How to visit Rwanda on Budget (cheap gorilla trek)
How to visit Rwanda on Budget: Rwanda budget safaris are specifically designed for people seeking affordable trip activities in Rwanda. Rwanda, like other countries, provides affordable safari excursions to guests visiting various Rwandan areas. These trips include primate safaris, wildlife tours, and cultural tours, among others. The majority of budget safari trips in Rwanda are conducted in a group setting, which enables participants to collectively share the expenses, including guide fees, hotels, and transportation. Consequently, this makes the tour more affordable compared to private safaris, where an individual would bear the entire cost. This suggests an inverse relationship between the number of persons and the cost of the safari excursion.
Rwanda stands out as a unique safari destination compared to other nations on African safari trips. Despite its small size, it boasts a significant quantity of forested areas rather than grassland. Its primary appeal is the opportunity to observe primates. Volcanoes National Park is widely considered the premier destination for tracking mountain gorillas, offering a diverse range of activities that many would consider to be the most captivating wildlife experience in the world. Additional activities available in Rwanda include chimp tracking, golden monkey trekking, and forest treks in the biodiverse Nyungwe National Park. In addition, although Rwanda is not commonly known for its population of the big 5 species, its Akagera National Park is currently home to a complete array of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos and white rhinos.
This budget-friendly Rwanda safari can be conducted at Rwanda’s premier national parks, such as Volcanoes National Park. The park offers a variety of activities, including:
Budget gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking entails traversing through the thick jungle to locate the imperiled mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are always included in Rwandan budget safaris. This is because it offers a group experience that is both breathtaking and memorable. Travelers have the opportunity to hire a safari vehicle that can accommodate up to 8 people. Additionally, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park requires a group of 8 tourists per gorilla family.What sets this safari apart from a private tour is that the housing and transportation are shared among the persons in the group. Additionally, the use of electronics and equipment, such as cameras, can also be shared among trusted individuals. Currently, gorilla trekking permits are not shared. Each ticket costs $1500 per person and grants a maximum of one hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas, providing an opportunity to see and learn about their unique behaviors and customs. The minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking is 15 years and above.
Budget activities to do in Rwanda
Golden monkey trekking safaris.
Golden monkey trek in Rwanda is an additional activity to consider for inclusion in a budget Rwanda safaris. This activity allows guests to collectively cover the majority of expenses, such as guide fees, transportation, and hotel. Golden monkey trekking permits can be acquired at a charge of $100 per individual.
Visiting crater lakes (twin lakes)
Visiting the twin crater lakes of Bulera and Rudondo is an enticing excursion that should not be overlooked during your affordable wildlife safari in Volcanoes National Park. As is customary, the costs of transportation, guide services, and hotel are divided among the participants.
Additional activities that are appropriate for budget safaris in Volcanoes National Park include Dian Fossey hiking expeditions, volcano hiking excursions, coffee and tea tours, community and cultural interactions, and cave visits. These activities are particularly enjoyable when experienced as part of a group on a budget safari.
Embarking on another budget tour of Rwanda to Akagera National Park offers the opportunity to engage in a variety of group activities that can be easily accomplished within the constraints of a budget safari. These activities include:
Amazing Wildlife Experience in Rwanda
During a budget tour in Rwanda, it is advisable to include a wildlife tour in Akagera National Park. This will provide travelers with the opportunity to thoroughly explore the diverse wildlife and plant species that thrive in the park. The wildlife safari at Akagera national park encompasses game drive excursions, birding tours, and boat cruise tours. Travelers on a budget can find Akagera safaris interesting because they can share the costs of the tour, such as the safari vehicle and tour guide. However, they are responsible for paying the park entrance fees, boat cruise fees, and birding fee individually. They are also allowed to drive in the park extensively during the game drive, ensuring they have the opportunity to explore the hidden wonders of Rwanda’s wilderness.
While participating in the Rwanda budget wildlife tours in Akagera national park, travelers get the opportunity to observe various animal species in the remarkable park of Rwanda. These species include zebras, mongoose, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, impalas, giraffes, elands, warthogs, bushbucks, and others. During the game drive in the park, you may also come across primates such as baboons.
Bird watching experience Akagera national park
Akagera National Park is a haven for more than 525 species of birds, making it an ideal destination for bird lovers on a budget trip to Rwanda. Include this destination in your travel itinerary and you will undoubtedly have a delightful experience while keeping your expenses low. You will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of bird species, including the Black-headed Weaver, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Jacana, Fork-tailed Drongo, Saddle-billed Stork, Long-crested Eagle, African Grey Hornbill, Woodland Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Grey-crowned Crane, Palm-nut Vulture, Spur-winged Goose, African Darter, and Blue-cheeked. The avian species observed include the Bee-eater, Grey-backed Fiscal, Long-tailed Cormorant, White-backed Vulture, Great Egret, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Little Bee-eater, Marabou Stork, Goliath Heron, Helmeted Guinea fowl, White-faced Whistling Duck, and African Fish Eagle, among others.
Cheap-friendly safaris in Rwanda can also be enjoyed in Nyungwe National Park, which is home to our closest cousins, the chimpanzees, as well as other species. The following are the cheap Rwanda safari options available in Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda:
Affordable chimpanzee trekking safaris
How to visit Rwanda on Budget, Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe forest national park are a popular activity that attracts many visitors. This activity is accessible to budget travelers who are visiting Rwanda on a limited budget. The permit for chimpanzee trekking can be purchased for $100 per person, while the remaining expenses are divided among the members of the party. Chimpanzee trekking necessitates a trekker who is at least 15 years old to accompany one of the chimpanzee families on a trek.
Affordable hiking trails in Nyungwe forest
Nyungwe forest offers an abundance of hiking paths that are easily accessible for those on a budget safari in Rwanda. The hiking trails in Nyungwe National Park offer budget tourists the opportunity to explore diverse wildlife and plant species, including primates such as chimpanzees, monkeys, and baboons. Other mammals, such as warthogs, forest hogs, and forest elephants, can also be observed during the hike. Various bird species, including endemic Albertine rifts and forest birds, can be spotted along different trails. The Isumo waterfall trail provides a clear view of the waterfall, while opting for a canopy walk that offers a panoramic view of the mountains and the park. Some of the hiking trails in Nyungwe National Park include Igishigishigi trail, Bigugu trail, Ngabwe trail, Kamiranzovu Marsh trail, Karamba trail, Umuyove, Umagite, and Congo-Nile divide. Some of the waterfalls are Uwinka, Irabo, and Isumo.
Canopy walks
While on a budget safari in Rwanda, consider incorporating a canopy walk into your travel excursion in Nyungwe forest. This will allow you to enjoy maximum fun while observing the entire park from an elevated perspective. You will have the opportunity to view various fauna and flora, including primates, birds, mammals, and diverse plant species. In addition to the canopy walks, Nyungwe offers a variety of additional trails that are highly recommended for a thrilling exploration of the forest.
How to visit Rwanda on Budget, additional activities that can be easily undertaken during a budget-friendly safari in Rwanda include boat cruises in Akagera National Park, community tours that are affordable, cultural tours that provide opportunities to explore various cultural heritages and villages, and city tours of Kigali where travelers can visit market centers, coffee shops, craft shops, and other attractions.