Rwanda Self Drive Safaris And Reliable 4x4 Car Rental Kigali

Rwanda self drive safaris

Also referred to as the “Land Of a thousand Hills”, Rwanda is a country that has overcome its dark past and already on the journey to becoming the best tourist destination in the world thanks to the incredible efforts by the Government and other stakeholders.

In 1994, the country faced a genocide where over 800,000 people were killed and a result most of the developing infrastructure at a time lagged behind, the life of wildlife species in national parks was being threatened. For example, Akagera National Park which used to be one of the largest national parks in central Africa faced a challenge when refugees who returned after the genocide settled within her boundaries.

This posed a challenge to the already existing wildlife species in the Park as returning refugees were clearing the land for settlement and also came along with their domestic animals like long horned cows. Other wildlife species in the park were hunted down which further contributed to their extinction. The government was later forced to give half of the park’s land to returning refugees since they never had anywhere to go and the rest was given to the Akagera national park to conserve the remaining species of wildlife.

The government of Rwanda later entered a partnership with other stakeholders who together, established some of the wildlife species that had got extict in the park. Some of the species that were re-introduced include lions, rhinos among others. Today, because of the continuous successful conservation process, you are able to see as many wildlife species not only in Akagera National park but also other national parks found in the country.

To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of this country and the various destinations found within the East African country, a Rwanda self drive safaris is the best option that allows you to explore the off the beaten paths hidden gems at your own pace and following your set itinerary.

Self drive means that you will rent a car in Rwanda and get to explore the city and other parts of the country on your own. Whether you are traveling as a group of friends, family, couple or even on a solo Rwanda self drive safaris road trip, the beautiful country has a lot to offer to everyone.

Where to go on a Rwanda self drive safaris adventure

Rwanda is regarded as one of the peaceful countries with no cases of insecurity making it a good place to include on your travel bucket list this year. It can be reached by both Air and road transport from Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On your Rwanda self drive safaris road trip, look out for the above places as they are not only unique but also offer a memorable experience.

Volcanoes National Park

This park is home to rare species of mountain gorillas that can be seen roaming freely in their habitat in this area that is found within the Virunga massive.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins very early in the morning with briefing about the guidelines and rules to follow during the experience. There after you will be assigned a gorilla group to visit and an armed ranger plus a guide will escort you into the dense rainforest in search of man’s closest relative.

Once you spot these endangered species, you will be allowed to spend time of upto 1hr observing and taking as many photos of these wildlife species in their natural habitat.

To see gorillas, you will be required to have purchased a gorilla trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board through a tour operator and this can be got at a fee of USD 1,500 per person per tracking.

Besides the pop up roof feature this Land cruiser comes with a very spacious interior and comfortable seats giving a stress free ride to its passengers. The Land cruiser TX with a popup roof is equipped with a very powerful engine, a 4×4 system that give it a high performance during off-road adventures.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

This is another destination that you must visit on your Rwanda self drive safari adventure. While in Nyungwe Forest National Park (located in the south west part of the country), you will meet man’s closest relative – Chimpanzees playing in the forest.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 13 species of primates many of which are in other countries. Some of the primate species found in the park include; the black and colobus monkey, vervet monkey, blue tailed monkey, red tailed monkey, baboons, Angolan monkey civet monkey among others.

Chimpanzee tracking is the major tourist attraction carried out in the park and arrangements can be done to meet them either in the morning or evening.

It’s during chimpanzee tracking, that you will be able to spot other primates species, birds, and insects among other wildlife species that live in the park. Other exciting activities you can do while in the park include nature walks, cultural tours and more.

Akagera National Park

Still on your Rwanda self drive safaris road trip, you need to explore the Kigali city. This is Africa’s fastest growing city and also the cleanest. While here, visit interesting attractions within and outside Kigali city such as; the Kigali genocide memorial site which were built as a remind to the 1994 genocide which claimed over one million people, visit the cultural sites, local market, the national museum among other interesting places in Kigali.

If you still have time, you can as well visit the newly established national park – Gishwati – Mukura National Park, Lake Kivu, visit the gorilla guardians to experience Rwanda’s culture and much more.

Kigali city

In need of a comfortable 4×4 car that can take you through the national parks of Rwanda for game drives? We have a Land cruiser Prado with a popup roof for self drive car hire Rwanda or car rental with a driver. This vehicle is customized with a roof that elevates just to enhance the wildlife viewing as you drive through the National Parks. Having a popup roof feature makes this spacious SUV an ideal safari jeep for game driving.

Top 4x4 vehicles available for self drive Rwanda

Best Cars to rent for Rwanda Self Drive Safaris

Land Cruiser V8

4x4 jeep, Automatic transmission, Luxury SUV, Air conditioner, 5 seater, popup roof, camping gear and rooftop tent on request.

Land Cruiser GX Manual

Manual Transmission, 4x4 System, 5 seater, Luxury SUV, Air conditioner, Camping gear, popup roof and rooftop tent on request.

Land Cruiser TX

Automatic Transmission, Mid-range, Fuel efficient, Spacious Interior, Air conditioner, 5 seater, Camping gear, rooftop tent and popup roof on request.

Best time to go on a Rwanda self drive safaris adventure

Rwanda is situated just two degrees from the equator and this means that it does experience temperate climate. The country can be visited anytime of the year but to get the best memorable experience, you will need to visit during the dry season of the year.

During this time that does take place between June to September and December to February, the country is receiving less or no rainfall at all that may hinder your itinerary. Most of the roads especially up country are less slippery and dry which does ease movement. This time is also perfect for game viewing in Akagera National park.

The open grassland is short which enables you to spot the various wildlife species as they roam freely in the park. Also during this time, a number of wildlife species move to areas close to water sources to cool off their bodies making it easier.

You can as well go on a Rwanda self drive safari during the wet season of the year that does take place between the months of March to May and October to early December. However, during this time the country does receive a significant amount of rainfall making the roads especially in national parks slippery but with the right 4×4 car, you will easily navigate such challenging terrains and roads with ease.

Is it safe to self-drive in Rwanda?

On your Rwanda self drive safaris trip and wondering whether it’s safe to self drive in this lovely country. Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa with no history against international travelers for decades.

For travelers on their self drive, we assure you that as long as you follow the set traffic guidelines on the road which include driving on the right hand side of the road, respecting other road users and more you will be safe.

How much is safari in Rwanda?

The cost of Rwanda self drive safaris road trip is majorly determined by the number of days you’d like to spend on your safari, the accommodation options you choose (budget, midrange or luxury) and activities you would like to do. Please note that activities vary in terms of pricing. For example; gorilla trekking in Rwanda costs $1,500 per person each permit, while a Kigali city tour may cost between $20 – $30.

We are the most trusted car rental company across East Africa. We give you the most affordable car rental rates in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi.

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