Group Safaris in Rwanda: Tailored Akagera Joining Tours

Rwanda is one of the top tourist destinations in East Africa with four well established national parks, a capital city that is considered among the most organized and cleanest cities on the continent.

All these provide ground for a group safari that is so rewarding and one to remember.

As you plan for your Rwanda group safari, put everyone’s interests in consideration so that all of you can have the best experience during your Rwanda exploration.

The top 5 destinations for group safaris in Rwanda include:

Volcanoes National Park

Famously known as one of the few homes in the wild for the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is a popular tourist destination in Rwanda that you and your family/friends must visit on your Rwanda group safari.

The main attraction in the park are the endangered mountain gorillas that you will get a chance to see during a rewarding gorilla trekking experience that is carried out in the park everyday in the early morning.

You can also go on a golden monkey tracking experience in the Volcanoes.

The park is located in the North West of Rwanda and is easily accessed from Kigali city by road or air.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

This national park is home to an evergreen tropical rain-forest that is home to a wide variety of primate species and other animals and hundreds of bird species including Albertine endemic species.

It is a top destination for primate lovers and naturalists because of its rich and diverse forest.

Visit the park on your group safari to track the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest expecting to encounter other primate species along the way like black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, blue monkeys and more.

Interested in bird watching, the forest is a top destination for birding safaris in Rwanda.

Located West of Kigali city in the South of Rwanda, you can access the park via road on a long but rewarding road trip or charter a flight to the nearest airstrip.

Akagera National Park

Looking to experience a true African wilderness safari in Rwanda, visit the largest and only Savannah park in the country during your group safari to Akagera National Park.

The park boasts of a wide variety of Savannah wildlife species that you will not see anywhere else in Rwanda including the Big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalos) and many different bird species.

Group activities in Akagera National Park include guided group game drives, boat cruises on Lake Ihema, guided walking safaris, short hiking trips, bird-watching tours, guided cultural tours and those interested in fishing can take part in the activity on Lake Shakani.

Akagera is a very scenic park and easily accessed from Kigali by air or road.

Lake Kivu

This beautiful scenic lake is located in the West of Rwanda at the boarder with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is a lake worth your exploration during your group safari in Rwanda. Activities at Lake Kivu include boat rides, island visits to either Amahoro or Napoleon Island, bird watching, nature walks/hiking.

Mountain bike riding, kayaking, leisure walks to the nearest local town/village and relaxing by the beach.

Kigali City

The capital city of Rwanda, Kigali has a lot to offer to its visitors in terms of attractions and activities. You can explore the city during day or at night.

This is the starting point of all the safaris in Rwanda to all those who come into the country via the Kigali international airport.

History, culture and urbanization are all infused in the most organized and cleanest city in East and Central Africa.

Take on a Kigali city tour and visit places like the popular Kigali Genocide memorial center, Handt house museum, Museum of National history, Kimironko market among other places.

Consider taking up the services of a local reputable tour operator who knows their way around Rwanda like the bank of their hand for a rewarding and memorable Rwanda group safari.

Planning your Rwanda safari: Tips for group travelers

Planning a safari to Rwanda can be a really exciting moment and more thrilling if you are planning to travel in a group or as a family.

Rwanda’s diversity goes beyond the mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park that the country is famously known for, with 3 other national parks, that is Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park, rich cultural heritage and historical sites, you are bound to have a group Rwanda safari.

The following Rwanda safari tips for group travelers will guide you on how to have a successful, enjoyable and memorable Rwanda safari.

Traveling as a group is a wonderful venture and lifts the financial strain on the group members when planned well.

Involve everyone in the planning process of the Rwanda safari

This will help highlight the different dynamics of the travel group and put everyone’s best interests and preferences into consideration so that you all have an enjoyable time once you get to Rwanda.

Look out for Rwanda Group Safari Packages

There are a number of different Rwanda group safaris available to choose from, be sure to check for reviews and past travelers’ experiences.

Make sure you choose one that fits your group well and where need be, talk to your tour operator to make some adjustments so that you can personalize the package to fit your travel group.

