Best National Parks in Rwanda (Top Rated Destinations for Safaris)
Explore 4 Best National Parks in Rwanda in details, their location, the exciting experiences/activities to do, and where to stay. We have also highlighted the different tourist attractions in each of the National Parks in Rwanda and a lot more.
Rwanda has four national parks; Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati Mukura national park.
The newest national park is Gishwati Mukura National Park which was established in 2015. All the national parks are under the management of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which is responsible in promoting tourism through the assistance of other government agencies and ministries.
Rwanda is a land locked country located in East Africa commonly known as Land of a thousand hills. The 4 Best National Parks in Rwanda feature as the top rated destinations for safaris in this dubbed Land of a Thousand Hills.
Detailed Guide to National Parks in Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is the largest park in Rwanda with a size of 1122 kilometers established in 1934. The park is located in the north eastern part of Rwanda near its border with Tanzania. It takes 2 hours to reach the park from Kigali the capital city of the Rwanda.
Akagera national park is one of the savannah parks in East Africa. The park is a home to a number of wildlife like the Big Five that is lion, Rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalos however other animals can be spotted in the park that is to say impalas, zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles which can be seen in the river banks.
The park has over 500 bird species like African fish eagle, crested barbet gonoleks, Heuglin’s robin chat, Ross’s Turaco, raptors, water birds; open billed stork, marabou stork, herons, the African fish eagle among others.
Akagera National Park offers a variety of activities that can be done that is to say game drives, boat cruise, birding, fishing, nature walks among others which provide a remarkable experience to the tourist.
Accommodation facilities in Akagera National Park.
Luxury – Magashi camp northern region of the park, Ruzizi tented lodge situated on the banks of Lake Ihema. Mid-range- Akagera Game Lodge- Dereva Hotel Akagera national park camping sites; Shakani Akagera campsite located on the shores of Lake Shakani, Mutumba Akagera campsite and Muyumba campsite.
Things to do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Akagera National Park is the place where a person interested in wildlife in Rwanda could go to. Both day and night game drives are available at the park.
Having a game drive along the Akagera national park gives you an opportunity to see the big five animals (lion, elephant, rhinos, buffalos and leopard).
Other animals like antelopes; topis, sitatungas, impala, Burchell’s zebra, hyenas, giraffes among others. In the night game drive one can sight the nocturnal animals which include; bush babies, leopards, hyenas and many more.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise in Akagera national park is done on Lake Ihema the second biggest lake in Rwanda. The boat cruise is done in the morning that is 7:30 hours and 09:00 in the evening 15:00 and 16:30.
Boat cruise in Akagera national park will give you a chance to spot a number of animals like crocodiles, zebras, hippos, lions and many more. Birds like African jacana, bail lob’s crake among others
Birding
Birding can also be done since the park is blessed with a variety of bird species which include; African fish eagle, open billed stork, Heuglin’s robin chat, marabou stork, Ross’s turacos; crested barbet gonoleks the list is endless.
Nature walks
In Akagera national park you can have guided nature walks with the wonderful tour guide. As you move through the park you will be able to sight different plants, animals, birds, butterfly and many more.
Fishing
For the visitors interested in fishing can also enjoy it in the Akagera national park. Fishing is done on Lake shaken which has got a variety of fish like cat fish and Tilapia as well.
Fishing tournament is also organized in the park and the tourists interested in it can participate however the tournament is done on a particular time so it is advisable to contact the management for more information.
Cultural encounters
Another activity to do in the park is cultural encounter. You can visit the cultural communities in the park. This gives you the opportunity to interact with the local people learn about their way of life which gives an incredible experience. As you visit the communities you will be able to visit the Imigongo arts and crafts centre.
This centre preserves the Rwanda’s culture through poetry, art, storytelling, culinary among others. While at Imigongo centre you will get a chance to participate in some activities like honey making, beer making, ghee making, milking cows and so on.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe forest national park is situated in the southwestern part of Rwanda and was established in 2004. The park is a home of the oldest forest in Africa and that is the Nyungwe forest which receives 2000mm of rainfall annually. The park is a home to 13 primates famously the chimpanzees and other primates including colobus monkeys.
Things to do in Nyungwe forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking
Nyungwe national park is the best place to track chimpanzees with about 400 individual chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park can be done throughout the year.
