Rwanda National Parks protect a diversity of habitats including the most ancient ancient rainforests, montane forests, expansive grasslands and woodlands habitats along with extensive wetlands. These untouched and unspolt natural habitats host a rich diversity of endangered flora and fauna including, mountain gorillas, chimpanzee, golden monkey, the Big 5 wildlife and a 750 bird species.
A Guide to Rwanda National Parks
Rwanda offers a holistic African holiday experience from lifetime trekking experiences up close the mountain gorilla and chimpanzee, to adventure, to cultural immersion experiences and to exclusive Big-5 wildlife safaris. In these between these premier attractions, Rwanda offers the best montane birding anywhere on the continent due to its geographic location at the heart of the Albertine Rift, ranking this small country, a top birding destination. Let us explore these national parks and their offerings to adventurers and safari goers.
Volcanoes National Park
Running along the Uganda and the DRC borderline, the UNESCO world heritage site of Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda’s section of the Virunga chain of mountain ranges. Comprising 5 bamboo and rainforest covered volcanoes, the park is the most scenic national parks in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is a premier destination for gorilla trekking experience, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where you trek along and up close a mountain gorilla family in its montane habitat. Other highlights include golden monkey trekking, birding and excellent hiking opportunities.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest is the most ancient rainforest on the continent protecting up to 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee, the most intelligent of the big apes. This vast rainforest sits at the heart of biodiversity-rich Albertine Rift known for high endemism of both flora and fauna. Of this biodiversity is over 330 bird species including the 29 Albertine Endemics known from this vast rainforest. Top highlights of activities at Nyungwe Forest include Chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, canopy walk, colobus monkey trekking, excellent guided nature walks, multi-day hiking among others.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda’s smallest national park also the youngest, Gishwati-Mukura NP spreads of montane highlands on the edges of the Albertine Rift covering sections of regenerating forest and mature forests stands. The park’s location near Lake Kivu and between Nyungwe and Volcanoes NP makes it an attractive base to cut the journey short but also explore this highland countryside. Major highlight here include; chimpanzee trekking expereince, nature walks and birding among others.
Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s largest savanna wilderness, Akagera National Park is a true African wilderness boasting a plethora of habitats from wetlands, lakes, rolling wooded hillsides and extensive grassland plains. Akagera National Park is a conservation success having recovered from tragic poaching in late 90’s to today’s top wilderness park offering an African Big-5 safari expereince. The park’s mega game include; lions, elephants, Black and White rhinos, giraffes, Nile crocodile, hippos and over 550 species. Activity highlights at Akagera NP include game viewing drives for African Big-5 wildlife, birding, xcellent boat safaris that bring you up-close to aquatic wildlife, wilderness camping, and excellent walking safaris.
