10 Best Rwanda Safari Activities Not to Miss on Your Rwanda Holiday

The 10 best Rwanda safari activities — gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking, birding, and more. Permits, costs, and best time to go.

Planning a trip to Rwanda and not quite sure which Rwanda safari activities deserve a place on your itinerary? Rwanda isn’t only the Land of a Thousand Hills — it’s a genuinely complete travel destination packed with thrilling activities and adventures.

On a Rwanda safari, everyone finds something exceptional to indulge in, from wildlife safaris and birding to hiking, Kigali city tours, chimpanzee tracking, cultural safaris, canopy walks, nature walks, and golden monkey tracking. This guide covers the 10 best Rwanda safari activities in detail, plus everything else worth knowing before you go.

1. Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking is the single most sought-after of all Rwanda safari activities, and genuinely one of Africa’s top attractions overall. Of the roughly 1,063 mountain gorillas left on the planet, a third live in Rwanda, concentrated in Volcanoes National Park near Ruhengeri in the northwest.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda means immersing yourself in Volcanoes National Park’s rainforest and bamboo forest in search of these endangered great apes, at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 metres. As in Uganda, treks run daily, with a maximum of 8 visitors allocated to each of the park’s 13 habituated gorilla groups.

Every gorilla trek begins at 7:30am with a briefing on trekking rules and regulations, followed by family allocation and the actual trek starting at 8:00am — a journey that can take anywhere from one to six hours depending on where the gorillas are that day.

Once you locate your assigned family, you’re guaranteed a full hour face-to-face with them, observing their behaviour and taking photographs, before returning to the briefing point to receive an official gorilla trekking certificate.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits

A valid gorilla permit is required to trek in Volcanoes National Park, currently priced at USD 1,500 per person, bookable through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Trekkers must be at least 15 years old.

Beyond Rwanda, the other two countries offering mountain gorilla trekking are Uganda — in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park — and the DRC, where gorillas are trekked in Virunga National Park.

If you’re weighing your options, our guide comparing gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda breaks down the price, permit availability, and experience differences in detail.

3 Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Rwanda

2. Golden Monkey Tracking

Rwanda is one of the few African safari destinations where golden monkey tracking is genuinely possible, with golden monkeys sharing Volcanoes National Park’s habitat with the mountain gorillas. Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), a sub-species of the Sykes’ or blue monkey, are endemic to the Virunga region’s rainforests.

Two golden monkey troops, each with 80 to 100 individuals, are currently open for trekking — genuinely playful, entertaining creatures to spend time with.

The day begins at 7:30am with a briefing, with the actual search commencing at 8:00am and lasting up to four hours. Permits cost USD 100 per person and can be booked through our reservations team at Hail Tours Uganda.

3. Dian Fossey Tomb Hike

The Dian Fossey tomb hike traces the long, genuinely moving history of gorilla conservation in the Virunga region. The hike takes roughly three hours, with real chances to spot diverse bird species and primates along the trail.

4. Chimpanzee Trekking

Rwanda is a genuinely complete primate destination, offering chimpanzee trekking alongside gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is best done in Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, the latter home to roughly 500 chimpanzees, with treks departing from three reception centres — Kitabi, Gisakura, and Uwinka.

Chimpanzees share roughly 98.7% of their DNA with humans, making the comparison genuinely striking once you’re standing in front of one.

5. Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Game drives in Rwanda are available exclusively in Akagera National Park, in the country’s east, offering a genuinely rewarding wildlife safari experience with giraffes, leopards, elephants, lions, warthogs, impalas, zebras, rhinos, and abundant birdlife.

6. Launch Cruise

A boat or launch cruise is a genuinely relaxing addition to any Rwanda safari, revealing hippos, crocodiles, and a range of water birds including the prized shoebill stork. The best launch cruise in Rwanda runs on Lake Ihema within Akagera National Park, typically lasting 2–3 hours, with both early morning and sunset departures available. Boat trips are also offered on Lake Kivu, where visitors can enjoy views of Mount Nyiragongo across the water.

7. Birding

Rwanda is a genuinely fascinating birding destination, home to up to 700 recorded bird species, including a strong concentration of Albertine Rift endemics. Prime birding spots span all four of Rwanda’s national parks — Akagera, Nyungwe Forest, Volcanoes, and Gishwati-Mukura.

Birds to watch for include Grauer’s warbler, Shelley’s crimson-wing, the shoebill stork, grey-backed fiscal, blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori nightjar, Rwenzori turaco, red-collared babbler, Albertine owlet, and Rockefeller’s sunbird, alongside Rwenzori batis, strange weaver, regal sunbird, papyrus gonolek, and mountain masked apalis, among many others.

8. Canopy Walk

For travelers after something genuinely different, the Nyungwe canopy walk is a must — a suspended walkway 160 metres long and 50 metres above the forest floor, the only one of its kind in East Africa.

The walk can begin from the Imbaraga, Igishigishigi, or Umuyove trail, costs USD 60 per person, and offers real chances to spot L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, and baboons against Nyungwe’s striking forest canopy. The walk has run since 2010, with morning (8:00am–10:00am) and afternoon (from 3:00pm) departures, always guided.

