Rwanda

Eye to eye with mountain gorillas in the Virungas.

Best time: Jun–Sep & Dec–Feb (drier — easier trekking)
Malaria: Malaria present at lower altitudes — prophylaxis advised
Book ahead: 6–12 months (gorilla permits are capped daily)
From: $800 pp / day land-only

The headline is gorilla trekking in the misty Volcanoes — one of wildlife’s most profound encounters. Compact, clean and easy to reach, Rwanda pairs the gorillas with golden monkeys, Nyungwe’s chimps and Akagera’s Big Five.

When to go

Long dry

Jun – Sep

Firmer trails, easier trekking; peak demand for permits.

Short dry

Dec – Feb

A second drier window — also good for trekking.

Rains

Mar – May, Oct – Nov

Lush and green; trails muddier, gorillas lower down.

Signature parks & reserves

Volcanoes NP

Mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking.

Nyungwe Forest

Chimpanzees and a canopy walkway.

Akagera

Rwanda’s Big Five savanna park in the east.

Know before you go

Gorilla permit: A capped, dated permit ($1,500 in Rwanda) that buys one trek and one hour with a gorilla family. Book well ahead.
Trekking fitness: Treks range from gentle to steep and muddy at altitude — porters help and are worth it.
Add-on trip: Gorillas pair beautifully with a few classic plains-safari days in Kenya or Tanzania.