5 Rwanda National Park Tours Worth the Drive

1.One-day Akagera National Park Game Drive with a Choice 4×4

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $205Our pick

Spend 13 to 15 hours traveling from Kigali to Akagera National Park in a private 4x4 with a driver-guide such as Ben, Jean Paul, or Anaclet. Expect about six hours of game driving, a picnic lunch, optional Lake Ihema boat ride, hotel transfers, and chances to see rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and more.

“Jean Paul was an excellent guide! He did his best to find as many animals as possible. We saw baboons, giraffe, zebra, hippo, lion, gazelle, topi, rhinos, and more! This tour isn’t for those with motion sickness as the drive there, in the park, and after are full of windy bumpy roads.”

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2.3 Day Gorilla Trek at Bwindi National Park via Kigali

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $1,940

Start in Kigali and cross into Uganda for a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bamboo Ecotours handles permits, transport, lodging, meals, and guiding for groups of up to five. Guides such as Herbert, Fred, Jackson, John, and Godfrey have led past departures, though your guide is assigned later. Golden monkey trekking is an optional add-on.

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3.1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour In The Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $360

You leave Kigali at 4:30 am with a private driver-guide and reach Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trek lasting about two to five hours. The permit is not included, but transport, lunch, and Kigali pickup and drop-off are provided. John is named as one possible guide.

“I had the privilege of going on a Gorilla Trek today with John as my guide, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish!”

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4.Rwanda Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 1 day · from $260

Leave Kigali at 4:30am for Volcanoes National Park, where a guide and trackers lead you through mountain forest to a gorilla family. You get one hour with the animals, plus coffee, lunch, volcano views, and a cultural visit with dance and traditional customs. Drivers including Mico, Joel, and Joël are praised for their care and local knowledge.

“Our Gorilla Trekking day was an incredible experience. Our guide/driver Joël picked us up in Kigali at 4:30am. He was so friendly, informative, accommodating, and we highly recommend him for a most pleasant day. Our trekking guide, Felicien was excellent and extremely knowledgeable as well. Our gorilla family, Kwisanga, were beautiful, from the silverback to the babies! Such magnificent mountain gorillas! The trackers found them quickly and after a short 30 minute hike, we were able to stay with them for over an hour. Afterwards we had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and the views on the drive back to Kigali were amazing. I hope to go back…”

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5.2 Days Nyungwe National Park Tours -Chimp-Canopy-Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · from $450

Spend two days exploring Nyungwe with guide Arnaud or Enriche, known as Nicha. Ride by 4x4 through Rwanda’s tea country, cross a 200-meter canopy walkway 50 meters above the forest, hike to Ndambarare Waterfall, and sleep at Nyungwe Resort. Chimpanzees and other primates may appear along the drive, but a dedicated chimp trek is not listed.

“I really enjoyed this tour! It’s a great experience in the rainforest and the canopy is unforgettable. I also really enjoyed the museums and was glad I took the two day trip to enjoy the peace of the park and still have time learn more about Rwanda on the way to and from the park! The communication was excellent, guide Arnaud was professional, insightful and very kind. I would highly recommend this tour and thank you to the team!”

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