Consider seeking professional help

Employing the services of a professional tour operator will speed up your planning process as the tour operator will be able to recommend the best packages that fit your travel group and help you do the ground work of making reservations and booking for accommodation, transportation arrangements and more.

We recommend using local tour operators as their package rates will be more friendly than foreign tour operators.

Make advance bookings

We necessary, do make advance reservations and bookings to ensure availability.

For instance, if you are planning to go for gorilla trekking as a group, book for your trekking permits as soon as you set your travel dates as this is the most popular activity in Rwanda, it is on high demand.

Same for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest and hot air balloon trips in Akagera as they are subject to availability.

Mix it up

To get the best out of your Rwanda group safari, combine different destinations and activities for an all-round experience.

Combine a jungle experience trekking gorillas with a Savannah wilderness experience on a game viewing safari in Akagera National Park plus a Rwanda cultural experience.

You will have so many stories to tell.

Choose the right accommodation

Rwanda has a number of well-established accommodation facilities to choose from in and around their tourist destinations.

For a group Rwanda safari, choose an accommodation facility that carters for group travelers.

If you are an adventurous group, you can book to camp out in the wild, a whole experience.

Make a flexible itinerary which allows group members to have some time to relax and re-energize and or to take part in any activities of their personal interest and time for you all to sit down and reminisce about your safari, take in the moment as you create lasting memories.

Consider getting a group travel insurance policy to cover any unforeseen occurrences like loss of property, trip cancellations, medical emergencies among others.

Have a solid communication channel for easy communication during the safari in Rwanda.

Best places to visit in Rwanda:

• Volcanoes National Park
• Akagera National Park
• Nyungwe Forest national park
• Lake Kivu
• The different Rwanda Genocide Memorial Centers
• Arts and Crafts centers and Art galleries
• Rwanda’s Museums
• Gishwati-Mukura National Park

What to do on your group Rwanda safari:

• Gorilla trekking and Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park and Gishwati-Mukura national park
• Day and night game drives in Akagera national park
• Guided walking safaris in Aakgera national park
• Tree canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest national park
• Hiking expeditions in Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera and Kigali
• Boat cruises on Lake Kivu and Lake Ihema
• Birding safaris in top birding destinations like Nyungwe Forest and Akagera national park
• Sport fishing on a catch and release policy
• Mountain Biking
• Kigali City tour
• Hot air balloon safaris in Akagera national park
• Black and White Colobus monkey trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park
• Guided Cultural and Community tours
• Visiting Rwanda Genocide Memorial Centers

Cultural and community experiences in Rwanda for groups

Rwanda has an extraordinary and vibrant culture and heritage with different customs and traditions.

Community tourism in Rwanda has been on the rise over the years after the 1994 Genocide and the visitors to the country who wish to experience traditional ways of living of the Rwandan people, be educated about Rwanda’s different cultural practices can visit the different cultural centers, museums, memorial centers and art and craft centers spread around the country, not forgetting the local communities situated around the protected national parks of Rwanda.

Rwanda’s ethnic groups include the Hutu, Tutsi and the Twa (this is the smallest group). The Rwandans local language is known as Kinyarwanda. French and English are also spoken in Rwanda.

During your group safari to Rwanda, witness the rich culture of the Rwandans by visiting the established cultural centers and also visiting the local/traditional villages and take part in traditional activities like the Intore dance, folk songs, storytelling, arts and crafts making.

This can be an immersive way to explore Rwanda during your group safari.

The highlights of a Rwanda group cultural and community experience safari include:

Genocide Memorial Centers

In remembrance of the tragedy that befell the country in the early 1990’s, different memorial centers were built as a tribute to the hundreds of thousands of people who lost their lives during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

To know more about the Rwanda genocide, visit the different centers which include the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Nyanza Genocide Memorial, Murambi Genocide Memorial, Ntarama Genocide Memorial, Nyamata Genocide Memorial

Museums in Rwanda

A visit to the different museums in Rwanda will give you an insight of Rwanda’s culture before, during and after colonialism.

