Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located in the north-east of Rwanda, on the Tanzanian and Ugandan borders. It covers an area of 100,000ha, following a recent reduction from its original 250,000ha. The topography of the park is characterized by rolling sandstone hills in the west, cut in places by deep, narrow valleys. In the east, flood-plains and swamps are predominant. The vegetation of the park is extremely varied and has been described as the most heterogeneous savanna ecosystem in the region. The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 different species of birds. Akagera National Park is known for its game drives to view both wildlife and the landscape, and above all for bird safaris.

Game Drive
During the game drive, there are plenty of animals to see including elephants, buffalo, zebra, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and many other mammal species. On rare occasions, one can see species such as leopard, lion and black rhino. As one of the most scenic savannas in East Africa, the game drive in Akagera provides an opportunity to see gentle hills beautifully blending with lowland swamps and bodies of water.

Bird Safaris
Akagera National Park is second only to Nyungwe as an ornithological site in Rwanda. Morning and evening bird safaris in the park provide birdwatchers with an opportunity to see a wide selection of savanna bird species. Akagera National Park is known for its richness in water birds in the East African region and is one of the exceptional places to view papyrus endemics. Some of the common species are the shoebill, the gorgeous lilac-breasted roller, the black headed gonalek, Heuglin's robin-chat, the grey hornbill, the Ross's turaco, the crested barbet and more.

Nyungwe National Park

Situated in the south east of Rwanda along the majestic hills of the western rift ridge commonly known as Albertine Rift, Nyungwe National Park is the largest block (1000 sq km) of Montane forest in East or Central Africa it is also one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. Nyungwe National Park is a uniquely rich centre of floral and faunal diversity, not only in Rwanda but throughout the region. Nyungwe is most known for its primates: 13 species in all, including humankind's closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey and one hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbors almost 300 bird species, two dozen of which are restricted to a handful of Montane forests on the Albertine Rift. The avian highlight is the great blue turaco - an outlandish blue, red and green bird which streams from tree to tree like a procession of psychedelic turkeys.

Primate Viewing
Nyungwe National Park is the only destination in the world where you can see more than five primate speciesin a single location including rare species such as chimpanzee, mountain monkeys and the Angolan black and while colobus monkeys. It is unique in its large concentrations of habituated primates, whose numbers range from 400 to 500 individuals in a single group.

Bird Safaris
Nyungwe National Park is richer in bird endemism than any other protected area in the Albertine Rift. For keen birders, Nyungwe provides access to 280 bird species, 27 of which are exclusive to the Albertine Rift. Highlights include the threatened Grauer’s rush warbler found in the high altitude swamps and the great blue turaco an outlandish blue, red and green bird. Dedicated birdwatchers might never want to leave!

Nature Walks
Nyungwe National Park also offers a well maintained network of nature walkways to hike through the rainforest. Trails meander the gentle hills of the park, passing waterfalls and allowing for panoramic over-the-canopy views. hikers can experience the natural beauty, and possibly wildlife, from a different perspective.

Parc National des Volcans (PNV)

Situated in the Northwestern of Rwanda, PNV's steep sloped volcanic range at the heart of the Virungas is home to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas.

The Parc National des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range and the rich mosaic of Montane ecosystems, and the evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath a diversity of animal life.

In its 16,000 hectares, live 11 groups of mountain gorillas, 7 of which are habituated for tourism. The Susa group with 38 individuals, including the only known surviving set of gorilla twins. Other tourist-habituated groups are Sabyinyo, 13 Group, Amahoro, Umubano, Hirwa and Kwitonda. An additional 4 groups reserved for research are: Pablo, Beetsme, Shinda and the recently discovered Bwenge. Please visit our gorilla groups page for a much closer look at each group. Other mammals in the Volcanoes National Park include; elephant, buffalo, black fronted duiker, spotted hyena and bush buck and golden monkeys.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda is home to the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world and offers the best viewing opportunities. During your gorilla trek, you will get as close as 7 metres (21 feet) to these majestic animals and have a chance to see and hear them eat, play, groom and relax.

For more information on gorilla treking, please visit our gorilla page.

Golden Monkey
PNV is also home to the rare and IUCN listed endangered golden monkey species. Beautiful creatures with orange bodies and glossy back legs and head, they spend their time in the bamboo zone eating bamboo shoots. Living in groups of 40, they chirp and twitter constantly as they forage, making it likely that you'll hear them before you see them.

Birding Safaris
The park is home to more than 90 recorded bird species 13 of which are endemic to the Virungas and Rwenzori mountains. Sightings include rwenzori, the spectacular mountain turaco, the handsome francolin and more.

Dian Fossey Tomb
Hike to see where the valiant American primatologist, Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to ensuring the survival of Mountain Gorillas, is buried, next to her close gorilla friend, Digit. Her life story led to the shooting of the movie “Gorillas in the Mist”, which prompted the world to protect mountain gorillas and their habitat which were on the verge of extinction.

Dian Fossey established her research station between Karisimbi and Bisoke from which Karisoke Research Center derives its name. She lived in the jungle with the mountain gorillas she loved, cared and ultimately died for. After the death of her friend Digit, at the hands of poachers, Dian Fossey requested to be buried next to him. The journey to her research station and burial site brings one closer not only to the passion, dedication and love she had for the gorillas but also to a new understanding of one's own need to contribute to the well-being and survival of gorillas.

Mountain Hiking & Nature Walks to Ngezi Crater Lake
(Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura and Gahinga volcanoes)

Mountain hiking and nature walks are the easiest and most rewarding way to see the park in the mist and what lies beyond. Climbing these mountains which tower above the ground provides some of the best views in Rwanda. Our guides provide insight into the history of the region along the way.