Rwanda is famous for the mountain gorillas that have captured the world’s imagination since Dian Fossey came to study the mountain gorilla families in the 1970s. Rwanda’s facilities and hotels are the best for tourism; service and food can wonderful, since tourism is at the peak in this country.
Volcanoes National Park is best known as a home for the rare mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains, a range of 6 extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Volcanoes National Park is Africa’s oldest national park and the focus of most visitors to Rwanda. Trekking through the park in far northwest Rwanda, one will find a tapestry of sensory delights. The visitor in the rain forest can hear the calls of birds and monkeys, and through the forest see the peaks of the ancient volcanoes.
This chain of volcanoes is home to the world’s few remaining mountain gorillas. Rwanda has approximately 250 mountain gorillas, 11 families of which have been habituated for Rwanda gorilla tours experiences to tourists visiting Rwanda on long or short trips. Many visitors have to book their gorilla tracking permit years in advance to avoid missing out since only 80 permits are issued out in a day at a cost of $1500.
With such a stunning backdrop, a gorilla safari here is the highlight of any holiday. It’s an early morning activity where by you start with briefing at the headquarter, then after follow the game rangers to look for the ape. It takes between 30mins to hours to locate them and once you locate them take a distance of 7metres while watch these apes strictly for one hour. After that memorable experience, slope back to the headquarter for your trekking certificate then back to your lodge for refreshment.
Move on for the next safari in a different setting. If it is big game, you are looking for, Akagera will not disappoint. Named after the river which bounds it, Akagera lies at a lower altitude than Rwanda’s other parks, located just 75km east of Kigali City.
Akagera National Park is dominated by a labyrinth of hippo filled swamps and crocodile – patrolled lakes, which follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the (probably) most remote source of the Nile. Across the Savannah plains and tangle acacia forest range great plains game, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and impalas, while predators include the lions, leopard, jackals and hyenas. As for the birds, this stunning realm offers 525 species including 40 raptors. The lakes and swamps add variety, and the birding can be excellent.
Akagera national park is the only Savannah park in Rwanda where you can see the Big 5 giving you a classic Rwanda wildlife safari. It is about 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Kigali. The game drive towards the northern part of the park will give you opportunities of sighting; Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Impalas, Water bucks, Rhinos, the elusive leopard and recently introduced Lions.
Arrive at the park from the southern gate to the park reception for a short briefing about the park. Most of your day will spent in the northern sector of the park which host many wildlife because of the landscape and vegetation. The Akagera game drive can last about 6 hours depending on the animal sightings and interest.
After the big five show, take a city drive to enjoy the well organized city ever as well as refreshing from the safari.
