Do you want to spend time observing a band of gorillas? With your own tailor-made Rwanda tours, enjoy a most memorable experience! Best known for its wealth of primates, Rwanda is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and some wonderful hiking spots. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, through Parc National des Volcans is particularly enjoyable. Look into the caldera of a volcano and visit the grave of renowned gorilla researcher Dian Fossey.
Though guests to Rwanda will be conscious of the 1994 genocide, its memory is not overwhelming, and the welcoming Rwandan people have successfully embarked on a journey towards healing ethnic divisions.
Go canoeing on one of the many small lakes, visit remote island communities, or enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Kivu with breathtaking views of the mountains in Congo! Birdwatchers will appreciate the incredible bird species, with more than 650 recorded. For botanists, the gorgeous wildflowers of the forests and mountains are complemented by numerous orchid species in Nyungwe Forests. Discover this incredible country for yourself on one of our private Rwanda tours!
Places: Nairobi (1 day) → Laikipia (2) → Lake Elementaita (2) → Masai Mara (3) → Kigali (1) → Volcanoes National Park (2) → Kigali (1)
Tour Highlights: Contemporary African Culture, Vibrant Nightlife, Nairobi National Park, Diverse Landscapes, Endangered Ethnic Communities, Fishing Expeditions...
Ideal For: Adventure & Outdoors Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes Wildlife & Safaris
Places: Kigali (1 day) → Volcanoes National Park (2) → Arusha (1) → Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro (2) → Serengeti (Northern) (3) → Zanzibar (4) → Dar es Salaam (1)
Tour Highlights: Local Crafts, Genocide Museum, Hilly Country, Gorilla Trekking, Hiking, Walking Trails, Diverse Landscapes, Stunning Views...
Ideal For: Adventure & Outdoors Beaches Nature & Landscapes Relaxation & Spas Wildlife & Safaris
Due to its location on the equator, Rwanda has a pleasant, tropical highland climate with daily average temperatures of up to 25°C. Due to the high altitude differences in the country, temperatures vary considerably between regions. The best time for travel to Rwanda is in the long dry season, although the short dry season is also well suited.
During the rainy season heavy rainfall occurs almost daily, but after this short shower the rest of the day usually remains sunny. However, it can rain a lot when you are in Volcanoes National Park. This area accounts for almost 90% of the rainfall in Rwanda (which is one reason why farmers have left this area for the gorillas to inhabit).
1. On a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, you will come close to the most spectacular mountain gorillas. You can also visit the grave of the famous gorilla researcher Diane Fossey.
2. One of the best Rwandan safaris takes place in Akagera National Park. This leads you through a fascinating, dusty landscape whose only lifeline is the Akagera River. Witness zebras, giraffes, elephants, hippos and crocodiles, as well as lions and leopards.
3. The National Museum of Rwanda in Butare gives you a deep insight into the country’s turbulent history. The knowledgeable guides will also tell you – with some luck – secrets from the life of the royal family.
4. On a boat trip on the shimmering Lake Kivu you can observe a variety of rare waterfowl. In front of an overwhelming mountain backdrop, pelicans, crowned cranes and majestic mangroves gather in search of food. You can also visit one of the small volcanic islands.
5. The colorful plant world of Nyungwe Forest National Park includes over 100 orchid species. Thirteen different species of primates are also to be found here, including mantle moths and chimpanzees.
We can plan the ideal route for your Rwanda tour, so that you don’t miss a single highlight of this fascinating and beautiful country.
Rwanda’s human history is thought to have begun after the last ice age. Kingdoms were formed and settlements were organized. Rwanda was visited by German Count Von Goetzen in 1894 and European missionaries followed. Five years later, the country became a German protectorate.
The Belgians took control of Rwanda in 1915 after the First World War and divided the country into three groups: potters (Twa), farmers (Hutu) and cattle breeders (Tutsi). A national ethnic identity card was introduced two decades later that reflected which group an individual belonged to. This card played a key part in one of modern Africa’s saddest times.
