Custom travel to Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the world's most moving destinations, a small African Great Lakes country (26,300 km², 14 million inhabitants) nicknamed « land of a thousand hills ». 30 years after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda is today one of Africa's safest and best-managed countries, a global example of reconciliation. The iconic experience: the face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, one of the species' 3 last refuges. Added to that are Nyungwe primary forest (UNESCO 2023, chimpanzees, canopy walk), Lake Kivu (freshwater beaches), Akagera (Big Five since 2017), and Kigali, a modernized capital carrying the genocide's memory. 7 to 10 days for a complete immersion.

Highlights

• Mountain gorillas (Volcanoes, iconic experience)
• Nyungwe: chimpanzees and canopy walk (UNESCO)
• Lake Kivu (DRC border, beaches)
• Akagera: Big Five (reintroduced)
• Kigali: clean city and genocide memorial
• 13 primate species

Sample itineraries

When to go

June-September is the best period (dry season, easier hikes, more accessible gorillas). January-February: possible alternative (short dry season). Avoid March-May (long rains, very difficult hikes in mud) and October-November (short rains).

• Dry season (June – September), Easier gorilla trek, accessible Nyungwe hikes
• Short dry season (January – February), Same as dry season, more promotions
• Long rains (March – May), To avoid (extreme mud in forest)
• Short rains (October – November), Practicable, verdant landscapes

Practical information

One of Africa's safest countries (strong security, exemplary cleanliness). E-visa or visa on arrival ($50, 30 days). Mandatory yellow fever vaccine if arriving from endemic country. Antimalarial recommended. Avoid tap water. Cards accepted in hotels and premium lodges, cash (USD or RWF) elsewhere. Plastic bags banned (since 2008, forbidden at airport). Gorilla trekking: covering attire (long pants, long-sleeve shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, rain cape, gloves for nettles), moderate-strong walking level required. Tipping: $10-$15/day for rangers and porters.

Frequently asked questions

When?

June-September is the best time to visit Rwanda: dry season, easier hikes, gorilla trekking at Volcanoes Park notably more accessible on the 2,500-4,000 m slopes. January-February offers a good alternative with its short dry season, mild temperatures (18-26 °C), and fewer crowds, often at better rates. Avoid March-May, the long rainy season: hikes become very difficult in mud, especially on volcanic slopes. October-November, the short rains season, remains practicable with very verdant landscapes, a good alternative for those who don't mind occasional showers. For Nyungwe and the canopy walk, the June-September dry season also makes chimpanzee trekking easier (2-5 h in humid mountain forest).

How long?

5 days is enough for the essential itinerary: Kigali (1 night, Genocide Memorial), Volcanoes (3 nights, 1-2 gorilla treks), return to Kigali. This is the most chosen format for a short, intense trip. 10 days allow the complete, ideal itinerary: Kigali (1), Volcanoes (3 nights, 2 gorilla treks with 2 different families for a deeper experience), Lake Kivu (2 nights, freshwater beach relaxation), Nyungwe (2 nights, chimpanzees and UNESCO canopy walk), Akagera (2 nights, Big Five). For the exclusive version with Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda, allow 8 days. A second gorilla trekking day is strongly recommended (2nd permit at $1,500) to meet a different family and deepen the experience.

Budget?

Expect from €4,800 per person for 7 days in the Comfort tier (4★ lodges at Volcanoes, such as Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and in Kigali, 1 gorilla permit at $1,500 included, 4×4 with driver). The Premium tier starts at €9,500 for 10 days (Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda at Volcanoes, One&Only Nyungwe House, Lake Kivu, Akagera, 2 gorilla permits included, i.e. $3,000). The Exclusive tier from €16,000 adds Bisate Lodge's top suite, a Kigali-Volcanoes helicopter (1 h instead of 3 h by car), and private dinners. Rwanda is a relatively costly destination due to the gorilla permit set at $1,500/day, one of the world's most expensive, but 10% of that amount is redistributed directly to local communities. Add €1,100-€1,500 for a Paris-Kigali round-trip with a stopover (Brussels Airlines, RwandAir, Qatar Airways).

Visa?

An e-visa (to request online before departure) or a visa on arrival are available for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens, at a rate of $50 for 30 days. Rwanda is among the administratively simplest African countries to access. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory only if arriving from a country where the disease is endemic; antimalarial treatment remains recommended. Leave plastic bags at home, they are banned and forbidden from the airport onward since 2008, one of the measures explaining the country's exemplary cleanliness.

Family?

Gorilla trek from age 15 (strict regulations). Genocide memorial from age 12 (emotionally difficult). Akagera, Nyungwe, Kivu suitable all ages.

How to get around?

A 4×4 with driver is recommended for the whole stay: Rwandan roads are generally in good condition but mountainous and winding, fitting the country's nickname 'land of a thousand hills'. Distances between sites remain reasonable: Kigali-Volcanoes 3 h, Kigali-Nyungwe 5 h, Kigali-Akagera 2 h, Kigali-Kivu 3 h. There are no regular domestic flights (only an occasional RwandAir flight to Akagera, or an optional Akagera Aviation helicopter to save time on the Kigali-Volcanoes route). Self-drive car rental isn't necessary: complex tracks and a cost similar to hiring a driver make the option not worthwhile.

Gorilla permits: why $1,500?

Conservation: restoration from 254 gorillas in 1980 to 600+ today. 10% redistributed to local communities (schools, hospitals). Each visitor finances preservation.

Physical level required for trek?

The required level is moderate to strong: 2 to 6 hours of walking in humid altitude forest, between 2,500 and 4,000 m, over often difficult terrain (slippery, giant nettles, dense bamboo, fog). At the 7 am briefing, rangers assign one of the 12 habituated families based on your stated physical level, allowing the difficulty to be adjusted. A porter is strongly recommended ($15-$20), easing progress on the slopes and supporting local employment: several porters are former residents of villages neighboring the park. Once the family is located, observation lasts exactly 1 hour, mandatory surgical mask, at a minimum 7 m from the silverback and his family. Bring waterproof hiking shoes, gloves, and long clothing to protect against vegetation.

Combine?

Yes: Rwanda + Uganda (Bwindi gorillas), Rwanda + Tanzania, Rwanda + Kenya, Rwanda + Burundi.

Genocide memorial: essential?

Yes, to understand modern country and reconciliation. Emotionally difficult but essential.

How to pay in Rwanda: card or cash?

Credit cards are accepted at hotels and premium lodges as well as in Kigali, but cash (USD or Rwandan francs RWF) remains essential elsewhere, notably for markets, artisans, and tipping. US dollars are widely accepted; bring recent bills in good condition. Budget $10-$15/day in tips for rangers and porters during gorilla trekking, an essential practice that supplements their income.

Do I need to speak French in Rwanda?

It's not essential, but a clear advantage. French is an official language in Rwanda alongside Kinyarwanda and English, a heritage that eases communication for French-speaking travelers, especially in more rural areas where English is less common. Private French-speaking guides are more readily available here than elsewhere in East Africa. For a deeper visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial or exchanges with Twa and Bakiga communities, a French-speaking Rwandan cultural guide is recommended.