwe is well known for chimpanzee tracking/ chimpanzee trekking, this has been the main activity that is carried out in Nyungwe forest. The National Park has only 2 chimpanzee groups habituated in it and the small one of 30 chimpanzees is tracked in Cyamudongo Forest area of the Park. The larger group has about 60 chimpanzees habituated in it.

ACTIVITY SNAPSHOT

FITNESS LEVEL: everybody welcome

DURATION: 2 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Transport/ hotel or airport pickup
  2. Photoshoot (bonus)
  3. Drinking water
  4. Lunch

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

  1. Raincoat and cold weather essentials like coats, jumpers
  2. Hiking shoes
  3. Comfortable attires especially for hiking

This waterfall, which originates in the Kamiranzovu marshlands of Nyungwe Forest National Area in southern Rwanda, has quickly become a must-see for all visitors to the park. The waterfall is separated into two sections, the lower on gigantic rocks and a magnificent site for photography, and the second in front of the cascading water. Getting to the Kamiranzovu waterfall requires courage, patience, obligation, willpower, and physical condition. It requires walking through the dense tropical rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, complete with dense vegetation. It is just 10kms from the beginning, but the steep scenery makes the journey relatively challenging and time-consuming. Visit Kamiranzovu Waterfall in Nyungwe National Park.

  ACTIVITY SNAPSHOT

FITNESS LEVEL: everybody welcome

DURATION: 2 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1.  Transport/ hotel or airport pickup
  2. Photoshoot (bonus)
  3. Drinking water
  4. Lunch

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

  1. Raincoat and cold weather essentials like coats, jumpers
  2. Hiking shoes
  3. Comfortable attires especially for hiking

It is one of the many hiking trails in Nyungwe National Park that will lead you to the recently discovered Ndambarare waterfalls. This trail is 9.6kms long for a round trip and takes about three and a half hours to complete. Starting from the Gisakura reception Center, this trail goes through different viewpoints that include the tea estate/plantation and factory that offer unmissable views as well as sights of different bird species. This trail is hiked in two sessions- the morning session (starting at 9 am) and the afternoon session (beginning at 1 pm).

ACTIVITY SNAPSHOT:

FITNESS LEVEL: everybody welcome

DURATION: 2 Hours

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 6 years and above

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  1. Transport/ hotel or airport pickup
  2. Photoshoot (bonus)
  3. Drinking water
  4. Lunch

DON’T FORGET TO BRING:

  1. Raincoat and cold weather essentials like coats, jumpers
  2. Hiking shoes
  3. Comfortable attires especially for hiking

 

  1. Airport pickup
  2. Accommodation; both hotel and camping
  3. Visiting all activities found in Nyungwe National Park
  4. Meal plan
  5. Drinks
  1. Not wheelchair accessible
  2. Near public transportation
  1. Hiking shoes
  2. Raincoat and cold weather essentials
  3. Comfortable hiking clothes
  1. Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  2. Please wear non slippery shoes
  3. Please advise of any food allergies or illness
  4. This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 Hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

GORILLA TRACKING

The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures.

The largest living primate, gorillas are spread across much of the equatorial African rainforest. Broadly speaking, the species is split into lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas. The volcanic range which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible.

There are 12 gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National park, which are fully habituated, with a few others habituated solely for scientific research. The groups, or troops consist of at least one SILVERBACK along with several females and youngsters. They are constantly monitored and protected by park rangers, with each group coming into contact with tourists for a strict maximum of one hour per day.

The families are known as SUSA, IGISHA, KARISIMBI, SABYINYO, AMAHORO, AGASHYA, KWITONDA, UMUBANO, HIRWA, BWENGW, UGYENDA and MUHOZA.

Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2500m and 4000m. Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras, as well as to offer a helping hand along the route. For those interested in tracing the footsteps of Dian Fossey, her tomb is a 30-minute drive from the park headquarters and then 2 or 3 hours hike through the forest, to above 3000m altitude.

DURATION: 2 days

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Kinyarwanda, French and English

AGE RANGE: 10 years and above

ACTIVITIES FOUND IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

  1. Airport pickup
  2. Accommodation; hotel, apartments, lodges
  3. Visiting all activities found in Volcanoes National Park
  4. Meal plan
  5. Drinks
  1. Not wheelchair accessible
  2. Near public transportation
  1. Hiking shoes
  2. Raincoat and cold weather essentials
  3. Comfortable hiking clothes
  1. Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  2. Please wear non slippery shoes
  3. Please advise of any food allergies or illness
  4. This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 Hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

GORILLA TRACKING