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Wildlife safaris in Rwanda
Wildlife safaris in Rwanda
Wildlife safaris in Rwanda
Wildlife safaris in Rwanda
Wildlife safaris in Rwanda

Rwanda wildlife safaris

Best lodges for wildlife safaris in Rwanda

Having walked since dawn, you're tired but your senses are alive. You hear them grunt before you see them: a group of mountain gorillas, spread through the dense vegetation. The massive silverback isn't far. You look at him - and he stares back, wide-eyed; it's the intense gaze of an intelligent, thinking being.

An encounter with wild mountain gorillas is certainly the best wildlife safari in Rwanda. About half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in the Volcanoes National Park - and the wildlife safaris here are probably the best gorilla safaris in Africa.

Made famous by Dian Fossey's work and the film Gorillas in the Mist, the park offers well-organized gorilla safaris in small groups, led by experienced, English-speaking guides. Watching those rare animals, which are actually among the closest relatives to human, is an impressing experience you won't forget. Read more about gorilla trekking safaris and the gorilla groups.

In more general terms, two other national parks also compete to offer travellers the best wildlife safaris in Rwanda. The enormous tropical forests of Nyungwe National Park harbour further endangered species including 13 primates, from silver and golden monkeys to chimpanzees and we can organize guided walking safaris here. For birding and more 'traditional' savannah species, Akagera National Park can also be recommended.

Sabyinyo Silverback

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is just outside the Volcanoes National Park and makes a great base for trekking to see the world-famous gorillas in Rwanda, without sacrificing creature comforts.


Nyungwe House

The major attraction in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the primates. Here you can see chimpanzees, L'Hoest's monkey, grey managabe, amongst others. There are also over 275 different species of birds and 75 different species of mammals in these lush surroundings.


Rekero

Rekero was the camp where Jackson Looseyia (of Big Cat Diary fame) first earned his spurs as a spotter and outstanding guide. More recently its first-class lion, leopard and cheetah viewing made it ideal as a base for much of the filming of Disney's African Cats documentary.


Lamai Serengeti

Lamai Serengeti is in a great location for the wildebeest migration, which is typically from around July to October in this area. Outside of these months, it still offers great game viewing, with the bonus of very few people!


Nomad Serengeti Camp

Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a mobile camp that moves several times a year to follow Tanzania’s wildebeest migration. Though the movements of the migration can be unpredictable, the camp tries hard to predict where the main herds will be.


Kwara Camp

If you’re looking for a wildlife safari in Botswana that focuses on predators, look no further. Kwara’s game and environments are varied, with plenty of tsessebe, impala, zebra, red lechwe, reedbuck, kudu, giraffe, buffalo and elephant – as well as the big cats and wild dogs.

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Rwanda


Nyungwe House

Nyungwe House

The major attraction in Nyungwe Forest National Park are the primates. Here you can see chimpanzees, L'Hoest's monkey, grey managabe, amongst others. There are also over 275 different species of birds and 75 different species of mammals in these lush surroundings.


97% (23 reviews)
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is just outside the Volcanoes National Park and makes a great base for trekking to see the world-famous gorillas in Rwanda, without sacrificing creature comforts.


96% (32 reviews)
Kwitonda Lodge

Kwitonda Lodge

Located on the border of Volcanoes National Park, Kwitonda is a great base for trekking on a wildlife safari to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.


100% (1 review)

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Africa

Wildlife safaris elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Wildlife safaris in other countries.


Wildlife safaris in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana's wildlife safaris are perhaps the best in Africa: the vast reserves are usually un-fenced, ...

Wildlife safaris in Kenya

Kenya

Kenya is the country where the word 'Safari' (Swahili for 'journey') actually comes from. Close ...

Wildlife safaris in Malawi

Malawi

Don't expect spectacular game on a wildlife safari in Malawi, instead come for a relaxed safari ...

Wildlife safaris in Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique is best known for its wonderful beaches and marine life, not its 4WD safaris. There ...

Wildlife safaris in Namibia

Namibia

Wildlife safaris in Namibia can be outstanding. The country has Africa's highest cheetah population, ...

Wildlife safaris in South Africa

South Africa

Expert Africa covers only the western side of South Africa, including the Cape and Kgalagadi. Within ...

Wildlife safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania

Tanzania offers a winning combination: some of Africa's best wildlife safaris plus stunning tropical ...

Wildlife safaris in Zambia

Zambia

For all of the Zambia specialists at Expert Africa, wildlife safaris are the core of what we do: ...

Wildlife safaris in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

If watching wildlife from a 4WD is not close enough for you, then go on a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe! ...

Where to see wildlife species in Rwanda

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,941 sightings from 3,532 observations

Where to see buffalo in Rwanda

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.

100% SUCCESS

28 sightings from 28 observations

Where to see chimpanzee in Rwanda

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

4,201 sightings from 4,616 observations

Where to see elephant in Rwanda

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

4,051 sightings from 4,717 observations

Where to see giraffe in Rwanda

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

90% SUCCESS

3,062 sightings from 3,421 observations

Where to see hippo in Rwanda

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,488 sightings from 4,551 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Rwanda

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,247 sightings from 4,779 observations

Where to see leopard in Rwanda

Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,477 sightings from 4,298 observations

Where to see lion in Rwanda

Mountain Gorilla

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei

The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.

100% SUCCESS

48 sightings from 48 observations

Where to see mountain gorilla in Rwanda

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

708 sightings from 2,338 observations

Where to see black rhino in Rwanda

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

65 sightings from 3,816 observations

Where to see pangolin in Rwanda

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

81 sightings from 3,777 observations

Where to see aardvark in Rwanda

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,658 sightings from 3,382 observations

Where to see eland in Rwanda

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,413 sightings from 5,249 observations

Where to see zebra in Rwanda

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

25% SUCCESS

584 sightings from 2,349 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Rwanda

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

24% SUCCESS

559 sightings from 2,366 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Rwanda

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

72 sightings from 380 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Rwanda

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

43% SUCCESS

571 sightings from 1,332 observations

Where to see white rhino in Rwanda

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

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Discover all that Rwanda has to offer


Birdwatching

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Luxury

Luxury

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Solo Travel

Solo Travel

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Walking

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Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

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