What Makes Rwanda the Best Gorilla Trekking Destination
Rwanda is a small nation which is situated in East Africa. Similar to its neighbor Uganda, Rwanda has no seaport. It’s occasionally alluded to as a place where there is a” thousand hills” because of a lot of hills that occupy the country. This little nation is blessed with a lot of breathtaking natural life which has made it out-contend numerous other countries. The most known is the uncommon mountain gorillas which have made Rwanda extremely prominent in relation to tourism destinations; countless jet into this little nation to have a look at these amazing primates.
Mountain gorillas are considered as endangered species just found in three nations which are Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tracking/trekking these gorillas is exceptionally wonderful in all these three nations that possess these creatures since gorillas are habituated to human standards and can be trekked safely in their natural habitats. In any case, as per confirmations given by trekkers who have the opportunity to track in both nations they give everything to Rwanda as the best gorilla safari destination on the planet. Numerous factors prove this among which incorporate;
Its immediacy favors many would prefer not to go for extended periods of time. From Kigali International Airport to volcanoes national park a protected park for these mountain gorillas is only a drive of around 2-3 hours to Kinigi park central station. This implies even a one-day Rwanda gorilla trek is possible. One who arranges a one-day gorilla safari needs to leave Kigali city ahead of schedule no less than 3 hours before keeping in mind the end goal to land at kinigi park central station in time (7:00 am) to get short briefings from the park officials about gorilla trekking furthermore to get you apportioned to the guide. After tracking you go back to Kigali/accommodation or meet your departure flight back home. So if you don’t prefer long drives choose gorilla tracking in Rwanda. So in the event that you don’t favor lengthy drives, pick gorilla tracking in Rwanda. To access Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda it needs you to drive for around 7-9 hours which is a lengthy drive for individuals who don’t favor long excursions.
With regards to viewing and photography, Rwanda takes it all, when contrasted with the impenetrable forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mountain gorillas of Rwanda ordinarily feed on the bamboo trees and short grass which makes viewing and photography clear, so this component has made Rwanda to be positioned as the best gorilla safaris destination to most particularly the individuals who don’t want to penetrate the thick forests of Bwindi and Virunga woods in DR Congo. Despite the fact that you ought to note that it’s not a guarantee for easy viewing since they are wild creatures, the one you think simple to see may turn to be difficult and vice versa so you should be well prepared for the activity, tracking time is unpredictable it can go from 1-8 hours in the jungle while searching for them since meeting them depends on where they spent their last night from.
However much Rwanda gorilla permits are the most costly when compared to gorilla permits of Uganda (US$700) and DRC (US$400), it’s the most sold and done tourism activity in Rwanda. A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$1500 for every individual for every trek, this has earned the government of Rwanda a considerable measure of income gathering subsequent to more than 80% of travelers to Rwanda come particularly to track gorillas.
Meeting these giant apes in their natural habitat deep in the forest is a lifetime moment that comes true. Rwanda houses half of the remaining mountain gorillas and all live in volcanoes national park all prepared to get guests and this implies 88 individuals visit gorillas on the regular schedule and in every gorilla family just eight individuals with gorilla permits are permitted to visit these chimps. The one hour you’re permitted to stay with these gorillas while observing and in addition taking photography is viewed as an amazing minute in life exceptionally hard to overlook. For any Rwanda gorilla safari tour book with us, we will take you where you have not yet gone to.
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Top 5 Best Birding Destinations in Rwanda
There’s something to be said for travelling in summer or winter to any destination around the world but for bird watching in Africa have a lot to say like the different bird species spotted in different places, cheap accommodation, comfortable food, less crowded destinations and several trip special moments. Some travelers enjoy getting away from it all while others choose to immerse themselves in the local culture and traditions of the area they visit. If you’re the latter, then you’ll be pleased to know the main birding watching destination of Rwanda which make you spot most of the bird species listed before the trip.
