Uganda has one major airport, Entebbe International Airport, with a second airport under construction in the city of Hoima, expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Uganda has a national carrier, Uganda Airlines, which is one option for reaching the country. Travelers can also choose from the many other airlines that fly to Entebbe International Airport daily.

Airlines Flying to Entebbe International Airport

Some of the airlines operating flights in and out of Entebbe International Airport in Uganda include Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Flydubai, RwandAir, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, American Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Some direct flights from Uganda serve destinations including Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kigali, Sharjah, Juba, Brussels, Doha, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa, Amsterdam, Cairo, Kisumu, Bujumbura, Mogadishu, Riyadh, Mombasa, Mumbai, Lagos, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.

Flights From Popular Countries Around the World

Travelers coming from a wide range of countries can plan connecting flights to Uganda, including from Victoria Falls, the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Poland, the Netherlands, Namibia, Mexico, Japan, Israel, Ireland, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, China, Canada, Brazil, Belgium, and Australia.

Most of these routes connect through major hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi, before continuing on to Entebbe International Airport, so travelers from these countries can generally expect at least one stopover along the way, depending on their airline and route.

Weather and Travel Considerations

Uganda is a safe country with generally good weather, which is why it’s possible to visit at any time of the year. That said, this shouldn’t lead anyone to take things for granted or travel carelessly.

Be mindful that even with generally favorable weather, some areas can experience flooding, while others can get extremely hot, so it’s worth checking conditions for your specific destination within the country before you travel.

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It is usually conducted in the Kasenyi vicinity, a common habitat for lions. This activity involves moving around the park with the assistance and protection of a knowledgeable tour guide and security personnel, allowing tourists to learn about lion behavior, such as living in the same territory for generations, forming prides, and female lions hunting for the pride.

Tour guides provide detailed information about the lions, allowing tourists to observe them up close.

Best Time for Lion Trekking

This compelling activity is typically carried out in the early morning, when lions are actively searching for prey, or in the evenings, when they hunt animals that are less alert in the dark.

Tourists tend to visit during the dry seasons, particularly in areas near waterholes, since the national park has shorter vegetation during these periods due to the intense heat drying it out.

During these seasons, lions move in groups known as prides and coalitions, giving tourists the opportunity to spot numerous lions in one outing.

Lion Trekking Permits

A lion trekking permit at Queen Elizabeth National Park costs $200 per person for non-residents and 140,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

Other Activities at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bird watching can be enjoyed in sectors such as the Ishasha sector, Kazinga Channel, Mweya Peninsula, and Maramagambo Forest. The park is a bird watcher’s paradise, with over 600 recorded bird species.

Chimpanzee trekking takes place in the tropical rainforest, where tourists can observe chimpanzees pant-grunting and swinging from tree to tree. This activity is usually done in the early morning.

Nature walks and game drives allow tourists to explore the park while observing different animal species, including carnivores, herbivores, reptiles, and primates.

A boat trip at Kazinga Channel, a water body connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, gives visitors the chance to view crocodiles and hippos in the water, with trips typically conducted in the morning and afternoon.

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in western Uganda, and travel time to reach the park is 7 to 8 hours, depending on the chosen means of transport and route.

Making the Most of Your Visit

Combining lion trekking with the park’s other signature activities, such as a Kazinga Channel boat cruise or a morning of chimpanzee trekking in Maramagambo Forest, gives visitors a fuller picture of what Queen Elizabeth National Park has to offer beyond its famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.

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While some vaccinations are optional, others, such as the yellow fever vaccine, are mandatory for all individuals entering the country.

Vaccinations for Uganda

Uganda is a tropical country, and therefore certain vaccinations are recommended before visiting. Apart from vaccinations, you should also take malaria prevention medication prior to your trip.

The following vaccinations are recommended by the WHO and CDC for tourists visiting Uganda.

Yellow Fever: Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travelers to Uganda from the age of one. You will not be allowed to stay in the country without proof of this vaccination.

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B can be contracted through contaminated sharp objects, sexual contact, or blood products. This vaccination is recommended if you might undergo medical procedures, have new sexual partners, or plan to get any piercings or tattoos.

