Things to do in Rwanda
Sort
Kigali City Tour: Markets, Street Art & Local LunchA full-day Kigali city tour led by a local English-speaking guide covers markets, street art, a milk bar and traditional Rwandan lunch, wrapping up around 5pm with hotel drop-off. The guide is a Kigali resident, so the stops and the pace reflect how the city actually works. Hotel pickup is available; children from age 6 are welcome. Minimum two people per booking.Is it for me?Book this tour if you are arriving in Kigali for the first time and want to understand the city before exploring on your own, or if you have a free afternoon and want a full day led by someone who actually lives here. The small group size and local guide mean you get insight into how Kigali works, not just a checklist of stops.
Akagera National Park Game Drive from Kigali: Lions & RhinosYou leave Kigali at 05h00 and drive 3.5 hours to Akagera National Park, where you spend the day on a game drive with a local guide in a 4x4 with WiFi. You get a packed lunch, views of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a chance at lions or black rhinos, though sightings aren't certain. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali are included, and you're back in the city by late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day of wildlife viewing without arranging your own transport, park entry, or food — the early start and fixed schedule pack the main Akagera experience into one trip from Kigali, and the local guide knows where animals tend to be.
One Day Akagera Safari from Kigali: 6 hours game driveThe One Day Akagera Wildlife Safari is a full-day tour from Kigali to Rwanda's only savannah park, with 6 hours of game drive in a 4×4 vehicle, a professional driver-guide, lunch at Lake Mihindi, and hotel or airport drop-off. The tour departs early morning and returns the same day, covering the drive, park entry, wildlife viewing, and a meal break in one itinerary.Is it for me?Book the All-Inclusive option with the boat if you want the full park experience in one day—the boat adds a different vantage on the wildlife and the lake itself. Choose the pop-up roof vehicle if photography is your priority; the fixed-roof car is lighter and costs less. The shared safari option keeps the cost down if you're comfortable with other travelers; a private vehicle gives you the whole day and the guide's attention to yourself.
Kigali: City Tour with Genocide Memorial, Art & Local LunchYou’ll walk through Kigali’s layered history at the Genocide Memorial, climb Mount Kigali for sweeping views, share Rwandan lunch with locals, and wander colorful markets and galleries—all guided by someone who knows every shortcut and story. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s feeling the city breathe around you.
Kigali: Walking Tour with Art, Markets & Nyamirambo StoriesYou’ll walk Kigali with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story—from bold art at Ivuka to powerful moments at a genocide memorial, then laughter with women at Nyamirambo and the buzz of Biryogo Street markets. Taste fresh fruit juice, hear real voices, and find small surprises you’ll remember long after you leave.
Kigali E-Bike City Tour with Breakfast: Includes breakfast stopAn e-bike tour of Kigali lasting three hours, starting at the Kigali Convention Centre and looping through the Nyarutarama Lakeside, local markets, Imbuga City Walk and Niyo Arts Gallery. The tour includes breakfast partway through and a guide who explains the city's history, art and traditions as you ride. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?Pick this if you're staying anywhere in Kigali and want to cover the city's neighborhoods and countryside in one morning by e-bike, starting from the central Convention Centre.
Kigali: Private City Tour with Local Markets, Genocide Memorial & LunchYou’ll feel Kigali’s heartbeat on this private city tour: wander bustling markets with your guide, pause by Akagera river’s green edges, share lunch where locals eat, and stand quietly inside the Genocide Memorial. Expect laughter over new words and moments that linger long after you leave.
Akagera: Private Big Five Safari Day Trip with Pickup & LunchYou’ll set out early from Kigali with your local guide for a private safari day trip into Akagera’s wild heart. Expect close-up views of lions, elephants and rhinos during an unhurried game drive, plus a stop at Imigongo Art Center and lunch by the lakeside. It’s a day full of quiet surprises and real Rwandan moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.
Gorilla Trekking Tour Volcanoes National Park: 99% Sighting RateA full-day gorilla trekking tour in Volcanoes National Park starts before dawn with hotel pickup from Kigali and a 2.5-hour drive to the park headquarters, where a ranger briefs you on trekking rules before you head into the forest with a certified guide. The trek lasts 2 to 5 hours depending on where the gorilla family is that day; once you find them, you stay for one hour to watch. A maximum of eight visitors per gorilla family keeps the experience intimate. The tour includes professional transportation, meals with locals, drinks, and a live guide in English or French; the minimum age is 15 years old.Is it for me?The full day—pickup at 4:30 am, 2.5-hour drive, 2 to 5 hours trekking, one hour with the gorillas, and return by evening—means you commit to an early start and a long day, but it keeps the entire experience intact without splitting it across two days or rushing the trek itself.
Kigali Walking Tour: Belgian Memorial, Biryogo & Street ArtA guided walking tour of Kigali starting at Norrsken House and moving through four distinct stops: the Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, the vibrant car-free zone of Biryogo with its street art and tea shops, and Imbuga City Walk. A local guide leads the route, which takes two to three hours and includes water and WiFi; children from age 12 are welcome.Is it for me?This is a shared group tour led by a guide who sets the pace and chooses where you stop, so it suits travelers who want to learn the city's history and neighborhoods without building an itinerary themselves. If you prefer to walk on your own schedule or explore without a guide's narrative, a self-guided walk would serve you better.
