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Photo credit: Ryan Bolton
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Your top 7 questions about Rwanda travel answered Before visiting Rwanda, I only knew two things about this small, East African country: it was one of the only spots on Earth you could see endangered mountain gorillas, and it had a dark past as the site of one of the world’s most infamous genocides. In 2014, I had the opportunity to spend two months living in this less-travelled destination. Seeing a majestic group of gorillas up close is undoubtedly the experience of a lifetime, and learning about how the people have come together to rebuild from their violent history was moving to the extreme. However, I also discovered that Rwanda has so much more to offer, from its fascinating cultural traditions to its sweeping green landscapes to its uniquely friendly people. Below, I’ll answer some of the most common questions we receive about visiting Rwanda, including why it should absolutely be on your to-travel list! Table of Contents1. Why should I visit Rwanda and what can I see there? 2. Is Rwanda safe to visit? 3. What is the best time for Rwanda travel? 4. What should I expect when going gorilla trekking in Rwanda? 5. Is it possible to visit the Hotel Rwanda? 6. What are transportation and accommodations like in Rwanda? 7. Can I combine a tour of Rwanda with a visit to other countries in Africa?
Photo credit: Ryan Bolton
Cultural performance in Rwanda The chance to observe critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat merits a visit to Rwanda all on its own. Many of our travellers have said that coming face-to-face with these gentle giants is a truly transformative experience. Outside of gorillas, Rwanda is also a haven for many other animals. The Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, is home to 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, Colobus monkeys, golden monkeys and the endemic L’Hoest monkey, only found in a few spots on Earth. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the best places in Africa to go on a guided primate tracking excursion. Other wildlife like lions, rhinos, leopards and hippos can be found in Akagera National Park, the largest protected wetland on the continent.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Rolling green hills of mountainous Rwanda Also known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, the scenery in Rwanda is spectacular too. Some of my favourite memories include driving through the fantastical landscapes of Volcanoes National Park or taking in the tranquil views of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. However, what stood out the most for me during my time there was the friendliness of the people. From being offered banana beer and other local delicacies while walking around the capital city of Kigali, to having my hands enthusiastically clasped by African grandmothers who didn’t speak a lick of English, I felt welcomed at every turn. The chance to meet with the people, hear their stories and explore their culture was a true delight. It was also impactful to learn firsthand how the people have come together in the almost 30 years since the Rwandan genocide to rebuild a less divided community. Explore Bestway’s journeys visiting the unique East African country of Rwanda. Back to top
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Rwanda’s people are known for their friendliness The answer is, absolutely! I felt Rwanda was one of the safest African countries I have explored. As a woman travelling solo, I was comfortable walking around and even taking local transport on my own. In fact, a 2022 survey found that Rwanda is the sixth safest country in the world for solo travellers! One incident that happened while I was there demonstrates this sense of safety perfectly. A friend I had made accidentally left her laptop at a local store. Not only did she get it back–the person who found it went through an extreme amount of effort to return it to her, including phoning multiple people to track her down! That isn’t to say I wouldn’t recommend normal safety precautions such as not walking alone late at night and avoiding wearing flashy jewelry. But in my opinion, anyone on a tour to Rwanda organized by a reputed and licensed tour operator has nothing to worry about. Check out Bestway’s most popular tour visiting Rwanda, our seven-day Natural Heritage Safari of Uganda & Rwanda. Back to top
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Enjoying the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda Rwanda is warm throughout the year, and you can technically travel there at any time. However, if you want to avoid mud and rain during your gorilla trek and other wildlife activities, it is recommended that you visit during the drier season, which typically lasts from June to September. December to February also offer drier weather. It’s still recommended you bring a rain jacket though–unexpected showers are possible at any time of year! For those not afraid of a downpour, the rainy seasons of March to May and October to November are the best times for chimpanzee spotting. There are seven other things every traveller should know before going on an African safari. Back to top
Photo credit: Carolyn Barkley
Getting ready for gorilla trekking Rwanda is one of only three countries where you can enjoy perhaps Africa’s most profound wildlife encounter–tracking and observing a group of mountain gorillas. Planning your gorilla trek starts with booking your permits. Only a certain number of permits are available per day (less than 100!), so it is recommended that you work with a tour operator that has expertise in arranging safaris to East Africa in order to secure your permits as soon as possible. The day of the trek itself starts early with a brief from your experienced guide about what to expect. After your briefing, you decide what level of hike you would like to tackle. Only eight people can see a gorilla troop on any given day, so trekkers are divided into groups of similar ages and fitness levels to match the location of each troop (though you’re allowed to stay with your friends and family, of course!). Those viewing the closest troop may have to hike as little as half an hour, while those tracking the furthest may have a multi-hour trek in store. It is important that all hikers are prepared for the possibility of rain, mud, dense vegetation, and some uphill walking.
