Explore Rwanda On Budget

The land of a thousand hills is widely known as a luxury tourist destination given her expensive gorilla permits that make Rwanda luxury gorilla destination. However, the high gorilla costs in Rwanda should not scare you, there is an endless list of more offer on budget why you should travel to Rwanda. From golden monkeys to chimpanzees trekking and other 12 primates, exceptional safari, volcano climbing, hiking trails, beautiful canopy walk and panoramic views. Forget the world “impossible or out of my budget” I’ve got you covered.

What to do:

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING AND OTHER 13 PRIMATE SPECIES

Primates rules Nyungwe National Park, chimpanzee trekking being the famous. it starts early in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of bottled water, long trousers, the long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and the hat.  In a group of maximum of over 8 people, you will set out to track the chimpanzees. These chimps at Nyungwe forest have been habituated which means that they are used to human beings. These chimps at Nyungwe forest have been and are being habituated which means that they are used to human beings. Apart from chimpanzee trekking, you can also trek the grey cheeked Mangabeys, Ruwenzori colobus Monkeys,  l’ Hoest’s monkey, the Owl faced monkeys, Mona monkey and the blue monkeys.

OTHER PRIMATES

The Nyungwe national park is also home of 13 primate species including Angolan black and white colobus monkey,  grey cheeked Mangabeys, Ruwenzori colobus Monkeys,  l’ Hoest’s monkey, the Owl faced monkeys, Mona monkey and the blue monkeys.

 

CANOPY WALK

The first tree top forest canopy walk in East Africa and the third in all Africa reaching 50 meters above the ground and 90m long, it is not a long distance; however, it’s when you are 50 m above the ground. You will see the monkeys move around in the tree tops, the birds that are flying above you and below you and a beautiful view of the huge Nyungwe forest.

Park Fees: 

Visitors category	Chimpanzee trekking	Canopy walk	Waterfall hike
Foreigner non-resident	$90	60$	50$
Foreigner resident	$60	50$	40$
EAC Foreigner resident	$60	50$	40$
EAC	$10	10$	10$
National	Rfw5000	Rfw: 5000	Rfw: 5000

 OTHER PRIMATES

The Nyungwe national park is also home of 13 primate species including Angolan black and white colobus monkey,  grey cheeked Mangabeys, Ruwenzori colobus Monkeys,  l’ Hoest’s monkey, the Owl faced monkeys, Mona monkey and the blue monkeys.

 GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING

These are also endangered species and are so exclusive to the Virunga mountain ranges that are shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. These are the only countries where the tourists get the chance to trek and see them at up close. As you may be able to guess, the Golden monkey gets its name for its eye-catching coloring. The tails of the Golden monkey are bright, vibrant, golden orange, as are its cheeks, and patches of its back and torso. This poses a sharp contrast to its jet-black legs and head for a visually stunning effect. Golden monkey trekking start early in the morning, the visitors have to report at the headquarters by 7 am where they will meet the ranger guides for the briefing and then will drive to the starting point of the trek.

 

VOLCANO CLIMBING

Rwanda is home to five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes. These mountains include Mount Karisimbi (4507m), Mount Muhabura (4127m), Mount Bisoke (3711), Mount Sabyinyo (3674m) and Mount Gahinga (3474m). All of them are found in Volcanoes National Park in the northern province of the country. Volcanoes National Park is a great place to carry out your mountain climbing adventures from. Mount Karisimbi, the highest peak in Rwanda that can be climbed in 2 days with camping along the way,  Mt Muhabura, Bisoke and Gahinga can be climbed in 1 day.   As this is the territory of gorillas, golden monkeys and many bird species, hikers could be blessed with a chance meeting along the way.

