Rwanda Safari Adventures offer incredible off-beaten path experiences making Rwanda a leading safari destination. Rwanda is a small landlocked East African country popularly known as the land of a thousand hills because of its hilly landscapes.
It is among East Africa’s fastest-growing tourist destinations because of its diversity and unique culture. Rwanda is most famous for mountain gorilla trekking in the Misty Virunga mountains. There are several Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures that you can enjoy on exclusive Discovery Journeys. They include the following;
Nyungwe Birding Safari Adventures
Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s second most prominent safari adventure destination after Volcanoes National Park. It is located in the southwestern part and mainly comprises a tropical montane forest and swamp vegetation. Nyungwe is home to over 300 bird species and is Rwanda’s most important bird Area.
The forested park is outstanding for its Albertine endemic species, including the Albertine Owlet and Read-collared Babbler. Other notable birds present include the Great Blue Turaco, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird, and Rwenzori Nightjar.
Nyungwe Birding exclusively offers the top ultimate Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures. Birding in Nyungwe is best enjoyed from March to May when the birds are most vocal. Because the park is forested, birding is done based on calls. The months from November to May are equally great for birding as it is when the migratory birds are present. June to September is a dry season ideal for overall Rwanda safari adventures including birding.
The Congo Nile Trail Safari
The Congo Nile trail covers over 227 kilometers from the North to the southern Kivu province. It is the best cycling and hiking trail in East Africa and among the Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures. The trail features journeying through Rwanda’s hilly landscapes with incredible views of Lake Kivu.
The Congo Nile Trail is best explored in 5 days or more depending on one’s interests. You can start this exclusive Discovery Journey from Nyungwe Forest tracing one of the furthest sources of the Nile River. The region is a source of several other water bodies and also lies in the proximity of the Congo River Basin.
Cycling on the Congo Nile trail along the Lake Kivu shores is remarkable and among Rwanda’s underrated experiences. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest water body with several islands that can be visited in a day’s excursion. You can combine the Congo Nile trail with other Rwanda safari adventures like mountain gorillas and chimpanzee trekking.
Our 10-day Rwanda safari features a section of the trail but can be customized to include cycling.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Mountain gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park also qualifies to be among the top Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures. Mountain gorillas are rare primate species that live in East and Central Africa.
They are restricted to two ecosystems including the Virunga conservation area that covers Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in DRC. The other mountain gorilla ecosystem comprises the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda and the adjacent Sarambwe Reserve in DRC.
Mountain gorillas are endangered and their survival is still threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Their current population is estimated at 1100 individuals with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park among the best places to see them. Gorilla trekking Discovery Journeys are exclusive as only 8 people are allowed to track one gorilla family a day.
Volcanoes National Park has 12 fully habituated gorilla families with 96 gorilla permits available a day. These get fully booked months in advance during the peak season from June to September and December to March. You can book any of our gorilla trekking packages and visit Rwanda for an up-close moment for the rare apes. The 2-day and 3-day tour options are short and ideal for those with limited time. You can alternatively opt for a 4-day double gorilla trekking tour in case you want more time with the gorillas.
Nyungwe Nature Walks
Nyungwe forest is among the region’s oldest and best-preserved forests. Some of its wildlife species can be best experienced while on guided nature walks. These include the plant vegetation, insects, amphibians, and impressive scenery.
Nyungwe is a water catchment area with several streams that feed the major water bodies in the Great Lakes region. It has waterfalls and several swamps that can only be accessed on nature walks.
The canopy walk in Nyungwe is also impressive as it offers scenic views of the forest and surrounding areas. On this canopy walk you stand a chance to see birds and primates that live in the top canopy layers of the forest. All these experiences are exclusive and among the best Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures.
Virunga Mountian Hiking Adventures
Rwanda has 5 of the 8 Virunga Mountains along the Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border. The Virunga mountains are home to Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, and several bird species. They are explored on foot and offer some of the region’s best mountain hiking experiences.
Rwanda mountain hiking is less explored and therefore among the Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures. The most remarkable Rwanda mountain hiking experiences feature Mount Bisoke which has a crater on its summit. Mount Karisimbi, the Virunga mountains’ highest Volcano can also be hiked from Rwanda. Its hike takes 2 days with an overnight in the mountains.
Our 5-day Rwanda Safari features the Mount Karismbi Hike, mountain gorillas, and golden monkey trekking. Mount Bisoke can be hiked separately in a day’s excursion or included in other Volcanoes National Park Discovery Journeys.
Other Off-beaten Paths Rwanda Safari Adventures include Lake Kivu boat experiences to feature the singing fishermen. Rwanda can be visited alongside other East African destinations like Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Contact us to customize your Discovery Journeys.
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