Combining Gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris in Rwanda: Rwanda, located in East Africa is a stunning country known for its breathtaking terrains, lush national parks, and fascinating wildlife. Most tourists visit Rwanda to see the fascinating endangered gorillas for themselves. However, the country’s pristine lakes, national museums, nature walks, canopy walks are also the main features of the tourism industry. Certainly, Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” offers a rich tapestry of experiences beyond gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Trekking; gorilla trekking is the popular activities visitors on Rwanda safaris commonly carry out while at the Volcanoes national park. The highlight of any trip to Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity in Volcanoes National Park where visitors gets an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest in hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located since naturally they move from one place to another in hunt for food. During trekking, you will be able to spot other primates species, birds and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to show people back home. The country is also a destination of other amazing activities such as mountain hiking, bird walking, game drives, nature walks, and cultural tours among others. Combining gorilla trekking and wildlife experiences in Rwanda will provide you with a complete tour safaris in the country.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey trekking would be the good option to combine with gorilla trekking, is a popular activity done by visitors in Volcanoes National Park. The Sykes monkey is endemic to the high altitude forests of the Virungas. There are two habituated groups or communities tracked daily and as with gorillas, the trekking starts early. However, there are no restrictions on the number of visitors and permits can be obtained last minute at the park headquarters.
Chimpanzee trekking.
In addition to Gorillas, chimps trekking is mostly combined with gorilla trekking safaris. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the famous activities carries out by many travelers who visits Nyungwe National Park since it is covered by Nyungwe rain forest which is a home to 13 primate species including the rare and endangered Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking provides an unforgettable experience and is without a doubt, one of the top things to do in Rwanda. This activity offers a chance to get up close and personal with these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Normally guided by experienced park rangers, you will hike through the forest in search of chimpanzee communities and see their daily activities. This is an unforgettable experience and a must do for anyone looking to get closer to these interesting animals.
Tourist visit the park throughout the year round to catch a glimpse of these uncommon primates, observing their playful nature and all their other behaviors and characteristics. Chimp trekking in Nyungwe national park begins in the morning at Uwinka reception center or Gisakura or Kitabi. Besides chimpanzee trekking, you can also encounter the Colobus monkey tracking and other rare primates tracking in the park, explore the trails, birding, engage in canopy walks and forest walks where you will be rewarded with amazing wonders.
Exploring Nyungwe Forest National Park would be the best wildlife safari option to combine with gorillas, The park is a home of different unique wildlife species for example the big five exciting animals including the Elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhinos, leopards and other mammal species like, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, impalas, bushbucks others lions, hyenas, and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Topes, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, duikers and impalas. There are a number of primates species found within this park such as the olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, and the nocturnal bush babies. The shallow waters of Lake Ihema are home to a large number of crocodiles and hippos which can best be viewed during boat rides.
This park is also one of the places that is not to be missed by any birder along with the great Nyungwe Forest National Park. It hosts 520 species of birds which exists in this national park. The birders who visit Akagera National Park are always amazed by the large number and great diversity of the bird species that range from water birds to forest birds, and also savannah species as well as migratory bird species. There are also a number of species that are endemic to the park and are so rare like the papyrus gonolex which exists in the papyrus swamps. There are also the local red faced barbets, and the swamp fly catcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork all live in Akagera National park. Other species includes pied crow, long crested Eagle, Viellot’s black weaver’s fish eagles, Grey-backed Fiscals, Cattle Egret, Black-headed, Hamerkop, Sacred & Hadada Ibis, and the Augur Buzzard among other.
Game Drives ; Game drives is one of the most famous activities in Akagera National Park where tourists will be get opportunity to explore the park in a comfortable way in a safari with experienced game guide. Game drives in Akagera national park is done in the northern part of the park and either the morning or evening game drives During the game drive along you will follow network of game viewing tracks, there are plenty full of animals to see including roan antelopes, elephants, buffalo, zebra, bush-baby, hippos, crocodiles and many other mammal species. We also can’t rule out the rare game species such as leopard, lion and black rhino. As one of the most scenic savanna in East Africa, the game drive in Akagera provides an opportunity to see gentle hills blending in beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.
On a game drive during the day, you get to be driven following the tracks, through the green savannah plains, past wide-leaved woodlands and into the habitat of beautiful mammal species in the Akagera National Park. Some other animals to be spotted out while on a day game drive such as The Defassa Waterbuck, Topes, Bohor Reedbucks, Oribis, Semi-Aquatic Sitatunga, Eland, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions among others .
There also other wildlife safaris offered in the parks, such as nature walks, sport fishing, boat cruises, and birding, among others.
The best time of year to go on a safari in Rwanda?
The best time of year to go on safari in Rwanda is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and from December to February. These months offer the best visibility and are the best time to see wildlife, including gorillas and chimpanzees. These incredible creatures are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Rwanda.
For more information about the tourist’s activities in Rwanda, you can reach out to us at ACHIEVE GLOBAL SAFARIS or through our website www.achieveglobalsafaris.com.