The museums help preserve the traditional culture for the Rwandans for future generations.

Notable museums in Rwanda you should visit include the Ethnographic Museum (a gift from the King of Belgium), Presidential Palace Museum, National History Museum (Kandt House Museum), King’s Palace Museum among many others.

Rwanda Cultural Villages

The different cultural villages in Rwanda are not to be left out during your cultural tour of Rwanda.

Visiting these villages brings you close and personal with the Rwandan people in the local communities and you get to experience firsthand their day-to-day ways of living, listen to some interesting folk tales and stories, participate in traditional craft making, traditional dances and songs.

The most popular cultural villages in Rwanda include the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Ibyiwacu Cultural village), Kitabi Cultural Village, Bugesera Reconciliation village, Humure Refugee village, Banda Cultural Village among others.

Art and Craft Centers of Rwanda

Experience Rwanda’s culture through its art and handmade crafts displayed in the various art and crafts centers which include the popular Imigongo Art and Craft center, Inema arts and craft center, Kigali Arts Center and a number of local crafts shops spread out in the country can be worth your visit.

Rwanda Cultural Festivities

Attending cultural festivals in Rwanda during your visit will add excitement, movement and vibe into your cultural tour.

Some of the notable cultural festivities in Rwanda include the Ubumuntu Arts Festival and the gorilla naming ceremony, the Kwita Izina ceremony.

There is a lot to see, explore, discover and experience when it comes to Rwanda’s culture, history and traditions. Take your time, slow down and enjoy the experience.

Best time to visit Rwanda for group safaris

Rwanda prides in pleasant climatic weather conditions as a result of its high elevation, hence you and your friends or family can visit Rwanda anytime of the year for your Rwanda group safari depending on the experience you are looking for in the Land of a thousand lush rolling hills.

However, the best time to visit Rwanda for your group safari is during the dry months of the year in Rwanda, that is the long dry season of June to mid-October and the short dry spell from December to February.

The dry season provides favorable dry climatic conditions to explore Rwanda without having to worry about the interference of the rains.

Highlights of the dry season in Rwanda (June to September, December to February):

• Characterized with clear skies that provide good conditions for photography with good lighting from the sun.
• Best time to engage in outdoor activities while on your Rwanda group safari like camping, forest walks and hiking as the trails are dry, less muddy and slippery making them accessible and easy to navigate.
• The most popular tourist activities in Rwanda, that is gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are best done in the dry season.
• Experience wildlife viewing safaris in Akagera national park during the dry season as the vegetation is sparse and thinned out providing good visibility and you can easily spot different animal species at the same time as they gather around the water sources.
• The dry season is also the peak season in Rwanda, so expect high tourist traffic and high rates to apply on things like accommodation, transportation and some activities.
• The dry season comes with a lot of dust as a result of very little rain received, so be well prepared for that, carry a scarf and sunglasses.
• Be sure to book and make reservations for your Rwanda group safari in advance to ensure availability especially for the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking permits.
• Pack suitably for the dry weather conditions, that is light weight breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunhats, sunglasses and reusable drinking water bottles to keep hydrated as you explore Rwanda on your group safari.

Even though the dry season is considered by many as the best time to visit Rwanda for group safaris, the wet season can be a good time too, especially for groups interested in bird watching and naturalists interested in different plant species as the wet season is characterized with lush green vegetation as a result of the rains.

The landscapes in Rwanda are very vibrant and scenically beautiful during the wet season and newborn wildlife dots the savanna plains of Akagera national park during the wet season.

If you are planning on a budget Rwanda group safari, then plan your safari during the wet season as it is considered the low season thus lower rates apply, most accommodation facilities offer discounted rates on their rooms and with careful planning, you get to have the best Rwanda group safari.

If you can, avoid the wettest month, which is April.

Best places to visit in Rwanda during your group safari include Volcanoes national park, Akagera National Park, Kigali city, Nyungwe Forest National Park among others.

For a memorable and rewarding experience in Rwanda, employ the services of a reputable local tour operator who will help you do all the ground work.