Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes is the Rwandan side of the Virunga massif and the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking in the world.
Rwanda.
Mountain gorillas. Rolling hills. Culture. Resilience. Biodiversity.
East Africa · 3 of 4
Photo Ifeoluwa B. / Unsplash
Rwanda promises an extraordinary and truly one-of-a-kind journey, where nature's grandeur unfolds in spectacular fashion.
Renowned as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” this captivating destination is defined by its breathtaking biodiversity, dramatic ancient volcanic landscapes, and lush highland rainforests draped in mist and mystery. Within these pristine ecosystems lies one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters, the rare opportunity to observe majestic silverback mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Blending raw beauty with rich ecological heritage, Rwanda offers discerning travellers an exclusive, immersive experience that is as profound as it is unforgettable.
Best time to travel
Jun – Sep
The long dry season is prime for tracking mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes. December to February is a shorter dry window and often easier to book. An indicative pattern rather than a forecast; conditions vary year to year.
Start planning
Start planning your adventure
Please answer these few short questions to give us an idea of what kind of a journey you have in mind.
The guide
Rwanda in full
Rwanda is small, orderly and startlingly green — a country of terraced hills that can be crossed in a few hours, which is precisely its advantage. Kigali to the gorillas is a two-to-three hour drive, so a gorilla trek is achievable on a short trip in a way it is not elsewhere.
It has also positioned itself deliberately at the high end: permits are expensive, camps are few and good, and the country is clean, safe and easy to travel in.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe is one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa and Rwanda's chimpanzee and canopy-walk destination.
Akagera
Akagera is Rwanda's savannah park in the east, restocked with lion and rhino and now a genuine Big Five destination.
Kigali and Lake Kivu
Kigali is the calmest capital in the region, and Lake Kivu gives Rwanda a genuine lakeside pause.
Gateways
- KGL — Kigali InternationalThe single gateway, well connected across Africa and to Europe, and under three hours from Volcanoes National Park.
Getting around
- Everything is driven, and everything is close. Kigali to Volcanoes is under three hours on good tar, and Nyungwe is roughly five or six from the capital.
- Gorilla permits are limited and expensive, and they are the fixed point in the itinerary — dates are chosen around the permit, not the other way round.
- Rwanda combines well with Uganda for travellers who want both gorillas and chimpanzees without repeating a country.
In pictures
Rwanda
Photo Andrew Molo / Unsplash
Photo Ifeoluwa B. / Unsplash
Photo Murenzi Emery / Unsplash
Photo Protais Benjamin MUGENZI / Unsplash
Photo maxime niyomwungeri / Unsplash
Planning Rwanda
Rwanda — the questions we are asked
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
Jun – Sep. The long dry season is prime for tracking mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes. December to February is a shorter dry window and often easier to book.
Which Famous Africa journeys include Rwanda?
Famous Africa plans Rwanda as a tailor-made itinerary rather than a fixed departure, on its own or combined with neighbouring countries. Nothing is sold as a set package, so the routing, lodges and length are decided with the traveller.
What is Rwanda known for?
Rwanda promises an extraordinary and truly one-of-a-kind journey, where nature's grandeur unfolds in spectacular fashion. Mountain gorillas, Rolling hills, Culture, Resilience, Biodiversity.