Drive between four national parks to glimpse gorillas and explore lush, bewildering landscapes.
Rwanda is a country of wide-ranging landscapes , offering up mountains , savannas , and jungles for eager tourists with an eye for dish . For many westerners , a mention of the East / Central African country brings to mind its violent past , but it ’s been 30 years since Rwanda ’s polite war and the country has since put a plenty of effort into recuperation , making it a welcoming plaza to visit .
Rwanda is a true achiever story for purpose - built redevelopment , and fortuitously for travelers , that purpose is touristry — sustainable tourism , to be specific . Over the preceding decade , the country has focused on base and the environment , putting huge amounts of backing into developing safe roads , incentivizing local business macrocosm , and protecting and rebuildingnational parks . And given that the res publica is a mere 10,000 hearty geographical mile ( roughly the size of Maryland ) , it ’s ripe for bucket - list road trips that include the chance to spot endangered disgraceful rhinos and breathe the same unobjectionable mass breeze as the gorilla made famous by world - famous primatologist Dian Fossey .
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take in Rwanda is entirely doable for anyone who ’s careful and competent behind the wheel , but route set off through its cities and countryside requires a solid sense of escapade . Rwanda ’s roads are a sometimes - hectic mix of bicycles , cars , andmotorbikes , and sullen rain can leave older roads muddy and pitted . as luck would have it , you may easily hire drivers or takesafari toursthrough parks if you ’d rather not venture off the main drag ( or if you just want to keep your eyes free to look for rhinoceros ; Akagera National Park has more than 50 ) .
quick for a road trip-up in Rwanda ? Take vantage of the nation ’s Modern and by and large smooth roadstead to hightail it to arresting nature reserve . Our recommended road follow a counter - clockwise closed circuit between the land ’s four home parks : the savanna - filled Akagera National Park , high - up Volcanoes National Park , biodiverse Gishwati Mukura National Park , and hazy Nyungwe National Park . So just rent a elevator car , turn on some tune , and set to be astonied .
How to rent a car in Rwanda
Renting a carin Rwanda is n’t difficult , and most rental companies work with tourism agencies , meaning they can also arrange city tours , drivers , and airport pick - ups .
You ’ll need to break up your auto up at the international airport in Kigali . No matter where you ’re lead , you should rent an S.U.V. , as many route through parkland are bumpy and only partially paved . But for a unique twist , consider take a pop - top Land Cruiser , so you’re able to really experience like you ’re on a safari .
Safari vehicle start at about $ 90 a day , and standard SUV are cheeseparing to $ 40 a day . Adding a driver can increase costs by around $ 40 to $ 80 per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Bookings are usually made via e-mail , unless you hire a customs duty misstep fellowship to work up your trip . Reliable cable car renting company with safari vehicles in Kigali includeCar Rental CongoandHire - A - Car Rwanda . need them to meet you at the airdrome , rather than driving to their lot .
AndreAnita/Shutterstock
You ’ll also demand insurance , a US equipment driver ’s license , and anInternational Driving Permit . fortuitously , you’re able to get the latter via ring armour for $ 20 . Do n’t worry if it seems like a lot ; rental fellowship are used to guiding foreigners through the process .
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Best time of year to visit Rwanda
ceremonious advice says to forefend the rainy seasons ( April , May , October , and November ) . But if you want to see wildlife , ignore that advice . According to the expert guide at Akagera National Park , most brute transmigrate to water mess and fly-by-night arena in the dry time of year , making them operose to spot while tug . But there ’s no shortage of leafy plants everywhere during the rainy season , so you ’re more likely to see animal along road and in open areas . hotel are also less expensive and less crowded during the rainy time of year , though some dirt roads can be impassable after heavy rain .
For the best residue of cost , weather condition , and wildlife spotting betting odds , split the difference and shoot for March or September . And no matter when you go , tamp down at least one rain jacket .
Kigali to Akagera National Park
situate around two and a half hours from Kigali , Akagera National Parkis a great place to live your first safari . It ’s the largest protect wetland area in Central Africa , and home base to all sorts of wildlife , let in rhino , lions , elephant , zebras , Giraffa camelopardalis , leopards , Hippo , and crocodiles . Enter the park through the south logic gate and see about getting check in at your chosen accommodation before catch into any safari activities .
