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Rwanda, an East African Landlocked country with a horrific history of genocide and a promising technologically empowered future, blessed with an astonishing, breathtaking natural beauty, full of wonders and surprises, is one of Africa’s hidden gems waiting for you to discover.
From the lush green hills of the Virunga Mountains to the amazing wildlife of Akagera National Park – a promise of an adventure-filled vacation.
Whether you prefer trekking through the mountains in search of mountain gorillas or having a unique peek at the country’s culture and history, or going on a thrilling safari tour to meet the Big five, yeah! The big bold five; Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinos, Elephants, and African Buffalos.
An opportunity to sight such rare breeds to the eyes is one that you can’t imagine missing. Now we understand that the choices are endless, and it is, in fact, difficult to choose where to start.
There are so many ways to explore Rwanda and discover what makes this country such an incredible destination for adventure seekers. You can choose to travel solo or as a couple, but the best way to experience this African Paradise is by joining a group tour. Here are the best Rwanda tours to discover the land of a Thousands Hills.
But wait, first things first. Why group tours?
Group tours offer an opportunity to discover Rwanda in groups, where you can share your experiences with like-minded people and even make new friends along the way. Group tours provide a unique experience as they are required to meet the needs of their clients.
They know the best route leading to the best destinations, they know the best times to take specific trips, and they know Rwanda to its core. Therefore, they can give the best expert advice to you.
With experienced tour guides leading the way, travelers get a chance to learn more about this amazing country while having fun at the same time.
Group tours offer well-organized activities, such as hiking, biking, wildlife spotting, and more. They help you to find the best places to stay and restaurants to eat at. It is like a mini-community of travelers exploring together.
Imagine if you had to plan all of these activities by yourself, and explore Rwanda on your own; who would be by your side listening to your adventure in Virunga National Park or how terrified you were in crossing the canopy walkway in the montane rainforest of Nyungwe?
By the way, if getting out of your comfy hotel bed will be a challenge, you know that you have no excuse; group tours are for you as they make it easy for travelers like you to get out of their comfort zone and excitingly explore Rwanda. With group tours, you are sure to find yourself an experience of a lifetime.
These 7 best tours are offered by top-rated Tour Operators operating in Rwanda that give exceptional experiences and great value for money.
Okay! Now let’s talk about the 7 Best Rwanda Tours To Discover Rwanda with ease. Let’s go!
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Wild Encounters in Rwanda
G Adventures
How does it feel like traveling with the world’s best small group adventure travel operator with over a whopping 30 years of experience? Well, G Adventures has a proven track record in organizing the best experiences for its clients.
They take pride in showing you the best places on the face of the earth and why these places need more explorers and adventurers like you. This time, they want to take you to Rwanda for an unforgettable expedition.
But, do not take our word for it; take a chance to find out for yourself by joining this eight days fully–guided adventure, exploring the depths of Rwanda, from Kigali – Rwanda’s capital, to the Akagera National Park – the largest protected wetland in Africa and home to the Big Five.
Embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime safari to Akagera National Park with your family (age: 15-99 years old) or a small group of six, you will learn about the incredible conservation efforts that brought this one-time battleground back from the disasters of genocide. During your exploration, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where the remains of over 250,000 victims reside.
In this place, we pay respect to the fallen victims of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, appreciate the peace we have in our individual lives and know how we should never turn a blind eye to the slightest behavior of intolerance.
Huh!
We are sorry if that made you emotional; it made us emotional too. But that is not all about this amazing trip. We know seeing lions and buffalos in their natural habitat feels amazingly unbeatable, but connecting with the local people in their communities can be incredibly heart-warming.
The combination of the duo, in fact, is jaw-dropping. On this tour, you will embark on a community walk in the vibrant Nyamirambo neighborhood and enjoy a local lunch at the G Adventures–supported Nyamirambo Women’s Centre.
With all the great stuff, this tour package includes your accommodation, meals and transportation for a starting price of $6599 per person for 8 days. Are you not packing your bags already?
Remarkable Rwanda and the Gorillas of Uganda
Intrepid Travel
When was the last time you heard someone say, “time is money”? There is no doubt that time is your most invaluable commodity at all times, even when you are on vacation. You might be wondering if you will be spending all of your precious time with a group and always out and about when you opt for a group tour. Intrepid Travel says, NO!
They keep it simple and well-balanced; A little group time and a little you time, they say. Fair enough!
Intrepid Travel is known for its traditionally small tour groups of an average of 10 and for taking huge adventures – all by traveling responsibly and forging long-lasting friendships between people from all walks of life whose unifying factor was a common interest in a destination.
It is interesting to know that Intrepid Travel’s ‘you time group time’ phenomenon does not limit the possibility of an incredible adventure. They go core with the exploration.
