A guide to the top visited National Parks in Rwanda and why they are visitors’ bucket list destinations. Only 4 (four) game safari parks are found in Rwanda. They include 3 where huge concentrations of primates live and one savanna-dominated park which offers the best of Big 5 game viewing expeditions and these  are a must visit on Rwanda tours.

The 4 Rwanda National Parks include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Out of the four parks, 3 of them are the top visited National Parks including Nyungwe, Akagera, and Volcanoes National Park.

Detailed Guide to Top Visited National Parks in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga region, Northwestern Rwanda. The Volcanoes National Park Rwanda together with Congo’s Virunga National Park were gazetted in 1925 making them the oldest mountain gorilla parks in Africa.

Volcanoes National Park occupies only 160 sq.km and it was primarily established to offer shelter to the endangered mountain gorillas. Beyond mountain gorillas, this compact protected area is home to 5 of the 8 Virunga volcanoes –Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura and Gahinga.

Additional wildlife include bushbucks, spotted hyenas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, and over 200 species of birds. There are many reasons why Volcanoes National Park is among the top-visited National Parks in Rwanda and Africa. These include its thrilling mountain gorilla trekking adventures, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, Dian Fossey tomb hiking, and bird watching.

Nyungwe Forest National Park -NFNP

Nyungwe National Park lies in the far Southwestern part of Rwanda and is the most sought-after destination for visitors on primate safaris. Established in 2004, Nyungwe Forest National Park expands up to 970 sq.km and is home to 13 primate species including a total of 500 chimpanzees.

Additional primates in Nyungwe include the grey-cheeked mangabey monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, eastern needle-clawed galagos, blue monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, vervet monkeys, and more.

Over 310 species of birds also share the same habitat with diverse primate species. The birds that survive in Nyungwe include the grauer’s swamp warblers, Kungwe Apalis, purple-breasted sunbird, dusky crimsonwing, Rockefeller’s sunbird, red-collared babblers, Albertine owlet, and many others.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is also a rich destination with over 120 colorful butterfly species, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptiles. Nyungwe features among the top-visited National Parks in Rwanda not only for its rewarding chimpanzee treks but also for guided canopy walks, bird watching or birding, hiking through the different trails, especially the Congo Nile Divide trail.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest park and only savanna-protected area. Akagera is found in eastern Rwanda and was officially established in 1934. It covers 1122 sq.km with habitats consisting of woodlands, savannas, montane forests, and extensive swamps.

Akagera National Park is most visited for the Big 5 game; African elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, and rhinos. These are explored during a guided game drive in the enriching game tracks in Akagera National Park. Akagera also offers the best boat cruise experiences, enjoyable on Lake Ihema which allows visitors to see hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds.

Akagera also offers refuge to other wildlife including zebras, hyenas, duikers, topis, bushbucks, cape eland, water-bucks, klipspringer, oribis, impalas, and more. Over 500 species of birds also exist in the diverse habitats in this park making it an Important Birding Area. The birds to identify here include spur-winged goose, African pygmy goose, blue-headed coucal, cabanas’s bunting, Carruthers’s cisticola, African fish eagle, shoe bill stork, sooty chat, and more.

Additional destinations to explore on Rwanda safaris

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Located in Western Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a newly established protected area. It was officially formed in 2015 after combining Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves. Today, Gishwati-Mukura is home to diverse primates including l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus monkeys.

Within Gishwati-Mukura National Park shelters birds such as the Rwenzori turacos, purple-breasted sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warblers, regal sunbird, mountain yellow warblers, grey-crowned cranes, Rwenzori batis, red-throated alethe, martial eagle, and wood hoopoe.

Kigali

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and is where most Rwanda safaris begin and end. In Kigali, there are multiple sites to explore including the genocide memorial centers (Kigali genocide memorial), Hotel des Mille Collines, Inema Arts Centre, Kimironko market, and more.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is among the best places worth exploring, especially for recreational experiences. It is free of crocodiles and hippos making it an ideal location for swimming. The exciting things to enjoy on Lake Kivu tours include kayaking, windsurfing, swimming, boat riding, canoeing, and fishing excursions.

Best time to visit Rwanda

Rwanda is open to visitors all year round but is best explored during the peak dry months; June to September, and December to February. Visiting Rwanda during these months allows visitors to experience the best of mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, boat cruises, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, and others.

What to carry for Rwanda safaris

The essential items to consider packing on the Rwanda safari tour include waterproof hiking boots, a yellow fever certificate, a valid passport, a visa, a chimpanzee permit in case you plan to go for chimpanzee tracking, a sweater, insect repellents, gardening gloves, and first aid kit.

Is Rwanda safe for a safari?

Rwanda is a safe and secure African destination for tourists to spend a holiday or go on business trips. But it is essential to be cautious while in urban centers like Kigali where petty crimes like robbery are usually recorded. Avoid traveling in dark corners alone, and ensure that you are at your destination as early as possible.

Are lions in Rwanda?

Yes, there are lions in Rwanda. They can be spotted in the wild on a game safari in Akagera National Park. They can be spotted in a pride comprising of females and males.

Which National Park in Rwanda has got 7 Lakes?

Akagera National Park is one national park with numerous lakes and a complete Big 5 game list. The stunning Lakes to explore in Akagera National Park include Lake Mihindi, Lake Ihema, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Hago, Lake Gishanju, and Lake Kivimba.

In conclusion, Rwanda has only 4 national parks to explore. But the top visited ones include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes. The newest park also the 4th Rwanda National Park is Gishwati-Mukura National Park. In each of these parks, there are multiple experiences or activities to enjoy on Rwanda safaris.