We had an amazing time on our self-drive safari. It was well worth visiting Rwanda with 4WD Land Cruiser Prado. We did a 16-day tour in Rwanda with self-drive Kigali and we started our journey with wildlife safari in Akagera National Park and exploring the beautiful villages of Rwamagana before return back to Kigali visiting the Genocide Memorial and exploring a local market.
First of all, Jackie communicates so well and she is always available to answer any questions you have. I was hesitant at first to pay, since it’s complicated in Africa and I wasn’t familiar with the payment process, but everything went very smoothly. I opted to pay through online and they shared with me their Pesapal account and I’m glad I did because I felt safe paying that way.
We visited Akagera National Park and had a safari tour through the park with our ranger guide Tom. Thanks to him we were able to spot 4 out of the big five in one day! Tom is very friendly and knowledgeable. He takes all the time we wanted we spent the entire day with him in the park.
We are a couple of wildlife photographers, and thoroughly enjoyed Akagera doing day and night game safari. The game is not as plentiful as Great Rift Valley or Botswana, but there is so much less traffic. We encountered more other vehicles. Lots of giraffes, warthogs, crocodiles, hippos, baboons, ungulates, many species of birds.
The sunset boat ride is well worth the time and money following at the shores of the Lake Ihema and animals like hippos, buffaloes, elephants’ crocs among others were spotted and even birds.
After being filled with experience from this wildlife corridor between Rwanda and Tanzania we had to transfer back to Kigali. Upon arrival we had lunch and again we continued with our journey to Volcanoes National Park the former Ruhengeri for mountain gorilla trekking experience. We booked and slept at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. And the next day we were ready to do the gorilla activity, the highlight of our tour in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking tours take place in Volcanoes National Park and they begin at the Kinigi park Headquarters. It is where the briefing takes place and when we reached the park, we were welcomed and entertained by a cultural group as we were given free hot coffee.
After the short briefing about the do’s and don’ts of the park, we were divided into groups of 08 people according to those who are fit and the old people. But lucky enough we were already fit and we were given the Susa gorilla family.
We were fortunate to do hike, the famous Susa family, the walk was fantastic with knowledgeable guides, expert trackers and very helpful porters. You may feel you don’t need a porter – believe me you probably do – but it is not about the carrying. Your tips and contributions to everyone is a big part of their livelihood. When you are at 3,000 meters.
Walk duration varies, three hours in with the guide hacking a path through the vegetation and an hour and a half out. (Remember what I said about porters?). The only really fixed duration is the drive time to your put in. The gorillas are not on a schedule – they move. So, there are no words for the one hour you spend with these majestic creatures, so I won’t even try. Aside from telling you we saw a day-old baby. This is one of the thrilling moments we can never forget. We are much delighted to another gorilla tour when we come back again to visit Rwanda.
Gorilla tourism is a big revenue earner for Rwanda and the gorilla permit USD$ 1500 is the poster-boy for the Visit Rwanda marketing campaign. It is well controlled and strictly limited. Of course, the gorillas are now used to seeing gawping tourists every day for an hour.
It is an “I scratch your back, you scratch mine” relationship. In return for this access, they get protection, a preserved habitat, and to be mountain gorillas. If they weren’t happy, they would either clear off and would certainly not be producing 20+ babies a year. This is conservation in action.
On this tour, we chose to sleep in mid-range accommodations and the places we stayed were awesome. Great food, views, and service. We didn’t want to leave our lodges. In Akagera National Park, we stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Our stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge was absolutely perfect. The luxurious tents provided all the comforts of home while allowing me to stay connected to nature. Each morning, I woke to the sounds of wildlife and the gentle rustling of leaves, which was truly enchanting.
The food was outstanding, with every meal offering a delicious array of dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. From breakfast to dinner, each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. Surrounded by stunning views of the lake and lush greenery, the lodge offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The abundant wildlife added to the charm, making the experience even more special.
The staff at Ruzizi were exceptional, providing warm, attentive, and professional service that made me feel truly cared for throughout my stay. In summary, Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a haven of luxury, nature, and outstanding service. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to return.
At Volcanoes National Park, we stayed Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Very comfortable lodges set in the ground of the main building. Our thanks to all staff especially Gilbert who made it a great stay. This lodge does what is says on the tin and provides a great base to visit the national park.
You can hire everything from boots, gaiters to coats at the adjoining shop, as well as great boot cleaning service (and dried) on your return from the park. This is a no-frills lodge, with very friendly staff, good food, great lodges and an open fire in your room to warm you. Thanks all.
I only have positive things to say about my experience, and for the part of the car, it was exceptional, we had no issues, the car had enough space for our luggage and if you are questioning whether or not to rent a car from this company, please rent with them! I’m so glad that I chose them.
