Rwanda Holidays

Rwanda Bespoke Holidays

Rwanda is one of Africa’s most rewarding destinations for a tailor-made holiday. Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, it combines mountain gorillas, ancient rainforest, open savannah, volcanic landscapes and the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu in one remarkably varied country.

For many travellers, the opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is the defining experience. But Rwanda has much more to offer. You can track chimpanzees through Nyungwe’s rainforest, go on safari in Akagera National Park, explore Kigali, hike in the Virunga mountains or relax beside Lake Kivu.

At Earth Trip, we design private Rwanda holidays around you. We can build your journey around gorilla trekking, wildlife, walking, photography, culture or simply the desire to discover Rwanda at a comfortable pace, choosing the route, accommodation and experiences to suit you.

Explore our best attractions in Rwanda for inspiration, or speak to our Rwanda specialists about creating your own itinerary.

Why Choose a Bespoke Rwanda Holiday?

Rwanda works particularly well as a tailor-made destination because its experiences are so varied. A single journey can take you from the mountain forests of Volcanoes National Park to the savannah of Akagera, the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and the shores of Lake Kivu.

Rather than following a fixed group itinerary, a private holiday gives you the freedom to decide how you want to travel and how much time to spend in each place.

• Private and tailor-made: your itinerary is designed around your interests, preferred pace and travel dates.
• Gorilla trekking: arrange a carefully planned visit to a habituated mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
• Wildlife variety: combine gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking with a traditional safari in Akagera.
• Expert planning: we consider distances, activities, accommodation and seasonal conditions when building your journey.
• Responsible travel: we aim to ensure that your holiday benefits the places, wildlife and communities you visit.

Rwanda’s Most Popular Holiday Experiences

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the world’s great wildlife experiences and the main reason many travellers choose Rwanda.

From Volcanoes National Park, experienced guides and trackers lead you into the mountain forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can be physically demanding, but the reward is the opportunity to observe these extraordinary animals in their natural environment.

We can build gorilla trekking into a wider Rwanda itinerary, combining it with safari, rainforest, culture or time beside Lake Kivu.

Safari in Akagera National Park

Akagera offers a completely different side of Rwanda. Its open plains, woodland, wetlands and lakes provide the setting for a classic African safari.

Wildlife includes elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and rhinoceros, alongside giraffes, zebras, antelope, hippos and an impressive range of birdlife.

For travellers who want more than a gorilla experience, combining Volcanoes National Park with Akagera creates an exceptionally varied wildlife holiday.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe

Nyungwe National Park protects one of Africa’s most impressive areas of montane rainforest. It is home to chimpanzees and numerous other primates, as well as an exceptional range of birdlife.

Chimpanzee tracking takes you deep into the forest with experienced guides, while the Nyungwe Canopy Walk provides a spectacular perspective from above the forest floor.

Nyungwe is an excellent addition for travellers who want to experience a different side of Rwanda after gorilla trekking.

Discover Kigali

Kigali is much more than Rwanda’s arrival point. The capital is spread across a series of green hills and offers a fascinating introduction to modern Rwanda.

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial provides important context about the country’s history, while the city’s galleries, markets, restaurants and cafés offer opportunities to experience contemporary Rwandan life.

We recommend allowing time in Kigali rather than treating it simply as the beginning or end of your trip.

Relax beside Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu provides a peaceful contrast to Rwanda’s more active wildlife experiences. Surrounded by green hills, the lake is an ideal place to slow down after gorilla trekking or safari.

Depending on your interests, your stay can include kayaking, boat trips, walking, cycling or simply time beside the water.

Lake Kivu works particularly well as part of a journey between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe.

Rwanda Holiday Ideas

There is no single way to experience Rwanda. We can create a short wildlife-focused trip or a longer journey that combines several regions and experiences.

Gorillas & Kigali

A shorter Rwanda holiday can focus on Kigali and Volcanoes National Park, with time to explore the capital before travelling north for gorilla trekking.

Gorillas & Safari

Combine the mountain forests of Volcanoes National Park with the open savannah of Akagera National Park for a trip that brings together two very different wildlife experiences.