Being a fascinating destination for bird watching activities, Rwanda alone boasts 670 bird species in a country small as Belgium. On a safari in Rwanda, some of the highlights of your trip will include the fabulous shoebill, Great blur turaco, Purple-bleasted Sunbird, Red-faced Barbet, Little Bee Eater, Collared Apalis, and Fraser’s Eagle Owl. Rwanda’s national parks are the main birding destinations with 100s of birds ready to be spotted by park visitors.
Akagera National park
North east of Rwanda along the border of Tanzania is where you can find the Akagera national park a park named after Akagera River a breath taking place and the most desired feature of the park.The park reflects a wide variety including 44 species of raptors the grey hornbill, crested barbet, Falco naumanni, black headed gonalek, heuglin’s robin-chat, gorgeous lilac-breasted roller, Palearctic migrants and others which had been recorded. Besides bird watching is on the prominent activities of the park a famed point for many water birds in the East African region. Boat rides and Game drives are things which go hand in hand with birding and plenty of animal species including buffalo, elephants, hippos, zebra, crocodiles, bush baby and many other mammal species are viewed. Guests also take advantage of the gentle hills blending with beautiful lowland swamps and water bodies giving way to nice photo captions of the parks beauty.
Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest is not only the Chimpanzee play ground but also a birding paradise of Rwanda.Visitors to the beautiful forest get a chance to spot over 300 bird species including Albertine Rift endemics (notable targets include Red-collared Babbler, Kungwe Apalis, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and Albertine Owlet).Birding guests also view different primate species for free since they are also sighted during the bird watching session in the the forest. If time permits don’t forget to be part of the Forest Conopy walk an activity which make you appreciate nature and its surrounding. Nyungwe shouldn’t miss out on your visit & if circumstances don’t permit find time again in the near future and return back to view over 13 species of primate, 300 bird species, 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian and 38 reptile species among others.
Still to come include Volcanoes national park, Rugezi Swamp, Akanyaru, Nyabarongo and Cyamudongo.Lake kivu etc. Trust me you will see many bird species in different unique remarkable birding destinations in Rwanda .This is because Rwanda is located in the Albertine Rift and is also blessed with the green dense forests. Even in the Kigali city one can spot the African Reed Warbler and Great Sedge Warbler, the Winding Cisticola as well as the Common Waxbill, Grey-backed Fiscal, Tropical Boubou, Red-rumped and Mosque Swallows, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Great White Pelican, Common Moorhens, Grosbeak Weaver, Grey Heron, Yellow-backed (Black-headed) Weavers, and the Pied Kingfisher at Lake Nyarutarama near the golf corse. Therefore always start your Rwanda birding trip right from Kigali to the parks which is rewarding to birders.
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6 Best Places to Go Birding in Rwanda
Rwanda has one of the highest bird counts on the continent, rated in top five destinations in the world for those seeking a rewarding birding experience. Any serious Rwanda birding safaris should incorporate both the wetter and more mountainous western regions, the drier Savannah of the east, and then time in some of the many wetlands and marshes and species rich forests.
Rwanda has at least 692 residents, visitors and occasional visiting bird species. An additional 5 locally extinct and another 5 are to be confirmed. This brings the total to a maximum of 702 species and there are at least 27 birds known as Albertine Rift Endemics, a total higher than any country in Africa, other than the DRC.
Landlocked and lying just south of the Equator, Rwanda has a diverse topography that has been shaped by the dynamics of one of Africa’s primary geological features, the Great Rift Valley. Tumultuous subterranean forces have over the last 50 million years contorted, ruptured and seared the crust, giving rise to a hugely impressive array of volcanoes, lakes, mountain ranges and forests that define the landscapes of today. Collectively, they make up the narrower and shorter western branch of the rift valley, or, because Lake Albert is its first discernable feature, the Albertine Rift or Albertine Eco- region.
The Albertine Eco-region
Comprising a chain of mountains formed through upliftment and volcanic activity, the Albertine Eco- region stretches across six countries and id regarded as the centre of the Afromontane habitat. It also a belt of exceptional fauna and flora endemism: over 40 bird species, 34 mammals, 117 butterflies, 34 amphibians and 16 reptiles are to be found. It is no winder it’s the most celebrated destination of ecological importance.