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A vaccination is highly recommended for most travelers, regardless of where you’re staying, since the disease can spread through contaminated food and water.

Typhoid: Typhoid can be contracted through contaminated food or water in Uganda. Vaccination is recommended, especially if you plan to stay in rural areas or explore Ugandan cuisine widely.

Polio: Polio vaccination is recommended for all children.

Meningitis: Meningitis is more common during Uganda’s dry season. If you’re visiting during this time, it’s advisable to get vaccinated.

Measles: Measles vaccination is recommended for children from six months old and is one of the most important vaccines required when visiting Uganda.

Rabies: The rabies vaccine is recommended for travelers planning outdoor activities such as camping, biking, hiking, caving, and adventure travel. It is also essential for veterinarians, researchers, and wildlife professionals, since rabies can be transmitted through bites from bats, dogs, or other mammals.

Chickenpox: Make sure you are vaccinated against chickenpox before traveling.

Influenza: Influenza vaccination is advisable, especially during flu seasons.

Cholera: The cholera vaccine is recommended for travelers visiting areas with active cholera transmission, such as Isingiro and Bududa. In addition, avoid unsafe food and water, and make sure to wash your hands before eating.

Additional Tips for Your Uganda Trip

Beyond vaccinations, it’s important to pack these essentials for your visit to Uganda: insect repellent, essential for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking; raincoats and jackets, necessary during the wet season; mosquito repellent, to prevent bites and reduce the risk of malaria; sunscreen, to protect your skin from sunburn given Uganda’s intense equatorial sunlight; and waterproof hiking boots, ideal for trekking, mountain climbing, and hiking.

Planning Ahead for a Healthy Trip

Since some vaccinations need to be administered well in advance of travel to be fully effective, it’s worth scheduling a visit to a travel health clinic several weeks before your departure date. This gives your body time to build immunity and also allows time to sort out any documentation, such as your yellow fever certificate, that you’ll need to present on arrival in Uganda.

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Rwanda has long welcomed different kinds of visitors, including LGBT travelers. While in Rwanda, your sexual preferences and identity aren’t of interest to anyone else, they remain private to you. This is one reason Rwanda has become a favorable destination for all visitors, regardless of sexual orientation.

What Is the Attitude Towards LGBT Visitors in Rwanda Like?

While Rwanda’s stance on homosexuality is relatively open, and homosexuality itself is not illegal, it remains a topic many still regard as taboo, particularly in more conservative and remote areas. Urban centers have shown greater tolerance, with minimal reported cases of harassment or abuse.

Rwanda remains the only East African country with no anti-homosexuality laws, which has helped make it a favored destination for LGBT travelers. LGBT travel in Rwanda has been steadily increasing, with no significant challenges reported so far. Most accommodation facilities are welcoming and have generally not discriminated against travelers based on sexual orientation.

While on a Rwanda safari holiday, or anywhere else in East Africa, it’s generally advisable to keep this aspect of your life private and follow a “don’t ask” approach.

Society and Culture

Rwanda does not have laws that criminalize sexual orientation or consensual same sex acts. There have been no recorded cases of harassment or attacks on LGBT travelers, nor of such persons fleeing the country. A debate was held by the Rwandan government in 2009 to decide whether to criminalize homosexuality, and it concluded with no such law being passed.

However, same sex marriage remains illegal, as the Rwandan constitution only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman.

Best Places to Visit in Rwanda for LGBTQ Travelers

1. Volcanoes National Park
2. Nyungwe Forest National Park
3. Kigali City
4. Gishwati-Mukura National Park
5. Akagera National Park
6. Lake Kivu
7. Rwandan genocide memorial sites

Key Activities to Do in Rwanda for LGBTQ Travelers

• Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
• Chimpanzee tracking
• Golden monkey trekking
• Cultural encounters and tours
• Birding and bird watching tours
• Nature walks
• Hiking or volcano climbing
• Kigali city tour

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Rwanda is also known as one of the cleanest countries in Africa. It is landlocked, neighboring countries including Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Most travelers know Rwanda for its mountain gorilla population, the beauty and hospitality of its people, sweeping hills, and towering volcanic mountains.

Since its dark genocidal past, the current government, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, has worked toward reconciliation and rebuilding relationships between the country’s communities, and Rwanda has become a peace-loving country.

There is a lot to do in the land of a thousand hills, and every visitor will find something to enjoy during their safari in this beautiful country.

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the main and most sought after activity, and what every tourist would like to undertake on a visit to Rwanda. There is only one subspecies of gorilla in Rwanda, the mountain gorilla, located in the Virunga ranges within Volcanoes National Park.

The trekking experience takes place only in the morning, starting at 08:00 hours, and lasts 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of a gorilla family, the pace of the group, or both.

Visitors are given an hour in the presence of these gentle giants. All you need is a gorilla permit, which must be booked in advance, at least 3 months before your trekking day, since permits are limited and in high demand.

There are other interesting activities to enjoy while in Volcanoes National Park, including a visit to the Dian Fossey research center at Karisoke, where you can explore and learn about the woman who dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas.

2. Golden Monkey Trekking

Trek the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. This is a rare species of primate unique to the Virunga Conservation Area.

Golden monkeys can also be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda, also part of the Virunga ranges.

3. Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Adventure in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda, is home to over 13 primate species. While here, you can take part in two main activities: chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda exposes travelers to the sights and sounds of chimps for one hour, following them, taking memorable photos, and learning more about their life in the jungle.

The canopy walk, on the other hand, takes visitors across a bridge suspended above the trees at a height of 80m, spanning a distance of over 150m, while watching primates and birds and taking in an aerial view of the surrounding forest.

4. Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only savannah wildlife park in Rwanda, and it hosts the big five animals: rhinos, lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards. There are also rare bird species, like the shoebill stork, and while in this national park you can take part in two rewarding activities: game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you can view animals like Masai giraffes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, duikers, and many others.

5. Kigali City Tour

On a city tour, visitors spend the whole day exploring Kigali city’s attractions, such as the local markets, for example Kimironko, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, the main city museum, the Inema Art Center, Nyamata Church, and the Richard Kandt History Museum.

This is a memorable experience, spending the whole day in one of Africa’s cleanest cities, visiting local restaurants, taking coffee, and enjoying local dishes.

6. Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (Now Called Gorilla Guardians Village)

Located near Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village is designed to introduce visitors to the best of Rwanda’s traditions and culture through community walks, tasting traditional meals and dishes, and entertainment through traditional music, dance, and drama.

There is also an opportunity to visit a traditional healer, who explains different medicinal plants and the ailments they are used to treat.

Other great activities include volcano climbing, bird watching, colobus monkey trekking, nature hiking, and balloon safaris, among many others.

The post Things to Do in Rwanda: Top Activities & Attractions appeared first on Gorilla Tours Africa.

Rwanda is a relatively small country, which makes all of its tourism destinations easily accessible to visitors. Here are some of the best travel destinations to consider if you plan to visit Rwanda.

1. Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is one of the finest destinations any visitor to Rwanda wouldn’t want to miss. Found in the northern part of Rwanda, only 107.9 km from Kigali on the border with Uganda, the park is famous for gorilla sightings, as it is home to one of the world’s most endangered species, the mountain gorilla. Over a quarter of the total gorilla population resides in this national park.

Gorillas live in families, and 11 families reside in the park, where visitors can track them every day. The trek can take around 1 to 7 hours, under the guidance of tour guides and park rangers, together with porters who help tourists carry their backpacks and other luggage throughout the trekking. This is one of the safest activities in Rwanda.

2. Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is covered by tropical montane rainforest and located in western Rwanda. It is one of the most important conservation areas across Africa. The national park has a wide range of biodiversity, including 322 bird species, 75 mammal species, and 1,068 plant species. Nyungwe forest is most famous for chimpanzee trekking, which attracts tourists from across the world.

Other than chimpanzee trekking, the park is home to the only canopy walk in East Africa, roughly a 90 minute hike from the Uwinka Visitor Center. Tourists enjoy walking across the 91 meter long bridge, suspended 50 meters above the rainforest, giving a wide view of the mountains and green tree tops.