Driving here will be a far cry from the bland roads you ’ve experienced since land in Kigali . Most of the roads in Akagera are dirt — perhaps bumpy , but easy enough unless there ’s been excessively hard rain . If you ’ve remark the car park has of late have punishing rain , you ’ll want to engage a gadget driver or skip out of your own vehicle and into a right safari vehicle drive by an expert . Fortunately , because the park has relatively few visitors , you’re able to make the conclusion just a day or two before your arrival .
It takes about three hours on dirt road to ram through the common from the south gate to the north gate , so if you ’d rather not force back yourself through the parkland , you’re able to appease atAkagera Game LodgeorRuzizi Tented Lodge , both airless to the southern entering and visitor ’s center . From these hotels , you’re able to see about set up a driver and guide . For those who do n’t beware driving and are attend for a more rugged experience , seek outKarenge Bush Campnear the north gate for off - grid glamping ( and savannah - view , open - air travel bathrooms ) . housing should bebooked onlinein progression of comer .
You’ll want to rent an SUV that can handle bumpy dirt roads.|Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock
If you ’ve rent a tonic - top fomite and are ready to DIY your own hunting expedition , you’re able to hire a natural scientist guide to hop in your vehicle , aid spot wildlife , and advise on the best route based on rainfall and recent animal sighting . templet are $ 40 US for the entire mean solar day , or $ 25 for a half mean solar day . You do n’t call for to make a reservation in advance for this approach shot , but it can be helpful to inquire your hotel to help put the template when you check in . In a mite , stand - by guides are usually available in the morning at the parking lot ’s southerly welcome kernel .
Plan to drop eight to 10 hour in the park — not include sopor metre — if you be after on drive an entire loop . And be sure to gas your fomite up on the fashion , since there are no gas stations inside Akagera .
Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
The drive from Akagera toVolcanoes National Parkis the longest drive you ’ll make , clock in at around five hours . But thanks to a 2022 highway project , it ’s an well-fixed ( if long-winded ) head trip . However , the drive does gain , lose , then re - gain more than 2,100 feet , so gestate some steep and slow sections . Fortunately , that create a chance to see the broad variety of landscape in the body politic , from low - lying rice fields and coffee plantations to pine forests and 200 - foot eucalypt tree . The last 20 mile or so are uphill on a two - lane road with few safety rail , so utilise caution and drive slowly . The road is paved and well - maintained , but keep an eye out for locals on bicycles bombing down the shoulders .
And just know this : The five hours are absolutely worth it for the once - in - a - lifetime chance to bump endangered mess gorillas . The Virunga Mountains are among the few plaza left to see these fauna in the wild . Thanks to dedicated teams of trackers who follow each of the park ’s 10 Gorilla gorilla families , sightings are guarantee — but be aware that you ’ll pay for the privilege . At Volcanoes , the price per mortal is a cool $ 1,500 , which entitles you to one hour spend observing the Gorilla gorilla . Only 80 passes are available daily , soreserve onlinewhen you book your flights . You wo n’t compensate any extra fees for the experience , aside from optional tips for guides and trackers .
In the morning , you ’ll run into your guide at the visitor shopping center and get attribute to a Gorilla gorilla family . Then , you ’ll pile into your elevator car and drive to your starting point based on where the family was last recognise . Most Gorilla gorilla trekking excursions commence in farmland before crossing into the park boundary , where views of loom 14,000 - foot - tall volcano give way to macro views of bamboo thickets and fawn vines stretching toward the sun - dappled forest canopy .
You’ll want to rent an SUV that can handle bumpy dirt roads.|Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock
project to stay at least two dark near the parking area , both to avoid the need to rush after your wage increase and to give your mud - covered shoe a chance to dry . We recommend resting your psyche atFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotelfor a mid - range pick , orBisateif you ’d prefer a honeymoon - worthy splurge .
If you find yourself with the good afternoon free during your stay , donate $ 20 to chatter theDian Fossey MuseumorGorilla Guardians Village . The latter is a bit cheesy , but proceeds go back to local Village and fund efforts to keep poachers out of the parks .
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Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu
When you ’re done hang out with Gorilla gorilla , drive two and a one-half hours to Lake Kivu , the biggest lake in Rwanda . The light , always - shimmer lake has more than 250 island , and thanks to the skirt mountain peaks , there ’s no deficit of nearby waterfalls and rivers to research , either . bet on how much beach meter you desire , you could expend a few day on its shoring .
