Wildlife of Rwanda is found within 3 main conservation areas these include the Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park, the newly formed Gishwati Mukura National Park boats a few primate species. Each one of these has a unique composition with a variety of Flora and Fauna. Rwanda is amazingly placed in central Africa, also known as the land of a thousand hills, the backdrop of the mountains disappearing into blue skies is undeniably the most beautiful piece you can set your eyes on, the country is neighbored by Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania, to the world Rwanda is Famous for the Mountain Gorillas endemics of the Virunga region.
Volcanoes National Park is home to the most sought wildlife in Rwanda, it is best known for its high populations of mountain gorillas, there are several habituated gorilla families living freely within the ecosystem without being captivated, the highlight of any Rwandan safari is the primate species, the gentle Giants are characterized by their Masculine bodies covered in fur, they live in families of up to 20 members led by a male silverback, other species present in the ecosystem include Golden monkeys, bush pigs, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, mountain duikers, and over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the national park some of which are endemics to the great Albertine rift valley region.
Nyungwe Forest National Park harbours 13 primate species, the forest is well developed and is said to have survived the ice age era there is a variety list of plant life, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, butterflies, and birds. The most notable primate is the Chimpanzee these have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, characterized by their social behaviour, intelligence, and the ability to use tools, other primates of the park include, pottos, large troops of the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Mona dents monkeys, owl monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, white-cheeked monkeys, mammals like bushbucks, forest Elephants, duikers, leopards are also found within the national park although they are rarely seen and over 300 species of birds, it is one of the best places to go birding while on a Rwanda safari.
Wildlife in Rwanda is also concentrated in the Akagera National Park, the conservation area is the only Savannah National Park of Rwanda where the big five of the wilderness can be seen (Lions, leopards, African Buffaloes, elephants, Rhinos), the national park was greatly affected by the 1994 Rwanda genocide however thanks to the continued conservation and reintroduction of animal species there is a variety to encounter on a visit to the national park, popular sites include Zebras, oribi, bushbucks, warthogs, defassa waterbucks, Masai giraffes, hippos,reedbucks, spotted hyenas, roan antelopes, klipspringer, sitatunga, these are viewed through the well distributed game routes within the park on game drives, there are more than 400 species of birds that have been recorded in the national park most of which are savannah species.
Wildlife in Rwanda is best seen during the dry season between December -February and June – early September, the route trails are less slippery and much more accessible to access, there is little rain and more is sunshine during this time of the year. When considering a gorilla safari in the Virunga, it is important to purchase gorilla permits on time to avoid being inconvenienced by missing out and cancellations. To view wildlife In Rwanda travellers ought to have proper documents to access the country visas which is a major requirement needed to access Rwanda, there is also available accommodation ranging from the best budget to Luxury within the city centres, in and around the national parks.