Camping safaris in Rwanda
Camping safaris in Rwanda are a great chance to explore the country’s beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Camping tours are best for travelers who wish to feel and experience nature and adventure. It is best for couples on honeymoon and solo travelers on vacation.
Rwanda is one of the smallest African countries but has some of the most sought-after attractions. Rwanda offers the amazing gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park which many nature lovers should witness once in a lifetime. in the eastern part of Rwanda lies Akagera National Park a home to the big five and in the south Nyungwe Forest National Park, a montane forest and popular home for primates and offering the canopy walk experience.
Rwanda camping safaris are so interesting that they are an opportunity through which travelers can know what happens in the wilderness at night, when all lights are off and it’s only the moon and stars glowing in the sky. They can also see nocturnal mammals searching for prey. Camping feels more exciting when you meet fellow travelers at a campfire and you share stories and ideas.
Camping in Rwanda’s national parks offers a diverse experience to travelers as it has both luxury and budget camping sites.
Top places for camping safaris in Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is highly recommended for tourists who wish to go camping. This park is home to several wildlife species, including birds, tree species, and animals such as the leopards, lion, elephants, rhinos, buffalo (the big five), antelopes, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers, vervet monkeys and olive baboons, among others.
Campsites in Akagera include Muyumbu campsite, Shakani Campsite, Mihindi campsite, and Mutumba campsite.
Muyumbu campsite: This is a modern mid-range accommodation at the edge of a hill close to Lake Ihema and Shakani camp in the southern part of the park. this camping site has 10 comfortable tents and enough camping grounds for travelers who come with their tents and those who hire from the park center. The tents at the site are well-facilitated with showers, mosquito nets, bottled water, and all other tent facilities. Facilities at the site include a restaurant, a bar, ample parking space, and WIFI hotspot.
Shakani campsite: it is located on the shores of Lake Shakani in the southern part of the park at the main junction to Lake Ihema. The camp offers camping grounds for those with personal tents, there are toilets and washrooms as well. Though this camp provides water, travelers are advised to come with their drinking water because tap water at the site is considered unsafe for drinking. A fireplace is made in the evenings for warmth and visitors’ gatherings.
From this campsite, you can easily connect to Lake Shakani for fishing, a boat cruise, bird watching, and guided nature walks.
Mutumba camping site: This site is located in the northern part of the park in a remote area at the highest point of the Mutumba hills. The northern part of the park is known for having a high concentration of wildlife, and visitors can see some animals close to the camp, such as antelopes and elands. Its location at a high elevation provides clear views of lakes in the park and some parts of Tanzania.
Campers are advised to come with their camping gear with food, and water. Facilities provided at the camp are a pit latrine, bathrooms, and an electrified fence to protect the campers from wild animal attacks.
Mihindi campsite: This campsite is located at the shores of Lake Mihindi, which is 3-4 hours from the southern gate of the park. it is a popular stopover for nature lovers transferring from the southern to the northern sector of the park. the park has a vibrant cafe that serves meals and a picnic area. More facilities at the camp include flushing water showers, toilets and a barbecue. Campers are advised to come with their camping equipment.
Another accommodation that provides camping is Ruzizi Tented Lodge /camp. The lodge has convenient tents that host 20 guests. All tents have shaded verandas, champaign chairs and a tree-trunk table.
The facility has 7 classic en suite tents,1 family tent (2 adults and 2 children), bathrooms with warm /cold water, and flush toilets. Full board meals and WIFI in each tent. The facility offers night game drives, boat cruises on Lake Ihema, and fishing on Lake Shakani.
Magashi camp: This is a luxurious camp in the northern part of close to Lake Rwanyakazinga. This camp has six tented rooms with king-size or double beds, a writing desk with a tablet, an ensuite bathroom, and a separate toilet. The tents are privately spaced and are reached by long raised walkways, which can easily be accessed by people with mobility issues.
In the middle of the camp is a lounge and dining area that is culturally designed, a bar, a relaxation place, and a small library for those interested in reading. After long and tiring game drives, you can relax in the small swimming pool at the facility. Fire pits are also made at the campsite. The campsite offers guided game drives, night game drives, boat trips, and guided nature walks.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park has limited campsites due to conservation restrictions. However, low-budget travelers can find some camping grounds at some private lodges.
