Full List of National Parks in Rwanda – The Republic of Rwanda, also known as “the land of a thousand hills,” is a landlocked country located in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the Great Lakes Region and Southeast Africa meet.
Rwanda is situated a few degrees south of the equator and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Its well-known nickname, “the land of a thousand hills” (French: “pays des mille collines”), reflects its geography, which is characterized by mountains in the west and savannah in the southeast, alongside several lakes.
This diverse landscape offers a unique appeal for tourism.
Rwanda enjoys a temperate to subtropical climate, marked by two distinct seasons—the wet and dry seasons—making it a desirable destination.
It is also the most densely populated mainland African country. In fact, Rwanda ranks as the fifth most densely populated country in the world among those larger than 10,000 square kilometers.
Kigali, the capital, is not only a commercial hub but also recognized as one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities globally.
Rwanda is home to only four national parks, which are highly protected wildlife reserves and ecosystems.
The largest of these is Akagera National Park, covering an area of 1,085 square kilometers.
Akagera is defined by its classic African Savannah landscape and is located on the northeastern edge of the country, approximately a three-hour drive from Kigali.
The four National Parks are:
- Volcanoes National Park: This was created in 1929, three years after it was gazetted, to protect the endangered mountain gorillas from hunters, poachers, and possible threats. It also serves as the oldest National Park on the African continent.
- Akagera National Park: This was founded in 1934 by the Belgian Government in the effort to protect the remaining wildlife species that were endangered.
- Nyungwe National Park: This was established in 2004 to act as a conservation area and home to the wild animals.
- Gishwati-Mukura National Park: This was founded in 2015 in an effort by the Government of Rwanda to protect the chimpanzees found in the park.
It is important to note that the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is the government body or agency suited with the power to manage Rwanda’s National Parks and protected areas.
Other Roles played by the Rwanda Development Board include:
- The Rwanda Development Board is responsible for tourism in the country’s National Parks.
- It also sells permits and conducts tourism transactions on behalf of the government.
- It plans for the revenue generated from the tourism sector in line with the aims and objectives of development and the formation of the National Parks.
Tourists from all nations are highly welcomed any day, any time to Rwanda to carry out their tourism activities in any of the four National Parks.
The prices are clearly stipulated by the RDB, each national park varying from the other in terms of price, activities, as well as experience.
It should be noted that Rwanda has two seasons, that is, the wet and dry seasons, all suitable for tourism activities.
However, the best season in all the national parks is the dry season.
By and large, explore the wildlife and meet all your adventure dreams at any of the four National Parks in Rwanda at your convenience.