In 1959 the Hutu majority, supported by Belgium, overthrew what had been a Tutsi monarchy. Many Rwandans were killed or fled the country during this uprising. Rwanda obtained its independence in 1962, but the existing tension of ethnic division led to a 100 days genocide in 1994. This started when a plane carrying Rwanda’s president was shot down. The Hutu and the national army struck back at the Tutsi people.
Rwanda’s genocide, that took the lives of 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu sympathizers, ended when a military group of exiled Tutsis, known as the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), slowly took over the country.
We highly recommend you watch the highly acclaimed movie, Hotel Rwanda, for an insight into this sad time in Rwanda’s history.
Today, the country is peaceful and many of the two million citizens who had fled to neighboring countries have returned to their land. Tourism in Rwanda has increased, especially due to the opportunities for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
The culture of Rwanda is seen best during its many festivals, ceremonies and storytelling. Intore (translated as the Chosen Ones), is Rwanda’s most famous traditional dance, comprising of females doing ballet, men doing a dance of heroes and a group of drummers. Drums are considered very important in the culture as royal drummers were given high status in the court of the mwami (chief).
Music these days has been influenced by American hip-hop and R&B but also has traditional Congolese and East African elements in it. The crafts scene is also popular, and during one of our Rwanda tours you can observe the beautiful skill of basket weaving, or imigongo, a unique artwork made from cow dung mixed with naturally colored soils!
Kinyarwanda is the official language and native tongue of most Rwandans but most people also speak a secondary language, such as French, English or Kiswahili. The majority of Rwandans are Christian (primarily Catholic) although many people also value their traditional beliefs and informal ceremonies are still held to worship the Imana (creator).
Traditionally, the food that was eaten would depend on which ethnic group a community belonged to. Today, Rwandan cuisine tends to focus around bananas, plantains, cassava and pulses, but there is a high consumption of dairy products also. During one of our Rwanda tours you will notice the presence of the ubiquitous potato, which was introduced by colonists. Today, potatoes have become a staple ingredient in some of the national dishes of Rwanda.
Traditionally women were not permitted to eat goat meat. It was thought that it would make a woman stubborn and that she would grow hairs on her chin! Meat is not usually eaten by the Rwandans more than a few times a month. Only men drink alcohol, and their poison of choice is usually a locally produced beer.
Snacking between mealtimes is a part of the culture of Rwanda – and it is usually tropical fruits, or streetside roasted corn or barbecued meat in the cities.
The Enchanting Travels team look forward to helping you plan your private and tailor-made Rwanda tours.
An encounter with the giant and tranquil gorillas of Rwanda is something magical. Since these magnificent animals are almost extinct, the experience is not only impressive and bound to create a memory of a lifetime, but also most unique.
Fear is a natural feeling when you face an overgrown gorilla – after all, the silver bridges gorillas are twice the size of an adult human being. But quickly you will realize that gorillas are peaceful and tolerant towards us humans. Unfortunately, this was not always reciprocal. The animals were almost exterminated and are sadly part of a global list of highly endangered animal species. Today they are only found in the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
We offer gorilla trekking in the last gorilla retreat, Bwindi jungle in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is home to over a hundred mountain gorillas that live together in families of up to 35 animals, and is a perfect place for your safari in Rwanda.
A gorilla trekking is not a walk but an adventure. For four to eight hours, you cross the 4500m high volcano range to find the primate families in their natural habitat. Visitors are allowed in on rare occasions and kept to small groups, to ensure the animals are not disturbed. With two to eight other people and accompanied by an experienced tracker and game-keeper, the trek starts! If you finally do become face to face with these wonderful gorillas, you will immediately forget the effort of the hike.
Gorilla trekking takes place throughout the year, although the rain-free months – from July to October and from December to February – are recommended.
