National Parks In Rwanda

Although Rwanda was greatly affected by the genocide in 1994, it has greatly developed and is now among the top African countries with a variety of scenery to adventure which include beautiful cities, culture, the many hills, mountains and wildlife. National parks are the most frequent tourist destinations in the country and are protected, managed and promoted by the Rwanda Development Board in conjunction with the government. Animals that reside in Rwanda national parks include giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and primates like chimpanzees, gorillas, golden monkeys and many more. Below are Rwanda’s major three national parks each with uniqueness in the animal species they have.

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes national park, also known as Parc National des Volcans is the oldest park in Africa that was gazetted in 1925. It is located in northwestern Rwanda and covers an area of about 160 square kilometers, bordering Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park of Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes national park is the only home for the large number of threatened and endangered gorilla species in Rwanda and this is attributed to the American naturalist, Dian Fossey who is said to have played a big role in fighting extinction of these primates. The park also provides home to golden monkeys and five volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains which are Karisimbi, bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. Gorilla trekking is the main activity carried out in this park and other activities done include golden monkey trekking, hiking of some of the Virunga volcanoes, visiting crater lakes and having cultural tours to the Iby’iwachu people.

NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

This is the famous home for chimpanzees in Rwanda, located in the south western part of the country covering an area of about 970 square kilometers. The park was gazetted lately in 2004 and contains various wildlife that resides in this best preserved montane rain forest in whole of central Africa. The fauna in the park includes about 13 primate species, a number of reptiles and amphibians, over 85 mammal species and 275 bird species together with different vegetation types which include the rainforest, grassland, swamps and bamboo. Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity carried out in Nyungwe national park together with other activities like nature walks, game drives and bird watching.

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera national park is the center of wildlife in Rwanda having a number of animals including all the big fives which are the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo plus a number of vegetation types which include swamp, montane and savannah vegetation. The park was founded in 1934 and is located in the east of Rwanda passing along the Tanzanian border covering a total area of about 1200 square kilometers. River Kagera passes through the park’s eastern boundary hence the name Akagera National park and activities carried out here include bird watching, game drives, nature walks, boat rides and cultural encounter with the local community.

Explore wildlife in this land of a thousand hills by visiting one or all of the national parks in Rwanda and you will surely have a story to tell back home. Contact us on email info@rwandacarrentalservices.com for your bookings and inquiries or directly call our head offices on +256700135510 and you will surely get the best services for your trip.