Rwanda Eco Lodges and Eco Tours

Experience the magic of the Land of a Thousand Hills with Rwanda Eco Lodges, where sustainable travel meets awe-inspiring natural beauty. The country is one of Africa’s top destinations for eco-conscious travelers, especially known for its mountain gorillas, volcanoes, and pristine national parks. Stay in Rwanda Eco Lodges that support conservation and empower local communities. Whether you’re spotting golden monkeys or relaxing by Lake Kivu, Rwanda invites you to explore responsibly and connect deeply with nature and its people. Check out our listing African Jungle Adventures-Rwanda. Their main focus is on mountin gorillas!

Rwanda Eco Lodges in the “Land of a Thousand Hills”

The “Land of a Thousand Hills” as Rwanda is nicknamed is an ecotourism gem. It  offers a beautiful mix of impressive biodiversity, strong conservation policies and warm hospitality.
Ecotourism in Rwanda revolves around:
• (Gorilla )Trekking to see endangered gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
• Visiting local communities that benefit from tourism revenue.
• Staying at small-scale, sustainable Rwanda eco lodges and initiatives.
The government operates a revenue sharing program, where 10% of park income goes to local communities, resulting in mutual benefits for people and nature.

Flora and Fauna in Rwanda

Rwanda’s biodiversity is impressive, especially considering the country’s small size:

Fauna:

• Mountain gorillas – iconic for Rwanda, in Volcanoes National Park.
• Golden monkeys, endangered, chimpanzees are also endangered, and various other primates.
• Savanna animals in Akagera National Park: elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes.
• Over 700 bird species – Rwanda is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Flora:

• Dense cloud forests in the Virunga volcanoes.
• Tropical rainforest in Nyungwe Forest, with ancient trees and orchids.
• Savannas and Lakelands in eastern Rwanda.

Top eco-destinations in Rwanda

Here are maybe some of the best ecotourism destinations in Rwanda:

Volcanoes National Park

Top destination for mountain gorilla trekking.
– Home to the iconic mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Both endangered.
– Guided by rangers, visit a gorilla family in the misty forests of the Virunga volcanoes.
– Sustainable revenues from tourism fund conservation and village projects.
– Rwanda eco lodges:
Also interesting: Dian Fossey’s research center and hikes to volcano summits.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

One of the oldest and best-preserved rainforests in Africa.
– Home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, endangered in Rwanda, and colobus monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys are endangered.
– Walk the famous canopy walk, a suspended bridge above the treetops.
– Many walking trails, bird species (300+), butterflies and plants.
– Rwanda Eco lodges in and around the park offer sustainable stays.

Akagera National Park

Rwanda’s savannah experience with a focus on ecosystem restoration.
– Once it was heavily degraded, but now it is a re-wilding success story.
– Spot the Big Five: elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos.
– Largely managed by African Parks, with involvement of local communities.
– Sustainable safari lodges on the water or in the middle of the park.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

New national park that combines restoration with tourism.
– Fragments of montane rainforest, important for biodiversity and water management.
– Chimpanzees, L’Hoëst monkeys (classified as vulnerable), birds and rare plants.
– The Park is Community-based and focused on nature restoration.
– Rwanda Eco Lodges:

Suggestion for a 2-week Sustainable Itinerary in Rwanda

Week 1

Day 1–2: Kigali
• What to do: visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, as well as experience local culture.
• Sustainable project: Azizi Life Experience – workshops with local artisans.

Day 3–5: Volcanoes National Park
• Activities: go gorilla trekking (note: advanced permit required), golden monkey tracking, and community walks.
• Stay at one of the Rwanda eco lodges near the Volcanoes Park.
• Project: visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where income directly supports the community.

Week 2

Day 6–8: Gisenyi and Lake Kivu
• Activities: you can cycle the Congo Nile Trail, kayak on the lake, and visit coffee plantations.
• Project: visit a cooperative coffee farm (e.g. Ingoboka Coffee Cooperative).
• Stay at one of the Rwanda Eco Lodges

Day 9–12: Nyungwe National Park
• Activities: go chimpanzee trekking, on a canopy walk, or a rainforest walk.
• Project: primate conservation partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society.

