For many travellers, gorilla trekking is the reason Rwanda first appears on the itinerary, and it’s easy to understand why.

The journey begins with a scenic drive from Kigali through rolling hills, tea plantations and villages before the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Mountains emerge from the mist. From there, the trek leads into the forests of Volcanoes National Park in search of one of the world’s last remaining populations of mountain gorillas.

Standing just a few metres from a gorilla family as they quietly feed, play and interact is unlike anything else in Africa. There is no spectacle or drama, just the privilege of observing these extraordinary animals in their natural environment. It is intimate, humbling and a moment that stays with you long after you’ve left the forest.

If gorilla trekking is defined by stillness, chimpanzee trekking is its energetic counterpart.

Five hours southwest of Kigali, Nyungwe National Park protects one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests, a dense canopy alive with birdsong, waterfalls and primates. Long before you see the chimpanzees, you hear them calling through the forest.

When the troop finally appears, the pace changes instantly. Chimpanzees race through the canopy, leap effortlessly between branches and communicate constantly with one another. The trekking can be more physically demanding than gorilla trekking, but the reward is an exhilarating encounter with our closest relatives in an environment that feels wonderfully wild.

Rather than competing with the gorilla trek, Nyungwe provides a completely different perspective on Rwanda’s wildlife. Together, the two primate encounters are as complementary as they are contrasting.

Rwanda’s third signature wildlife encounter comes in a landscape few visitors expect.

On the country’s eastern border, Akagera National Park replaces volcanic peaks and rainforest with open savannah, acacia woodland, papyrus wetlands and a chain of shimmering lakes. It feels more akin to the classic safari landscapes of East Africa, yet it remains distinctly Rwandan.

Over the past decade, one of Africa’s most successful conservation stories has transformed Akagera into a thriving Big Five destination. Lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and leopard once again roam the park alongside giraffe, zebra, hippo and an abundance of birdlife.

Game drives offer excellent wildlife viewing, while a boat cruise on Lake Rwanyakazinga provides an entirely different perspective. Drifting quietly past large pods of hippos, watching elephants play in the water, enormous Nile crocodiles and colourful waterbirds in the late afternoon light is every bit as memorable as the safari itself.

Travelling through Rwanda reinforced just how much the country has evolved as a wildlife destination. Gorilla trekking may remain its defining attraction, but it is no longer the whole story.

Adding chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, a safari in Akagera, or both, allows travellers to experience remarkably different landscapes, wildlife and styles of adventure without leaving one compact, easy-to-explore country. Each encounter stands comfortably on its own, yet together they reveal a depth that many visitors simply don’t expect.

While Rwanda pairs seamlessly with Kenya or Tanzania for travellers seeking a broader East African itinerary, it has also emerged as a destination worthy of exploration in its own right.

I returned from Rwanda convinced that its greatest strength isn’t simply that it is home to mountain gorillas. It is that, within a single journey, travellers can experience three of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife encounters, each completely different, yet together creating a richer understanding of one of the continent’s most remarkable destinations.

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If you’d like to learn more about gorilla trekking, chimp trekking or safaris in Rwanda, one of our Travel Designers can help. Get in contact today.
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