Rwanda is a luxury tour destination and renowned for its luxury gorilla trekking tours. Rwanda is situated in the Albertine Rift, which is a region considered the most biodiverse throughout Africa. Rwanda is endowed with varied ecosystems and habitats. Ecosystems include savannahs and lowland forests in the south and east while the Afromontane is found in the north and west. Habitats include rivers, volcanoes, hills, swamps and lakes etc.
Afromontane ecosystems in Rwanda comprise Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Giswati and Mukura forests. Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in the country. Biodiversity is plenty in Rwanda’s habitats, with over 151 recorded mammal species, 670 bird species and over 2,050 plant species. Many of these can be found in 3 main national parks—Volcanoes (160km2), Akagera (1,122km2) and Nyungwe (1,019km2).
In Rwanda’s safari destinations, you can go for luxury safaris like gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruise, birdwatching etc. You can see the big 5 (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos).
Expensive / luxury activities you can do in Rwanda
Rwanda offers inexhaustible activities visitors on luxury safaris can enjoy and leave the country with a positive and lasting impression. These include the following.
Balloon safaris in Akagera National Park
Hot air ballooning is a unique luxury safari experience in Akagera National Park. Get aerial views of the vastness of the park’s savannah. This activity takes at least 45 minutes and offers views of numerous wildlife including all members of the Big 5 game. Start your hot air balloon tour to the skies from the southern side of the park and see lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos in the wild. You should be at least 6 years old and in a group of at least 2 people.
Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park
A boat cruise in Akagera National Park’s Lake Ihema is a unique way of exploring the protected area’s natural wonders. A luxury boat cruise is another ideal moment of spotting aquatic wildlife in 2 to 3 hours. You will cruise on this 100km2 lake to see wildlife species such as shoebills, hippos, Nile crocodiles and sitatunga etc. You will also enjoy taking pictures of the lovely swamp scenery including papyrus vegetation.
Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Enjoy a luxury safari with a boat cruise on Lake Kivu on the border of Rwanda and DRC. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake by surface area, at around 2,700km2. A boat cruise on this fresh water lake offers the perfect moment to spot various aquatic birds, fish, mammals and insects etc. The cruise takes between 2 to 3 hours on a luxury motor boat. You will also get views of beautiful hilly scenery and the golden sun as you relax floating on Lake Kivu.
Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park
Luxury safaris in Rwanda include canopy walks in Nyungwe National Park. Get a unique perspective of this tropical rainforest on a 120m long looping trail that is suspended at 70m of the floor. The guided canopy walk takes around 2 hours from the Uwinka Visitors Center. You will also get better views of the 13 primate species and over 285 bird species of Nyungwe National Park. You should however be at least 6 years old and physically fit to walk.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
While on your luxury safaris in Rwanda, a guided chimpanzee trek in the lush Nyungwe National Park will make your experience memorable. Purchase your chimpanzee trekking permit through us and enjoy your guided trek to seek for a habituated chimp group. The activity takes between 1 to 4 hours, including an hour to spend watching these apes and photographing them. To participate, you must be at least 15 years old and physically fit on trekking day.
Colobus monkey treks in Nyungwe National Park
Your luxury safaris in Rwanda should include a guided colobus monkey trek in Nyungwe National Park. With 2 habituated colobus monkey troops, you will enjoy locating the Uwinka group, composed of around 300 individuals. You may go for the Gisakura troop, with around 60 colobus monkeys. After sighting them you are allowed an hour to observe and photograph them. But you must be at least 12 years old and fit enough to walk on rugged ground.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury gorilla treks can only be experienced in Rwanda. This guided activity starts with a briefing and allocation of the habituated gorilla family to track. You are only allowed to trek gorillas if you are 15 years and above. The trek takes between 4 to 6 hours, and your physical fitness is a huge factor in locating them. Once you sight the family, you are allowed 1 hour to see and photograph them. A gorilla permit is needed and you can purchase it through us.
Golden monkey treks in Volcanoes National Park
A golden monkey trek should be part of your luxury tour experience in Rwanda. Rwanda is home to over 5,800 golden monkeys. These live in Volcanoes and Giswati-Mukura National Parks. Currently, there are 2 habituated golden monkey troops in Volcanoes National Park. These can be tracked and seen throughout the year. You need a permit to enjoy this activity. We can purchase the permit on your behalf to avoid inconveniences.
