A wildlife experience with a difference

Unspoilt and enchanting, this 'land of a thousand hills' is a unique part of Africa. Lesser-visited than its East Coast neighbours, this only adds to its appeal. Most holidays to Rwanda are arranged in the hope of catching a glimpse of the incredible mountain gorilla during a walking safari; the dramatic landscape of Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in the world for gorilla sightings. For the ultimate experience of Rwanda's wildlife, combine chimpanzee and gorilla treks.

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Our favourite trips & safaris

Take a look at some of our immersive itineraries and one-of-a-kind experiences, each holiday we offer is designed just for you. 
Kigali

Ultimate Rwanda

Marvel at the Big Five, hang out with chimps and trek alongside mountain gorillas on this 11-day adventure through some of Rwanda’s most spectacular landscapes.

Kigali

Majestic Rwanda

See the heart of Rwanda on this wildlife-focused trip through the country’s cloud-capped rainforests, pine-fringed beaches and soaring peaks.

Kigali

Rwanda's Gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara

From the gorilla-clad peaks of Rwanda to the gold-dappled grasslands of Kenya, this eight-day adventure combines two of Africa’s most iconic sites

Enjoy unique nature experiences with gorillas and chimpanzees during an independent tour of this unspoilt and enchanting 'land of a thousand hills'

If you want to catch a glimpse of the incredible mountain gorillas in Rwanda, you’ll need to head to Volcanoes National Park, one of the best places in the world for gorilla sightings and home to ten families. Our independent itineraries are packed with immersive nature experiences; through the exploration of this unspoilt and enchanting 'land of a thousand hills', you can go gorilla trekking in hopes of seeing a huge silverback, hike into the mountainous rainforest in search of chimpanzees and relax on the shores of Lake Kivu, where there are rocky beaches, peaceful islands and trickling waterfalls. Our tailor-made itineraries are a fantastic introduction to some of Rwanda’s most diverse wildlife, and if you’re short on time and are looking for the ultimate Rwandan experiences, this is it.

Our recommended Rwanda tours

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Boats, balloons, birds and the Big Five at Akagera National Park

Akagera is a great story of revival. It was an ecosystem about to disappear until African Parks took over the park management in 2010 in partnership with the government of Rwanda and local communities, and it is now one of thriving biodiversity, including the Big Five. It has beautiful and unique scenery, including central Africa’s largest protected wetlands, which can be explored by boat. The birdlife is excellent, and even the shoebill is returning.

Game drives are best in the early morning or late afternoon into the evening; however, in the plains areas wildlife is fairly visible throughout the day. There are good numbers of zebra, buffalo, topi and impala. Two large herds of elephant roam in the north and south of the park, and are often encountered by guests. Lions tend to be more active outside of the heat of the day, so the ideal chance for viewing them is early morning or evening. There are night game drives, which is the best time to catch sight of one or more of the numerous leopards.

For something different, there are regular boat trips on Lake Ihema. Being on the water is fun and relaxing and offers great viewing opportunities for Akagera’s waterbirds, as well as hippo and crocodile, of which the park has many. There are hot-air balloon flights, which last up to 60 minutes and operate in the south of the park; as with the boat rides, they give a different way of seeing the park, with high-level views over Akagera’s beautiful landscape.\

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A flavour of Rwanda on a hands-on gourmet adventure

This half-day tour introduces you to Rwandan food, a cultural staple. Your host has run restaurants and has developed relationships with all kinds of nearby farmers: people growing macadamia nuts, chia seeds, cassava and sweet potatoes. The tour starts with a visit to one of Kigali’s colourful farmers markets to shop for some of the ingredients for the cooking class later. The tour is customised to your interests so you may visit a farm outside Kigali or meet the locals with a visit to a milk bar.

You'll take part in a short cooking class that focuses on Rwandan-inspired recipes. You'll pop on an apron and learn how to prepare various local fruits and vegetables, cook a few dishes and have a tasting, followed by a nice lunch. You can also incorporate cocktail making using lemongrass, passionfruit and tropical fruits to create innovative non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.

Food is a big part of the overall experience and this tour allows you to interact with farmers, explore community markets and discover new recipes that they can take home with them afterwards.

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Beaches, boats and gentle adventures on Lake Kivu

There’s nothing nicer if you’ve been on the go for a few days, trekking up volcanoes and through forests, than being able to flop on a sandy beach and just relax. You wouldn’t think that was possible in a landlocked country, but thankfully Rwanda has Lake Kivu – one of Africa’s biggest lakes – which has a string of lovely beaches along its eastern edge. It’s perfect for swimming, too, because there aren’t any hippos or crocodiles, and the water’s really clear and clean. It’s very popular with the Rwandans, but international travellers haven’t really discovered it yet and it still feels calm and unspoiled and a bit of a clever find.

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Learn the secrets of Rwandan tea

Learn the secrets of tea processing, from leaf to cup, on a guided tour of the on-site plantation. Nyungwe House has its own tea estate, Gisakura, which is owned and run by the local community. During the one-hour tour, you will learn how the popular black tea is made. You’ll get to pick the leaves and have a tasting session as you enjoy views over the lime-green tea fields, stretching to the rainforest and mountains beyond.

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Take a walk through nature at Wilderness Sabyinyo

The nature walk at Wilderness Sabyinyo is a meditative experience that will help you reconnect with Mother Earth. One of the in-house ornithologists will guide you on the hour-long walk, pointing out some of the 50 different species of birds that live here. The trail winds through the 31-acre grounds and along the way, you’ll learn about the native flora, explore the farm and have the chance to spot wildlife.

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