Q. Is Rwanda a safe country to visit?
A. Like many other sub-Saharan countries, Rwanda does suffer from a low incidence of street crime, armed robbery or vehicle hi-jacking.  When traveling it is advisable to take sensible security precautions i.e. avoid walking in the streets after dark, be discreet when carrying your money and jewellery, and do not leave cars unsupervised in town centres. Travel to rural areas bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo is not advised unless travel is essential, as incursions and other incidents cannot be ruled out. If precaution is exercised and travel to volatile border areas in Rwanda is avoided, your trip to Rwanda should be safe and trouble free.

Q. When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
A. Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year however certain seasons are best for different activities. During the long dry season between June and September, when the ground is dryer and dirt roads are more accessible, it is the best time for tracking gorillas and biking in Nyungwe.  The risk of malaria is also lower during this dry season. For photography enthusiasts, the rainy season brings greener scenery and less haze and is also the best time to track Chimpanzees in Nyungwe.  November to March is renowned as the best period for bird watching, as resident birds are accompanied by flocks of migrant species.

Q. What is the road and infrastructure like in Rwanda?
A. In general the road infrastructure from the capital Kigali to all major towns in Rwanda is good however there is the possibility of landslides on the some of the major routes during the annual rains in late spring and autumn.  Road travel after dark should be avoided where possible as roads are unlit and driving standards are generally poor in comparison to western countries. The most common form of public transport within and between towns is shared taxis (mini-vans) and although relatively cheap, they are often crowded and are the most vulnerable to accidents. Internal flights are very limited in Rwanda, with flights only running twice weekly between Kigali and Cyangugu in the far west. Our recommended air carriers in and out of Rwanda are Kenya Airways (and KLM from Europe) and South African Airways.

Q. Where is the best place to see Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda?
A. The 125 km² Parc National des Volcans in the Virunga Volcanoes in the north of the country is the place to view mountain gorillas in Rwanda.  About 350 mountain gorillas make their home in the afro-montane forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, which includes the Parc National des Volcans,  Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Parc des Virungas (Djomba) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In Parc National des Volcans on the Rwandan side of the Virungas, where the renowned primatologist Dian Fossey worked, there are four habituated gorilla families. About a 90-minute drive from the capital Kigali, the town of Ruhengeri at the base of the entrance to the park, has long been the base point for gorilla visits.

Q. When is the best time to go Gorilla Tracking?
A. Although Rwanda can be visited at any time during the year, the long dry season from June to September is believed to be the best time for tracking gorillas. As tracking gorillas usually entails a long and often strenuous trek, this dry period is best as the ground should be dry underfoot and the odds of being drenched are minimal.

Q. What else is there to see in Rwanda other than Mountain Gorillas?
A. Although small in terms of its size, Rwanda has a vast array of places to visit and activities to pursue.  The volcanic lakes in the west, and in particular the largest Lake Kivu, has some interesting lakeside towns including Kibuye, which, at only 2 hrs drive from Kigali, is a relaxing place for canoeing, swimming and water-skiing. Other centres worth a visit include the pleasant university town of Butare, home to the National Museum, and the capital Kigali. Kigali, despite difficulties during the 1994 genocide, is a bustling and attractive garden city offering markets and traditional handicrafts.

Akagera National Park to the east offers elephant, antelope, lion, and buffalo. The Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest offers 13 species of primate including chimpanzee, Rwenzori colobus and l’Hoest’s monkey.  Both parks offer superb birding opportunities. For the more adventurous traveller, tracking the recently habituated 'Golden Monkey' or climbing two of the volcanoes in the Virungas may be an attractive option.