Found in the northern part of Rwanda. Volcanoes National park marks the Rwandan section of the greater Virunga Mountains shared by three countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga massif is the only places in the world with the last surviving population of mountain gorillas. gorilla species are found in Volcanoes national park, making Rwanda perhaps the best tracking safari destination in Africa. Apart from the mountain gorillas the forest is a habitat to a variety of mammals that include forest elephants which are infrequently encountered, bush pigs, forest buffalos, black fronted duiker, bush bucks, spotted hyenas and the giant forest hog, other primates present in the forest such as golden monkeys. Rwanda began the yearly gorilla naming ceremony for baby gorillas branded as ‘Kwita Iziina’ which has seen enormous results of increased gorilla numbers in as far as gorilla population in volcanoes National Park is concerned.
Sprawling across the north eastern side of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. he park was named after the Akagera River that stream along its eastern boundary into the several lakes tangled with papyrus swamps that make up a third of the park making it one of the largest protected wetlands in Africa. Home to a variety of big game mammals, such as buffalos elephants, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, many species of antelope roan antelope, the elusive eland, topi including other antelopes such as duikers, oribi, klipspringer, bush buck and the handsome chest- nut coated impalas including swamps endemic species of sitatunga are present as well. Due to the park’s exceptionally levels of biodiversity, Akagera National park is an important birders paradise with over 500 species of birds among which are the rare swamp endemic species such as shoebill stork, papyrus Gonelock and other dense populations of water birds in the wetland. Primates can also be seen such as the mysterious blue monkeys, olive baboons, vervets which can be seen during the day with bush babies which can be seen during night game drives. In the north and north east of the park lies the mutara a natural and historic region where traces of long pastoral occupation can be seen.
Located in the southwest corner of Rwanda. Nyungwe forest boasts the greatest primate variety and density in east Africa, with five or six species likely to be observed over of one afternoon walk. Of particular interest are the most handsome L’Hoest monkeys, delightful acrobatic colobus monkeys often seen from the forest trails, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and olive baboons just a glimpse of primate species. Bird life is prolific throughout Rwanda, but certain key sites should be included in any birders itinerary. For dedicated ornithologists the prime attraction in the forest is the presence of forest is the presence of over 300 species of birds with about 27 Albertine rift endemics making it a complete birding destination. Specialist birding tours throughout the forest’s extensive network of hiking trails that takes you through various spots of waterfalls offers you an opportunity to watch the alluring list of forest specialists includes the iridescent sun birds, the psychedelic Rwenzori Turaco, forest buzzards, olive pigeon, and wood hoopoes.