Around Kigali
The Nyarutarama Lake, or Lover’s Lake bordering the Kigali Golf Course, is surrounded by a track which offers excellent nature walks and bird watching opportunities. The Nyabarongo Wetlands also offer walking paths and good bird watching. This protected area covers 142.62 sq. km with two Lakes- Lake Mirayi in the south and Lake Rumira in the north. The wetlands are fed by the Nyabarongo River, a tributary of the Nile, which empties into the Akagera River which, in turn, flows into Lake Victoria. The birds to spot include; Cardinal Woodpecker, African Grey Horn bill, African Rock Pigeon, Brown Throated Wattle-Eye, Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Crimson-wing, Collared Apalis, Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird.
Volcanoes National Park
To the north lies the volcanoes National Park, this protects the Rwandan portion of the Virunga Mountains, a Tran’s frontier Conservation area that includes protected areas in Uganda and DRC. Forming a complex of mostly dormant volcanoes, it includes Rwanda’s highest point, Mount Karisimbi (4507m), and two active ones, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira, while more famous for its mountain gorillas and other primates, volcanoes boasts almost 165 bird species, with 17 Endemic to the area. Some of the Birds include; Red-billed Fire Finch, Cinnamon-chested Bee-Eater, Dusky Fly-catcher, Chubb’s Cisticola.
Nyungwe National Park
The Nyungwe National Park is a Tropical mountain rain forest and one of Rwanda main protected areas, lies on south- western slopes of the highland region that forms the great divide between the Congo and Nile drainage systems. The park protects one of the region’s largest and oldest remaining patches of montane rain forest and is home to 310 species of birds.
The forest in Rwanda are increasingly being sought out for the incredible birding opportunities, particularly the numerous Albertine Raft endemics; 27 to be found in Nyungwe, the highest concentration found in any single park in Africa. Amongst them are the; Regal Sunbird, Red-collared Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Spurgoel, Rwenzori Batis, Grauer’s Swamp-Warbler, Blue-headed sunbird, possibly the rarest of all endemic birds would be the Albertine Owlet known only five records in the area.
The Akagera National Park
The Akagera National Park in the northeast still covers a sizeable chunk of Savannah. Mixes of rolling grassland interspersed with broad and acacia woodland, these lower- lying lands are dissected by the Akagera River. The sought after species here would be; Red-faced Barbet, Sousa’s shrike, and white- collared Olive back, amongst others. The park has a mosaic of wetland and lakes, along then course of the Akagera River and the eastern boundary. A midst the papyrus and reed beds some of the prized species to be found are; Caruthers’s Cisticola, Papyrus canary and more.
Wetlands and Marshes
Rwanda’s wetland and marshes, covering just over 10% of the country, include Rugezi, the fourth of the main protected areas, as well as two other locations, Akanyaru wetlands and Nyabarongo wetland, that have been declared important birding areas (IBA’s) by Birdlife International. If there’s still on the schedule, the keenest of birders can still head to a number forest reserves scattered around the country.
Read MoreSelf Drive Holiday in Rwanda and Uganda
If you are travelling to Rwanda and Uganda whether on an escorted safari or self drive, business, or leisure, one of the things you should consider is getting around cities and villages to explore these countries. If you are looking for the best deal on your Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi Safari, we offer you the cheapest deals from 4×4 Car hire Rwanda cars from our own fleet. Self driving is one of the best ways to see a country as it allows for complete flexibility and you can go where you like, stop where you like and ultimately explore at your own pace.
You can pick up yourself 4×4 car from Kigali and drop off at Entebbe, Nairobi or Arusha for example. With driver rentals are also offered at very competitive rates. All our vehicles have fully working AC, in good condition, well serviced, Unlimited mileage and Comprehensive insurance in case of Fire, accident and theft. However, this insurance does not cover the occupants and their belongings so you must come with your own personal life insurance. Cross border COMESA fees expense is met by clients at a cheap cost $ 35 USD at the border. For our self-drive and with driver rentals, we provide camping gear for rental to assist you manage yourself drive holiday budget better.
