Now perfectly safe to travel through although still well off the beaten track, Rwanda is best known for its exceptional gorilla safari, regarded by many as the best in Africa. Chimpanzee trekking is also available in the south of the country.
Tourism here is not as developed as in many other African countries, and most travellers spend just a few days here, sometimes in combination with safari elsewhere or a beach extension, although travel logistics can be difficult and correspondingly expensive.
It should be noted that both gorilla and chimp safaris involve hiking, often over considerable distances, in mountainous terrain and a good level of physical fitness is required. Although much more physically demanding than game driving while on a standard African big game safari, travellers who do see gorillas in their natural habitat almost universally find it an incredibly moving and profound experience.
Permits for gorilla and chimp trekking are limited in number and must be bought well in advance.