Rwanda travel guide: where to start
Most trips to Rwanda are built around five areas. Kigali, the capital, is where you arrive and where many trips begin and end. Musanze and Kinigi are the base for Volcanoes National Park and the mountain gorillas. Akagera in the east is a savanna park for game drives. Nyungwe in the southwest is a mountain rainforest with chimpanzees and a canopy walkway. Lake Kivu lies along the western border.
This is an independent travel guide. It is not Visit Rwanda, not the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and not a government website, and it has no connection to the national parks, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, lodges or tour operators. Gorilla permits are issued only through official channels. This site does not sell them. Prices below are 2026 figures for international adults unless stated otherwise.
The main destinations at a glance
Fees are 2026 prices for international adults and are charged by the park, not by this site.
| Destination | Main activity | Fee in 2026 | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes National Park | Gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, hikes | $1,500 gorillas, $100 golden monkeys, $75 hikes | Bus Kigali to Musanze, RWF 3,821 (April 2026 fare list) |
| Akagera National Park | Game drives, boat trips on Lake Ihema | $100 entry for one day | Self-drive or tour |
| Nyungwe National Park | Canopy walk, chimpanzee tracking, trails | $100 entry plus $40 canopy or $150 chimpanzees | 6 to 7 hours from Kigali by road |
| Lake Kivu | Lakeshore towns, Congo Nile Trail | – | Bus Kigali to Rubavu, RWF 6,554 (April 2026 fare list) |
| Kigali | Markets, art, remembrance | Memorial entry is free | Taxis outside the arrivals exit, 24 hours |
Bus fares are listed from Kigali Nyabugogo. Single park fees are not a trip budget: permits, transfers, lodging and guides are priced separately. See Rwanda safari and tours for how that works.
Our picks: Rwanda tours
A gorilla day trip from Kigali, a safari in Akagera and a day on Lake Kivu.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Gorilla tracking day trip from Kigali
Pickup in Kigali, safari transport, a guide, lunch with a soft drink and water. The gorilla permit is not included, but the provider offers help getting one.
Check availability →
Lake Kivu day trip with a hike and coffee plantation
Pickup and return in Kigali, 4x4 transport, a guide, a boat ride and lunch are included. Tips are extra.
Check availability →
One-day safari in Akagera National Park
Pickup in Kigali, a driver-guide, your chosen 4x4, water and lunch. Park entry and the Ihema boat trip come only with the matching option, and without it entry costs $100 per person extra.
Check availability →Rwanda tours and day trips
Gorilla and wildlife trips, Kigali city tours and day excursions from the capital, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
The main pages of this guide.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Permit price, rules, the morning at Kinigi and what to wear.
Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkeys, the Bisoke hike, the Dian Fossey grave and Musanze as a base.
Things to do in Rwanda
Twelve experiences across the country, from forest walks to the capital.
Rwanda safari and tours
Gorilla trips, Akagera and Nyungwe, and how the fees fit together.
Akagera National Park
A savanna park you can drive yourself, with boat trips on Lake Ihema.
Nyungwe National Park
The canopy walk, chimpanzee tracking and guided trails.
Kigali, the lake and practical pages
The capital, the western shore and everything you sort out before the flight.
Kigali
Markets, an arts center and how the city runs on community days.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
Hours, rules and background for a respectful visit.
Lake Kivu
Rubavu, Karongi and the 227 km Congo Nile Trail.
Best time to visit
Dry and rainy seasons and what the monthly figures show.
Visa, safety and travel tips
Entry rules, money, the plastic bag ban and current travel advice.
Where to stay
Kigali, Musanze, Akagera, Nyungwe and the lake compared by location.
What to know before you book
Current notes for autumn 2026, taken from government and park sources.
Permits come first
Gorilla trekking needs a permit from the RDB booking portal, and spots depend on dates. Fix the trekking day first, then book lodging and transfers around it. The permit price is $1,500 per person per day for international visitors, and the minimum age is 15.
Gorilla trekking guide →Border areas and entry rules
The German Federal Foreign Office (status 18 October 2026) advises against unnecessary travel to the regions on the border with the DR Congo, including the areas around Nyungwe and near Volcanoes. The US State Department (4 June 2026) rates Rwanda Level 3 and the zone within 10 km of the border Level 4, and excludes Volcanoes National Park from that zone. Foreign travelers who have been in or transited through the DR Congo in the last 30 days are refused entry, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (22 May 2026).
Travel tips →Plastic bags and community days
Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated at entry points. On the last Saturday of the month, Umuganda community work restricts traffic and trade in the morning. The Kigali Genocide Memorial opens at 13:00 that day.
Rainy seasons
Rwanda has two rainy seasons, roughly March to May and September to December. June to mid-September is the drier window. A forecast from August 2026 points to above-average rain for September to December.
Best time to visit →Rwanda travel: frequently asked questions
How much does gorilla trekking cost in Rwanda?
The regular permit for international visitors is $1,500 per person and day in 2026. Lower promotional rates for Rwandans, East African citizens, residents and African nationals do not apply from June to October 2026. From November to May a 30 percent low-season discount can apply if you also spend nights at Akagera or Nyungwe. Conditions are on the booking portal.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
Visitors of all nationalities can in principle get a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and at the land borders, or apply online beforehand. A single-entry tourist visa costs $50 for 30 days, and a multiple-entry visa costs $70 for 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Citizens of the African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie states get a 30-day visa free of charge. Only the immigration authority's own online route issues visas. Agents are not authorized to apply in its name.
Is Rwanda safe to visit?
Many travelers visit without problems, but there are notes for the border regions with the DR Congo. Check your own government's advice shortly before you fly. The travel tips page lists the current German and US assessments and the entry rule for travelers coming from the DR Congo.
What is the best time to visit Rwanda?
June to mid-September is the drier window, and trails are generally easier to walk. Rain is possible in any month. Rwanda has two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rain from March to May and again toward the end of the year.
Can I see all of Rwanda in one trip?
You can combine Kigali, Volcanoes, Akagera or Nyungwe and the lake in about two weeks, but distances add up. Kigali to Nyungwe takes 6 to 7 hours by road, and there is no railway. Pick two or three areas rather than all five.
Is this the Visit Rwanda website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to Visit Rwanda or the Rwanda Development Board. Permits, park fees and rules are set by those bodies, and the prices here are those published at the time of writing. Confirm them before you book.