 Park Fees;

Visitors category	Gahinga	Bisoke	Muhabura-Gahinga	Muhabura	Kalisimbi/2days
Foreigner non-resident	$75	$75	$200	$100	$400
Foreigner resident	$60	$60	$160	$75	$250
EAC Foreigner resident	$65	$65	$165	$80	$300
EAC	$55	$55	$130	$60	$200
National	$4000	Rfw4000	Rfw20000	Rfw5000	Rfw30000

 

DIANA FOSSEY TOMB HIKE

Dian Fossey alongside Jane Goodall was a pioneering primatologist. She founded the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda in 1967 and studied the endangered mountain gorillas for 18 years. The hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The trek involves a 30 minutes drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary. At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.

HIKING TRAIL

Rwanda is a bae with breathtaking views for hikers. Its epic scenery, pleasant climate and magnificent wildlife make the land a remarkable place to explore on foot. The best hiking to be done, is traversing the Congo Nile Trail, a 227 km tangled network of dirt roads winding through jungle, over terraced hills and along the shores of Lake Kivu.  The Congo Nile Trail is popular with both cyclists and hikers; it takes 10 days to complete on foot, although it is possible to do in s sections. Nyungwe rainforest is also a hiker’s paradise. There are 13hiking trails with over 130 kilometers of network of trails system to wander into and explore the Nyungwe wilderness. List of Nyungwe Hiking trail: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/06/exhilarating-nyungwe-hiking-trails/

LAKE KIVU

Rwanda’s western side is bounded by Lake Kivu, one of a string of huge freshwater lakes which lie along Africa’s Great Rift Valley, dominating the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake, and the sixth largest lake in Africa. Several picturesque towns such as Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu, mark the lake, where hotel and restaurant on the shores, casual beaches, and boat rides are widely available. Lake Kivu is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Activities to be done on Lake Kivu:https://www.astepintonature.com/2018/04/to-the-shores-of-relaxation-on-lake-kivu/

CULTURE EXPERIENCE

Rwanda is one of the few African countries that have stuck to their culture. Seeing no reason to become complacent with their culture, Rwanda has maintained an explicit and traditionally refined culture that has been tidily marketed across the globe. Rwanda’s traditional cultural heritage revolved around dances, praise songs, drums, traditional crafts such as basketry, ceramics, and painting. Check out for heritage and historical sites: https://www.astepintonature.com/2018/05/heritage-and-historical-sites-of-rwanda/ and authentic experience with locals:https://www.astepintonature.com/2018/04/unique-and-authentic-experience-with-the-locals/

SAFARI

Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. It is famous for its Africa’s big, its panoramic views, exciting wildlife, and easy to access. It’s characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. Rolling hills of Acacia bush with panoramic views across scattered grassland, patches of thick forest and mosaic of swamp -fringed lakes along the meandering Akagera watercourse contribute to this park’s almost unrivalled diversity and scenic beauty. The varied terrain shelters various wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles. One day safari can be done or multi days with sleepover at the lodge or camping option. Or Join our Safari groups they’re much cheaper. Our 1-day group tours to Akagera cost 145$ per person

 

KIGALI CITY

Known as one of the cleanest city in Africa and green city, Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda, peacefully located in the center of the country and sprawls across numerous hills, ridges and valleys. Travelers enjoy exploring the great cultural activities including several award winning museums, Genocide memorials, promising music scene, arts, crafts and some of East Africa’s most memorable dining experiences. Check out best of Kigali: https://www.astepintonature.com/2018/06/best-of-24-hours-in-kigali/ and best place to party in Kigali: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/05/kigali-nightlife/

 

Where to stay:

Trade expensive hotel suites for budget accommodation or dorm rooms in hostels; accommodation is usually the biggest day-to-day cost of any traveler’s expenses. Check out budget accommodation by clicking on links below:

Volcanoes National Park: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/03/accommodation-facilities-in-volcanoes-national-park/

Nyungwe National Park: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/04/accommodation-facilities-in-nyungwe-rain-forest-park/

Akagera National Park: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/03/accommodation-in-akagera-national-park/

Lake Kivu: https://www.astepintonature.com/2019/04/where-to-stay-around-lake-kivu/

 

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