Canopy walk
For nature lovers Nyungwe national park is the only park the experience a true canopy walk. The canopy walk in Nyungwe national park starts from the Uwinka visitor center. As you move along the canopy you are able to sight the beautiful view of the forest, a variety of animals and bird species.
Birding
Nyungwe National Park is the best place to go for bird watching in Rwanda. Nyungwe national park is a home to over 310 bird species were 27 of the bird species are endemic and can only be found in the Albertine region.
Bird species include; white tailed fly catcher, red collared warbler, handsome francolin, mountain sooty boubou, yellow eyed black fly catcher, grey- crested kakamega, Ruwenzori nightjar, blue turacos, Chapin’s flycatcher and many more.
Accommodation in and around Nyungwe National Park include Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, One&Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Guesthouse.
Volcanoes National Park – Best National Parks in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is famously known for the endangered gorillas, also a major it is most visited park in Rwanda. The park is situated in the northwestern Rwanda with a total size of 160 kilometers. The park is also a home to the five Virunga Mountains out of the eight.
Best National Parks in Rwanda: Top Things to do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla tracking is one of the major reasons why visitors visit the volcanoes national park. Mountain gorillas are only found in three countries that is Rwanda in volcanoes, DRC in Virunga Park and Uganda in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
To do gorilla tracking in Rwanda requires one to have a permit which costs $1500 and these permits are got from Rwanda development board or tour operators.
Gorilla tracking requires one to pack; hiking boots, waterproof jacket, long sleeve shirts, trouser, gloves, sun glasses, sun screen, drinks and snacks.
Visit Dian Fossey tomb
Dian Fossey was one of the greatest primatologists who discouraged poaching of mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park.
She also managed to introduce new ways of making gorillas comfortable around human beings. This was done through mimicking their sounds and grunts. When you visit volcanoes national park you will be able to see her grave.
Hiking
A tourist can hike the different mountain available in the park which include; mount Muhabura, Mount Karisimbi and mount bison. Hiking requires one to be physically fit
and also have hiking boots. Briefing is done at the park’s headquarters before you proceed to hike. Tourists with heavy luggage can hire a porter at the cost of $15 who can transport them to the summit. Reaching at the top gives you a specular view around the park
Accommodation facilities in Volcanoes National Park.
Luxury – mountain gorilla view lodge located in the northern region of Rwanda in Musanze district, Bisate lodge, Virunga lodge, Sabyinyo silverback lodge, and Five volcanoes boutique hotel.
Mid-range- Le bamboo gorilla lodge, da Vinci gorilla lodge, garden place hotel
Budget- hotel Muhabura, Kinigi guest house.
Best National Parks in Rwanda- Gishwati Mukura National Park
Gishwati Mukura national park the smallest park in Rwanda was gazetted in 2015 and is located in the western Region. The park is subdivided into two forest which are the Gishwati forest and Nyungwe forest. These forests are separated by a buffer zone.
Top things to do
Chimpanzee trekking
The most attracting activity in the park is chimpanzee trekking. Gishwati Mukura National Park acts as an inhabitant to 20 groups of chimpanzees.
Other primates like blue monkeys, golden monkeys and L’hoest can be sighted in the park. Chimpanzee trekking starts in the morning were the tourists first have a briefing about the rules and regulations before they head to trek the chimpanzees.
After trekking the tourists are given one hour to interact with the chimpanzees to know how they behave, take pictures, feed each other and so on.
Chimpanzee trekking can be done throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season since trekking is much easier.
Birding
Gishwati Mukura National Park is a home to over 235 bird species which favors birding activities to be done in the park.
Bird species include strange weave, Wood hoopoe, Rwenzori Turaco, Red throated Althea, dusky turtle love, double collared sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, and paradise fly catcher.
Other birds to identify in this park include the long crested eagle handsome francolin, common moorhen Rwenzori night jar, Grauer’s swamp warbler, purple breasted sun bird, grey crowned crane, and dusky crimson wing.
Hiking
Hiking the Kazeneza water fall is one of the activities that can be done in Gishwati-Mukura national park. As you hike you get a chance to see the endemic plants found in only Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura national park which are Igishigishigi.
In summary, four (4) national parks all await you to unearth their natural endowment. Each of the 4 parks in Rwanda has unique attractions and experiences worth enjoying on Rwanda safari holiday.