So, you’re ready to pack your bags and jet set to the rainforests, but what are the top things to do in Rwanda? Well, if you think Rwanda, you probably think gorillas. And, yes, these primates are star attractions! However, there are so many more things you should explore – some often overlooked! So, let’s spill the tea on the top things to do in Rwanda (and one of them actually includes tea!).
Well, hello there, primate cousin
1. Gorilla Trekking
Look, if you’re coming to Rwanda, you have to go gorilla trekking! There’s nothing quite as moving as, well, moving into their safe space to watch them go about their business. And what a relatable business that is! You’ll giggle, shed a tear, and feel a strange relatable pull to your gorilla relatives.
One of the very best places to see them is in the Volcanoes National Park as it’s the most accessible, located only a two-hour drive from the capital Kigali’s airport. If you book your Rwanda holiday with our fabulous Travel Experts, they can recommend the most luxurious home base from which to venture into the rainforest.
You can go on a gay-friendly gorilla trekking expedition – just book it with us!
2. Chimpanzee Trekking
Did you know that you can also see the gorilla’s cousin, the chimpanzee, in Rwanda? If you visit one of the oldest forests in Africa, the Nyungwe Forest National Park, you can! This wildlife-rich tropical rainforest is a maze of wonder, with “Ah!” moments of joy and discovery at every turn.
The habituated group of chimpanzees is accompanied by several other primates, such as the Ruwenzori colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys, as well as 85 mammals and 310 bird species.
It's a true privilege to see chimpanzees in their wild home
3. Explore Lake Kivu
Say hello to the grandest freshwater lake in all of the Albertine Rift Valley and the biggest in Rwanda! Here, you can paddle around without worry, as there are no predators lurking beneath the water's surface. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to catch that envied holiday glow, get your heart racing with some watersports, or simply enjoy some downtime to finally read that book you packed for the trip.
Or, you know, just lie back and stare at her fabulous beauty because this slice of Rwanda is truly beautiful and is often referred to as one of the most breathtaking lakes in Central Africa.
Is this really in Rwanda? Yes, it is! Time to relax at predator-free Lake Kivu
4. Go on a Big 5 Safari in Akagera National Park
We like to go big…like a Big 5 safari, of course! And, although a bit unexpected for a rainforest and volcano country, a Big 5 safari at Akagera National Park is one of the top things to do in Rwanda.
Not only can you see the famed Big 5 cast, but Akagera National Park is also a conservation success story as Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted wildlife in the country. As a result, it has also become a safe haven for endangered species like the rhino, with the only rhino population in all of Rwanda found right here. They also place great emphasis on community upliftment, so you can rest easy knowing all your safari fun is also leaving a positive impact.
It's safari time!
5. Visit the Coffee and Tea Plantations
Whether you’re Team Tea or Team Coffee, you can get down and dirty with the farmers to learn more about exactly how your favourite brews are made. Plus, we could stare at the plantations all day long. These plantations are so perfectly manicured, you’ll want to ask for their hairdresser’s number…And it’s not just so-so either, as Rwanda is famous for its teas and coffees, it being among the country's biggest exports. Get ready to indulge all your senses!
Tea plantations so manicured it will make a hairdresser proud
Enjoy the Top 5 Things to Do in Rwanda
Feel that flutter of excitement in the pit of your stomach? Oh, honey, that’s just the beginning! We can’t wait to tailor-make the most perfect Rwanda holiday for you! Reach out to our fabulous Travel Experts, and let’s start planning!