3. Akagera National Park

Famous for its game drives with wide views of the wildlife that inhabit it, Akagera National Park is only 116.5 km east of Kigali. Characterized by low mountains, savanna, swamps, and woodlands, it is home to over 300 bird species and a large population of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, hippos, and many others.

The park is also home to large water bodies, including Lake Ihema, which is always good for boat cruises, accompanied by the cool breeze from the Akagera River, which moves through the park.

4. The Kigali Genocide Memorial Site

This historic center is a destination that should not be left off the travel schedule for any tourist visiting Rwanda. This place is the final resting place for more than 250,000 people who were victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Site also serves as an education center about the genocide and how it took shape, with a wall of names of some of the identified victims, as many who rest in the graves remain unknown. The site attracts tourists from all corners of the world and helps them understand the personal responsibility involved in preventing any form of mass atrocity and discrimination.

5. Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is a large lake located in western Rwanda, surrounded by mountains that create a fresh upcountry breeze, ideal for relaxation. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake, with wide blue sky views, sandy beaches, and a lively waterfront.

If birding is one of your interests, Lake Kivu is a great destination, offering nature walks and sunset boat rides connected to the surrounding environment for a memorable holiday.

6. Mount Bisoke

Also known as “Visoke,” Mount Bisoke remains one of the active volcanoes within the Virunga mountain ranges. It is found in Central and East Africa, bordering both Rwanda and DR Congo, cutting across Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo, with two crater lakes, one at the very top and another, Lake Ngezi, located midway.

The slopes of Mount Bisoke are home to mountain gorillas and attract many international tourists who come for gorilla trekking and hiking. Climbing to the summit usually takes up to 6 hours for ordinary climbers, but seasoned mountain climbers can do it in just 3 hours.

7. Nyamata and Ntarama Churches

Both churches are significant historical destinations in Rwanda. These are genocide memorial centers, with Nyamata located 30 km south of Kigali and Ntarama also located south of Kigali, only an hour’s drive away.

Here lie the remains of over 50,000 people buried at Nyamata and 500 people massacred at Ntarama. These sites mark some of the worst massacres of the entire genocide, drawing visitors who come to honor the memory of those affected by the tragedy that impacted the whole of Rwanda.

8. Mount Karisimbi Volcano

Mount Karisimbi is the highest of all the volcanoes found within the Virunga region, also known as the Mufumbiro ranges, which stretch along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is an inactive volcano rising to 4,507 meters, surrounded by other volcanoes, including Mikeno to the north, Nyiragongo to the west, and Bisoke to the east. It is located within Volcanoes National Park.

The mountain derives its name, “Karisimbi,” from the word “Amasimbi” in Kinyarwanda, meaning “white shell,” a reference to the snow that usually covers its peak during the dry season.

Karisimbi is also the 11th highest mountain in Africa, and hiking it is one of the key tourism activities not to miss while visiting Rwanda. It also serves as a habitat for gorillas and is well known for its exotic plants, with four belts of vegetation ranging from dense forest at its base to a barren volcanic core at its summit.

9. Mount Muhabura Volcano

Standing at a height of 4,127m, Mount Muhabura is the third highest peak within the Virunga ranges. It also offers an adventurous experience, as by the time you reach the top you will have passed through striking vegetation that makes you appreciate the natural surroundings along the way.

10. Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

Ruhondo and Burera Lakes are twin lakes that you can visit easily from Volcanoes National Park. Visiting them is a relaxing alternative to hiking, where you get to enjoy a boat cruise and meet locals while cruising through the deep waters.

The post Rwanda Travel Destinations: Top 10 Places to Visit appeared first on Gorilla Tours Africa.

Individual safety should still be treated as a priority, which is why every visitor should choose a trusted tour company to avoid falling for common tourism scams. Rwanda is a beautiful country that shouldn’t be missed out of concern for safety.

Crime Rate in Rwanda

Like any other country in Africa and across the world, isolated crimes do occur in Rwanda.

However, the crime rate in the country is low compared to other African countries, and most crimes are not targeted at tourists.

Low level tourist scams can still happen, as they do in any other country that attracts tourists from around the world.

The Political Situation

Rwanda experienced one of the world’s worst episodes of mass violence through the genocide against the Tutsi people, in which over 800,000 people were killed over the course of 100 days in 1994.

