If you’ve ever seen the motion picture ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, you may already have a good idea of some of the amazing sights and wildlife you can see while taking a safari in the African country of Rwanda.
Most people take the trips to see the gorillas which can be found at Volcanoes National Park. A face to face meeting with these wonderful animals is a one-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget as they’re among the rarest animals on the planet.
The six-foot-tall, 600 lb. animals are now close to extinction and are protected by the scenic national park.
Getting the chance to visit the animals can sometimes be a little bit tricky as the park only allows 40 visitors per day. If you’re taking a safari with a tour company and it includes Volcanoes National Park, the visitor’s permit should be included in the tour price and all of the necessary paperwork should be taken care of for you.
Be aware that the waiting list for a gorilla trek can be quite long and you may have to wait a few months before it’s your turn. It’s a good idea to apply for a permit well in advance of your trip to Rwanda.
Most safaris visit the capital city of Kigali and it’s often used as the base for trips. This means you may take several different day trips where you can explore the breathtaking countryside and return to Kigali each night.
However, if you’re the adventurous type, you can also find trips that will house you at a market town called Ruhengeri, which sits on the park’s outskirts.
Rwanda suffered through civil conflicts back in the 1990s, but the country is now a hot spot for ecotourism. Another popular spot for fantastic mountain scenery and encounters with interesting wildlife is Lake Kivu.
Rwanda is home to a warm climate which makes it an ideal country to visit and take a safari in all year round. However, there is a rainy season from February to April and another from October to November. The land sits just below the equator, but the temperatures aren’t too high in high-altitude areas.
