A quarter of a century after the genocide and civil war, Rwanda is a country transformed into one of the safest and progressive on the continent
While Mountain Gorillas are definitely the top draw here, they are not the sole attraction
Volcanoes National Park in north west Rwanda is home to the largest population of Mountain Gorillas on the planet and has gained an international reputation for being the place to see them. With ten habituated groups the likelihood of encountering a family is extremely high and the very act of purchasing your permit irrefutably aids the chances of survival for this critically endagered iconic Great Ape.
Many visitors to Rwanda choose to only visit for the Gorillas - treating it as an add-on to a Serengeti or Kenyan safari, which is certainly possible given Rwanda's excellent infrastructure and air links, the Gorilla habitat is a two hour drive from the international airport. However, Rwanda is a fascinating country, a rising star on the safari scene with allure beyond the Gorillas.
In the east Akagera, containing Rwanda's only savannah, along with central Africa's largest protected wetlands, is emphatically worth visiting. Amongst Africa's prettiest savannah reserves with swamp-fringed lakes, vast plains and rolling hills, it is also an ongoing conservation triumph with the recent reintroduction of lion and Black Rhino (2015 & 2017 respectively). With an estimated population of 12,000 large mammals and 482 bird species recorded, a comfy lakeshore tented camp, all an easy couple of hour's drive from Kigali - Akagera deserves a detour.
Nyungwe Forest in the deep south is more of a mission to get to but for those that make the effort the rewards are arguably even greater. Nyungwe is simply magnificent. The largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in eastern Africa is home to nearly a quarter of all primate species in Africa, including Chimpanzees. The 130km network of paths and a suspended canopy walk allow unfettered access deep in to the forest and the Chimps can generally be tracked at short notice.
There was no way that I could explain to dogs, friends or parents my compelling need to return to Africa to launch a long-term study of the gorillas. Some may call it destiny and others may call it dismaying. I call it the sudden turn of events in my life fortuitous”
BEST TIME TO GO TO RWANDA
There are two annual rainy seasons, the major one lasts from June to September and the lesser rains from mid-September to mid-December
If Gorilla trekking is your primary objective this can be undertaken at any time of year and because the Gorilla's live in a rainforest (as the Chimps do in Nyungwe) it can, by definition, rain at any time - although that said it is likely to be much less slippery underfoot in the dry season.
Should you be planning to visit Rwanda in combination with another wildlife area in the region we'd suggest talking through the permutations of this with us.
THE MORE YOU LEARN ABOUT THE DIGNITY OF THE GORILLA, THE MORE YOU WANT TO AVOID PEOPLE.”
Take the first step
Tell us where you'd like to go...
Talk to us
+44 (0) 1747 830950
Our experienced travellers include:
Catherine Ronan
Vanessa Janion
Andrea Hulme
It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary.
All of us at Natural High have over 20 years’ experience in the countries we offer. We’ve lived there, worked there and arranged countless one-off journeys for clients. We live to travel – and love to share our tips on what’s really worth doing. For expert advice (and a traveller’s tale or two), speak to one of our team. They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Natural High Brochure
Drop us an email if you'd like us to send you a copy our brochure. Or you can download a digital copy here
Reviews
Interesting places, good food and always something interestingTo see.
"I enjoy the three part holiday and the safaris selected. I had not had a beach
Holiday for many years and it was lovely to relax on such a lovely island
and learn how to snorkel."
A wonderful memorable holiday in a magical environment
"Excellent advice and suggestions, perfect arrangements"
Another Perfect Trip
"Morocco was our fourth trip with Natural High and true to past trips, the itinerary was right on point for our interest and goals, all logistics went off without a hitch and the service throughout the trip was high end. Everyone we worked with were friendly and professional. We had a fantastic time...Thank you!"
Perfect holiday from start to finish.
"Absolutely excellent service. The itinerary was spot on and the whole holiday worked like clockwork. The pre holiday notes and briefing were most useful too. I would have no hesitation in recommending Natural High Safaris to others."
Fabulous trip to Tanzania
"This is the second time we have used Natural High Safaris, and again they organised an outstanding holiday for us, this time in Tanzania, combining a safari and beach holiday that was top-notch. Highly recommend them, with huge range of experience and desire to really understand what it is their clients want - and then delivering! Thanks to Catherine Ronan."
RECENT UPDATES
A mammal of the African bush who's reputation definitely goes before it - the Honey Badger. #honeybadger #safari #africa #botswana
Mount Nyiragongo in the Virunga Mountains. Challenging trek but oh so rewarding when you reach the summit with views into the lava lake. #naturalhighsafaris
Botswana sunset special from the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta. #mobilesafaris #okavango #sunset #africa #nofilter #liveintrepid
The Okavango Delta is one of the few places where you can indulge in the safari experience from a couple of feet above the clear water in a dug out canoe - this magnificent shot was taken from exactly that, earlier this year. Quietly glide with your eyes peeled and who knows what is around the corne...
Yellow-billed storks soaring through the sky above Lake Manyara #safari #tanzania #africageo #safaritanzania #wildlifesafari #africa_vancations #naturalhighsafaris #birdsofafrica #birdsofeastafrica
Wilderness experience in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco
Early days of Natural High - camping under the wings on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, Ol Doinyo Lengai in the background. #naturalhighsafaris #tanzania #safari #liveintrepid #africa_vacations #sleepunderthewings
Happy New Year from all at Natural High. Here's to a hugely exciting year ahead - may it be full of wild adventures. Double tap if you feel like this sleepy lioness this morning... #safari #safaritanzania #tanzania #wildlifesafari #wilderness #africa_vacations #naturalhighsafaris
Top 5 Walking Safaris in Tanzania: Strike out from the 4x4 and experience the African bush on foot. The smell of fresh elephant dung, the sound of tick-birds, the alarm calls of other animals announcing your presence. Above all a walking safari takes you out of the audience and puts you on the stag...
So exciting finding fresh tracks in camp when you head to breakfast. These prints found in Lake Manyara tented camp during the wonderful green season. #safari #tanzaniasafari #lakemanyara #naturalhighsafaris #visittanzania
The perfect end to a day spent quietly exploring the wilder areas of the Serengeti National Park on foot, well away from any crowds. A beautiful private tented camp deep in the pristine wilderness - bliss. #safari #tanzania #serengeti #walkingsafari #africa #travel #wildlifesafari #wilderness #afri...
After many trips over the past few years this place has become a firm favourite of ours. Enjoy flicking through just a few of our many highlights from Madagascar. A Madagascar safari holiday offers the sort of eccentric charm it’s increasingly hard to find these days. Not quite Africa, part Indo...