You can trek to come face to face with a wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda. And, for many, that is thrill enough. Yet Rwanda has a lot more to beat its chest about. You can explore the natural wonders of unspoiled rainforests or relax on the shores of translucent-blue Lake Kivu. In many ways, Rwanda safari holidays offer every facet of the perfect African safari adventure.

Green and mountainous, this small central African nation packs an astonishing array of jaw-dropping scenery, biodiversity and leisure activities. From the friendly buzz of downtown Kigali city to the jungles and big-game savannah of the world-class National Parks, Rwanda safaris make your perfect African holiday.

If gorilla trekking comes top of your African bucket list then head north. There is simply nowhere better to make acquaintances with a silverback than amid the lush jungle of the Volcanoes National Park. To the south lies the Nyungwe National Park. This mist-swaddled rain-forest is alive with 13 species of primate and 300 species of bird, including the exquisite Rwenzori turaco. The mountain gorillas in the Virungas range get all the attention but Rwanda is home to numerous rare primates, most of which can be found in the staggeringly beautiful Nyungwe Forest national park in the south-west of the country. The forest is best known for its large troops of chimpanzees but is also prime swinging grounds for L’Hoest’s monkeys, Angola colobus, vervet monkeys, and a range of others, along with around 300 bird species. Best of all, the cost for this whole package, which includes a day of tracking chimpanzees through the mountains, a nature walk, and two nights in a comfortable forest lodge with full board, still costs less than a single gorilla tracking permit cost of USD $1500 up north. To the east the rolling plains of Akagera National Park are another hotspot for bird-watchers. They also cater rather well for big-game spotters. And to the west Lake Kivu’s deep blue waters and white-sand beaches offer some deserved R&R.

In a nutshell: the main reason for considering Rwanda Safaris is to track the famous mountain gorillas, but though this is an undeniably wonderful experience, there is a great deal more to the country and it is well worth spending a few extra days to experience it all. A couple of days of gorilla tracking is ideal and can easily be combined with some time in Kigali, relaxing along the shores of Lake Kivu or chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest.