Rwanda’s National Parks: The 15 Best Trips Compared

One-day Akagera National Park Game Drive with a Choice 4x4 - The early drive from Kigali

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $205Our pick

Review of a private one-day Akagera safari from Kigali, with a 4x4, lunch, hotel transfers, optional boat ride, and expert local guides.

“John Paul was an excellent guide and the boat ride was well worth the extra money as we saw a lot of wildlife we might not have seen otherwise. Crocodiles and hippos, eagles and snake birds, and a couple of elephants at the edge of the water who had come to drink.”

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Akagera National Park Safaris, Balloons, National Parks, Tour Reviews

Hot Air Balloon Flight at Akagera National Park

2.Hot Air Balloon Flight at Akagera National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $400

Float above Akagera National Park at sunrise, spot wildlife, then enjoy a bush breakfast, champagne, pickup, and a flight certificate.

“It's the first time I've applied in the air balloon. The experience was very nice. And the feeling was incredible. I recommend this place at 100%, I've been treated by like a king.”

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1-Day Tours, Akagera National Park Safaris, National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

From Kigali: 1-Day Akagera National Park Safari

3.1-Day Akagera National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 56 reviews · from $400

Review of a 1-day Akagera safari from Kigali, with big-five sightings, expert guides, park views, lunch, value, and practical advice.

“I had an amazing time. My guide Frank was great. He was very knowledgable about the wild life in the park. We saw so many different animals, including rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, antipopes, and many more. The park is fantastic and I am very glad that I didn’t miss out on this opportunity.”

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1-Day Tours, Akagera National Park Safaris, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

1 Day Safari to Akagera national park-Big5 Safari

4.1 Day Safari to Akagera national park-Big5 Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $332

Spend a full day from Kigali in Akagera National Park, with a Big Five game drive, Lake Ihema cruise, lunch, and a small group.

“Justin, the Safari guide, was a dream! Super friendly and knowledgeable about the park and the animals. 100% recommended!”

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1-Day Tours, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Nyungwe Forest & Canopy Walk Trips, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

1 Day Canopy Walk Adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park

5.1 Day Canopy Walk Adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $440

Ride from Kigali to Nyungwe for a canopy walk above Rwanda’s rainforest, with cultural stops, lunch, transfers, and wildlife spotting.

“Darius was absolutely amazing!!! He is so kind and educational. He made our trip light weight and easy. He was so much fun and made our Kigali trip very interesting. Thank you so much Darius!!”

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3-Day Experiences, Gorilla Trekking Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews

3 Day Gorilla Trek at Bwindi National Park via Kigali

6.3 Day Gorilla Trek at Bwindi National Park via Kigali

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $1,940

Review of Bamboo Ecotours’ 3-day Bwindi gorilla trek from Kigali, with permits, meals, border transfer, trekking effort, and value explained.

“We booked a 4-day tour with Bamboo Ecotours with the following itinerary: Kigali-Lake Kivu-Gorilla Trek @ Bwindi-Kisoro Coffee Tour. It was a big group of 7 of us, and we are really satisfied with the company and its staffs and definitely recomRead more”

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1-Day Tours, Gorilla Trekking Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Volcanoes National Park Trips

1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour In The Volcanoes National Park

7.1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour In The Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $360

Review of a private one-day Rwanda gorilla trek from Kigali, with early pickup, park transfer, guide support, lunch, and practical permit advice.

“I had the privilege of going on a Gorilla Trek today with John as my guide, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish!”

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1-Day Tours, Akagera National Park Safaris, Cruises & Boat Tours, National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

Day Trip Safari – Akagera National Park with Optional Lake Ihema Boat Safari

8.Day Trip Safari – Akagera National Park with Optional Lake Ihema Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $99Best value

Trade Kigali for Akagera’s lakes and savannah on a private safari with Big Five searches, hotel transfers, and an optional Lake Ihema cruise.

“This was an awesome experience with a great tour guide. We were able to see the majority of the animals on our list. The lions were hiding out the day we went to the park. My 12 and 4 year old had a great time watching the animals in their natural habitat. I would highly recommend this tour for families. Might be a bit overwhelming for children under 4. Bring snacks and cold water!”

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Gorilla Trekking Tours, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Volcanoes National Park Trips

Kigali: Rwanda Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

9.Rwanda Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 1 day · from $260

Review of Rwanda gorilla tracking from Kigali, with early pickup, Volcanoes National Park, one hour with gorillas, culture, costs, and practical tips.

“Our Gorilla Trekking day was an incredible experience. Our guide/driver Joël picked us up in Kigali at 4:30am. He was so friendly, informative, accommodating, and we highly recommend him for a most pleasant day. Our trekking guide, Felicien was excellent and extremely knowledgeable as well. Our gorilla family, Kwisanga, were beautiful, from the silverback to the babies! Such magnificent mountain gorillas! The trackers found them quickly and after a short 30 minute hike, we were able to stay with them for over an hour. Afterwards we had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and the views on the drive back to Kigali were amazing. I hope to go back…”

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Akagera National Park Safaris, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

Full Day Akagera National Park Game Drive and Boat Safari

10.Full Day Akagera National Park Game Drive and Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $430

Review the full-day Akagera safari from Kigali, with a private game drive, Lake Ihema boat ride, guide, transport, costs, and practical tips.

“Long drive on dirt roads and heavy traffic Water was not available as promised Xx man f hi j e f c,!(/!(.,!,,!,,!”

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1-Day Tours, Akagera National Park Safaris, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Safari, Tour Reviews

1-Day Akagera National Park Safari Experience

11.1-Day Akagera National Park Safari Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $594

Review of a private 1-day Akagera safari from Kigali, with Big Five wildlife, a 4x4 guide, lunch, park fees, and practical booking advice.

“A fabulous day - a very knowledgeable guide. We managed to get really close up to lots of animals... highly recommend this trip!”

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Akagera National Park Safaris, Full-Day, Kigali Tours, Lunch Experiences, National Parks, Private, Safari, Tour Reviews

Full-Day Private Safari of Akagera National Park with Lunch

12.Full-Day Private Safari of Akagera National Park with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $604

Spend a full day from Kigali exploring Akagera, with Big Five wildlife, lakeside views, breakfast, lunch, and a private guide.

“Wonderful day trip to Akagera. Able to see lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, gazelles, and a wide array of birds. Jean Claude was knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. Would recommend!”

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Gorilla Trekking Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Kigali Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Volcanoes National Park Trips

Kigali: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

13.Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · from $299

Trek Rwanda’s mountain gorillas from Kigali with park rangers, a 4WD driver-guide, permits, lunch, and a demanding 2 to 8-hour hike.

“I had the tremendous experience with Unique Africa Venture and John, my driver guide. Even though it was peak season and permit was sold out at the official website, they somehow engaged with the authority and find a spot for me. And tour itself was very special. I was able to see many gorillas very clearly even though it was in the mountain. I’d recommend anyone considering and suffering to find a spot for gorilla tracking to go with this company”

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5-Day Experiences, Kigali Tours, Lake Kivu Excursions, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Volcanoes National Park Trips

5 Days Volcanoes National park and Lake Kivu

14.5 Days Volcanoes National park and Lake Kivu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $6,500

Review of Rwanda’s 5-day gorilla, Golden Monkey, Kigali, and Lake Kivu tour, with practical advice on cost, pace, lodging, and value.

“My friends and I had a wonderful trip indeed! It was fun and we had a good experience with Shalom safaris! Good car, smooth drive, and hiking bisoke was not easy but seeing the final step at crater lake you feel the victory!!! Thanks shalom Read more”

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