Rwanda

Rwanda offers one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth: sitting in a misty bamboo forest on the slopes of a volcano, just a few feet from a family of mountain gorillas going about their daily life. A silverback, weighing over 400 pounds, locks eyes with you briefly, then returns to stripping bark from a branch. A baby gorilla tumbles past your feet. The guide whispers that you have one hour. It is the fastest hour of your life, and it is worth every dollar and every mile it took to get here.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is the reason most travelers come to Rwanda, and it is an experience that ranks among the most powerful in all of wildlife travel. But Rwanda has a larger story to tell. Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” for its stunning green landscape, the country has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations in modern history, rebuilding itself into one of the cleanest, safest, and most forward thinking nations in Africa after the devastating 1994 genocide.

Where to Go

Volcanoes National Park in the northwest is home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, estimated at just over 1,000 individuals. Trekking groups of eight visitors are assigned to a gorilla family each morning, and the hike through bamboo forest and volcanic terrain to find them ranges from one to four hours depending on the family’s location. The hour spent with the gorillas is intimate, emotional, and life changing. Golden monkey trekking is also available in the same park and is a beautiful complement to the gorilla experience.

Kigali, the capital, is one of the cleanest and most organized cities in Africa. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a deeply moving and essential visit that tells the story of the 1994 genocide with honesty and dignity. The city also has a growing food and coffee scene, with excellent restaurants in the Kiyovu and Kimihurura neighborhoods.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest is one of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests in Africa. It is home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, a canopy walkway suspended 200 feet above the forest floor, and hiking trails through ancient montane forest.

Akagera National Park in the east offers a more traditional African safari experience with the Big Five (reintroduced in recent years), boat safaris on Lake Ihema, and a landscape of savanna, wetlands, and lakes that looks nothing like the mountainous west.

Where to Stay

Singita Kwitonda Lodge at the edge of Volcanoes National Park is one of the most extraordinary safari lodges in the world, built with locally sourced volcanic stone and featuring a gorilla conservation fund. Bisate Lodge by Wilderness Safaris occupies a reforested volcanic amphitheater with panoramic views of the Virunga peaks. One and Only Gorilla’s Nest is a luxury tented camp with a rainforest setting. In Kigali, The Retreat by Heaven and Kigali Marriott are the top hotels.

Let Us Plan Your Rwanda Trip

Gorilla trekking permits are limited and must be secured well in advance. The logistics of combining Rwanda with other East African destinations require careful coordination. We will handle the permits, the flights, and the lodge bookings so you can focus on what matters: the moment a mountain gorilla looks into your eyes and changes your perspective on the natural world.