On trekking day, you will have to arrive at the park headquarters at around 07:00AM with your permit. There will be a briefing by the park ranger. You will know the golden monkey troop to track. Accompanied by a ranger guide and armed ranger, you will be guided into the forest to track the golden monkey troop. You will find them amidst the bamboo trees. You will be allowed an hour to look at them. Take photos and watch their exciting behaviors.
You will return to the trailhead after your trek. A golden monkey trek in Rwanda takes between 2-4 hours. Though not like gorilla treks, golden monkey treks are also quite physically demanding. However, you must be at least 12 years old to be allowed to participate in this activity. Golden monkey treks also ensure that you encounter different bird and animal species in forest.
Musanze caves exploration at Volcanoes National Park
Your luxury safaris at Volcanoes National Park should include the exploration of the Musanze caves. This geological formation is situated at the foothills of the park. The guided tour offers a great deal of insight of this 2km journey, for example it was a sacred site where the kings were crowned. You will learn about their formation and how significant they were in sheltering warriors during wartime. Exploring the Musanze caves could take you up to 2 and a half hours.
Hiking Mountains Karisimbi and Bisoke in Volcanoes National Park
Hike the Mount. Karisimbi to its summit at 4,507m and Mount Bisoke at 3,711m in Volcanoes National Park. The hike on Mount. Karisimbi takes 2 days, while that on Mount. Bisoke takes less than a day. On Mount. Karisimbi, you will see a white cap of snow, which is a unique scene. Both guided hikes offer opportunities to sight numerous birds, primates, mammals, crater and other Virunga ranges. You have to be physically fit to have a successful experience.
Museum tours in Rwanda
Rwanda also offers museum tours in a number of sites. Enjoy your luxury safaris in the Ethnographic Museum in Butare. The Museum is open between 8:00AM to 6:00PM. You will have a unique opportunity of witnessing plenty of artefacts, traditional attire, architecture and many other Rwandan cultural items. You should also explore the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. You will see unique architecture and learn the history of this powerful place.
Other Museums to explore on your luxury safari in Rwanda include the Rwanda Art Museum, Kandt House Museum, Museum of Environment, Rwanda Liberation Museum and the Museum of Campaign against Genocide. All these sites are a unique way of exploring Rwanda’s recent and past history. Where you are allowed to take photos, you should for a reminder of your captivating experience in Rwanda.
Cycling in Rwanda
While on a luxury safari in Rwanda, do not miss a guided cycling tour experience. This is an exciting activity that involves riding on a mountain bike via designated trails. Cycling tours in Rwanda can be done around Lake Kivu, towards the twin lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) and in Kigali etc. The different trails offer unique cycling experiences. You can view birds, butterflies, hills, water bodies, people and animals etc.
When to visit Rwanda for luxury safaris?
You can have your luxury safaris in Rwanda throughout the year. But you ought to visit in dry season for the optimal weather conditions. During the dry season, weather is characterized as warm and dry. The average atmospheric temperature during daytime is around 27oC/81oF, and much lower in highland areas like Volcanoes National Park. Since Rwanda experiences a tropical type of climate, chances of rainfall are there even in the dry season, but very minimal.
During the dry season, protected areas tend to have drier tracks and trails, which eases navigation. The vegetation or undergrowth in the protected areas is also not as dense as in the rainy season. This makes wildlife viewing and trekking experiences much easier. The low possibility of rainfall during the day in the dry season offers uninterruptible tours. The dry season occurs from June to September as well as from December to February.
Where to stay during your Rwanda luxury safaris?
5-star hotels in Rwanda that you should consider while enjoying your luxury safaris include the following,
- One&Only Nyungwe House
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
- Sabinyo Silverback Lodge
- Bisate Lodge
- Four Points by Sheraton Kigali
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Kigali Mariotte Hotel
Recommended packing list for luxury safaris in Rwanda?
Make your luxury Rwanda safaris more special by packing items that comprise of the following,
- Light long-sleeved shirts
- Long trousers or pants
- Sunhat
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Charging cable, portable power bank and universal adaptor
- Sweater
- Socks
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Pair of binoculars
- Hiking gloves
- Sunscreen