Is Rwanda Safe for Safari Travellers in 2026-2027?
So many questions we often hear are, ‘Is Rwanda safe for safari?’ Our answer is a big yes. The good news is that Rwanda is currently one of the safest countries in Africa for tourists. The government is quite committed to keeping visitors safe and ensuring everyone has a positive experience. Rwanda’s stable politics, low crime rates, and friendly locals all make it a safe destination for travel. Rwanda is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets and has recently emerged as one of the continent’s top safari destinations. Referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills“, Rwanda provides visitors with an unparalleled combination of stunning scenery, varied animal life and a rich cultural background.
When on a Rwanda safari, the chances are high that you will enjoy a peaceful and safe adventure. The more popular areas are well managed and patrolled, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. These parks are the best places to enjoy wildlife safaris, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, and birdwatching. These parks offer the best opportunities for wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and birdwatching.
Why go for safaris in Rwanda?
A safari in Rwanda is an experience like no other. The country is renowned for its mountain gorillas, arguably the rarest and most astonishing creatures you will be able to glimpse in the wild anywhere on the globe. Tracking them in Volcanoes National Park is one of the best things to do in Rwanda, and it really is anything any kind of travel wish list needs to come true. People come from around the world to see the gentle giants of Rwanda, and it is a wonderful balance of excitement and security.
In addition to the mountain gorillas, Rwanda also offers the quintessential African game drive in Akagera National Park, where you can view elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and hippos as they graze in a mix of savannah and forest. The safaris are all well organised, and the parks are well guarded with park rangers patrolling around the clock to maintain safety and security in the parks.
Safety Tips for Rwanda Safaris
Travelling to Rwanda for a safari is very safe, and some tips can help to make your journey both enjoyable and safe. Consider these safety tips:
1. Follow Your Guide’s Instructions:
Your ranger or safari guide is intimately knowledgeable about the park and animals, so always listen to their advice and instructions at all times, particularly when on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
- Keep Your Things Safe:
Like many tourist places, it’s advisable to protect your belongings, which can best be done by wearing a money belt and stowing valuables in a bag with a zipper to lessen the risk of theft.
- Respect for local culture and regulations:
Rwandans are incredibly warm and hospitable, and you should try your best to keep them happy. That includes respecting their cultural and traditional ways of life, especially while on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
- Precautions for Health:
Make sure your vaccinations are current before travelling to Rwanda. There is malaria in some regions, so take antimalarial drugs if advised by your doctor.
- Book With Established Tour Operators:
Reserve your safari with licensed and reputable tour operators, such as us at Chopper Tours and Travel. They know the parks, they are safe, and they are guided. This lessens risk and results in a superior experience.
- Health Insurance:
Carry an active travel insurance policy including coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation. Healthcare is excellent in cities like Kigali in Rwanda, but it can be very limited in wild parks.
- Emergency Contacts:
Keep a list of emergency numbers for your embassy, the local police, and your tour operators. Let family or friends have your itinerary; just have it handy so you know where you are.
- 8. Keep hydrated and ready:
Because of Rwanda’s tropical climate, make sure you drink a lot of water while out on safaris and trekking. Bring water and snacks, and bring sun protection such as hats and sunscreen.
- Road Safety:
As you travel in a rental car or on transfers, slow down and stay alert. Rwandan roads are rough in the countryside, and always wear your seatbelt. On a guided tour, you can rely on the experience of the driver.
- Respect the Environment:
Don’t litter and keep on the track so as to help keep Rwanda as beautiful as it is. A clean park preserves wildlife and makes safaris safer for all.
Key Wildlife Experiences in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the best things to do in Rwanda. There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas left in existence, and they exist in only three places in the world. Rwanda is one of these exclusive areas, and the chance to see these magnificent creatures is one of a kind. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park has 11 habituated gorilla families, enabling you to partake in gorilla trekking safaris. To protect the gorillas, each trekking group is limited to 8 people. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is known as the highlight of any safari in this country and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife lovers wanting an unforgettable adventure.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is best only in Nyungwe National Park. The parks are not only known as one of the oldest Afromontane forests in Africa but also the largest. This forest is located in the southwest of the country and hosts 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is one of the last strongholds of the Angola colobus and golden monkeys. While exploring the forest, visitors have over 15 trails to choose from for a nature walk. While on a chimpanzee trekking safari, visitors may also spot other wildlife species that dwell in the forest, such as birds, primates, butterflies, and reptiles, as well as stunning plants and giant trees.
Once these incredible primates are located, tourists are given one hour of interaction while observing how they do their daily activities, such as feeding, grooming and playing, among others. Besides Nyungwe National Park, a chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda can also be carried out in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Game Drive Safaris
The vast Akagera National Park is also Rwanda’s only savannah national park and a must-see on any Rwanda safari trip. It has an area of 1,085 square kilometres and is adjacent to the border of Rwanda with Tanzania. Akagera lies nestled between a backdrop of beautifully terraced hills and includes several types of vegetation, with wetlands, lakes and savannah plains. The park is home to the Big 5 animals, lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and leopards – making it an excellent destination for wildlife safaris in Rwanda. Akagera is also home to olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, hyenas and leopards and hippos, to mention a few.
Birding Safaris in Rwanda
Birding safaris in Rwanda are a highlight of any gorilla trekking or wildlife adventure in the Land of a Thousand Hills. Rwanda is famous for its rich and diverse geography, and it is among the top destinations in East Africa for birding and big game safaris. Nature tours in the region reveal a wide range of bird species in different geographical areas, including wetlands, forests, and savannahs.
Rwanda has over 703 species of birds and more than 29 species of the Albertine Rift endemics, making it a prime destination for any bird enthusiast seeking unique and exotic species. The mountainous areas in the region are rich in birding opportunities, offering a chance to explore the rich and diverse geography of Rwanda and its avifauna.
The major birding destinations in Rwanda include Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. Other areas include Lake Kivu, Kigali, and various wetland areas. Bird enthusiasts are sure to encounter the Albertine Rift endemics, birds of the Lake Victoria basin, and other unique species during their Rwanda safari.
How to get to Rwanda
Travelling to Rwanda is easy. The Kigali International Airport is a contemporary airport with adequate security. There are several international airlines which have direct flights to Rwanda from Europe and other places in Africa. Once in Rwanda, travel is easy with options such as guided tours, car hire and transfers provided by tour companies.
