Rwanda Attractions

Rwanda’s Best Attractions

Rwanda is a small country with an extraordinary variety of landscapes and wildlife. Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, it combines mist-covered mountains, ancient rainforest, open savannah, volcanic peaks and the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu.

For many travellers, the chance to trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is the main reason to visit Rwanda. But there is much more to discover. Track chimpanzees through the rainforest of Nyungwe, go on safari in Akagera National Park, explore Kigali, walk through the hills around Lake Kivu or discover Rwanda’s volcanic landscapes.

A Rwanda holiday with Earth Trip can bring these experiences together in one carefully planned journey. Explore our Rwanda Holidays collection to start planning your tailor-made trip.

Best Places to Visit in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most famous attraction and the country’s principal destination for mountain gorilla trekking. Located in the north-west of Rwanda, the park protects part of the spectacular Virunga volcanic range, where steep volcanic peaks rise above dense bamboo and montane forest.

Gorilla trekking is the park’s defining experience, offering the chance to spend time observing a habituated mountain gorilla family in its natural habitat. Experienced guides and trackers lead each trek, while carefully controlled visitor numbers help protect the gorillas and their environment.

The park also offers golden monkey tracking and opportunities for hiking in the Virunga mountains, including excursions towards Mount Bisoke.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

For many visitors, meeting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas is the unforgettable highlight of their holiday. The trek takes place in the forested slopes of Volcanoes National Park, with the duration and difficulty depending on where the gorilla family is located on the day.

The terrain can be steep, muddy and physically demanding, but the reward is an extraordinary encounter with one of the world’s most endangered great apes.

Gorilla trekking permits are limited, so advance planning is essential, particularly if you have specific travel dates in mind.

Akagera National Park

In eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park offers a completely different experience from the mountains of the north. Open savannah, woodland, wetlands and lakes create a classic African safari landscape.

The park is home to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and rhinoceros, together with giraffes, zebras, antelope, hippos, crocodiles and an impressive range of birdlife.

A safari in Akagera works particularly well alongside gorilla trekking. The contrast between searching for wildlife across open savannah and walking through the mountain forest in search of gorillas gives you two very different sides of Rwanda.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park protects an extensive area of ancient montane rainforest in south-western Rwanda. The forest is home to chimpanzees and numerous other primates, making it one of the country’s most rewarding destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.

Chimpanzee tracking takes visitors deep into the forest with experienced guides in search of habituated chimpanzee groups. The area also offers excellent birdwatching and forest walks.

The Nyungwe Canopy Walk is another major attraction, taking visitors high above the forest floor for spectacular views across the treetops and surrounding hills.

Kigali

Rwanda’s capital is much more than a gateway to the country’s national parks. Spread across a series of green hills, Kigali is clean, lively and increasingly sophisticated, with restaurants, cafés, galleries, markets and cultural attractions.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important place to visit for anyone wanting to understand Rwanda’s recent history and the country’s remarkable transformation since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Kigali’s contemporary culture provides an interesting contrast to the country’s wildlife and wilderness destinations and deserves at least some time within a Rwanda itinerary.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is one of Rwanda’s most beautiful destinations and an ideal place to slow down after gorilla trekking or safari.

The lake stretches along Rwanda’s western border, surrounded by green hills and attractive lakeside communities. Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu each offer different ways to experience the region.

Depending on your interests, you can enjoy kayaking, boat trips, walking, cycling or simply relax beside the water and take in the scenery.

Lake Kivu is particularly effective as part of a longer itinerary linking Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Gishwati-Mukura offers an opportunity to discover one of Rwanda’s lesser-known protected forest areas. Its montane rainforest provides habitat for primates, birds and other wildlife.

For repeat visitors or travellers interested in walking, birdwatching and quieter landscapes, the park can make an interesting addition to a tailor-made Rwanda itinerary.

Rwanda’s Best Wildlife Experiences

Rwanda’s greatest strength is the variety of wildlife experiences available within a relatively compact country. A well-planned itinerary can combine mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, classic safari wildlife and forest species without having to choose just one.

