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Rwanda

World-beating wildlife encounters, laced with luxury

Rwanda tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Rwanda is one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the mountain gorilla and a fantastic destination for adventure travel. There are believed to be no more than 700 mountain gorillas left in the world today. As such, seeing these rare and captivating primates in their native habitat is the obvious focus for most Rwanda holidays. It's an unforgettable and moving experience that ranks as one of Africa's undisputed travel highlights.

Gorilla treks among the forest-clad slopes of Volcanoes National Park form the basis for tailor-made tours of this tiny, landlocked African country, while on the slopes of Mount Visoke in the Virunga Mountains, world-renowned primatologist Dian Fossey carried out her pioneering studies.

But it's not all about the gorillas, wildlife sightings are abound in any of Rwanda's excellent National Parks. Nyungwe draws in discerning travellers as the prime spot to witness chimpanzees – visitors here can track these chattering chimps by their forest-filling hoots and hollers without the costly price paid for a gorilla tracking permit. Over in Akagera National Park, all the mighty members of the much sought after Big Five can be found which puts this park on the map for most wildlife lovers as it's the only place in Rwanda that such a safari experience can be achieved. Both of these popular parks boast a spectacular array of birdlife and as Rwanda is home to around a third of all the birds found in Africa – more than 500 species – the bird-watching opportunities here are unmatched.

Adventure and wildlife tourism are gradually enabling Rwanda to get back on track, following the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi that ignited in the early 1990s. This culminated in a brutal genocide against the Tutsi, which is commemorated at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the capital, Kigali.

Rwanda is now a thriving and safe travel destination. All of its major attractions are within easy striking distance of Kigali, a busy city known for its good restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Beyond lies a green and pleasant land of rolling farmland, terraced tea and coffee plantations, and swathes of rainforest. Rwanda's lush landscape has given it the name of Les Pays des Milles Collines – the land of a thousand hills.

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
8½ hours

Time zone
GMT +2

Currency
Rwanda franc = 100 centimes

Language
Kinyarwanda, French, Kiswahili and English

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

Top itineraries in Rwanda

Gorilla, Rwanda

Highlights of Rwanda: Gorillas and Chimpanzees

10-day tailor-made holiday from £6,355 pp incl. flights

This spectacular tour sees you explore Nyungwe National Park where you'll track chimpanzee. Then, relax on Lake Kivu before trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, deep in the jungles of Rwanda.

One&Only Gorilla's Nest

Rwanda in Style with One&Only

10-day tailor-made holiday from £12,105 pp incl. flights

Track gorillas and chimpanzees deep in Rwanda's verdant rainforests, with stays at some of Rwanda's most luxurious lodges and hotels.

Gorilla, Bwindi Forest

Gorilla and Chimpanzees with Volcanoes Safaris

9-day tailor-made holiday from £10,050 pp incl. flights

An encounter with Rwanda's mountain gorilla's is a truly life-changing experience. Trekking through the jungle of the Parc National des Volcans for an audience with these magnificent creatures is something that will certainly live long in the memory. It's all wrapped up in a luxury tailor-made tour.

Chimpanzee, Uganda

Best of Uganda and Rwanda

14-day tailor-made holiday from £14,865 pp incl. flights

This in-depth independent tour takes in the the highlights of Uganda and Rwanda, offering several chances to meet the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Top places to stay in Rwanda

One&Only Gorilla's Nest

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

Contemporary lodge

This stunning sanctuary, nestled at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, is a wonderfully luxurious base from which to experience one of the world’s great wildlife encounters – a meeting with Rwanda's mountain gorillas.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Contemporary lodge

This stunning hotel is the first ever community-owned lodge in Rwanda, perched on the edge of the stunning Parc National Volcanoes, the gateway for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tracking mountain gorillas.

Aerial view, One & Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda

One&Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda

Contemporary lodge

This spectacular lodge is located within a primeval rainforest and perched atop a working tea planation, offering direct access to Rwanda's fascinating wildlife and culture.

Virunga Safari Lodge

Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park

Traditional lodge

The magnificent Virunga Safari Lodge, set on a stunning hillside, has eight bandas with a panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes and the lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The terraced gardens on this high ridge are now well established, with a magical sunken paradise garden as their focal point. Aside fro…

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Where to go in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park

While the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park are Rwanda's best-known attraction, the less-publicised Nyungwe National Park is also well worth incorporating into your tailor-made travel itinerary. This dense tropical rainforest is one of the oldest and largest protected montane rainforests…

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park - or Parc National des Volcans as it's called in French - is the main reason that travellers come to Rwanda. The volcanoes in question are those belonging to the Virunga Mountain range, shared with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda articles

  • Gorilla, Virunga National Park. Rwanda

    Trip report: Rwanda

    Wexas Africa specialist Alison Nicolle enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Rwanda. Here she recounts her experiences of spotting the Big Five, gorilla trekking and a host of other unique experiences.

  • How to track gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda

    There's nothing quite like coming eyeball to eyeball with some of our closest living relatives in their natural environment. Here is our comprehensive guide to tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda.

  • Gorilla, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

    Trip report: Rwanda

    Wexas's Katrin Rummer spent a thrilling week in Rwanda, tracking gorillas, chimpanzees and exploring Rwanda's lush green landscapes. Read her review for tips and an in-depth insight into this extraordinary country.

  • How to take better photographs on safari

    Natural beauty is often the inspiration for compelling photographs. Taking pictures of wildlife whilst on safari can be thrilling and creatively rewarding. Whether it's the quest to capture lions, leopards or lemurs, the quest for the perfect picture is endless!

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Meet our Rwanda experts

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0611 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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