Since then, Rwanda has undergone significant economic growth and development. The country has moved away from official recognition of ethnic identity, with people not permitted to identify themselves by tribe, though challenges around poverty remain.

The genocide remains a sensitive subject, and public discussion framed around ethnic divisions is restricted by law, out of concern that it could revive ethnic tensions.

Rwanda has seen substantial infrastructure development and expansion of healthcare and other public services in recent decades under President Paul Kagame’s government.

Border Situations

The most common way for international travelers to enter Rwanda is by air, through Kigali International Airport, which has regularly scheduled flights. Rwanda’s relationships with its neighbors are not always straightforward, but the country has generally maintained working relations with those immediately around it.

Entering by air is generally the more predictable option, helping travelers avoid the occasional friction that can arise at land borders, including disputes involving Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Entering through the border from DR Congo is not advisable at present, due to security conditions within that country that may pose risks to travelers. See our full Rwanda entry requirements guide for details on the safest routes in.

Safe Transport

The road network in Rwanda is good, though less developed outside major towns and cities. This is why it is worth booking your trip through a trusted tour operator who understands the road conditions and can take responsibility for your transportation.

Travelers can choose from a range of transport options: a solid bus network connects major cities, car hire services are available but not advisable without guidance from a tour operator, and licensed taxis are available at the airport. These taxis tend to be priced higher for tourists but are a more reliable way to reach your hotel or destination than local buses.

Rwanda is a rewarding country to visit on holiday, but it’s worth checking with your tour operator before taking any action you’re unsure about, since some activities may be restricted without visitors realizing it. To avoid trouble, don’t do something unless you’re confident it’s permitted. Book your Rwanda safari with a trusted operator to make sure every part of your trip, from entry to transport, is handled safely.

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Counting lakes shared with neighboring nations, it is Rwanda’s third largest lake, following Lake Rweru, which covers 133 kilometers between Burundi and Rwanda, with Rwanda’s share covering only 47 kilometers, and Lake Kivu, which covers about 2,700 kilometers between Congo and Rwanda.

The lake is located in the district of Kayonza, in the southern section of Akagera National Park. It also features over a dozen additional lakes, of which Ihema is the largest.

The River Kagera feeds a number of lakes, including Lake Ihema. It sits at 1,292 meters above sea level, covers around 90 square kilometers, and varies in depth between 5 and 7 meters depending on the season.

What to Do and See on Lake Ihema

This biodiverse lake’s location within Akagera National Park provides an ideal habitat for hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife species.

A boat safari on Ihema is recommended for more adventurous visitors looking for a unique experience. Around the lake, there are several papyrus wetlands.

The papyrus also serves as a bird sanctuary for a variety of bird species within the park, making Ihema an excellent birding destination.

There are numerous lovely lakes in Rwanda, but one stands out among them all, and that’s Lake Ihema. It has unique attractions and features not found on other lakes, making it an exceptional lake within Rwanda.

Lake Ihema is a birder’s paradise with over 500 species, including endangered and vulnerable species such as the papyrus gonolek and shoebill stork, as well as raptors, ibises, malachite kingfishers, herons, sandpipers, jacanas, sunbirds, flycatchers, African harrier hawks, white tailed blue monads, cardinal woodpeckers, grey crowned cranes, Levaillant’s cuckoos, slender billed weavers, plovers, and many other endemic species.

An easy sail will take you to Ihema’s edge, where you may see massive hippos, crocodiles sunning on the sands, and a variety of marine birds.

Lake Ihema is also a popular sport fishing destination for different visitors. Those interested in this activity should bring their own fishing gear, with tilapia being the most commonly caught species.

Because of its location in the park, Rwanda’s wildlife safari tourists can enjoy some of the best game drives in the country. Within minutes of driving, over 55 species of wildlife can be seen, including bushbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, oribis, waterbucks, and elephants.

How to Access Lake Ihema

Access to Akagera National Park, where these lakes are located, is by road from Kigali International Airport, either through the southern or northern gates, depending on the visitor’s location.

Since the distance between Kigali and Akagera National Park is roughly 109 kilometers, visitors can tour the park within about 2 to 3 hours of leaving the city.

