Rwanda is an undiscovered incredibly beautiful country with ever changing landscapes that offer outstanding flora and fauna and spectacular scenery. Misty, moody rainforest in the south gives rise to lushly forested volcanoes and bamboo in the north. Dugout canoes ply the tranquil waters of Lake Kivu in the west and undulating grass plains of Akagera in the east are interspersed with light acacia woodlands.
Flying into KGL Kigali International Airport is your basic option. Currently served by the following International Airlines: Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines
Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, and – thanks to its high elevation – lower temperatures than you would expect for an equatorial country. Kigali’s daily temperatures range from 12°C (54°F) to 27°C (81°F), with very little variation throughout the year. The mountainous north-west, where Bisate is situated, is generally cooler than the lower-lying east of Rwanda. Rwanda experiences two rainy seasons: the first is from around February to June and the second, from September through December. These are separated by two dry seasons: June to September, during which there is often no rainfall at all, and a shorter dry period from December to February. Typically the west and north-west of Rwanda receives more rainfall than the south-east and east of the country.
U.S. Citizens:
Passport: Must be valid for six months after entry into country.
Visa: Obtain visa before traveling or a 30-day tourist visa at port of entry for $30.
Vaccinations are not required.
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Rwanda: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
adjacent to Volcanoes National Park
Bisate Lodge is the best location for gorilla tracking in Rwanda, The most innovative, responsible, visionary and luxurious lodge adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.
PART OF THE WILDERNESS SAFARIS PORTFOLIO
Gisakura, Western Province Rwanda
In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border, One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park. The park itself covers approximately 1020 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps and bogs, and is one of the last mountain rainforest habitats on the planet.
A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
Volcanoes National Park
Opening Late 2019
Offering an exclusive front-row seat to Africa’s oldest national park, you’ll be captivated as elephants, lions, exotic birds and one of the planet’s greatest array of primate species flourish before your eyes and welcome you into their world. Then retreat to your own world, a spectacular modern haven, where every creature comfort is yours to behold.
Of note: I am a Preferred Partner with this hotel. Enjoy complimentary VIP amenities when booking with me (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, complimentary WiFi, and more).
A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
Lake Ihema in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park
Opening August 2019. This is the Lodge worth waiting for before heading off to Rwanda… Singita are renowned for their incredible Safari Lodges.
An extraordinarily beautiful, small country where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park.
A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
Lake Ihema in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park
Though not super Luxe, still quite nice… The camp’s nine tents are spaced widely apart on either side of a thatched reception and dining area, set back from the lake shore and hidden among swaying palms and fruiting fig trees. With a maximum of 20 guests, the lodge is an intimate retreat.
at the edge of Volcanoes National Park
The magnificent Virunga Lodge is the premier luxury gorilla lodge of Rwanda and one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. The lodge is perched high on a ridge with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east. They offer a host of Adventure Packages.
at the edge of Volcanoes National Park
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first ever community owned lodge. The lodge was built and is operated by Governors’ Camp Collection, but the ownership rests with a Community Trust, SACOLA, which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park.
Highly Recommended that a Guide or Specialist be prearranged. If you are staying with one of the better Safari Lodges, this can easily arranged with them as well.
Wilderness Safaris
Wilderness Safaris is a Lodge Operator and a Destination Management Company dedicated to responsible ecotourism in Africa.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
• Permit cost is $1500 per person per trek, this is generally not be included in your Safari Package pricing.
• Minimum age requirement is 15 years of age for most Safaris.
My Rwanda Information Page at Virtuoso
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels and Activities.
from The Luxury Travel Expert:
Top 10 best things to see and do in Rwanda
Top 10 best hotels & lodges in Rwanda
Need a bit of help planning a trip?
Let me know.
page updated: February 2019
Leave a Reply