Rwanda

The dry season in Rwanda runs from June to mid-September and is the best time for wildlife enthusiasts to visit. There is another, shorter, dry season which runs from December to February. Due to its higher elevation, Rwanda enjoys a cooler temperature than some other equatorial countries.

The dry season in Rwanda runs from June to mid-September and is the best time for wildlife enthusiasts to visit. There is another, shorter, dry season which runs from December to February. Due to its higher elevation, Rwanda enjoys a cooler temperature than some other equatorial countries.

Rwanda has the greatest diversity of large mammals found in its four national parks which are designated conservation areas. Nyungwe Forest boasts thirteen primate species including chimpanzees and Ruwenzori colobus arboreal monkeys; the Ruwenzori colobus moves in groups of up to 400 individuals, the largest troop size of any primate in Africa. Akagera contains typical savanna animals such as giraffes and elephants, while Volcanoes are home to an estimated one-third of the worldwide mountain gorilla population.

A variety of primates can be found in Rwanda which includes Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, l’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori colobus and red-tailed monkeys. Except for the Leopard all four of the Big 5 can be also found in Akagera National Park in which elephants and buffalo can be spotted easily but the lion and rhino sightings are a bit more hit-and-miss. Cheetah is not available in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking can be done around the year and sightings are pretty much guaranteed. Chimpanzee trekking is a little bit tricky and the best time to visit is in the Wet season from October to February. The best time for wildlife viewing is in the Dry season from December to February. It's better to avoid the Wet season from March to May.

Rwanda is a perfect birding destination with its 711 bird species, with variation between the east and the west. Nyungwe Forest in the west has recorded around 280 species of which 26 are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Some of the Endemic species include the Rwenzori turaco and handsome spurfowl. The eastern side features savanna birds such as the black-headed gonolek and those associated with swamps and lakes, including storks and cranes. The globally endangered species are 9 and species introduced are 3 out of a total of 711 species. Balaeniceps rex (shoebill) and Agapornis Fischer (Fischer's lovebird) are among them. 

Birding can be done throughout the year in Rwanda, especially when most of the species are residents. Most of the bird species can be found in Nyungwe National park and the best time to visit there is from January to June. Logistics can be challenging in the wet season. Forest trails and hiking are easier in the dry season from June to September.

Rwandan food is quite simple, with beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and sorghum being the most common foods. Dairy products are also widely consumed, particularly a traditional drink of curdled milk. Those who can afford to do so also eat meat, primarily beef, goat, and chicken. Sorghum and banana beers are common as well.

Rwanda's three ethnic groups have been identified with distinct aspects of the economy: the Tutsi with cattle, the Hutu with the land, and the Twa with the forests. Each group had distinct roles in public rituals, and each group had a distinctive mode of dress. The monarchy served as an important unifying symbol, representing the interest of all three ethnic groups. Hutu and Tutsi were also linked together throughout much of the territory in a system of cattle vassalage, in which Tutsi patrons provided cattle to Hutu clients.

Rwanda, in our opinion, is a safe place to visit. This is especially true if your vacation is largely for an organized safari. Although some governments have recommended against visiting some isolated border areas, all popular tourist spots are generally safe. Please visit the travel advisory links below for more information. Every year, a large number of tourists visit Rwanda, and the vast majority of them have a pleasant experience.

Please see the links below for travel advice on Rwanda Safari Trips:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• EU member states

Kigali International Airport (KGL), on the outskirts of Kigali, would most likely be your point of entry point into the country. There are currently no direct flights from any North American city to Kigali. All require at least one stop, with most major cities, including New York, Toronto, Sao Paolo and Montreal only requiring one stop. Direct flights are available from Amsterdam and Brussels. There are also direct flights on Turkish Airlines, from Istanbul, and from Dubai on Rwanda Air. There are no direct flights from Doha and Qatar. Flights from major cities in Asia, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, also require one stop. Flights from Sydney, Australia presently require two stops.

Rwanda is quite tiny, and most people travel inside the country by car. Rwanda's speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour on all roads. Akagera Aviation, on the other hand, provides charter helicopter transfers to and from any place in the country.

RwandAir operates the only domestic route between Kigali and Kamembe Airport (KME) in Rusizi, at the southern end of Lake Kivu. Travellers rarely use this flight.

• How to Apply E-Visa
• Visa Eligibility
• Apply E-Visa Here 
• Rwanda Tourism Board
• COVID-19 Guidelines