Self-drive visitors are recommended to use private road transportation rather than public transportation, such as buses, since public transport takes longer to reach the park.

It is recommended that self-drive tourists engage a guide after entering the park. Guides can be hired at the park’s entrance, and finding one who is well informed about the park helps ensure a wholesome and enjoyable trip.

While touring Lake Ihema, you will have the opportunity to take part in additional activities and view numerous attractions in the park, including birding, game viewing, canoeing, and fishing.

The common fishing methods used on these lakes, by both locals and tourists, include gillnetting, spearing and shooting, the lampara method, cast netting, scoop netting, and hooking.

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Hiking in Rwanda is a wholesome, exciting experience, but a surprise above all the surprises is that it can be done right here within Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the first thing that comes to mind when the topic in question is tourism in Rwanda.

This is one of the largest national parks in the country, providing over 70% of the country’s water. It is also believed that the furthest source of the River Nile is found in Nyungwe.

The park is often called a birds’ paradise for being one of the best bird watching sites, with over 300 bird species, 13 primate species, 85 mammal species, over 200 tree species, 248 orchid species, and 1,068 plant species.

Canopy walking is another unique activity that Nyungwe offers, one that cannot be found anywhere else in East and Central Africa. The park has over 15 nature walking trails, with hiking distances covering about 130 km in total and ranging from 4 hours to 3 days.

List of Nyungwe Hiking Trails

Below are some of the Nyungwe Forest National Park hiking trails.

• Bigugu Trail: Named after the highest mountain in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Mount Bigugu. This 13.2km nature walk takes about six hours, offering the freshness of the area and different species along the way. Trekkers should take full caution before and during this trail, as it’s rated difficult.
• Ngabwe Trail: Begins about 3km from the park entrance at the Kitabi ranger station and offers some of the best views for bird watching. It is a 4.7km trail that takes roughly 3 hours and is rated moderately challenging.
• Buhoro Trail: The shortest trail, beginning at Uwinka. Its name means “slow” in the local Kinyarwanda language. It covers only 1.8km, takes about 1.5 hours, and is rated easy, suitable for amateurs.
• Igishigishi Trail: One of the most interesting hiking trails in Nyungwe, as it connects to the canopy walk. It is named after the giant tree ferns found along the trail. It covers 2.1km, takes about 1.5 hours, and is rated easy.
• Umugote Trail: Rated moderate, covering over 3.6km round trip with road segments. It gets its name from a distinctive tree called syzygium found along the trek. On a clear day, trekkers can view the mountains of Burundi from this trail.
• Muzimu Trail: A moderately rated trail that starts in the forested buffer zone and opens into open terrain. This 5.2km round trip trail lasts about 3.5 hours, giving trekkers views of the park, Lake Kivu in the distance, and volcanoes on a clear day.
• Irebero Trail: Its name means “viewpoint,” and it delivers on that promise. Trekkers can view Rwanda’s borders and Lake Kivu from this high altitude spot. It is a moderately rated 3.6km round trip that takes about three hours.
• Umuyove Trail: Named after the mahogany tree (“Umuyove”), a gigantic tree found along the way. Tourists on this trail can see waterfalls and different plant and flower species. Covering 5.5km including the Imbaraga trail spur, this moderately rated hike takes about 3.5 hours.
• Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail: The park’s largest wetland, named from an ancient belief that the last elephant disappeared here (“Kamira” means swallowing, “Nzovu” means elephant). This moderately rated trail covers 5.9km, including road segments, over about three hours.
• Karamba Trail: Characterized by open terrain, making it ideal for bird watching. It is rated easy, covering a 4km round trip in about three hours.
• Isumo Waterfall Trail: Named after the biggest waterfall in the park (“Isumo” locally means waterfall). This moderately rated trail covers 10.6km, including road segments, with natural views along the way, taking about four hours.
• Uwinka Trail: Starts at the Irebero trailhead and finishes at the Kamiranzovu marsh trailhead. Not for the faint hearted, this difficult trail covers a 17.8km round trip over about 8 hours.
• Imbaraga Trail: A difficult trail, as its name, meaning “strength,” suggests. It is not suited to amateur trekkers due to its tough terrain and requires good physical fitness. It covers 9.8km over about 6 hours.
• Rukuzi Trail: Rated difficult, this is the most used trail for chimpanzee trekking and also offers tremendous views of Lake Kivu. It has a one way distance of 9.1km, covered in about 5 hours.
• Congo Nile Divide Trail: Covers a distance of 42.2km, including a spur to the source of the River Nile. This is a multi-day trek, taking three full days to complete. It is the only trail where trekkers can view the point where the Nile and Congo river basins separate. See our guide to the Congo Nile Trail for more.