Photo credit: Sam Chadwick & Jiri Haureljuk
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Once your group finds the gorillas, you will have a full hour to observe these gentle giants play, forage and interact with one another. Each troop has not only a silverback leader and female members, but also often baby gorillas that are a joy to watch. During the hour, you can take photos and videos without flash, but must avoid making any sudden movements or loud noises. Gorilla trekking is considered to be quite safe, as the gorillas have been habituated to the presence of humans. One of my favourite parts is that your trekking experience also helps the conservation of this critically endangered species. At one point, it was thought that mountain gorillas may be extinct by the year 2000 due to deforestation and poaching. However, conservation efforts made possible by the trekking program have helped the gorilla population increase to more than 1,000. It’s possible to add on a custom gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda to any of our East African safaris. Contact your Bestway representative to learn more. Back to top
Photo credit: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Facade of Hotel des Mille Collines - a.k.a. Hotel Rwanda - Kigali - Rwanda Yes, it is possible to visit the Hotel des Mille Collines, also known as the “Hotel Rwanda”. Here, hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina and his wife Tatiana provided more than 1,000 refugees with shelter from the surrounding violence of the Rwanda Genocide, when an estimated 500,000 plus Tutsis (an ethnic minority) were killed over the course of 100 days. The series of events was made famous by the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda, starring Don Cheadle. As part of a Rwanda tour, Bestway can arrange a visit to, or even a meal at the hotel. While it does make for an interesting stop, it’s important to note that the hotel doesn’t contain any exhibitions or artifacts commemorating the unique role it played. This is why we recommend having a guide to provide context and tell the stories of this Kigali monument. Besides the “Hotel Rwanda”, the country is also home to many other memorials of the Rwandan genocide. One I would highly recommend seeing is the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, where the personal belongings, photographs and even skulls of genocide victims are poignantly displayed. A visit to the “Hotel Rwanda” is included in our most popular tour of this region, Natural Heritage Safari of Uganda & Rwanda. Back to top
Photo credit: aceshot1
Example of the type of safari vehicles used in East Africa
Like most other tourist destinations, Rwanda has a variety of accommodations available, running the gamut from backpacker hostels to luxury lodges. With Bestway journeys, you can expect high-quality accommodations vetted by our on-the-ground partners, which often offer amenities like a pool, bar, or breathtaking view. For transportation, our tours use well-maintained, comfortable vehicles, often Land Cruisers Within the Rwandan capital of Kigali, you can expect main roads to be paved and smooth. However, anyone touring outside of the capital should expect bumpy roads with potholes and unpaved sections–our drivers are experienced at handling vehicles in these kinds of conditions, so not to worry! Back to top
Photo credit: Peter Langer
Taking in the many animals found in East Africa while on safari Nestled between its larger neighbours of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda is both a great jumping off point to exploring the region, and a great add-on to the end of your East Africa journey. For a standalone tour, Rwanda is most often combined with Uganda, as it is easy to cross between the two countries overland. Uganda also offers gorilla trekking excursions, and it’s a unique experience to observe these animals from both sides of the border. It also doubles your chances of having a one-of-a-kind encounter! A short three- to five-day stopover also makes the perfect add-on to some of our most popular safaris. Rwanda’s capital Kigali is connected to Tanzania, Kenya and even South Africa’s Johannesburg by direct flights. A gorilla trekking excursion in Rwanda connects perfectly with some of our most well-loved East Africa tours, including Kenya Tanzania Safari with Victoria Falls and Wild Game Safari. Back to top
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Posted by Kierra Jones