• Gorilla trekking: track mountain gorillas in the forests of Volcanoes National Park.
• Golden monkey tracking: search for these distinctive primates in the Virunga mountains.
• Chimpanzee tracking: explore Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest with experienced guides.
• Classic safari: search for elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros in Akagera.
• Birdwatching: discover Rwanda’s diverse birdlife across rainforest, wetlands, lakes and savannah.

Rwanda’s Best Outdoor Experiences

Rwanda is also an excellent destination for travellers who enjoy walking and outdoor adventure. The country’s volcanic mountains, forest trails, lakes and rolling hills provide plenty of opportunities to experience the landscape beyond traditional sightseeing.

Hike in the Virunga mountains, walk through the forests of Nyungwe, explore the countryside around Lake Kivu or add cycling and other outdoor activities to your itinerary.

The beauty of a tailor-made journey is that these experiences can be combined with wildlife encounters rather than treated as separate trips.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Rwanda’s Attractions?

Rwanda can be visited throughout the year, although the generally drier periods are particularly popular for gorilla trekking, hiking and wildlife viewing.

The wetter months bring heavier rainfall but also produce exceptionally lush landscapes. For photographers and travellers who enjoy green scenery, these periods can be particularly rewarding.

There is therefore no single best time for every traveller. Your ideal dates depend on whether gorilla trekking, safari, chimpanzee tracking, hiking or relaxation is the main priority.

How to Combine Rwanda’s Best Attractions

One of Rwanda’s biggest advantages is how easily several very different experiences can be combined into one private journey.

A classic itinerary could begin in Kigali before travelling north to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. From there, you could continue to Lake Kivu for time beside the water before travelling south to Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking.

Adding Akagera creates an even broader wildlife experience, combining mountain gorillas with a traditional savannah safari.

The ideal route depends on your interests, fitness, available time and preferred pace. We can help create an itinerary that gives each destination enough time rather than rushing between attractions.

Plan Your Rwanda Holiday With Earth Trip

Rwanda rewards careful planning. Gorilla permits, accommodation, transfers, trekking requirements and the distances between different regions all need to work together to create a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

At Earth Trip, we design private, tailor-made Rwanda holidays around your interests rather than asking you to fit into a fixed itinerary. Whether your priority is gorilla trekking, safari, photography, walking, culture or simply discovering Rwanda’s landscapes, we can build your journey around you.

Explore our Rwanda Holidays, read about our approach to responsible travel, or contact our specialist team to start planning your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda’s Attractions

What are the best attractions in Rwanda?

Rwanda’s highlights include mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, safari in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, Kigali, Lake Kivu and the volcanic landscapes of the Virunga mountains.

Where can I see mountain gorillas in Rwanda?

Mountain gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda. Visitors trek through the mountain forest with experienced guides and trackers to find habituated gorilla families.

Is Rwanda good for a safari?

Yes. Akagera National Park offers a classic African safari experience, with opportunities to see elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and rhinoceros alongside many other species. Combining Akagera with gorilla trekking creates a particularly varied Rwanda holiday.

What can I see in Nyungwe National Park?

Nyungwe is best known for its rainforest, chimpanzees and other primates. It is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, forest walks and the Nyungwe Canopy Walk.

Is Kigali worth visiting?

Yes. Kigali offers an introduction to modern Rwanda, with cultural attractions, restaurants, markets and the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Allowing time in the capital adds important context to the rest of your journey.

Can I combine gorilla trekking with a safari in Rwanda?

Yes. Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park offer very different wildlife experiences and work extremely well together. You can also add Nyungwe National Park or Lake Kivu for a more comprehensive Rwanda itinerary.

How many days do I need to see Rwanda’s main attractions?

Around 7 to 10 days is enough for a focused itinerary combining Kigali, gorilla trekking and one additional destination. Around 10 to 14 days allows more time to combine Volcanoes National Park with Akagera, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu without making the journey feel rushed.