Kigali City Tour: Private guide through Rwanda's capitalA private Kigali city tour with English or French-speaking guide covers the Genocide Memorial, a Belgian peacekeepers site, Nyamirambo's Muslim neighborhoods, a museum of Rwanda's recent past, and a local market for handmade gifts. The tour runs four hours and includes bottled water, private transportation, fuel and parking; pickup is arranged, and children from age one are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a private guide who knows Kigali and can connect you to the local community rather than move you through stops as a checklist. The four-hour format fits a first morning in Rwanda—long enough to touch the city's weight and beauty without exhausting a traveler fresh off a flight.
Kigali City Sightseeing Tour: Market, Memorial & Rooftop ViewsKigali City Sightseeing is a guided tour of Rwanda's capital with a local English-speaking guide and hotel pickup included. The day moves through Gahanga local market, the Uzuri K&Y sandal workshop, the Akagera river, Kigali Heights shopping district, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and ends at a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Lunch is included; the tour runs 7 to 8 hours. Choose between shared departures or a private tour with flexible start time.Is it for me?Book the shared tour for a morning departure if you want to see Gahanga market and the Uzuri K&Y workshop in full operation—both close or change rhythm by afternoon. Choose the private option with flexible start time if you need to fit the tour around flight times or other plans, or if you prefer to move through the stops without waiting for other travelers.
Mukungwa River Canoe Trip Near Musanze – Half-Day Guided TourYou’ll paddle through peaceful Rwandan countryside, spot local wildlife, and meet friendly faces along the Mukungwa River—all with an expert guide making sure you get the most out of your half-day adventure.
Akagera National Park Safari: Big 5 Game Drive & CruiseA full-day safari from Kigali to Akagera National Park combines a game drive across savanna grasslands hunting the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos—with a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to watch hippos, Nile crocodiles and bird species including the shoebill stork. Your English-speaking guide picks you up from your hotel at 5 a.m., handles park registration at headquarters, and returns you to Kigali by evening. The tour includes private transportation, park entry, lunch and bottled water.Is it for me?Choose this tour to see both savanna and wetland wildlife in one day—the game drive targets the Big Five across open plains, then the Lake Ihema boat cruise adds hippos and crocodiles in a different habitat.
Lake Kivu: Boat Ride with Local Guide & Island ViewsYou’ll glide across Lake Kivu’s peaceful waters with a local guide, visit small islands dotted with coffee trees, and maybe even try a lakeside massage in Rubavu. Expect quiet moments mixed with laughter, snacks on board, and stories from people who know every bend of this lake. It’s not polished or fancy — just real Rwandan warmth.
Kigali: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari & Volcanoes ParkYou wake at 4:30am and drive two hours north to Volcanoes National Park, where a ranger briefs your group on gorilla-tracking protocol. After a strenuous 1–8 hour trek through the forest, you spend an hour watching a family of mountain gorillas in their routine: playing, feeding, being guarded by the Silverback. Lunch and the gorilla permit are included; transport back to Kigali happens in the afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers with moderate to strong fitness who want to see mountain gorillas without arranging permits or transport themselves. The early 4:30am start and strenuous trek mean you're committing a full day, which is exactly what it takes to reach the gorillas and spend an hour with them in the forest.
Kigali City Tour: Genocide Memorial, Market & Mount KigaliA private Kigali city tour with an English or French-speaking guide covers the Genocide Memorial, the central farmer's market and Mount Kigali, with hotel pickup, lunch and all entry fees included. The tour runs from 10am to around 3pm, departing after breakfast and returning you to your accommodation.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a private guide steering you through Kigali's key sites in one morning and early afternoon—the fixed schedule and included meals mean you're not piecing together transport or restaurants between stops.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: Mountain GorillasGorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a guided trek through montane rainforest and bamboo forest to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment. The trek takes 7 to 9 hours and includes hotel pickup, a professional park ranger guide speaking English, park entrance and conservation fees, and security throughout the day. The gorilla permit is arranged at checkout depending on your chosen option.Is it for me?This trek suits travelers who can handle steep, muddy forest terrain at altitude and want to spend time observing gorillas in their natural habitat rather than watching from a distance. The full-day format and early start mean you're in the forest during peak gorilla activity, and the professional guide and all logistics included mean you're not coordinating permits, transport or timing yourself.
Akagera Safari: 2-Day Wildlife Tour with Lake Ihema Boat & Game DrivesYou’ll feel the wild heart of Akagera right away—from hippos splashing during your Lake Ihema boat ride to lions resting under acacias on your full-day game drive. With all meals and an overnight stay included, plus stories from your local guide along the way, this two-day safari lets you live inside Rwanda’s landscapes for a while.
Local hills hiking near Kigali: 2,660-meter summit with villagesLocal hills hiking near Kigali is a 6-hour guided hike to a 2,660-meter summit with stops at Mushubi primary school and local villages. The route passes through Gakenke market, climbs through farmland and settlements where you see how people live in the area, and reaches a panoramic viewpoint over Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with Bagenge Rock visible along the way. A live guide speaks English or French; snacks are provided.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or French, so you can follow the route and learn about the villages without a language barrier. This hike demands a high level of physical fitness—the 2.5-hour climb and 2-hour descent over 6 hours suit hikers comfortable with sustained uphill effort and steep terrain.
