Private African safaris in Rwanda
Luxury Rwanda Safaris
Mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcanoes, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and the savannah of Akagera, planned around you by our team.
Why Rwanda with Nova
Rwanda, Planned Around You
A luxury Rwanda safari is built around one of the most moving hours in travel: sitting quietly with a family of mountain gorillas on the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Rwanda is small, green and easy to travel, so much of the country can be seen in a single journey.
Beyond the gorillas there is far more to see. Golden monkeys and the volcano lakes in the north, chimpanzees and a canopy walkway in the ancient Nyungwe rainforest, quiet days on Lake Kivu, and Akagera in the east, a savannah park with lions, rhinos, elephants and boat trips on the lakes.
We design each journey from scratch, choosing the right lodges, guides and pace for you, and arranging gorilla permits early, because they are limited each day. Rwanda pairs naturally with Uganda, and our team arranges the flights, transfers, guides and lodges, staying in touch from your first enquiry until you are home.
Our promise
“Luxury travel, focused on eco-tourism and protecting Africa’s wildest regions and animals.”
Rwanda has rebuilt its parks around conservation and tourism that benefits local communities. Gorilla permits fund the protection of the national parks and the people living around them, and visitor numbers to each gorilla family are strictly limited.
Where we go
Rwanda’s Safari Regions
Rwanda is far more than one famous park. These are the areas we plan journeys around, and most trips include three or four of them.
Mountain gorillas
Volcanoes National Park
The Rwandan side of the Virunga volcanoes, where habituated gorilla families live in bamboo and forest. A trek can take from one to several hours, and the time with the gorillas is limited to one hour.
Monkeys and craters
The Virunga Foothills
Golden monkey treks, hikes to the Dian Fossey research site and the crater lakes, and lodges with views of the volcanoes.
Chimpanzees and rainforest
Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to chimpanzees and many other primates, with a canopy walkway high above the valley and waterfall trails.
Lions, rhinos and lakes
Akagera National Park
A savannah park in the east, where lions and rhinos have been reintroduced. Game drives, boat trips on Lake Ihema and a classic safari to end a primate journey.
Lakeshore and islands
Lake Kivu
A large lake along the western border, with quiet beaches, boat trips to the islands and coffee farms on the hills. A slower few days between parks.
Chimpanzees off the beaten track
Gishwati-Mukura
Rwanda’s newest national park, a smaller forest with a chimpanzee community, birds and walks with local guides.
Twin lakes
Burera and Ruhondo
Two lakes below the volcanoes, with terraced hills, canoe trips and some of the most beautiful views in the north.
The capital
Kigali
A clean, calm city of hills, with the Kigali Genocide Memorial, art galleries, a busy craft market and good restaurants.
Over the border
Uganda
Bwindi’s gorillas and Kibale’s chimpanzees can be reached by road or by light aircraft.
When to go
Rwanda Month by Month
Rwanda is close to the equator, so the temperature changes little through the year. The seasons are about rain, and the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | A short dry season, with warm days and occasional rain in the mountains. | Gorilla trekking, chimpanzees and Akagera |
| March to May | The long rains. Trails are muddy and the forest is at its greenest. | Quieter lodges and easier permit availability |
| June to September | The main dry season, with clear days and firmer trails. | Gorilla trekking, Akagera game drives and summer holidays |
| October to November | The short rains, usually as afternoon showers. | Green landscapes, birdlife and fewer visitors |
| December | Drier weather returns before the holidays. | Festive season journeys and family trips |
Gorillas can be visited all year, and rain falls in every month in the mountains, so good rain gear matters more than the date. Permits for the dry months and school holidays are the first to go, so we suggest planning several months ahead.
Getting there
Getting to Rwanda
Kigali International Airport is the gateway. From Kigali it is about two and a half hours by road to Volcanoes National Park, and helicopter transfers can shorten the longer journeys.
From Europe
KLM flies from Amsterdam, Brussels Airlines from Brussels, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul and RwandAir from London, some with a stop on the way to Kigali.
From the USA and Canada
There are no nonstop flights. Most travellers connect through Europe, Istanbul, Doha, Addis Ababa or Nairobi, and many start with a night in Europe to break the journey.
