Rwanda Safaris

The dry seasons from June to September and December to February are the best times for trekking and wildlife viewing, with clear trails and great conditions.

Rainy seasons of March to May and October/November are still perfectly fine for visiting Rwanda…rains for the most part fall in short, sharp downfalls which, once complete, leave you free to get on with the rest of your day.

Most travellers need a visa, which can be obtained online or on arrival. The East Africa Tourist Visa is also available, allowing travel between Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

As of Sept 2025, UK passport holders, as members of the Commonwealth, do not have to pay for a visa, whereas for most European countries and US Citizens, there is a charge of $50 per person.

Rwanda is, without doubt, one of the safest and calmest countries in Africa, with a strong sense of order and hospitality. Kigali is especially calm, and for a large and thriving capital city, it is remarkably well-organised and clean. National parks are well managed and closely monitored for visitor safety.

Rwanda is most famous for its mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, but it also has rewarding chimpanzee tracking, as well as offering a ‘classic safari’ in Akagera National Park in the South. 

On a darker note, Rwanda is also well known for the genocide that took place in April 1994. This dark chapter in Rwanda’s recent history is an inescapable part of visiting present-day Rwanda, and for most people, an unexpectedly moving and interesting feature of visiting Rwanda. Rwanda is famously known as the ‘Land of a thousand hills’, and its lakes and rolling hills make for some stunning scenery. 

Finally, vibrant Kigali must be mentioned as a highlight. Safe, clean, and full of energy, this is one of the most dynamic of capital cities globally, and a guided walking tour is highly recommended.

Most visitors travel with a driver-guide, making transfers between Kigali, which is located in the centre of the country, to the national parks and lakeside towns of Lake Kivu. Take note, however, travelling by road in Rwanda may take longer than you expect owing to the constantly hilly terrain. Rwanda is one of Africa’s smallest countries, and there are no scheduled domestic flights in operation between Kigali and the various points of interest. Private charter flights, however, can be arranged… both in fixed-wing, and helicopter.

The Rwandan franc is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted throughout Rwanda, especially so at hotels, safari lodges and with providers of tourism services. International debit and credit cards can be used at ATMs throughout Rwanda to obtain local currency, whilst debit and credit cards are widely accepted in cities and most hotels and Rwandan safari lodges.

A week to ten days is ideal, giving you time to see gorillas, explore Kigali, visit Nyungwe for chimpanzees, and relax on Lake Kivu. Shorter trips of three to five nights work well if gorilla trekking is the main focus.

No, while gorilla trekking is a highlight, Rwanda offers chimpanzees, golden monkeys, birdlife, lakeside relaxation, and cultural experiences. There are direct flights from Rwanda to the Serengeti and to Nairobi in Kenya, so Rwanda combines well with safaris in Tanzania or Kenya.