Imagine, for a second, being in the middle of the jungle with fellow travelers led by a Gorilla tracker who is showing you the way to a whole family of gorillas. You stood there anticipating in silence, awaiting the big moment when you locked eyes with these rare creatures. The tracker, making a grunting noise communicating your arrival to the Gorillas, smashing a sheet of grass on the way and voila!
There you see them and how huge they are – and how much they look like human figures. There you realized, that you just had your first encounter with the mountain Gorillas of Rwanda. If this is the type of adventure you dreamed of having, then start packing your jungle boots and raincoats to visit Rwanda.
With a starting price of $4667 per person in a group of 12 with an age range of 15 to 99 years old, you can join this trip exploring Kigali, Gisenyi, Kisoro, and Musanze. The trip is well-guided and family-friendly too. It includes accommodation in a hotel, meal plans and transportation to and from the Kigali International Airport and within the destination areas.
Gorilla Express
On The Go Tours
Are you tight on work schedules that you can’t even spare a whole week of adventure but still desperately need an unforgettable trip to discover the world’s best places?
Give a sigh of relief as we have found you this incredible 4-day trip to discover Rwanda by On The Go Tours covering a range of hot spots for adventure. This highly rated Tour Operator collected a staggering collection of Awards in ten categories at the British Travel Awards in 2020. That’s a whole lot of accolades!
Having all of these awards under your belt means one thing and one thing only – travelers trust you for their travel experience. Don’t you agree? On The Go, Tours helps you to see the world your way, and the evidence is there for you to see. But, the truth is, he who experiences it, tells it better. Join this fully-guided tour of 12 people if you are between the ages of 18 to 60 years old, exploring Kigali and the Volcanoes National Park in 4 days.
There is one common feature that all of these remarkable tours have, and that is the search for the world’s largest primate – the mountain Gorilla. These unique creatures have pivoted themselves as the signature wildlife of Rwanda. Therefore, going to Rwanda without visiting them is like an incomplete adventure. So, on this trip, you will be going to Ruhengeri at the foothills of the Virungas, where you will be based for your trek to the gorillas.
But did I tell you the unique, fun part of this trip? First, how much do you love African traditional dance? Well, on this trip, you will be entertained by the Itorero – a local Rwandan dance troupe that seamlessly communicates through the drumbeats of the ‘Ingoma’. During this lovely evening, forget about all the worries of a tight schedule and dance your heart out – you are in Rwanda.
This trip covers your accommodation, meals and transportation for a starting price of $5025 per person. An unforgettable adventure for a short time; go for it, pal.
Rwanda Cultural Experience, & Big 5 Safari
Devine African Safaris
Devine African Safaris is a Ugandan Base Tour Operator with over 10 years of experience in safari tours and cultural expeditions. Based in a country that bordered Rwanda in the northern and southern parts of Bwindi, it is safe to say that the operators grew up trekking to and from the jungles where endangered species live.
Devine African Safaris open up a new world of authentic experiences for travelers yearning to get off the beaten track and explore a variety of travel styles that can be tailor-made to their needs.
Everyone wants a unique experience that is authentic and unforgettable. You are sure to find just that in this tour when you grab your backpack with your jungle boots on and head on a safari with the guys who grew up by the jungle. On the long trek, you will hear their childhood stories and learn a lot from the stories they told.
With a group of 12 people between the ages of 18 to 100 years old, this fully-guided 10 days tour which is perfect for families, will take its travelers on a thrilling journey from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park in search of the signature wildlife of Rwanda – the gorillas.
After an incredible adventure with the gorillas, you will be taken on a deep cultural tour to learn about the horrifying history of Rwanda’s genocide and how the reconciliation between the victims and the perpetrators is ongoing in the village of Mayang.
Healing from a horrific past involving thousands of deaths is a battle of its own, but the Rwandan people vow to never return to the disastrous ages of horror. You will learn how the perpetrators and the survivors of the genocide peacefully live side by side in Mayang. A true inspiration to the world.
With a perfect safari tour on a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser built for safari, comfortable accommodation, delicious meals and transportation costing $5025 per person, you are ready for an adventure in Rwanda.
Discover Rwanda & Gorilla Trekking Adventure
New Horizon Africa Safaris
New Horizon Africa Safaris is an experienced Safari Tour Operator operating in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo with resources to cater to the best safari experiences for its clients. They are known for offering tailor-made itineraries for their pool of clients for a relatively reasonable budget. They understand that not everybody can spare a large budget for an adventure which is why they believe that everyone can get a unique experience crafted based on their budget.
This 5 days tour exploring Rwanda from Kigali to Akagera National Park to Musanze, the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park and home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, will open a new perspective to greater possibilities of spending less and enjoying more.
On this tour, you will explore the Akagera National Park through an authentic Game Drive to spot over 12 species of antelopes, and more than 525 species of birds, including rare ones like the shoebill stork and the papyrus gonolek.