In Rwanda and Uganda, book your car rental services through 4×4 Car hire Rwanda or Uganda for a magical hour with the gentle gorilla giants of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda. Uganda has some of the most awe-inspiring game viewing opportunities in the world like in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls, Kidepo Valley among others. Birders would have a mega-feast here. Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills, offers unique travel experiences with its gorillas, clean beaches, game drives in Akagera, and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, rich cultural history and genocide memorials.
We provide gorilla permits purchase service for self-drive Rwanda and self-drive Uganda tour clients, in Kenya and Tanzania. The wild beast migration through the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti respectively. We offer guided safaris or if you prefer to proceed at your own holiday safari pace, take a self-drive 4×4 vehicle from us and enjoy a memorable self-drive holiday tour. In Tanzania the Serengeti is a massive open Africa wild teeming with wildlife.
Uganda’s biggest tourist draw is of course the mountain gorillas, but these aren’t the country’s only great apes. Humankind’s closest relative, the chimpanzee, is found in a number of areas of Uganda. Some of these groups have been habituated to human contact in the same way as the gorillas, and although their more energetic lifestyle and unpredictable nature makes them slightly less approachable, there’s no doubt that hanging out with chimps is one of life’s great experiences.
Kibale National Park is a national park in southern Uganda protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometers (296 sq. mi) in size and is located between 1,100–1,600 meters (3,600–5,200 ft) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest.The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged Forest Reserve.
At Kibale Forest National Park, visitors can join daily chimp-tracking walks. These normally last around three hours with a maximum of one hour spent with the chimps. Or, for those who want a more in-depth, personal immersion (group size is strictly limited); you can arrive at the park’s visitor centre in the pre – dawn gloom to set out on the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. This guarantees a full day with the chimps; tracking them as they crash through the undergrowth or swing through the tree tops, dozing as they doze and, if you’re very lucky, feeling your heart race in excitement as the apparently playful chimps turn determined killers on the hunt for monkeys.
Kibale might be the most popular place in Uganda in which to view chimps but it’s far from the only option. For alternative chimp experiences check out this other parks and reserves:
Budongo Forest Reserve: The Budongo Forest Reserve is up in the northwest of Uganda and is often overlooked by tourists, yet its dark and dense forests are considered one of the better places to play with chimps. Two- to four-hour chimp-tracking trips (you only get one hour in their company) run daily and, as at Kibale, between October and June.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: The gold-tinted Savannah grasslands and tangled forests of Queen Elizabeth National Park are best known for their tree-climbing lions and the hundreds of hippos that wallow in the waters of the Kazinga Channel. Not so well known is the park’s population of chimps, who frolic about the 100m-deep Kyambura Gorge. Although the chimps are habituated to humans, there’s no guarantee they’ll show up for the party. However, when they do, the low number of visitors means you’ll probably have them much to yourself.
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve: this reserve is near the Congolese border, the diverse Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve offers quieter, and less certain, chimp encounters than nearby Kibale. However, the lighter forest cover means that sightings tend to be clearer and the chimps here also frequently venture out into open Savannah, where they are more likely to walk upright. If you’re lucky enough to witness this then you’ll really feel as if you’re watching animal evolving into man.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary: so it’s hardly a genuine wilderness encounter, but if time is limited and you’re confined to the Kampala region then this Lake Victoria island a short way south of the capital, is home to around 40 orphaned or rescued chimps.
Read MoreGorilla Conservation in Rwanda
The most surprising thing resulting from Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the return of Rwanda mountain gorillas and Rwanda gorilla tourism that turn dreams of several Africa holidays into fantastic memories of generations. Thanks to her remarkable work to the lives and health of the beautiful primates that live in volcanoes national park. The year 1967 was a time of great change in Rwanda when the gorilla hero (Dainy Fossey) relocated permanently to volcanoes national park to save the gorillas.
