Animals and Wildlife of Rwanda – A Traveller’s Guide

Rwanda offers plenty of opportunities to see amazing wildlife in a number of national parks, forests, mountains, rivers, and lakeland areas. Akagera National Park is the destination of choice for ‘big five’ wildlife, which includes lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, and elephants. Virunga mountains and Nyungwe Forest are equally popular.

The country is perhaps best known for its abundance of gorillas and chimpanzees. The mountainous areas of Virunga in the north are prime locations for gorilla trekking, while Nyungwe Forest in the south is the place to head to for views of chimpanzees. Leopards are rare in Rwanda, and there are no cheetahs.

Rwanda is commonly explored alongside other major African safari destinations, including Kenya and Tanzania. Many people visiting the region plan their adventure around a series of stop-offs. The flight connections between these areas are relatively stress-free, frequent, and competitively priced, even in peak season.

What Wildlife Can Be Found in Rwanda?

Rwanda is fortunate to have a wide range of wildlife, but some species are more common than others. Below, we outline the abundance of animals in the country:

• Chimpanzee — Common

• Gorilla — Common

• Hippo — Common

• Zebra — Common

• Buffalo — Common

• Giraffe — Occasional

• Elephant — Occasional

• Lion — Rare

• Leopard — Rare

• Cheetah — None

• Black Rhino — None

• Wildebeest — None

What’s The Best Time to See Wildlife in Rwanda?

An abundance of wildlife can be seen throughout the year in Rwanda. If you are seeking gorillas, you can travel any time to see these magnificent creatures. The Wet Season, especially between the months of October and February, is the best period for spotting chimpanzees. They are commonplace in Nyungwe Forest. Meanwhile, Akagera National Park is a safe bet for a mixture of wildlife. Visit during the peak of the dry season during June to September to find buffalo, zebra, hippo, giraffe, and elephant. The wettest time of the year from March to May should ideally be avoided.

Home To The Great Apes

Rwanda is among the most popular destinations in Africa for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. The north of the country contains the mountainous Virunga region, where thousands of endangered mountain gorillas reside. Although not the easiest of treks, the reward is well worth the effort to see these magnificent primates in the wild. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest is equally popular with tourists and provides ample opportunity for photographs, particularly at the start of the wet season.

Let’s Go on a Journey To See Rwanda’s Wildlife

Wanting to visit Rwanda for a safari holiday? Then contact Natural World Safaris for East African safari trips.

We provide a wide range of customisable package safaris, combined tours and day excursions, which includes gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda.

Our safari deals are great value for money, highly recommended by previous travellers, and guaranteed to provide a truly memorable experience.