Wild animals in Rwanda and where to find them

Even though Rwanda isn't very big (it's about the same size as Haiti and Albania), it has an impressive range of landscapes and climates, from cold and forested high-altitude mountains to hot and humid lowland savannah. As such, it can host a remarkable diversity of wildlife.

If you want to see the most exciting wild animals Rwanda has to offer, then visit these three national parks:

You can see the location of each park in the map below.

Map of Rwanda showing its top national parks

Rwanda is home to 13 primate species, including rare and endangered mountain gorillas. This makes it a true bucket-list item for wildlife enthusiasts.

Here are the three most notable primate species living in Rwanda and the national parks (NPs) to visit to find them:

The mountain gorilla is Rwanda's most famous wild animal

Mountain gorillas are an endangered subspecies of the eastern gorilla, and the most famous of all Africa's gorillas. They can only be found in the mountains that straddle the border region of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Anyone wanting to see mountain gorillas must go on a guided trek into the tangled rainforest, as they do not live near any roads. You can learn more in 20 things to know about mountain gorilla trekking.

Golden monkeys are attractive, endangered primates with patches of orangey fur, hence their name. Happily for visitors who have travelled to Rwanda to do a mountain gorilla trek, golden monkeys live in the same forest ecosystem. This means you're already in the exact right spot to also go on a guided golden monkey trek!

Nyungwe Forest covers a mountainous region in SW Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the very best park in all Rwanda to visit if you're keen to see as many primate species as possible. In fact, it hosts all of the country's primate species apart from the mountain gorilla!

Here's a list of the 12 primate species you can find living in this particularly special protected area:

Nyungwe Forest NP, does in fact, boast a staggering degree of animal biodiversity in general thanks to its location within the Albertine Rift. And what's especially exciting is the fact that so many of these animals are endemics, like the golden and Ruwenzori colobus monkeys. In fact, Conservation International claims that the Albertine Rift "harbors more endemic birds, mammals, and amphibians than any other region in [mainland] Africa".

Nyungwe Forest NP should therefore be very high on your travel wish list if you wish to see many unusual animals and birds!

An old bull elephant in Akagera National Park

Anyone who doesn't live in sub-Saharan Africa is doubtless eager to go on safari while in Rwanda to see some of the continent's über-famous large mammals. And which African mammals are more famous than the Big Five?

For anyone unsure exactly which animals are being referred to by the phrase the Big Five, they are:

These five creatures are the African wild animals that nineteenth-century colonists deemed the most dangerous to hunt on foot, hence their designation as 'the Big Five'. Thankfully, many people in today's world know that it's better to shoot these animals with their cameras, nothing else.

If you want the chance to spot the Big Five while in Rwanda, then you need to head to Akagera National Park, as this is the only park in the country to have them all. Interestingly, black rhinos were reintroduced into the park in 2017 after a 10-year absence in the country.

The sun rises over Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park

Some of the other large mammals to look for on safari in Akagera National Park are:

Topis can run as fast 70 kmph (43 mph) and have great stamina

As to reptiles, keep your eyes open when near water as the park is home to Nile crocodiles and Nile monitor lizards.

A great way to increase your chances of spotting these cold-blooded creatures is to go on a boat safari on Lake Ihema. Such an outing is also fantastic for helping you to sight certain water-loving mammals like hippos, elephants and waterbucks, as well as various large waterbirds like the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. But more on birds in a moment.

A Nile monitor lizard spotted in Akagera NP

There are many wonderful birding areas in Rwanda, including the Lake Kivu region, Rugezi Marsh, Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Volcanoes National Park.

That said, the indisputable birding mecca of Rwanda is Nyungwe Forest NP, followed by Akagera NP.

Nyungwe Forest NP is home to about 340 bird species, including 31 Albertine Rift endemics. The park is mostly dominated by ancient forest, but it also has beautiful grasslands and wetlands. These different ecosystems are what helps it to sustain so much baried birdlife.

Birders visit Nyungwe Forest can enjoy hiking the various well-maintained trails but they can also, excitingly, walk out onto the high and long canopy walkway that allows them a bird's eye view of ... well ... the birds!

A variable sunbird spied in Nyungwe Forest

Here's a short list of some of the standout birds you can hope to see in Nyungwe Forest NP:

The other tippy-top location within Rwanda for birding enthusiasts is Akagera National Park.

The park's diverse landscapes (such as wetland, savannah and woodland) allow it to host around 500 bird species. It's an especially great reserve to visit if you're keen to admire some of the country's largest birds, such as:

African fish eagles in Akagera National Park

It should now be clear to anyone who's read this far that Rwanda's top three destinations for wildlife enthusiasts are, without doubt, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park. Each of these protected areas are included in our 10-day Ultimate Rwanda itinerary, the perfect introductory trip to the jewel that is Rwanda!