What wildlife can you see in Rwanda beyond gorillas? When most travellers think of Rwanda, the image that first comes to mind is a misty hillside in Volcanoes National Park and the heart-stopping encounter with a family of mountain gorillas. It is, without doubt, one of the most profound wildlife experiences on Earth. But Rwanda — the Land of a Thousand Hills — is far more than a gorilla destination. Its national parks, forests, and wetlands are teeming with extraordinary animals, rare birds, and primates that deserve equal attention on any serious safari itinerary. If you are planning a trip to Rwanda and wondering what else the country has to offer, you are in for a very pleasant surprise.

At Kenlink Tours, we have been crafting Rwanda safari experiences since 2010, and we can tell you with confidence: once you look beyond the gorillas, a whole new wild world opens up.

Golden Monkeys: Rwanda’s Most Playful Primates

Sharing the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park with the mountain gorillas are the charismatic and energetic golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti). These brilliantly coloured primates — with their vivid orange-gold patches against a jet-black back — are endemic to the Albertine Rift and found in very few places on Earth. Rwanda, alongside Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the last strongholds for this endangered species.

Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park is an exhilarating experience. Groups of up to 80 individuals leap through the bamboo canopy at breathtaking speed, pausing just long enough for you to observe their social interactions, playful chasing, and foraging behaviour. Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking is less strenuous and often more accessible for visitors of varying fitness levels. The permit fee is also considerably lower, making it a wonderful add-on to your Rwanda primate safari.

Our 4-Day Rwanda-Uganda Golden Monkey and Gorilla Trekking tour combines both iconic primate experiences across two countries for the ultimate primate adventure. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, fewer than 4,000 golden monkeys remain in the wild, making every encounter a rare and meaningful privilege.

Chimpanzees and 12 Other Primates in Nyungwe Forest

If primate diversity is what excites you, then Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda belongs at the very top of your bucket list. This ancient montane rainforest — one of the oldest and most biodiverse in Africa — is home to an astonishing 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe is an immersive and deeply rewarding experience. Rwanda’s chimpanzee population in Nyungwe is estimated at around 500 individuals, and habituation projects have made it possible for visitors to spend extended time observing their complex social structures, tool use, and boisterous communication. Watching a troop of chimps swing through the forest canopy, grooming one another, and caring for their young is a memory you will carry for a lifetime.

Nyungwe is also famous for its black-and-white colobus monkeys, which live in troops that can number over 300 individuals — one of the largest colobus groups in Africa. The forest canopy walk, suspended 50 metres above the forest floor, offers a remarkable vantage point to observe both the primates below and the birdlife above.

Explore Nyungwe with our dedicated 3-Day Nyungwe Forest National Park Tour, designed to give you an unhurried immersion in this extraordinary ecosystem. The Rwanda Development Board recognises Nyungwe as one of the country’s most ecologically significant protected areas, covering over 1,000 square kilometres of pristine forest.

Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Five Safari Experience

For those who associate Africa with sweeping savannahs, herds of elephants, and the thrill of the Big Five, Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda delivers all of this and more. Managed in partnership with African Parks since 2010, Akagera has undergone a remarkable conservation turnaround, transforming from a degraded landscape into one of East Africa’s most exciting safari destinations.

Today, Akagera is home to lions (reintroduced in 2015), black rhinos (reintroduced in 2017 and 2019), African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, Burchell’s zebras, topi, waterbuck, impala, eland, and massive herds of hippos lazing in the park’s interconnected lakes and wetlands. The park’s varied terrain — from rolling savannah and woodland to lakes, papyrus swamps, and rocky ridges — makes every game drive a new and unpredictable adventure.

Night game drives in Akagera reveal a fascinating cast of nocturnal characters: large-spotted genets, African civets, porcupines, and if you are very lucky, the elusive serval cat. Boat safaris on Lake Ihema bring you alongside hippo pods and Nile crocodiles in their natural element, while flocks of birds wheel overhead in spectacular numbers.

