Lake Kivu, RwandaPhoto: MuitaHappy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Rwanda
Rwanda, made simple: gorillas, green hills and a lake at sunset
Rwanda is small, clean, safe by regional standards and astonishingly green. Mountain gorillas in the volcanoes, chimpanzees in Nyungwe's rainforest, the Big Five in Akagera and long lazy days on Lake Kivu are all within a few hours of Kigali. This guide takes the guesswork out of permits, entry, money and getting around so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry, permits, cash and seasons, answered
- LandingKigali's airport and your first evening, explained
- Your days in RwandaGorillas, lake, forest and savannah, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain where the big costs sit, from gorilla permits to park fees, before you book.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Rwanda should feel like a dream trip, not a logistics puzzle. We answer the worries before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to see family in Kigali or Huye after years away, or planning a once in a lifetime gorilla trek? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your RwandaGorillas, chimps, safari, lake time, history or a family visit: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry, permits, health and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Rwanda trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Kigali, Volcanoes, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe, Akagera and Huye, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, cafés, markets, viewpoints and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Kigali and stays in the city, by the lake and near the parks.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Rwanda trip
City, gorillas, lake
Most first trips start with a day or two in Kigali, head north to the Virunga volcanoes for a gorilla trek, then wind down on the shore of Lake Kivu. Add Nyungwe for chimpanzees or Akagera for a savannah safari and you have seen the whole country in under two weeks.
- Kigali's memorial, markets and café scene
- Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes
- Sunsets and island boat trips on Lake Kivu
- Chimpanzees and the canopy walk in Nyungwe
Plan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Gorilla permits sell out, roads wind through the hills and the seasons matter. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route and pace.
- Realistic road times
- The right season for trekking
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Rwanda
From the volcanoes of the north to the rainforest of the south and the savannah of the east.
Central Rwanda
Kigali
Rwanda's clean, hilly capital, with a moving memorial, buzzing markets and a great café scene.
Read the guidePhoto: Emmanuelkwizera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Home of the mountain gorillas, on the bamboo slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.
Read the guidePhoto: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Rwanda
Lake Kivu
A vast, calm lake framed by green hills, with beaches, islands and unforgettable sunsets.
Read the guidePhoto: Davyimage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southwestern Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa's oldest rainforests, with chimpanzees, a canopy walkway and tea estates.
Read the guidePhoto: Jonkmania, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's savannah park, restored and home to the Big Five, lakes and wetlands.
Read the guidePhoto: John Cooke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Rwanda
Huye
Rwanda's intellectual and cultural heart, close to the old royal capital at Nyanza.
Read the guidePhoto: Fikiri-jenly, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Rwanda safe to visit?
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the region for visitors, with low street crime and a strong police presence. Some governments advise caution near the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, so read your government's current advice before booking.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or travel visa free for a period, while others apply online. Check the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration website for the current rules for your passport before you travel.
How do I see the mountain gorillas?
You need a gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park, booked through the Rwanda Development Board or a licensed tour operator. Permits are limited each day and sell out in peak season, so book months ahead and check the official fee on the RDB site.
Can I use cards in Rwanda?
Yes, more than in most neighbouring countries. Cards work in Kigali hotels, many restaurants and supermarkets, and mobile money is everywhere. Carry some Rwandan francs for markets, motos and rural areas.
What languages are spoken in Rwanda?
Kinyarwanda is spoken by almost everyone. English is the language of schools and government, French is still common, and Swahili is widely understood. A few words of Kinyarwanda, like murakoze for thank you, earn big smiles.
How many days do I need in Rwanda?
Seven to ten days covers Kigali, a gorilla trek, Lake Kivu and either Nyungwe or Akagera. With two weeks you can add both parks and Huye's museums at a relaxed pace.
Ready to find your Bliss in Rwanda?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.