One of the most exciting activities on this trip is the visit to Lake Ihema, located in the east of Rwanda at the border with Tanzania. You will be taken on a boat ride to see crocodiles, schools of hippos and lots of water birds. Cameras will be so handy here as you will not want to miss a bite of the beautiful scenery in your adventure souvenir.
This tour takes a group of 10 people between the ages of 15 to 75 years old and costs $3400 per person. The tour is perfect for a family getaway in an adventurous style. It includes your accommodation, meals and transportation for 5 days.
Classic Rwanda Tour
Agate Travel
Known for its worldwide presence, Agate Travel is a subsidiary of Xian Marco Polo International Travel Service Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1997. For 25 years, Agate Travel has maintained its reputation on the world travel stage as one of the best in crafting tailor-made experiences for its clients.
With a great level of flexibility in both time and budget, travelers find it incredibly helpful to plan their trips in a one-on-one travel consultancy session with their needs in mind.
Agate Travel sends travelers to every nook and corner of the world, and they have been taking adventurers to explore the destination of Rwanda. Classic Rwanda Tour is majorly about discovering the best of Rwanda’s wildlife and natural beauty. Hence the name, classic Rwanda Tour. You will be taken on an intense safari to Nyungwe National Park for Chimpanzee trekking and, of course, for spotting Rwanda’s signature wildlife, the mountain gorillas.
One of the most exciting parts of this tour is the canopy walk, the only one of its kind in the whole of East Africa. Measuring a hundred and sixty meters (160m) long and seventy meters (70m) above the ground overseeing the ancient treetops of this rainforest.
If you are not afraid of heights, then you will surely love this experience. The walk takes approximately 1hr 30min and offers an incredible view of the forest. You might spot rare birds and watch the blue monkeys jump from one treetop to another.
After a tiring but worthwhile adventure in Nyungwe National Park, you will then visit Rubavu – a waterfront town on the shores of lake Kivu for great relaxation. You will have the chance to unwind your tired body and enjoy numerous watersports while you relax.
Classic Rwanda Tour takes a group of 4 people between 2 to 80 years old at a starting price of $8439. It is a fully-guided tour which makes it perfect for families. It includes accommodation, meals and transportation.
Remarkable Rwanda
Crooked Compass
Crooked Compass is an Australian Travel Company that is known for its strategic and sensitive way of integrating local communities into the travel experience of its clients, creating an authentic cultural exploration that connects people from all backgrounds.
Founded by a woman explorer, the Remarkable Rwanda Tour is a women-only tour offering memorable and inspiring moments. You will begin exploring Rwanda in a group of 12 women between 15 to 99 years old from Kigali to Lake Kivu, and to Hippo beach, where you can also spot giraffes and leopards.
It is quite remarkable to see the complete u-turn taken by the Rwandan people on the issues of women, from being raped to becoming the most represented group in Rwanda’s house of parliament, controlling 65% of the house.
Rwanda’s success story has women at the forefront of shaping the ‘remarkable Rwanda’ the world loves to see. On this tour, you will learn about the efforts of women leaders in Rwanda and their participation in sustainable national development.
As we put it earlier on, a traveler’s adventure in Rwanda is incomplete without a visit to the mountain gorillas. So, you will trek to the Volcanoes National Park in search of the world’s largest primate. You will also be opportune to have a behind-the-scenes interaction with Dian Fossey’s Gorilla Doctors. This is an incredible way to learn more about these human-figured creatures living in the jungle.
On this tour, your accommodation, meals and transportation are covered for 11 days at $10627 per person. 11 days of authentic experiences interacting with the locals, going on game drives, learning about gorillas from expert doctors and more are worth a try.
Final Thoughts On the Best Rwanda Tours
These 7 best tours will help you to explore Rwanda without hassle. Any one of them will give you an insight into what a gem this one-time battleground is. The search for true adventure is never easier, such that the only barrier between you and your invaluable experience is just a button click away.
Take every chance to explore the depth of this tiny country. Be immersed in its natural beauty and stunning scenery. Be ready to be lost in wanderlust, and let nature help you find your way to great discoveries in this land of a thousand hills.
But you all wait! If we should end this article without asking this one important question, then we will be totally unfair to the baby gorillas of Rwanda. Did you know that when baby gorillas are born in Rwanda, a huge event is planned for their naming ceremony?
Yes, this has become one of the world’s most important celebrations of nature and has been done for the last 18 years. Since then, 374 baby gorillas have been named. Incredible! Choose one of the tours above and hope that you meet a baby gorilla too. Tell us about it when you do.
If none of these tours work for you in Rwanda, please do not worry. There is a wide variety of tour options in the country, and we are confident that there will be something that fits your needs and interests.
Take a look at all the group tours in Rwanda now, which you can sort by private or group, maximum sizing, budget, dates and much (much more). The team at TourRadar is also always more than happy to answer any questions, provide further information or assist in any way in finding the perfect tour for you.
