Rwanda National Parks: Rwanda like Uganda is a compact and landlocked country but it is undoubtedly one of the premier travel destinations in East Africa. Best described as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is a complete African safari destination with only 4 national parks. The 4 of the Rwanda National Parks include Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. These are the leading destinations where Rwanda safaris are conducted each day.

Each of the 4 Rwanda National Parks feature diverse ecosystems and they are managed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Visiting any of the Rwanda National Parks rewards holidaymakers with incredibly unusual experience. Rwanda is generally a home to both the most sought for primates on the planet earth-specifically, it is a remarkable place to see mountain gorillas in the wild and the big five game.

List of 4 Rwanda National Parks

• Akagera National Park
• Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Volcanoes National Park
• Gishwati-Mukura National Park

 

Akagera National Park (ANP)

Akagera National Park (ANP), located in the North-eastern Rwanda is incredibly the largest of all the 4 Rwanda National Parks. The park sits on land area of 1122sq.kms and remarkably, it is the only savanna protected area attracting holidaymakers on Rwanda big game safaris. From Kigali capital city, Akagera National Park is accessible only within 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive.

Akagera National Park takes its name from Kagera River and it is credited for its distinct landscape-characterized by acacia woodland, savanna grassland. This is by far the best place to visit for game viewing while you are on Rwanda safari holiday. The faunal species that make up Akagera’s savanna ecosystem include baboons, zebras, the Maasai giraffes, African bush elephants, gazelles, buffaloes, elands, roan antelopes, lions, leopards, rhinos, bush bucks, duikers, impalas, Oribis, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles. Akagera also protects some primates including blue monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons and vervet monkeys.

Akagera National Park safaris offer more than big game viewing. The park also shelters about 500 bird species and these range within its diverse habitats. The birds that range in various habitats of Akagera N/Park include the fan tailed widow bird, cattle egret, sacred and Hadada Ibis, fish eagles, shoe bill stork, Caruther’s Cisticola, black headed and viellot black weavers, long crested eagles, African darter, Senegal lapwing, papyrus gonoleks, squacco herons, African wattled plovers to mention but a few.

Akagera National Park Rwanda has interesting experiences or activities for you to engage in. The park is perfect for guided game drives, birding, boat cruise, nature walks, helicopter tour experiences, cultural experiences.

Volcanoes National Park (VNP)

Volcanoes National Park is a splendid primate destination positioned in the North-western Rwanda. This is one of the compact parks in Africa, occupying about 160sq.kms and it is part of the Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park is an exceptional destination worth visiting for mountain gorilla trekking. It is travelers’ bucket-list destination when it comes to gorilla safaris.

Volcanoes National Park protects a portion of 1063 mountain gorillas which still live on earth and currently, it has 13 habituated gorilla groups ready for gorilla trekking including Hirwa, Amahoro, Agashya, Ugenda, Susa A, Kwitonda, Titus, Susa B, Bwenge. In addition to mountain gorillas, Volcanoes N/Park is also a popular home to forest elephants, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, bush bucks, bush pigs, golden monkeys and others. Over 200 bird species including a significant Albertine Rift endemic species also range within Volcanoes National Park’s habitats making it an incredible birding destination worth exploring on Rwanda safaris.

A birding tour in Volcanoes N/Park takes you interesting sightings of birds such as the red faced woodland warblers, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Grauer’s rush warblers, dusky crimson wings, Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori batis, turacos and others. Other activities include volcano/mountain climbing (the Virunga volcanoes that exist in this park include Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and Gahinga Volcanoes), golden monkey tracking, cave exploration, Dian Fossey tomb trek.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park (NFNP) is geographically positioned in the South-western side of Rwanda, 6 hours’ drive from Kigali. This is the second largest of the 4 Rwanda National Park, covering about 1000sq.kms of land area and largely comprises of a rain-forest. Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s and one of the best places in East Africa worth visiting for chimpanzee tracking.

Nyungwe Forest National Park Rwanda protects 75 mammal species including 13 primate species. These include 500 chimpanzees, 400 colobus monkeys, owl faced monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons, Dent’s Mona monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys and others. Besides primates, Nyungwe is a special birding destination, priding itself as a home to 310 bird species including 120 forest bird species.

The park’s diverse birds to look out for on Rwanda safaris include Rwenzori Batis, stripe breasted tit, Ruwenzori turacos, chestnut owlet, bush shrike, Archer’s robin chat, white headed wood hoopoe, collared apalis, white tailed flycatcher and others. Nyungwe Forest National Park safari offers a great chance for you to embark on chimpanzee tracking, forest walks/hiking, canopy walk, birding. The numerous trails to hit on forest walk/hiking in Nyungwe include the Congo-Nile divide trail-227kms, Karamba, Umugote, Umoyove, The Igishigishigi trail, Rukuzi, Ngabwe, Muzimu and Kamiranzovu trails.

Places to stay on Nyungwe holiday include Gisakura Guesthouse, Nyungwe Top View Lodge, Emeraude Kivu Resort, One & Only Nyungwe House, EAR Guesthouse.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GNP)

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the newest of all the 4 Rwanda National Parks. This was created in 2015, incorporating Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves in Rwanda. The park protects a significant population of primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and others. Gishwati-Mukura N/Park also protects a significant population of birds especially the grey crowned cranes, purple breasted sunbird, Rwenzori batis, regal sun birds, mountain yellow warblers, martial eagle.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GNP) is another perfect place you should consider a must-visit for unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experiences, birding, nature walks, cultural tours, primate walks and others. Generally, Gishwati-Mukura is the smallest of all the 4 Rwanda National Parks making it an easier destination to explore. The park occupies only 34sq.kms of land area, comprising largely of a rain forest and Gishwati Lodge is the available place for overnight stay.

Other than national parks, Rwanda also protects a significant number of tourist attractions. These include Lake Kivu, Rwanda genocide sites, museums and others