Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park sits in the northwest corner of Rwanda, its forested peaks rising through cloud above the fertile volcanic hills. This is where Dian Fossey conducted her groundbreaking gorilla research and where she was ultimately murdered defending her charges — her grave lies within the park. Today, 12 habituated gorilla families are accessible to visitors and Rwanda’s gorilla permit programme is the most refined in the region: guided groups are small, park infrastructure is excellent, and the trek to habituated families is typically shorter than in Bwindi. Golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey tomb visits, and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo complete the Virunga experience.

Akagera National Park

Akagera’s story is one of Africa’s great conservation reversals. Once decimated by poaching and land encroachment after the 1994 genocide, the park has been transformed by a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 after a 20-year absence. Black rhino arrived from South Africa in 2017 and 2019. Today Akagera holds the Big Five and a genuine, functioning savannah ecosystem along the Tanzanian border. Lake Ihema and the chain of Akagera lakes provide exceptional boat safaris past hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, and spectacular waterbirds. An inspiring story alongside excellent wildlife.