From the Gulf
RwandAir flies nonstop from Dubai to Kigali in about six hours, and Qatar Airways flies from Doha. Other routes connect through Nairobi or Addis Ababa.
Around Rwanda
Distances are short, so most journeys are by road with a private driver guide. Helicopter transfers link Kigali, the volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera when you want to save time.
Flight times are approximate and routes change, including seasonal and regional changes, so we confirm the current options when we plan your journey.
Experiences
Ways to Experience Rwanda
Every journey is built around what matters to you. These are some of the things our guests ask for most.
Gorilla trekking
An Hour with the Gorillas
Trek with expert trackers and guides to a habituated gorilla family. Porters can carry your bag and help on steep ground.
Lodges by the volcanoes
Fireside Evenings
Return to a warm suite with a fireplace and views of the volcanoes after a day on the mountain.
Akagera
A Classic Safari
Game drives and boat trips in Rwanda’s savannah park, with lions, rhinos, elephants and giraffes.
Chimpanzees
Nyungwe’s Forest
Track chimpanzees at first light and walk the canopy walkway above the rainforest.
Honeymoons
Time for Two
Quiet lodges, private dinners and slow days on Lake Kivu, with Zanzibar to finish.
Families
Travel Together
Gorilla trekking is for ages 15 and over, so we plan golden monkey treks, nature walks and Akagera for younger travellers.
Sample journey
Eight Nights: Kigali, the Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera
A starting point only. We change the regions, lodges and pace to suit you, and can add Uganda, Kenya or Zanzibar if you wish.
Day 1
Arrive in Kigali
You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel. If you are combining with Uganda, we can arrange to fly in or out of Entebbe instead.
Days 1 to 2
Kigali
A night in the capital, with a guided visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, galleries and the craft market.
Days 2 to 5
Volcanoes National Park
Three nights at a lodge near the park, with a gorilla trek, a golden monkey trek or a hike, and time to rest.
Days 5 to 7
Nyungwe
Fly by helicopter or drive along Lake Kivu to Nyungwe for two nights, with chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walkway.
Days 7 to 9
Akagera and home
Two nights of game drives and a boat trip in Akagera, then return to Kigali for your flight home.
Good to know
Rwanda Safari FAQs
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
At the time of writing, every nationality can get a visa on arrival in Rwanda or apply online before travel. UK and Canadian passport holders, as Commonwealth citizens, receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, as do citizens of Francophonie members such as France and Belgium. US and most other EU and GCC passport holders pay a visa fee, while Qatari passport holders receive a free 90-day visa. If you are also visiting Uganda or Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three on one visa.
What counts is the passport you travel on, not where you live. Rules and fees change, so please check the current requirements before you travel.
When is the best time for a Rwanda safari?
June to September and December to February are the drier months and the most popular for gorilla trekking. Gorillas can be visited all year, and the wetter months are greener and quieter.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
You need moderate fitness. Treks can take from one hour to several hours on steep, muddy ground at altitude. The park staff match groups to the walk where they can, and porters and walking sticks are available. We help you prepare and choose the right trek.
Do I need malaria tablets or vaccinations?
Rwanda has malaria risk in some areas, including Akagera, so speak to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention before you travel. Also check the yellow fever certificate rules for your route, especially if you are coming from Uganda or Kenya.
How much does a luxury Rwanda safari cost?
Rwanda is one of Africa’s higher-cost safari countries, mainly because of the gorilla permit and the small number of lodges near the parks. The season, the lodges and whether you travel by helicopter make the biggest difference. Tell us your budget and we will show you the best way to use it.
Is Rwanda good for a family safari?
Yes, with planning. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, but younger children can enjoy golden monkey treks, nature walks, Lake Kivu and game drives in Akagera. We choose lodges and activities that suit your family.
Combine Rwanda with
More of East Africa
Start planning
Let’s Design Your Rwanda Safari
Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what you hope to see, and we will design a Rwanda safari around you. Our team works across Dubai, the United States and South Africa, planning journeys for travellers from around the world.
Prefer email? info@novasafaris.com