Planning Rwanda Safaris from The Netherlands
Rwanda safaris from the Netherlands take you through the different destinations which are within Rwanda. Whether it is planning a gorilla trekking or wildlife tour, safaris planned from the Netherlands never go wrong with help from an expert. Rwanda is located in East Africa within the Great Rift Valley. The country is tagged as a land of a thousand hills and the country has one of the most developed infrastructures in Africa. Rwanda is neighbored by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some parts of Rwanda are covered by the Virunga ranges which make the country a great destination for safari for travelers. Rwanda is one of the countries in Africa that has invested much in the tourism sector. The investment has been through intensive marketing with big brands around the world, conservation, construction of hotels, infrastructure development, and many others.
The best places in Rwanda that should not miss on your safari plan
Whether you are planning your Rwanda safaris from the Netherlands or any other country, you will have to visit any of these destinations. In Rwanda, there are several destinations that travelers can visit on their safaris to Rwanda and they include;
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is located in the eastern side of Rwanda and Tanzania and it is the only savannah National park. The park is home to the big five animals which are encountered during the safari. While in the park the wildlife encountered include lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many others.
Kigali city
This an administrative center for Rwanda with several attractions and places that travelers on their safaris to Rwanda from the Netherlands can visit. While in Kigali city, travelers can engage in the city tour to different areas like the Kigali genocide, the president’s museum, the Belgium monument, and many others.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located on the western side of Rwanda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the Virunga region. The park is home to several primates. The mountain gorillas are the key primates in the park and travelers encounter these primates through the gorilla trekking. Also in the park, some other small primates exist. They include; golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and many others. In this park, where the works of the gorilla conservations started under the efforts of Dian Fossey who was killed by poachers. During the visit to the park, travelers can hike to see her tomb with other tombs of the conservationists who were killed by poachers.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in southwestern Rwanda near the lake Kivu. The park is forested throughout and situated at the border of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nyungwe National Park is home to over 75 mammal species. These include 13 primate species and over 450 bird species which are within the park. The park is known for the chimpanzee which is one of the large primates in the park. While in this park, there are several canopy walkways raised over 50 meters above the ground.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is found on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake lies in southwestern Rwanda and travelers visit the lake for different activities. The lake is also one of the dominant islands called the Idjwi island and they are encountered during the safaris to Rwanda.
What activities can tourists encounter during Rwanda safaris from the Netherlands?
There are several activities that travelers engage in during the Rwanda safaris from the Netherlands and they include;
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is done in the Volcanoes National Park in the western part of Rwanda. The activity gives a close encounter with the mountain gorillas which are one of the large and powerful primates in the park. Travelers take about 2 to 7 hours of the day to track the gorillas and they have 1 hour viewing them maintaining a distance of 3 meters. The activity requires travelers to have booked a gorilla trekking permit. In Rwanda, there are over 94 gorilla trekking permits which are available for travelers. Tourists are supposed to book in time to ensure availability.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking gives a close encounter to the chimpanzee which are one of the large primates in the Nyungwe forest National park. The chimpanzee which are usually tracked are habituated for two years for them to get used to the human presence. This activity takes about 2 to 7 hours of the day. Chimpanzee permits are booked in time to ensure availability.
Game drives
This activity is only done in the Akagera National Park on the eastern side of Rwanda. It is the only savannah park where wildlife can be seen grazing in the savannah grassland. Game drives are done in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up for easy viewing. The trails of the park are gazette for the game drive. Wildlife encountered during the game drive includes lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and many others.
City tours
Rwanda city tours take you through Kigali with several historical sites that travelers on their safaris encounter. While in Kigali for a city tour, travelers encounter several sites like the Kigali Genocide Museum, the President’s Museum, the Belgium Monument, and many others.
Do travelers need a Visa for the Rwanda safaris from the Netherlands?
Yes, travelers are supposed to acquire visas to visit Rwanda for a safari since the Netherlands is not listed among the Visa-free states with Rwanda. Travelers are supposed to apply for visas at the embassies of Rwanda or using the online platform. A visa to Rwanda lasts about 90 days for single entry for travelers.
What are the vaccination cards required by travelers visiting Rwanda?
While on a Rwanda safari, travelers from the Netherlands are supposed to know the travel documents required. The vaccination cards required from travelers include COVID-19 cards, yellow fever vaccination cards, and many others.
What is the best time to plan Rwanda Safaris from the Netherlands?
Rwanda is open for travelers throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season June to September and December to February. During this dry season, the area is dry and clear for the safari activities in the country.
