What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Wildlife in Rwanda

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

Rwanda wildlife safaris mainly take place in three destinations: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Akagera National Park, each of which hosts quite different fauna from the others. Birdwatching aside, wildlife viewing opportunities outside these national parks are limited.

Wildlife in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is best known for its population of mountain gorillas. This includes a dozen habituated groups, which can be seen during gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. Other wildlife includes the golden monkey (also endemic to the Albertine Rift), elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushpig, bushbuck, and black-fronted duiker.

Around 200 bird species have been recorded in this national park, including Albertine Rift endemics. During a birdwatching safari here, you have the opportunity to spot the Grauer’s swamp warbler, scarlet-tufted sunbird, and Archer’s robin-chat.

Wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most biodiverse site in Rwanda. It protects at least 1,050 plant species, along with 85 mammals, 310 birds, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptile species. Thirteen primate species are present: chimpanzee, Ruwenzori colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, owl-faced monkey, red-tailed monkey, Dent’s monkey, crowned monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, potto, and at least two species of bushbaby.

The only member of the Big Five in Nyungwe is the leopard, but they are very infrequently observed. Antelope include bushbuck and three types of duiker can also be seen while on safari here. The tree hyrax is a seldom-seen guinea pig-like animal whose blood-curdling screech is often heard at night.

Nyungwe is one of the top forest birdwatching sites in Africa and a must-visit for dedicated birdwatchers. A birding safari here can include sightings of the Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler, and Rockefeller’s sunbird.

Wildlife in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is a more conventional African savannah reserve where all the Big Five might be seen. Buffaloes and elephants are most common, but leopards are observed with increasing frequency on night drives. Lions and black rhinos are also quickly growing in visibility.

Other wildlife includes Maasai giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, warthog, olive baboon, vervet monkey, hippo, impala, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, common duiker, eland, topi, Bohor reedbuck, oribi, roan antelope, klipspringer, and the secretive semi-aquatic sitatunga.

Spotted hyena, genet, civet, white-tailed mongoose, bushbaby, elephant shrew, and various species of owl and nightjar are often seen on night drives. Around 480 bird species have been recorded in Akagera, and it’s particularly strong on raptors, waterbirds, and savannah and woodland species.

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Andre Van Kets, Co-founder, Discover Africa

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

Help me plan

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us
We will definitely plan with DA again some day!

Southern Africa Family Safari

Gayle, United States
05 Jul 2025
Botswana - MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Best of Botswana 2025 Review

Jeanine, United States
10 May 2025
Susan was amazing! Her itinerary was perfection and she was always available...

10 Day South Africa Safari Review

Elizabeth Brennan, United Arab Emirates
15 Jan 2025
Adelle was EXCELLENT; detail oriented, 100% available for questions, and knowledgable!!!

Johannesburg and Sabi Sands Safari Review

Laurel, United States
29 Sep 2024
Excellent organization and communication was superb!

15 Day Namibian Self-Drive Adventure Review

Amanda, Austria
09 Jun 2024
My first trip to Africa to visit game sites