Officially the Republic of Rwanda, Rwanda is a small, landlocked country in East and Central Africa known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. It is often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” due to its mountainous terrain. With a total surface area of 26,338 square kilometers, Rwanda is a home to a number of attractions including the four national parks that are located in different directions. These national parks are famous for hosting diverse range of wildlife, including some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Here are the major national parks in Rwanda:
Volcanoes National Park
Located in the Northwest Rwanda, along the international border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes national park is famous for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is part of the Virunga Massif which encompasses other 2 parks (Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda and Virunga national park of DR Congo), and they are known for hosting almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. Visitors can participate in gorilla trekking, where they can observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.
Also, volcanoes national park offers opportunities for golden monkey tracking, bird watching and hikes to the volcanic peaks.
Akagera National Park
Situated in the eastern part of Rwanda, along the international border with Tanzania, Akagera national park is the largest national park in the country with a surface area of 1,122 square kilometers. The park is name after Kagera river which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. Often visited by travelers looking to classic Rwanda safaris, the park is characterized by its savannah grasslands, lakes, and wetlands and it’s known for hosting a variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Game drives, boat safaris, and nature walks are popular activities in this park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
In the Southwestern part of Rwanda, along the international border of Burundi, Nyungwe forest national park is a vast, ancient rainforest which is one of the oldest national parks on the African continent. With a total surface area of 1,019 square kilometers, the park is known for its high biodiversity and protects a wide variety of primates, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Name after Gishwati forest, Gishwati – Mukura national park is a Rwanda national park located in western region just close to Lake Kivu. This is a relatively new national park and is actually a combination of two separate forests, Gishwati and Mukura. It’s an important habitat for chimpanzees and other primates like golden monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Also, the park is known for its scenic beauty, with waterfalls, lakes, and lush vegetation.
These national parks play a crucial role in both conservation efforts and Rwanda’s tourism industry. They offer visitors a chance to experience the country’s natural beauty and encounter its diverse wildlife. Please note that visiting these parks may require permits, which should be obtained in advance, especially for activities like gorilla, golden monkey and chimpanzee trekking.