Rwanda wildlife beyond gorillas — the full scope of what Rwanda’s three national parks offer beyond the headline mountain gorilla trekking experience — is significantly richer than most first-time Rwanda visitors expect. The golden monkey in Volcanoes NP, the Akagera reintroduced lion prides (first lions in Rwanda since the 1970s, reintroduced in 2015), Nyungwe’s 13 primate species and 322 bird species, and Akagera’s black rhino (30+ individuals, reintroduced in 2017) make Rwanda one of East Africa’s most diverse wildlife destinations if the full 3-park circuit is explored rather than just the gorilla trek. This guide covers Rwanda wildlife beyond gorillas for 2027/2028 self-drive visitors.
Golden Monkeys: Volcanoes NP
- Where: The bamboo forest zone at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes (within Volcanoes NP, same area as the gorilla trekking territory but different trails)
- Permit: USD 60 per person — significantly cheaper than the gorilla permit (USD 1,500). Most Volcanoes NP visitors add the golden monkey trek as a half-day activity on the same day as the gorilla trek briefing or the morning after the gorilla trek.
- Experience: The golden monkey habituated groups (Agashya and Susa groups for golden monkey) number 50 to 80 individuals — the encounter is spent watching the troop move through the bamboo forest at close range. The bright orange-gold colouration is unique and photogenic.
Akagera: Lions, Rhino, and Savannah Wildlife
- Lions: 7 lions reintroduced from South Africa in 2015 have grown to 2 established prides (30+ individuals by 2027) — the first lions in Rwanda in 40 years. The northern Akagera sector is the primary lion territory.
- Black rhino: 30+ individuals reintroduced from Kenya (2017) — the northern Akagera sector. Self-drive visitors can locate rhino independently (northern circuit) or book a ranger-guided rhino tracking experience (recommended for higher sighting success).
- Other savannah wildlife: Akagera’s wildlife includes hippo (large population on Lake Ihema), Nile crocodile, elephant (150+), Cape buffalo (large herds), giraffe (Nubian giraffe subspecies — tall and distinctive), zebra, impala, topi, waterbuck
Nyungwe: Primate and Bird Diversity
- 13 primate species: chimpanzee, red-tailed colobus (1,000+ individual troop), L’Hoest’s monkey, Dent’s mona, olive baboon, vervet, and 7 additional species
- 322 bird species including 29 Albertine Rift endemics — the best forest birding site in Rwanda
- Target Nyungwe birds: Grauer’s rush warbler, African hill babbler, stripe-breasted tit, Rwenzori batis, Doherty’s bushshrike
