What are the Top National Parks in Rwanda?

The crown jewel of Rwanda is Parc National des Volcans, home to the famous mountain gorillas—visitors often combine a trip here with other East African safaris. It’s worth spending a day or two in Rwanda’s dynamic capital of Kigali before heading to Volcanoes. Other impressive national parks in Rwanda include the chimp-filled Nyungwe Forest National Park, along with the diverse savanna landscapes of Akagera National Park, which offers fantastic game viewing.

A landscape with green fields, scattered trees, small houses, and two large volcanic mountains under a partly cloudy sky, reminiscent of the serene views found in the best parks Rwanda has to offer.

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The Top National Parks in Rwanda

The Ultimate Guide to Rwanda’s Best National Parks for Safari

The crown jewel of Rwanda is Parc National des Volcans, home to the famous mountain gorillas—visitors often combine a trip here with other African safari packages. It’s worth spending a day or two in Rwanda’s dynamic capital of Kigali before heading to Parc National des Volcans. Other impressive Rwanda national parks include the chimp-filled Nyungwe Forest National Park, along with the diverse savanna landscapes of Akagera National Park, which offers fantastic game viewing.

des volcans

Nyungwe Forest

Akagera

A person with a camera photographs a gorilla sitting among dense green foliage in a forest, capturing the natural beauty found in the best parks Rwanda has to offer.

best parks in Rwanda

Parc National des Volcans

Parc National des Volcans is a breathtaking blend of bamboo forests, cloud-shrouded peaks, and a chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga massif. This iconic park inspired conservation efforts led by conservationist Dian Fossey and offers incredible encounters with wildlife like gorillas and the rare golden monkey to 200-plus species of birds.

When to Go

December to February, June to September

Reasons to Visit Parc National des Volcans

Go mountain gorilla trekking. This life-changing experience is available as a trip extension to WT’s incredible East Africa adventures. Join your guide for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of Rwanda gorilla tracking and observing the clans that reside in these spectacular montane forests. The hiking terrain ranges in altitude from 3,800 to 8,500 feet and preserves one of the largest natural forests in East Africa.
Hike trails that traverse volcanic landscapes. From mountaineering feats like trekking to the top of 14,787-foot Mount Karisimbi to short hikes to sites like the Musanze caves, used by Rwandan Kings as places of refuge during the wars, there are plenty of hiking opportunities across Volcanoes National Park’s varied landscapes.
Visit Dian Fossey’s former research center. The center of gorilla conservation in this park is the Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey in 1967 and today employing over 100 researchers who work to protect the endangered species. Opt for a self-guided tour of a replica of Fossey’s cabin housing original artifacts and a VR experience, or a staff-guided campus tour.

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Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans Extension

A black and white monkey with orange eyes sits among green foliage, looking toward the camera—a common sight in the best parks Rwanda has to offer.

best parks in Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Located in Rwanda’s southwest, Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s largest montane forests and also one of the world’s oldest rainforests, giving it incredible biodiversity. The forest’s lush greenery comprises over a thousand plant species, and the animal life is just as diverse—with lots of primates and birdlife. See it all from one of the park’s incredible hanging bridges!

When to Go

December to February, June to September

Reasons to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park

Spot birds and primates. Nyungwe Forest’s biodiversity is almost unmatched—they have over 200 species of orchids alone—but their primates are a highlight. Among the park’s 13 primate species are chimpanzees, Colobus monkeys, and olive baboons. The park is also a birding hotspot, with over 300 bird species—many endemic.
Take daring canopy walks. Experience the rainforest from a new perspective on one of the park’s canopy walks. These hanging bridges offer you breathtaking views of forest canopy from a bird’s-eye view. The park has many miles of well-maintained ground trails, too.

Two zebras stand on a dirt path surrounded by grass and wildflowers in a misty savanna landscape, similar to the scenery found in some of the best parks Rwanda has to offer, with scattered trees visible in the background.

best parks in Rwanda

Akagera National Park

Set on Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park is the country’s only savanna park. A great off-the-beaten-path African safari destination, it has all Big Five mammals along with hundreds of bird species, plus lakes and wetlands for viewing water-adapted wildlife. The park is a conservation success story, with fantastic efforts since 2010 to increase healthy populations of the park’s lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, zebras, hippos, and more.

When to Go

June to September, December to February

Reasons to Visit Akagera National Park

See the Big Five. Home to all Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo—Akagera makes for a fantastic traditional safari experience. You’re also likely to see other big mammals like giraffes and zebras.
Witness great birding. Akagera has almost 500 bird species, making it one of Africa’s birding hotspots. Birds you might see include the African fish eagle, the Marabou stork, the Western reef heron, and the lilac-breasted roller.
Take a boat safari. On a boat journey across one of Akagera’s bodies of water, like Lake Ihema, you might come across water animals like hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds.

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Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Rwanda trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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