Rwanda Holidays: Gorilla Trekking, Kigali, Lake Kivu & Best Time to Visit

T By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Kigali International (KGL)

Flight time

about 9h direct from London to Kigali when flights operate, or 10-12h with one stop

Best time to go

June-September and December-February, the drier seasons

Currency

Rwandan franc (RWF)

Rwanda is small, green and mountainous, the "land of a thousand hills", and it has transformed itself into one of Africa's most polished destinations. Its top draw is mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, just a few hours from Kigali, but there is much more: chimpanzees and a canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest, Big Five game drives in Akagera and relaxed beach towns on Lake Kivu. Kigali itself is clean, orderly and safe, with a growing food and arts scene.

For UK travellers, English is widely spoken alongside Kinyarwanda and French. Rwanda is on Central Africa Time (UTC+2), one hour ahead of the UK in summer and two in winter. Plugs are the European type C and J, so bring an adaptor, and traffic drives on the right. Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an essential, moving part of understanding the country. This is one of our Africa destinations.

Where to go in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Set in the Virunga Mountains, this is where Dian Fossey studied gorillas. Gorilla treks leave from Kinigi early each morning, with a maximum of eight visitors per group and an hour with the gorillas. You can also track golden monkeys, hike to Fossey's grave or climb the volcanoes Bisoke and Karisimbi. Musanze (Ruhengeri) is the nearest town.

Kigali

The capital spreads across green ridges. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Inema Arts Center, the Kimironko market and the lively Nyamirambo neighbourhood. Car-free days and community clean-ups (Umuganda, the last Saturday morning of each month, when many services pause) show the city's civic spirit.

Nyungwe National Park

One of Africa's oldest montane rainforests, in the south-west, with chimpanzee tracking, 13 primate species, waterfalls and a canopy walkway suspended high above the forest.

Akagera National Park

In the east, Akagera has been restored over the past two decades, with lions and rhinos reintroduced, making it a Big Five park. Game drives and boat trips on Lake Ihema are the highlights, and it is an easy addition to a gorilla trip.

Lake Kivu

Rwanda's Great Lake has sandy coves and towns such as Karongi (Kibuye), Gisenyi (Rubavu) and Nyamasheke. Boat trips, kayaking and the multi-day Congo Nile Trail by bike or on foot follow its shores. Areas close to the DRC border have been affected by FCDO advice, so check before planning.

Best time to visit Rwanda

Getting to Rwanda from the UK

RwandAir has flown between London Gatwick and Kigali, sometimes direct and sometimes via Brussels, taking about nine hours or more, though schedules have changed, so check before booking. One-stop alternatives include KLM via Amsterdam, Brussels Airlines via Brussels, Qatar Airways via Doha, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa and Kenya Airways via Nairobi.

Entry requirements

British passport holders can usually get a tourist visa on arrival at Kigali airport or apply online in advance through the official Irembo portal. If you are also visiting Uganda or Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries. A yellow fever certificate may be requested if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to areas near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo during periods of conflict in eastern DRC, so check the current map, particularly for Lake Kivu. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Getting around

Roads are good and distances short, so most visitors travel with a driver-guide in a 4x4; Kigali to Volcanoes takes about two and a half hours. Helicopter transfers are available at a price. In Kigali, moto-taxis are everywhere and drivers must provide helmets; ride-hailing apps such as Move work too. Express coaches link Kigali with the main towns.

Money and costs

The currency is the Rwandan franc, but permits and lodges are usually priced in US dollars. A gorilla permit costs US$1,500, and chimp tracking in Nyungwe is around US$100-150. Lodges near Volcanoes range from comfortable mid-range to some of Africa's most luxurious. A mid-range trip typically costs £250-450 per person per day excluding permits. Cards are widely accepted in Kigali, and mobile money is common.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.