Day 13–14: Akagera National Park
• Activities: go on a 4×4 tour to explore the terrain or on a boat safari. Bird watching is also good in this area (with over 500 species).
• Project: African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) manage Akagera National Park together. They have reintroduced lions as well as black and white rhinos into the park.
• Stay at one of the Rwanda Eco Lodges

Ecological threats in Rwanda

Deforestation
Population growth and agricultural expansion have caused many forests to disappear. This is threatening the habitats of chimpanzees and gorillas, both endangered species, as well as other wildlife.

Illegal hunting (poaching)
This occurred especially in the 1990s, when poaching led to large losses in wildlife populations. The situation has improved but wildlife is still at risk.

Climate change
Changes in precipitation and temperature affect agriculture, water resources and ecosystems.

Land use conflicts
High population density leads to pressure on protected areas.

Rwanda’s Ecotourism and Sustainability Policy

The country is known for its focus on sustainable tourism, thanks in large part to the protection of its unique biodiversity and national parks. The Rwanda government is promoting strong sustainable policies, and they combine conservation with community development. Thankfully, The Mountain Gorilla is part of their conservation effort. It is one of the few countries where tourists can see the endangered gorillas under strict guidelines.

Rwanda is one of the most progressive countries in Africa in terms of environmental policy:

• Zero plastic policy: Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2008 – unique in Africa.
• “Green Rwanda” policy: The government promotes reforestation and green infrastructure.
• Ecotourism is a core strategy: Rwanda consciously develops tourism with nature conservation as a focus. Tourism revenue is redistributed to communities around national parks.

African Parks and the Wildlife Conservation Society have developed partnerships for sustainable nature management.

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that manages national parks in partnership with governments across Africa.
In 2010, Rwanda signed a 20-year joint management agreement with African Parks to rehabilitate and manage Akagera National Park. Since then, Akagera has seen a remarkable revival:
*Poaching has been reduced to nearly zero percent.
*Three of the Big Five were reintroduced (lions in 2015, black rhinos in 2017, white rhinos in 2021).
*Tourism revenue has grown steadily, contributing to local employment and development.
*Financially Akagera National Park is now self-sustainining.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

This Society supports science-based conservation and sustainable management of protected areas.
In 2020, Rwanda signed a 20-year agreement with WCS to manage Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests in Rwanda. It is home to over 1,000 plant species, 13 primate species including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys and 300+ bird species.
Wildlife Conservation Society is working to:
Strengthen park protection and law enforcement.
Boost scientific research and biodiversity monitoring.
Develop sustainable ecotourism infrastructure.
Improve the livelihoods of the surrounding communities via the work they do.

Rwanda’s model—combining government commitment, community inclusion, and expertise from organizations like African Parks and The Wildlife Conservation Society—has become a blueprint for sustainable conservation in Africa. It helps:

• Protect biodiversity
• Generate income through ecotourism
• Empower communities
• Attract global conservation investment

Small-scale conservation projects in Rwanda

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (near Volcanoes National Park)
*They provide Alternative income for ex-poachers and the communities they live in.
*They Combine culture, education and nature conservation.

Umusambi Village (Kigali)
*They provide a sanctuary for rescued grey crowned cranes, an endangered species, that cannot be returned to the wild due to disabilities developed due to captivity.
*They have developed a nature reserve on a former sugar cane plantation.

Nyungwe Nziza Project
*They support sustainable tourism around the Nyungwe Forest.
*They work with local communities on guide training and sustainable agriculture.

Red Rocks Rwanda (Musanze)
*This community center works with local farmers, artisans and women.
*It organizes eco-activities: making banana beer (known as Urwagwa), basket weaving, and permaculture.

Karisoke Research Center (Volcanoes NP)
*The Center was founded by the Dian Fossey Foundation.
*It spearheads gorilla conservation and education.

Rwanda Eco Lodges & Travel safety

Check in advance about the safety in Rwanda and in the places you plan to visit. You can also consult your country’s official government websites. For American citizens, this is the US Dept. of State’s page on Rwanda.