Rwanda Travel Guide
Mist curling off the volcanoes, a silverback’s deep gaze at close range, and a capital so clean and calm it feels like a different continent. Rwanda is intimate, emotional and unforgettable.
By the BicoTravels team · Updated October 2026Start exploringGorillas, Kigali & Lake Kivu
The three experiences that define a trip to Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking
Volcanoes National Park sits close enough to Kigali that gorilla trekking is possible as a long day trip, unlike Uganda’s more remote Bwindi. Hike through bamboo and mist, then sit quietly as a gorilla family goes about its day just meters away.
Good to know: Permits generally cost more than Uganda’s, reflecting the shorter transfer and more developed tourism infrastructure.
Permits, cost and what to expect →Chimpanzees & the canopy walkway
Nyungwe Forest National Park offers chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walkway through montane rainforest, with the forest humming around you and the ground far below.
Good to know: Add Nyungwe if you have time beyond the primary gorilla trek.
Compare stays →A clean, calm capital
Kigali itself is notably clean and well organized, with a genuinely good restaurant and coffee scene, and has become a growing hub for conferences and remote work in the region. Lake Kivu’s shoreline towns provide a relaxed, scenic add-on for travelers extending their trip.
Good to know: Spend at least a day in Kigali before or after the trek.
Compare flights to Rwanda →More to experience in Rwanda
The trek itself
Trackers lead small groups through bamboo and forest to a habituated gorilla family, and time with the gorillas is kept deliberately limited, which makes every minute count.Rwandan coffee
Highland-grown coffee is a point of national pride, and Kigali’s cafes make a calm way to start or end a trip.Lake Kivu
Relaxed lakeside towns and sunset views make a gentle counterpart to the intensity of the gorilla trek.A remote-work hub
Reliable infrastructure and a safe, walkable capital make Kigali a growing base for conferences and remote work.Four ways Rwanda gets under your skin
Choose your season
Ways to build your trip
Combining with Kenya: Kigali International Airport has direct flights from Nairobi, making Rwanda a straightforward add-on to a Kenya itinerary for travelers who want gorilla trekking without the longer transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi.
Practical planning
Visa
Many nationalities can get a Rwanda visa on arrival or via e-visa in advance. Confirm current requirements before booking.Currency
Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc. Cards are increasingly accepted in Kigali, but carry cash for rural areas and smaller vendors.Getting there
Kigali International Airport has direct flights from Nairobi, a straightforward add-on to a Kenya itinerary.Frequently asked questions
Is Rwanda more expensive than Uganda for gorilla trekking?
Rwanda’s gorilla permits generally cost more than Uganda’s, but the shorter transfer from Kigali and more developed tourism infrastructure are part of what that premium reflects.
How many days do I need in Rwanda?
Three to four days covers a day in Kigali, the gorilla trek and some buffer time, longer if adding Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.
Is Kigali worth spending time in?
Yes. It is an unusually clean, walkable capital with a genuinely good restaurant and coffee scene, worth at least a day before or after the gorilla trek.
Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?
Yes. Gorilla trekking requires a permit, and the number issued each day is limited, so book well in advance.
How fit do I need to be?
Treks can involve several hours of hiking on steep, uneven, sometimes muddy terrain, so reasonable fitness helps. Treks are paced to the group.