Don’t miss our action-packed 3-Day Akagera Game Drive Safari, which covers the park’s highlights in depth. For a longer combined experience that takes in both gorillas and Akagera’s savannah wildlife, our 5-Day Gorillas and Wildlife Rwanda Safari is the perfect all-in-one itinerary.

Rwanda’s Bird Life: A Paradise for Birding Enthusiasts

Rwanda is an outstanding birding destination, with over 700 recorded bird species across its varied habitats. Whether you are a casual observer or a dedicated twitcher, the diversity of Rwanda’s avifauna is genuinely staggering. The country’s combination of Albertine Rift endemics, Afro-montane forest species, and savannah birds creates a birding experience that rivals much larger African countries.

In Nyungwe Forest alone, over 300 bird species have been recorded, including 29 Albertine Rift endemics — species found nowhere else on Earth. Look out for the handsome Rwenzori turaco, the red-collared mountain babbler, Grauer’s rush warbler, and the Albertine owlet, among many other specials. The forest is alive with sound from dawn to dusk, and even a short walk along the forest trails will reward you with remarkable sightings.

Akagera National Park, by contrast, offers the savannah and wetland birding experience: the iconic shoebill stork lurks in the papyrus swamps, while saddle-billed storks, African fish eagles, grey crowned cranes, and martial eagles are regularly spotted during game drives and boat cruises. The park has recorded over 480 bird species, making it one of the most productive birding sites in Central Africa.

Volcanoes National Park, meanwhile, adds yet another dimension, with the Albertine Rift endemics of the high-altitude bamboo zone, including the handsome Rwenzori batis and Grauer’s warbler. For a birding-focused Rwanda experience paired with primates and savannah wildlife, our 6-Day Rwanda Adventures with Lake Kivu tour covers multiple ecosystems and habitats in a single journey. Birdlife International recognizes Rwanda’s forests as Important Bird Areas of global significance.

Hippos, Crocodiles, and the Wetland Wildlife of Akagera

Beyond the big land mammals, Akagera’s network of lakes and papyrus swamps support a thriving community of wetland wildlife. The park is believed to hold one of the highest concentrations of hippos on the African continent, with hundreds of individuals distributed across Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, and the surrounding waterways. Watching a hippo pod in full snort and splash from a boat is a wonderfully primal encounter that delights guests of all ages.

Large Nile crocodiles are an equally dramatic presence, hauling themselves onto sandbanks to bask in the afternoon sun or disappearing silently beneath the water’s surface. Monitor lizards thread between the reeds, African jacanas walk delicately across lily pads, and malachite kingfishers dart like jewels along the water’s edge. The boat safari experience in Akagera is unlike anything else available in Rwanda and provides a completely different perspective on the landscape and its wildlife.

Combine It All: Rwanda’s Ultimate Multi-Ecosystem Safari

What makes Rwanda particularly special as a safari destination is the extraordinary diversity of ecosystems packed into such a compact country. Within just a few days of driving, you can move from the cool mist of volcanic rainforest to open savannah plains, from ancient montane jungle to tropical lakeshores. This means that a single Rwanda itinerary can incorporate primates, Big Five wildlife, rare birds, and stunning scenery — all without the long travel times that other multi-destination safaris demand.

Our 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Tour extends this wildlife richness across the border into Uganda, adding chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park for the definitive East African wildlife experience.

Plan Your Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Kenlink Tours

Rwanda’s wildlife story is far bigger, richer, and more exciting than gorillas alone. From the endangered golden monkeys of the Virunga to the reintroduced lions of Akagera, from the 13 primate species of Nyungwe to the 700-plus bird species scattered across every corner of the country, Rwanda rewards curious and adventurous travellers in ways they rarely expect.

At Kenlink Tours, our Rwanda specialists have first-hand knowledge of every park, every trail, and every season. We design itineraries that match your interests, budget, and timeframe — whether you are a dedicated wildlife photographer, a first-time safari-goer, or an experienced naturalist looking for something truly off the beaten path.

Contact us today to start planning your Rwanda wildlife safari. Let us show you the country beyond the gorillas — and we promise you will fall in love with it all over again.

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