For nature lovers, Nyungwe National Park has trails to suit every level, from easy hikes taking about 1 to 2 hours, to moderate trails taking 3 to 4 hours, to difficult ones lasting 6 to 8 hours, plus the extraordinary Congo Nile Divide Trail, a 3 or more day trek covering 42.2 km.

The post Hiking in Nyungwe Forest: Complete Trail Guide appeared first on Gorilla Tours Africa.

Many people stop at experiencing the day game drives alone, forgetting the wonderful fantasies that guide the night game hunt. After spending the day admiring what animals do at night, you happily return to the lodge.

Take a night wildlife drive in the savannah lands of Rwanda, an East African country located in the eastern region.

Getting to Akagera National Park

About 110 kilometers, or 2 to 3 hours, separate Kigali city from Akagera National Park. The park’s only entry gate is Kayonza, and the only exit gate is Nyungwe, located on the northern side of the park. Gates are open from 6 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Visitors must pay entrance fees, charged for each day of their visit. African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board work together to maintain this park.

What to Expect on a Night Game Drive

The duration of night game drives in Akagera is roughly 2 to 3 hours, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is preferably done in a 4WD car, with a knowledgeable ranger guide who is well versed in the locations of the animals and nocturnal inhabitants.

You have a better chance of seeing and hearing the cats during a night game drive, including lions, leopards, owls, wild dogs, warthogs, hyenas, African elephants, hippos, and more.

Even though it is safe at night, nobody is supposed to get out of the safari vehicle, to avoid likely animal attacks. You will spot various residents sporadically, whether hiding, hunting, or grazing. Bushbucks, giraffes, zebras, roan antelopes, klipspringers, Cape elands, which are some of the largest antelope species on earth, oribis, topis, duikers, and other animals are among the park residents to keep an eye out for.

Entrance Fees

Adults pay 12,000 RWF to enter the national park, while children pay 8,000 RWF. Along with paying the ranger guides, this money is also used to improve the quality of life in the nearby communities. It is not wise to go on a night wildlife drive without an armed ranger guide who is familiar with the game tracks.

Best Time to Do a Night Game Drive

The entire year is suitable for night game drive safaris. However, the best time of year is during the dry months, particularly December through early March and June through September. See our full best time to visit Rwanda guide for more detail.

It is dangerous to do night game drives when it is raining, since assistance would be far away if the car became stuck in the middle of the wilderness. It is best to steer clear of the muck, curious predators, and other risks that come with wet conditions.

Other Activities in Akagera National Park

One can go on a night game drive in addition to bird watching tours in Rwanda to see the over 480 different kinds of birds found in the wild. Duikers, ibis, cormorants, Ross’s turacos, swamp flycatchers, lesser kestrels, storks, and other birds are among them. Don’t miss the migratory birds present from November to April.

A boat safari on Lake Ihema is not only enjoyable but also offers a great chance to see various aquatic species, including hippos and crocodiles.

Day game drives, which begin at 6:00 a.m. and end around 10:00 a.m., are rewarded with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Other activities include guided nature walks, cultural adventures, and more.

Accommodation

If you want to take a nap after a nighttime game drive, there are some comfortable lodging options near Akagera National Park. This saves you the hassle of driving to Kigali city.

The lodges come at different price points, from affordable to ultra luxurious, and provide comfy bedding and a peaceful atmosphere.

Night game drives in Akagera National Park, in eastern Rwanda, are a major draw for visitors. A nighttime game drive gives you the chance to see nocturnal animals and elusive predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. Book your Rwanda safari with us to add a night game drive to your itinerary.

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