As per Rwanda Statistical Yearbook for 2024, the distribution of visitors to Rwanda’s national parks in 2020 showed varied preferences.

Volcanoes National Park, popularly known for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; attracted 10,853 visitors, accounting for 30% of the total, while Akagera National Park saw the highest number, with 19,761 visitors, making up 55%.

Nyungwe National Park, though less visited, still drew a notable crowd of 5,405, which represented 15% of the total park visitors that year.

The sharp decline in visitor numbers compared to 111,136 in 2019 was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted many activities, including tourism, for an extended period.

Gorillas attract a large number of tourists to Rwanda.

Visitor numbers rebounded steadily in the following years, rising to 45,305 in 2021, 107,976 in 2022, and 135,869 in 2023. From 2021 to 2023, the number of visitors increased by 2.99%.

In 2023, 35% of visitors were at Volcanoes National Park, 47% at Akagera National Park, and 18% at Nyungwe National Park. Akagera National Park does not just stand out as the leading overall safari destination in Rwanda but also the leading Rwanda self drive destination.

NISR also reported on the composition of park visitors in 2023: 29% (38,822) were Rwandans, 6% (8,712) were foreign residents in Rwanda, and 65% (88,335) were international tourists.

Additionally, the report highlighted a significant increase in foreign visitors’ spending.

Between 2015 and 2023, expenditure nearly doubled, rising from $338.1 million in 2015 to $458 million in 2019, and reaching $563.9 million in 2023.

Nyungwe Canopy Walkway offers great views of the undisturbed rainforest.

The survey conducted at Kigali International Airport and various border points, including Rusumo, Kagitumba, Gatuna, Cyanika, Rusizi I and II, Akanyaru Haut, Nemba, Corniche, and Poids Lourds, revealed that foreign visitors in Rwanda spent over Rwf753.8 billion in 2023.

Expenditure data showed that 24% of spending came from business travelers, 42% from vacationers, and 23% from those visiting friends and relatives. The data collection occurred at the end of trips, providing a detailed view of visitors’ spending on goods and services during their stay.

Rwandans traveling abroad were also surveyed, revealing they spent $355.2 million.
Notably, 78.1% of foreign visitors’ spending in Rwanda came from air travelers, while 57.7% of Rwandans’ overseas spending was also attributed to air travel.

Guaranteed security, ease of access, excellent customer service from various hospitality establishments, well-established policies, and the presence of a large number of tour operators are among key factors that contribute to seamless experiences for tourists across the country, making Rwanda an attractive choice for international travelers.

A giraffe pictured in Akagera National Park.

During a presentation to Parliament on September 9, 2024, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente outlined the government’s five-year development agenda, aiming to nearly double the tourism sector’s revenue by 2029.

"Our primary goal in tourism is to increase revenue from $620 million to $1.1 billion," he said.

Statistics indicate that the number of visitors to Rwanda grew from 521,000 in 2021 to 1.4 million in 2023, with projections suggesting that this figure will double by 2029.

This growth aligns with the expansion of RwandAir’s destinations and services.

Tour operators faciltate seamless experience for visitors.

Elephants are among the 'Big Five' animals present in Akagera National Park.

Bird tourism also attracts visitors to National Parks.

Rhinos were reintroduced in Akagera National Park in 2017.

The 'King of the Jungle' roars with pride in Akagera National Park.