9. Cultural Safaris

Cultural safaris genuinely round out a Rwanda itinerary, given the country’s distinct traditions and heritage. Key stops include Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park, Kitabi Cultural Centre, Banda Cultural Village, the King’s Palace, and several worthwhile museums.

10. Hiking Safaris

Hiking is genuinely one of the most rewarding Rwanda safari activities, with Volcanoes National Park offering climbs up Mount Bisoke, Karisimbi (4,507m), Gahinga, and Muhabura.

The Congo Nile Trail, explorable over up to 10 days through Nyungwe National Park, covers 227km and delivers a genuine rural experience through remote villages along Lake Kivu.

Within Nyungwe itself, other notable trails include Rukuzi, Isumo, Uwinka, Karamba, Umuyove, Imbaraga, Irebero, Bigugu, and Kamiranzovu.

For a culturally rich forest walk, don’t miss the Buhanga Sacred Forest Walk — the site where all of Rwanda’s kings were traditionally crowned. Akagera National Park also offers several outstanding walking trails worth adding to a visit.

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk

How to Get to Rwanda

Most international visitors arrive via Kigali International Airport, with onward road transfers of roughly 2–3 hours to Volcanoes National Park, or longer drives to Nyungwe Forest or Akagera.

Most nationalities can apply for a Rwandan e-visa in advance, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda alongside Uganda and Kenya for travelers combining all three countries in a single trip.

Where to Stay for Rwanda Safari Activities

Accommodation near Volcanoes National Park spans budget to ultra-luxury, including Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Kwitonda Lodge.

Near Nyungwe Forest, Nyungwe House and One&Only Nyungwe House are standout choices, while Akagera National Park offers Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Magashi Camp for a more classic savannah safari stay. See our full Volcanoes National Park Rwanda guide for a deeper look at gorilla-trekking-specific accommodation.

Rwanda Safari Activity Costs at a Glance

Activity	Approximate Cost (per person)
Gorilla trekking permit	USD 1,500
Golden monkey tracking permit	USD 100
Nyungwe canopy walk	USD 60
Chimpanzee trekking	Varies by park — confirm with RDB
Akagera game drive / boat cruise	Varies by activity and season

Prices are indicative and subject to change — always confirm current rates with the Rwanda Development Board or directly with our team before booking.

Best Time to Enjoy Rwanda Safari Activities

Rwanda safari activities are enjoyable year-round, but the dry season is genuinely the best window if your priority is game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, or hiking.

Rwanda’s dry months run June to September and December to February, offering firmer trails and more predictable conditions across the board. See our full best time to visit Rwanda guide for activity-specific timing advice.

What to Pack for Rwanda Safari Activities

A camera, daypack, rain jacket, first aid kit, a good pair of binoculars, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy walking or hiking boots, and long trousers are all genuine essentials — particularly for anyone combining gorilla trekking with hiking or canopy walk activities on the same trip.

FAQs About Rwanda Safari Activities

What is the most popular Rwanda safari activity? Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, without much competition — it’s the activity most travelers build their entire Rwanda itinerary around.

Can I do gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking on the same trip? Yes — both take place in Volcanoes National Park, making them easy to combine in a single short itinerary. See our 3 Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Rwanda for an example.

Where is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda? Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to roughly 500 chimpanzees and the largest chimp population of Rwanda’s parks. See our 3 Days Nyungwe National Park Safari itinerary.

Is Rwanda a good birding destination? Genuinely excellent — with up to 700 recorded species across four national parks, Rwanda ranks among Africa’s top birding destinations.

How many days do I need for a complete Rwanda safari? A focused gorilla trekking trip can run 2–3 days, while a fuller itinerary covering gorillas, golden monkeys, and Akagera’s game drives typically needs 7–8 days. See our 8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking itinerary for a complete example.

Top Rwanda Safari Tours to Consider

2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari — A short safari to Volcanoes National Park for both golden monkey and mountain gorilla trekking, available any day of the year. Book Now

3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari — A game-viewing holiday to Akagera National Park, with drives and a Lake Ihema boat cruise. Book Now

3 Days Nyungwe National Park Safari — Built specifically for chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk, alongside rich birdlife. Book Now

8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking — Gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, birding, cultural experiences, and a Kigali city tour in one week-long safari. Book Now

5 Days Rwanda Congo Gorilla Safari — Spanning Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s gorilla habitat in one combined itinerary. Book Now

4 Day Kigali to Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Tour — Begin in Kigali with a city tour, then cross into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Book Now

8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari — Gorilla trekking in both countries, plus Queen Elizabeth game drives and a Lake Kivu stop. Book Now

7 Days Uganda Rwanda Wildlife Safari — One of our most complete cross-border itineraries, combining Uganda and Rwanda’s best. Book Now

Book Your Rwanda Safari Activities Today

With gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, birding, and genuine cultural depth all available within one small country, Rwanda offers one of Africa’s most complete safari experiences.

Hail Tours Uganda can match the right combination of activities to your timeline and budget — read our guide on how to book a gorilla trek and safari before you commit to dates, or explore our Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Rwanda National Parks guides for more on where these activities actually take place.

If you’re also considering Uganda, our Uganda gorilla trekking and Uganda safari activities pages cover the equivalent experiences just across the border.

Get in touch today and let our team build your ideal Rwanda safari itinerary.

Email: info@hailtoursuganda.com