According to the gorilla census results that was conducted a few years later, volcanoes national park had only 240 mountain gorillas left due to high poaching and hunting activities that used to claim the apes lives each day that pass by. It has been a while since Dian Fossey was called but her conservation effort work never ceased that Rwanda brought the celebration in the open through the newborn gorilla naming ceremony that the country started around 11 years ago. The success has carried on to present but gorilla researchers say that by the time Rwanda celebrated the first naming ceremony, over 161 gorillas had been born.
According to the head of Rwanda Development Board, the Rwanda gorilla park management body said that Rwanda mountain gorilla numbers have increased since the country started celebrating the birth of new born gorillas through the Kwita Izina every year. Today more than ten gorilla families are available for gorilla tracking tourists each day and booking Rwanda gorilla permits is as easy as talking a simple walk to the forest though missing out the trek due to limited gorilla permit availability is also as easy as attending the party and you miss the cake.
Tourists on Rwanda gorilla safaris book their permits quite early in order not to miss out the trek due to steep gorilla permit demand as per the saying that early birds eat like kings. However, the low numbers of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in the past years due to poachers and illegal trade activities is still felt today though the most surprising story is the rapid increase in the mountain gorilla numbers in volcanoes national park every year. In particular the unique wildlife experience that gorilla visitors carry home every day is indeed a great thing worth celebrating.
Worldwide, mountain gorillas are known as decade treasures that live only in Africa and nowhere else in this world except in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. No matter how many wildlife adventures you have encountered in life, the fact remains that gorilla tracking tours are more rewarding and second to none. The conservation and monitoring process of these primates is fundamental and one of the dreariest indicators of natural environmental conservation on primate health, community and environment. Make no mistake to visit all other exciting Africa adventure and leave out gorilla trekking because you will miss a lifetime experience that was once close to you on your Africa holiday vacation. All advanced interesting gorilla treks are done in Rwanda and only in volcanoes national park.
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Rwanda: A Honey Moon Destination
It’s very important to plan your Honey moon on an African continent particularly Rwanda the land of a ‘’Thousand Hills’’. Rwanda is a magnificent beautiful country that offers a perfect honey moon destination in Africa. The country has favorable year round weather which means it can be visited at any month of the year depending on the traveler’s interest, its adventurous filled with scenic wonders, indeed it’s the right country to visit as you begin your marriage safari journey, it’s a perfect location to relax and enjoy Africa at its best.
Rwanda is a country of Choice for those that are looking for a truly unique off the beaten path experience in the heart of Africa, one of Africa’s most scenic. Spending the honey moon deep in the volcanoes national park forest with the most interesting to see endangered mountain gorilla is a memorable moment in life very difficult to forget, these apes are magnificent to watch in their natural habitat, the one hour you are allowed to stay with these animals is a life time experience one should not love to miss especially when you begin your marriage. Nothing is more adventurous than hiking and tracking chimpanzee and other primates in African Amazon the larges African montane forest (Nyungwe forest national park). Sharing the love of gorillas with that of chimps is regarded as a magical experience one should not love to miss on such a life time experience.
Rwanda offers you what is beyond your imagination, it’s one of the smallest countries in the world with no seaport, Lake Kivu offers you Africa inland cost with one of the best lodges beyond your imagination and adventure that gives you long lasting memories, you will enjoy beach activities like swimming, touring to nearby islands among more.
Kigali which is the largest and the capital city of Rwanda is one of the visited incredible Rwanda cleanest safest towns of Africa. Rwanda is known as one of the stable countries and your time here will be without worry of potential safety security problems, so you will be safe during your stay here. Everything in Rwanda superb ranging from the rare mountain gorillas, primates, wildlife, birds to luxury lodging all will meet your needs and beyond.
Depending on your plan, you can also extend your honey moon safari to Uganda where you can continue with wildlife viewing, chimpanzee and gorilla tacking, hiking and also white water rafting on the River Nile. Your safari can begin in Kigali and end in Entebbe -Uganda the pearl of Africa without long drive times and enjoy a True Africa beyond your imagination. Book with us we can design your honey moon safari the way you desire it to be, contact us for more information.
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