Make the short trip to the urban center of Gisenyi , where you’re able to hop-skip on the politic and well - marked “ Kivu Belt ” road , completed in 2017 . From Gisenyi in the south , you ’ll find plenty of places to stop for smaller adventures , include a locally - ownedcoffee cooperativeand manypublic beachesalong the lake ’s easterly shore . deliver for the occasional tight turns , the Kivu Belt Road is an especially easy drive .
Near the northern part of the lake , you ’ll findGishwati Mukura National Park — but you ’re only allowed to impose if you expend at least one night at theForest of Hope Guesthouse . If you do book a stay , you ’ll be among the few let to take a sunup trek in search of the parking lot ’s famous aureate monkey .
Consider renting a pop-top Land Cruiser for a DIY safari.|Photo by Suzie Dundas
But if the park and the guesthouse do n’t appeal , there are other accommodation and bodily function in the area . stay put at budget friendlyParadise Malahidebungalows , or take in the views fromCleo Lake Kivu . From these hotel , you’re able to explore the part by motorbike on theCongo - Nile Trail(a dirt trail through diminished jungle villages and past hidden waterfalls ) , or bring an overnight kayaking misstep to one of Lake Kivu ’s many islands . Local outfitterKingfisher Journeysoffers a full computer menu of unmarried - day dangerous undertaking tours and multi - day jaunt , and can arrange everything from a individual - 24-hour interval gadget driver to support your bike drive to camping equipment for an nightlong stay on the beach .
Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Head out for another two and a half - minute drive to reach your final stop , Nyungwe Forest National Park . Nyungwe is n’t as well - recognise as Volcanoes , but that ’s a selling point for road excursionist who need to see a verdant , undeveloped landscape . The park is a orgy of life and coloration , from the dozens of orchid species growing on the woods floor to the brilliantly - primp birds fluttering from arm to leg .
You ’ll take the Kivu Belt most of the path to the park . The only foxy part of the driveway is the last 15 miles to the Uwinka Visitor Center , which climb about 3,000 human foot . However , while the road is steep , it ’s also paved and has minuscule bike and pedestrian dealings .
Once you ’re settle , you ’ll need to strap on your hiking boot and explore the trails . For a comparatively poor and easy wage increase , look forIgishigishigi Trail , a roughly three - mile loop precede to a suspension bridge strung up hundreds of pes above a foggy vale . As gorgeous as the aspect are , the span is hardly the only thing deserving take in here . later on on , the track ’s namesake ferns tower overhead like protective sentinel , casting shadows across the ground and trap the earthy olfactory property of the ever - damp rainforest storey .
If you have more than a day to spend in the arena , take an early - morning chimpanzee trek or hold a roughly seven - mile hike to the Nyungwe waterfall . you’re able to even do multi - day backpacking trips in the ballpark , camping at the visitor center or a higher - lift camping ground . ballpark stave can get your permits , gear , and guide class , as long as you format it inadvance via email .
All activities in Nyungwe postulate a usher . It ’s gentle to have your hotel dress these for you , but you’re able to also email the park to sic thing up yourself . Rates for guided tours cast from $ 40-$90 per someone for foreign citizens . As far as living accommodations goes , you may persist in a traditional Ruandan hut atKitabi Eco - Center , or book the stunningOne & Only Nyungwe Houseto end your trip on a eminent note .
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From Nyungwe , it takes about four hours to drive back to Kigali to degenerate off your rental auto and bid farewell to Rwanda . give yourself plenty of extra fourth dimension , as you ’ll want to be extra careful on the crowded roads when approaching the metropolis . Arrange to give your motorcar at the airport , or hold a hotel ( such asthe Retreat Kigali , where all rooms have outdoor showers ) and give yourself a relaxing fender day before flying home .
Visit Rwanda in March or September to strike a balance between cost, weather, and odds of spotting wildlife.|Unsplash/Faustin T
Get your safari on in Akagera National Park.|Photo by Suzie Dundas
The Virunga Mountains are among the few places where you can still spot mountain gorillas in the wild.|Photo by Suzie Dundas
Near northern Lake Kivu, you’ll find Gishwati Mukura National Park.|MagicBones/Shutterstock
Hike the Igishigishigi Trail, which leads to a suspension bridge strung up hundreds of feet above a misty valley.|Photo by Suzie Dundas
All activities in lush, beautiful Nyungwe require a guide.|Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock
