Wildlife safaris in Rwanda

A charming country with breathtaking scenery offers the best option for African wildlife safaris. Rwanda, known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” has transformed itself from a country scarred by one of the worst genocides in recent history to a model of hope, peace, and good governance in Africa.

Wildlife safaris in Rwanda – Despite the small size, Rwanda has set aside land for conservation with about four renowned National Parks that offer refuge to the different forms of wildlife. Rwanda wildlife safaris are popular on most travelers’ bucket lists, especially for those yearning to see the most endangered mountain gorillas in East Africa.

The possibility of seeing Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park draws the majority of safari visitors to do wildlife safaris in the country. Volcanoes National Park became famous as a result of research efforts that culminated in the film “Gorillas in the Mist.” The park itself is a lush green expanse teeming with birds, butterflies, primates, and other mammals.

Rwanda Safari Tour

Gorilla trekking is also possible in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the quality of service and the park’s proximity to the capital Kigali entice visitors to choose Rwanda.

Rwanda is a perfect safari destination for wildlife safaris in Africa especially if you wish to combine the wildlife safari with one of Africa’s most profound safari activities, the mountain gorilla trekking. On your Wildlife safaris in Rwanda with Acacia safaris limited, you will see the famous African Big Five animals (lion, Elephant, Leopard, African Buffalo, and Rhino). You will encounter several other small wild animals and several herbivores in different safari parks in Rwanda. The wildlife safari in Rwanda is further spiced with the beautiful sceneries of landscape and cultural experience, a great time to learn something special about Africa.

Top places to spot wildlife in Rwanda during safaris

Volcanoes National Park

The safari park is the primary destination for wildlife safaris in Rwanda and a shouldn’t miss while planning a safari to Rwanda. The park was established in 1925 as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Mikeno, with the intention of protecting the gorillas from poachers.

In the early 1960s, Volcanoes National Park became a base for American naturalist Dian Fossey, where she conducted gorilla research. Dian Fossey arrived in Rwanda in 1967 and established the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. She spent the majority of her time in the park after that, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community. The safari park is a beautiful place to be for adventure since it is home to the most endangered mountain gorillas. The vegetation in the park varies significantly due to the park’s large altitudinal range, with the lower montane lost to agriculture. The park includes the Neoboutonia forest, bamboo forest, Hagenia Hypericium forest, and grasslands.

Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Wildlife safaris her offer more than just gorilla trekking but also opportunities to spot some other top wildlife species like bush pigs, forest hogs, buffaloes, black-fronted duiker, bushbucks, spotted hyenas, endangered golden monkeys and many more.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda, is 2500 square kilometers of mostly Savannah land. The park takes its name from the Kagera River, which flows along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes in and around the park are fed by the river. The Safari Park is a major destination for wildlife safaris in Rwanda.

The park protects an acacia and bush landscape with patches of open grassland and a dozen swampy lakes typical of the African Savannah. It has a high level of biodiversity and is part of a large protected wetland. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only Savannah national park and the only place to see the majority of the large mammals while on wildlife safaris in Rwanda.

Elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, hyenas, and lions can all be found in Akagera National Park. It is home to a variety of antelopes, including bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, waterbuck, roan antelope and duiker, klipspringer, impala, and the world’s largest antelope, the Cape eland.