How to Book Your Rwanda Safari from Canada

Planning a Rwanda safari from Canada is one of the most rewarding travel decisions you can make. From the mist-covered slopes of Volcanoes National Park, where endangered mountain gorillas roam freely, to the sweeping savannas of Akagera teeming with the Big Five, Rwanda offers a wildlife experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. Whether you’re a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned Africa traveller, booking your Rwanda safari from Canada is more accessible than you might think – and the journey is absolutely worth every mile.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: how to get from Canada to Kigali, which airlines to book, what safaris to choose, and how to lock in your dream trip through a trusted operator. By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to stop dreaming and start packing.

Getting to Rwanda from Canada: Flights and Airlines

There are currently no direct (non-stop) flights from Canada to Kigali International Airport (KGL). All routes involve at least one layover, with 11 airlines operating connections from various Canadian cities. The good news? With the right airline and hub, travel time is very manageable – and the anticipation only builds as you get closer to Africa.

Best Airlines by Departure City

Departing from Eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa)

If you’re flying out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport or another eastern hub, Turkish Airlines is widely regarded as offering the most convenient routing – typically just one stop in Istanbul (IST) before continuing to Kigali. Transit times at Istanbul Airport are generally smooth, and Turkish Airlines is well regarded for comfort and service on long-haul routes.

Departing from Western Canada (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton)

Travellers from western Canada tend to find KLM Royal Dutch Airlines the most efficient option, usually with a single stop in Amsterdam (AMS). Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of Europe’s best-connected hubs and makes for a relatively seamless transit experience.

Other Popular Airlines to Kigali

Beyond these top picks, several other reputable carriers serve the Canada–Kigali route through their respective hubs:

• Ethiopian Airlines – via Addis Ababa (ADD), Africa’s busiest aviation hub and a gateway to the continent
• Brussels Airlines – via Brussels (BRU), popular with European-routed travellers
• Kenya Airways – via Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), ideal for those combining Rwanda with a Kenya safari
• Qatar Airways – via Doha (DOH), known for its award-winning in-flight experience
• RwandAir – Rwanda’s national carrier, often operating as a codeshare partner on connecting routes

When booking, compare layover durations and total travel times across these carriers. The best deal isn’t always the cheapest fare — a longer layover can add unnecessary fatigue before you even reach the gorillas.

How to Book Your Rwanda Safari with Iconic Africa Safaris

• 1. Get in Touch: Start by reaching out through the booking form, email, WhatsApp, or a phone call. Share your travel dates, the destinations you’d like to visit, and the experiences you’re most excited about – whether that’s trekking with mountain gorillas, exploring a jungle canopy walkway, or spotting lions at sunrise.
• 2. Receive Your Customised Itinerary: Rwanda safari experts at Iconic Africa Safaris will craft a tailored trip that matches your interests and budget. You’ll receive a detailed plan covering every destination, activity, and cost — no surprises, no hidden fees.
• 3. Confirm Your Booking: Once you’re happy with your itinerary, you confirm your booking. From that point forward, every detail is managed on your behalf – gorilla trekking permits, internal transportation, accommodation, meals, and domestic flights are all taken care of.
• 4. Travel with Confidence Throughout your planning and your trip, Iconic Africa Safaris’ support team is available around the clock, every day of the week. Whether you have pre-departure questions, need reassurance mid-journey, or require a last-minute change to your plan, help is always just a message away.

Iconic Africa Safaris caters to a range of budgets and travel styles, offering budget, mid-range, and luxury Rwanda safari packages. Founded by passionate tourism professionals with over six years of industry experience, the company brings together expert guides with deep knowledge of Rwanda’s wildlife, history, culture, and biodiversity.

Common Rwanda Safaris to Book

Rwanda punches well above its weight as a safari destination. In a country roughly the size of Maryland, you’ll find dense rainforests, open savannas, high-altitude volcanoes, and shimmering lakes. Here are the experiences that draw travellers from Canada and around the world.

Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park

This is the crown jewel of Rwanda tourism, and frankly, one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on the planet. You’ll hike through dense bamboo forests in the company of experienced guides and armed rangers, tracking one of the habituated mountain gorilla families that call Volcanoes National Park home. When you find them, you’re granted one precious hour — face to face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. It’s humbling, emotional, and utterly unforgettable.

Gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 per person and must be booked well in advance through the Rwanda Development Board. For a simpler, more seamless experience, Iconic Africa Safaris handles permit acquisition as part of your overall package.

Important: Gorilla permits sell out months in advance, especially during peak season. So you are advised to book 3-6 months in advance.

Big Five Game Drive — Akagera National Park

For those wanting the classic African bush experience, Akagera National Park delivers in full. Located in Rwanda’s east along the border with Tanzania, Akagera is the country’s only savanna park and home to an impressive roster of wildlife: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinos (successfully reintroduced in 2017), alongside zebras, giraffes, elands, topis and a host of antelope species. Classic game drives offer both sunrise and sunset options, each bringing out different animal behaviours and spectacular light for photography. If you’ve always dreamed of watching elephants cross the plains at dawn, Akagera is where that dream comes true.

Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest in southwest Rwanda is one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich rainforests. It’s home to 13 primate species, including habituated chimpanzees and large troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys — and trekking through the forest in search of chimps is as thrilling as it is atmospheric.

The park’s signature highlight is the 70-metre-high canopy walkway, a suspended bridge that carries you through the forest canopy with sweeping views across one of Rwanda’s most pristine natural landscapes. Nyungwe is also a world-class birdwatching destination, with over 300 recorded species, many of them Albertine Rift endemics rarely seen elsewhere.

Other Popular Rwanda Safari Experiences

Rwanda’s wildlife experiences extend well beyond the top three. Here are some additional highlights worth adding to your itinerary:

• Golden Monkey Trekking – Also based in Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey trekking is a more affordable alternative to gorilla permits (approximately $100 per person) and offers an equally charming experience. These playful, acrobatic primates are endemic to the Virunga volcanoes and absolutely captivating to watch.
• Lake Kivu Boat Safaris – Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s Great Rift Valley lakes, offering scenic boat excursions across its island-dotted waters. Often combined with a Nyungwe Forest visit, a Lake Kivu experience adds a relaxing, picturesque dimension to your Rwanda safari.
• Cultural Village Experiences – Many lodges near Volcanoes National Park offer visits to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you can engage with local Rwandan communities, learn traditional dances, and gain insight into the country’s rich cultural heritage. Nature and culture, beautifully combined.
• Birding Safaris – With over 700 recorded species across the country, Rwanda is an outstanding birding destination. Both Akagera and Nyungwe rank among the best birding sites in East Africa, attracting serious ornithologists from around the world.

Tips for Booking Your Rwanda Safari from Canada

Getting the details right before you travel makes all the difference. Keep these key points in mind as you plan:

• Time your visit well – Rwanda’s two dry seasons offer the best wildlife viewing and trekking conditions: June to September and December to February. Trails are drier, forest visibility is clearer, and game drives are more productive.
• Consider combo packages – Pairing a Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek with an Akagera National Park game drive makes for an exceptional 5–7 day itinerary. Iconic Africa Safaris specialises in these seamless multi-destination packages.

Start Planning Your Rwanda Safari Today

Rwanda is not just a destination – it’s a transformational experience. From the quiet awe of meeting a mountain gorilla to the exhilaration of a lion sighting at Akagera, every moment in this remarkable country stays with you long after you return home. And from Canada, it’s entirely within reach.

Don’t wait until permits sell out or your ideal travel dates disappear. Contact Iconic Africa Safaris now through the booking form, WhatsApp, or email to begin designing the Rwanda safari you’ve been dreaming of. The expert team is standing by — ready to turn your African dream into your next great adventure.