Rwanda Wildlife Discovery

For a more comprehensive journey, combine Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu, adding chimpanzee tracking and rainforest experiences to your gorilla trek.

Rwanda & Tanzania

Rwanda can also be combined with Tanzania for a wider East African adventure. One of our existing itinerary ideas combines gorilla trekking in Rwanda with safari experiences in Tarangire, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

View our Rwanda & Tanzania Wildlife Discovery itinerary for inspiration. Like all Earth Trip itineraries, it can be adapted around your preferences.

When Is the Best Time for a Rwanda Holiday?

Rwanda is a year-round destination. The generally drier periods are particularly popular for gorilla trekking, hiking and wildlife viewing, while the wetter months bring exceptionally lush landscapes.

The best time for your holiday ultimately depends on what you want to experience. Gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year, while safari, chimpanzee tracking and other activities can be considered alongside your preferred travel dates.

Our specialists can advise on the seasonal conditions and help you choose dates that work for the overall journey rather than just one experience.

How Long Should a Rwanda Holiday Be?

A shorter trip of around a week can work well if your priorities are Kigali and gorilla trekking.

For a more comprehensive experience, around 9 to 12 days allows you to combine gorilla trekking with Akagera, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu without rushing between destinations.

Longer journeys can also be combined with neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Uganda or Kenya, depending on your interests and preferred route.

Why Travel With Earth Trip?

We believe the best holidays are built around the traveller rather than around a standard package. Our Rwanda specialists take the time to understand what you want from your trip before designing the itinerary.

• Genuinely bespoke: your route, accommodation and experiences are selected around your requirements.
• Specialist knowledge: we understand the practicalities of combining Rwanda’s different regions and wildlife experiences.
• Private travel: enjoy the flexibility of travelling at your own pace rather than following a fixed group schedule.
• Responsible approach: we consider the environmental and community impact of the experiences we recommend.
• Personal service: you have a specialist team to help plan your holiday from the first conversation through to your return home.

Read more about our approach to responsible travel or explore our Rwanda attractions for more inspiration.

Plan Your Rwanda Bespoke Holiday

Whether your priority is mountain gorillas, safari, rainforest, hiking, culture or simply seeing the best of Rwanda at your own pace, we can create an itinerary around you.

Tell us what you have in mind, and our specialists will develop a personal Rwanda holiday based on your interests, available time and preferred style of travel.

Ready to start planning? Contact our specialist team today. We listen, we design and we create a journey built around you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda Holidays

How long should I spend in Rwanda?

Around 7 to 10 days works well for a first Rwanda holiday combining Kigali, gorilla trekking and another major destination. Around 9 to 12 days gives you more flexibility to include Akagera, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.

Can I combine gorilla trekking with a safari in Rwanda?

Yes. Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park offer completely different wildlife experiences and make an excellent combination. You can also add Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking or Lake Kivu for relaxation.

Is Rwanda suitable for a luxury holiday?

Yes. Rwanda has a growing selection of high-quality lodges and hotels, including properties in and around Volcanoes National Park, Akagera, Nyungwe, Kigali and Lake Kivu. We can select accommodation to match your preferred level of comfort and style.

Is gorilla trekking physically demanding?

It can be. Treks take place in mountainous forest and may involve steep, muddy or uneven terrain. The length of the trek depends on where the gorilla family is located, so a reasonable level of fitness is helpful.

Can I combine Rwanda with Tanzania?

Yes. Rwanda combines particularly well with Tanzania for travellers who want to experience gorilla trekking alongside a traditional East African safari. We can design the route around your preferred parks, activities and travel dates.

What is the best time to visit Rwanda?

Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. The generally drier periods are popular for gorilla trekking, hiking and wildlife viewing, while the wetter months produce lush landscapes and can offer a quieter travel experience.

Can my Rwanda holiday be completely tailor-made?

Yes. Earth Trip specialises in private, tailor-made holidays. We can adjust the route, accommodation, duration and experiences to suit your interests, whether you want a focused gorilla holiday or a wider Rwanda and East Africa journey.