Group Safaris in Rwanda

Group safaris in Rwanda are expeditions to Rwanda where one joins different travelers from around the world for a collective adventure guided by an expert to observe animals in their natural habitats. Rwanda is a country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa where the African Great Lakes region and southeast Africa converge. It is located south of the equator and bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda is highly elevated giving it the sobriquet “Land of a thousand hills”. Its terrain is dominated by savannahs in the southeast, scenic mountains and rolling hills in the west, and several Lakes throughout the country that are all habitats for numerous wildlife species. This is therefore a perfect place for people looking for opportunities to escape into nature and waiting to explore the country’s forests including one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and the four national parks inclusive of those that protect its most endangered mammals namely the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Group safaris in Rwanda attract travelers from all over the world more so from states like the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, Netherlands, South Africa, and many more since anyone is free to join the safari provided it meets one’s desires and he/she is capable of meeting the costs.

These group safaris range in size from around 12 to 40 individuals depending on the style of travel and the operator you are booking with. Group safaris to Rwanda may include plenty of activities such as game viewing, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, volcano hiking, boat cruises, canopy walks, nature walks, cultural and community visits, biking trips to mention but a few. These group safaris are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transportation other than external flights, and extra accommodation at the start or end of the safari. It has therefore been total fun and excitement travelling in a group to the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Why choose a group safari in Rwanda?

Fair costs and billing

Group safaris to Rwanda always have fair billing since the total cost of the safari is always shared amongst the group members implying that one doesn’t have to spend a lot on a safari compared to when you are going on a safari alone. Shared costs may include transportation, guiding, car hire and entry into the protected areas, accommodation, and many others. Fares charged on some services and products tend to reduce since groups get discounts which wouldn’t happen if you have travelled alone on a safari to Rwanda.

Security and safeness

Traveling in a group for a safari to Rwanda feels much safer though it is also safe for solo travellers to visit this land of a thousand hills. Most group travelers always know that in case of any dander, they have people with them who can easily come to their rescue. They therefore enjoy Rwanda group safaris with a sense of security and safeness that fosters confidence during the entire safari.

Share fun and memories.

Group safaris in Rwanda are so cheerful and lively since there is shared fun that eventually turns into shared memories. The fun is always off the charts embarking on activities like gorilla trekking, game viewing, mountain hiking, golden monkey trekking, cycling, canopy walk, chimpanzee trekking, and many more.

Meeting new people and company

Embarking on a group safari in Rwanda, one is most likely to meet like-minded travelers who turn out to be new friends along the way. You are most likely to enjoy every bit of your safari since the entire group has shared preferences and desires.

Morale support

There is always moral support from fellow travelers especially when taking on adventurous and sporty activities like water rafting, bungee jumping, hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, gorilla trekking, swimming, and many more.

Places to visit on group safaris in Rwanda

Rwanda is made up of several unique attractions ranging from its lush forests, and towering and rolling mountains to its bustling cities and vibrant cultural traditions and norms. Here are some of Rwanda’s best destinations for group safaris;

Volcanoes National Park

This National Park is situated in the northwestern region of Rwanda bordering Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. It is encompassed by five out of the eight Virunga Mountains namely Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo. Volcanoes National Park is the only home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and golden monkeys renowned for being a base for Dian Fossey a primatologist who researched gorillas.

Activities in Volcanoes National Park include gorilla trekking which is perhaps Rwanda’s iconic tourist attraction, volcano hiking, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, nature walks, cultural visits to local cultural villages such as the Iby’iwacu cultural village where one can have an insight about Rwanda’s history, cultural norms and traditions, visits to Musanze caves to mention but a few. These activities are therefore best for group safaris in Rwanda that shouldn’t be missed out on while planning a visit to the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located in the eastern region along the border with Tanzania covering an area of about 1,122 square kilometers. Its vegetation cover is made up of savannah grasslands, swamps, and montane forests which are perfect habitats for a variety of wildlife species. This National Park is named after the Kagera River that flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and other small lakes. Akagera National Park is best for game-viewing safaris and known to harbor Africa’s big five animals namely lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards. Other animals include giraffes, warthogs, impalas, hyenas, hartebeests, waterbucks, bushbucks, and many more.

There are over 550 unique bird species housed in Akagera National Park residing around Lakes, savannahs, and woodlands making it one of the best birding spots in East Africa. Best group safari activities in this National Park include boat cruises, game drives, birding, sport fishing, and nature walks to mention but a few.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the southwestern region bordering Burundi and contiguous with Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Nyungwe rainforest is Africa’s best preserved montane rainforest as well as Africa’s oldest and intact rainforest known to protect over 13 primate species namely chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys and many more. Activities here include chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, nature walks, canopy walks, and many more which are perfect for group safaris.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest Lake situated in the west along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This tranquil Lake is renowned for its eye-catching scenery since it is surrounded by magnificent mountains, and valleys and has deep emerald-green waters that cover up to 2,700 square kilometers. This freshwater lake is dotted with several islands such as Amahoro Island, Napoleon, Amizero, Iwawa, and many more that are worth visiting. Tourism cities along this Lake include Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu where several group safari activities are carried out such as camping, and cycling to mention but a few. Lake Kivu attracts up to 400 bird species ranging from small passerines to large waterfowl. Some of the most common bird species include ospreys, pied kingfishers, white-breasted cormorants, African fish eagles, and many more. Therefore, group safari activities along this freshwater lake include sport fishing, bird watching, beach relaxation, swimming, boat cruises, island exploration, and many more.

Genocide memorial sites

These are memorial sites that commemorate the 1994 tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 8,000 people in just 100 days. These memorials hold chilling objects and weapons and shed light on the extreme brutality that was inflicted on the Tutsis by the Hutu serving as stark reminders for future generations. They therefore display Rwanda’s history as well as offering lessons in conflict prevention and building a brighter future free from abhors. The notable sites include the Kigali genocide memorial, Nyamata genocide memorial, Murambi genocide memorial, Bisensero genocide memorial, Nyange genocide memorial, Gisenyi, Ntarama, and many others. Group safaris can easily be made to these memorial sites for an insight into Rwanda’s history which can also be complemented with a city tour to Kigali.

Best time for group safaris

Rwanda is open to visits all year round though the best time to make group safaris to Rwanda is during the country’s two annual dry seasons of June to September and December to February. This period of the year offers an ideal climate for exploration with pleasant temperatures and often light clouds covering the forests. Hiking trails are dry and accessible compared to other months of the year when the country receives heavy downpours. However, the wet season is rendered as the low season for tourism in Rwanda implying that there are fewer visitors during this period of the year. Most accommodation facilities tend to lower prices of their services as well as offering them at discounted prices which is the perfect suit for budget travellers.

What to carry with you for your group safaris in Rwanda

• Hiking shoes
• Camera with extra batteries
• Rain jacket
• Insect repellant
• Long-sleeved light shirt and trousers
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Garden gloves
• Energizing snacks and drinking water
• Backpack