Some of the camping sites close to Volcanoes National Park include:
Red Rocks Rwanda campsite: This is a budget accommodation offered by Red Rock Hotel in Musanze. The campsite is just 30 30-minute drive to the gorilla trekking head trail.
The facility has single, double/twin, triple comfortable rooms and a dormitory. Dining options, free WIFI, outdoor swimming pool, and friendly and hospitable staff who organize the area to make your stay more comfortable.
Bisoke Beer Garden Campsite: This campsite is found just 1.2 kilometers from the gate of Volcanoes National Park. travellers who wish to stay on this campsite while on their visit to the gorilla park can come with their camping gear, and the camp management provides tents for hire. In addition to the tents, the facility has 10 rooms. Facilities include free WIFI, a bar, a garden, a fireplace, and free parking. The location of this campsite provides stunning views of the volcano ranges.
Kinigi guest house, Camping grounds:
Kinigi guest house is a budget accommodation in Volcanoes National Park located at bottom of Mount Sabinyo. The facility has 20 rooms that are privately facilitated and can accommodate 40 people. There are also dormitories for more than 16 people. The dormitories have shared bathrooms with hot and warm water. All rooms are well-equipped, and food is offered at affordable prices.
Besides the rooms and dormitories, the facility offers space for camping to guests who come with their camping gear. The campers also have access to other amenities at the facility.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Uwinka campsite
The park visitors’ center is the location of this campsite site though privately owned by Nyungwe Top View Hotel. Guests are furnished with tents which were sheltered on a wooden platform that protects them from harsh weather conditions. The camping site’s location provides breathtaking vistas of the lush, verdant rainforest, which is home to a variety of wildlife.
The facility has shared bathrooms with warm and cold water, campers are allowed to bring their camping gear, though the camp has sleeping bags and mats for hire.
Mount Bigugu camping site.
Camping on this site is conducted on the summit of Mount Bigugu. The camping ground is limited to five individuals who are capable of transporting their water and all of their camping equipment to the summit. The experience of being at an altitude of 2950 meters above sea level is truly remarkable, as you traverse through the different altitudinal zones.
If you engage in biking along the Congo-Nile trail. There are possible stopovers for camping at guest houses with camping sites, community-based tourism camping sites, and wild camping sites. Some of the camping sites along the route are Camp near Paradise Malahide, at Inzu Lodge, Bumba Base Camp, and in Nyamashekye. The Congo Nile trail provides opportunities to explore the park neighbourhood as you carry out birding and interact with the locals.
Best time for camping safaris
Since most travellers who prefer camping on their safaris always have low and limited budgets, the most convenient time is the dry season from June to September and December to February. This is because there is little or no rain on most days, and the camping grounds are dry. The trails are dry, which makes wildlife viewing easier in the wilderness and at water sources. In the dry season, insect vectors in the wild are fewer, thus making your nights safer.
What you need to carry for your camping safaris
Before you set off for your camping safari, you should first get information from your travel agent about the different camping sites where you will conduct your safari. If you have personal camping materials, you can come along with them or rent them from your travel agent. Some of the equipment you should have for your camping safari includes
Shelter and sleeping equipment: such as a lightweight, waterproof tent, ground sheet, a sleeping bag, sleeping mat or small mattress, inflatable pillow and a mosquito net.
Cooking utensils and food supplies: such as Portable stove or gas burner, lighter or safety matches, cooking utensils, re usable plates, bowl and cups, knife, food storage containers, water bottles, water filters and purification tablets, and nonperishable food like rice, oats, pastas, canned food, dried fruits and nuts.
Clothing: quick dry clothing (shirts and shorts), warm sweaters and jacket, night pyjamas, 2 pairs of trousers, extra pairs of warm socks, good hiking boots, sandals
For personal hygiene, come along with a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap/shampoo, a quick drying towel, hand sanitizers, insect repellents, toiletries, sunscreen, and a small first aid kit. For communication and safety, carry a phone with offline maps like Maps.me. power bank, headlamp with extra batteries, a whistle, a notebook, and a pen.
Other useful but optional gear includes a small foldable chair or stool and table, trash bags, cameras, and binoculars.