
Luxury Rwanda Holidays
Rwanda is a small country with an extraordinary range of landscapes, from the forests and volcanic peaks of the north to the lakes, wetlands and savannah of Akagera National Park. Volcanoes National Park is the great draw, home to endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, with expert-led treks through bamboo forest offering one of Africa’s most memorable wildlife encounters.
In the south, Nyungwe National Park is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a stronghold for chimpanzees and other primates, while Akagera is a remarkable conservation success story and once again home to the Big Five. Lake Kivu brings a gentler change of pace between adventures. Kigali deserves time too, with a growing art and food scene alongside the deeply moving Kigali Genocide Memorial. Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda is compact enough to combine these very different experiences in one beautifully paced journey, with spectacular scenery linking them together.
Suggested itineraries for Rwanda
These example journeys will give you a starting point from which to plan your holiday to Rwanda. This collection of ideas includes our favourite combinations of hotels, regions and destinations. Every Turquoise itinerary is unique, so please treat these as inspiration and get in touch with our destination experts to create your bespoke journey and quote.

Family Fun in the Western & Eastern Cape
11 nights from £25,500 per family
Perfect for families with little ones, this itinerary showcases the very best of South Africa with the ideal balance of…
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Family Safari & Beach in Kenya
10 nights from £26,450 per family
Combine the thrill of a family safari in Kenya with the magic of Lamu, a unique coastal escape perfect for families…
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South Africa & Mauritius: Safari Beach Adventure
11 nights from £36,500 per family
Combine a malaria-free safari with a week long stay on the beach with this fabulous itinerary.
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South Africa & Victoria Falls In Style
7 nights from £9,950 per person
Explore South Africa & Victoria Falls in Style - from the Cape to 'The Falls'.
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South Africa & Mozambique: Chic Safari and Stunning Island
1 nights
Combine the stunning island of Mozambique with Sabi Sands Reserve in South Africa for this incredible safari beach…
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South Africa: Family Winelands & Safari Holiday
7 nights
7 nights from £11,445 per family South Africa Enjoy an exhilarating adventure which will take you from the Winelands to…
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South Africa & Mauritius Luxury Safari Beach Honeymoon
11 nights from £7,700 per person
For the ultimate luxury escape to South Africa and Mauritius, combine 4 nights at Marataba Safari Lodge in South Africa…
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Classic South Africa Safari & Mauritius Beach
11 nights from £6,820 per person
Journey from a malaria-free safari to Mauritius, combining incredible wildlife with a luxury beach escape.
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Ultimate Safari Beach – Kenya & Zanzibar
10 nights from £6,099 per person
Prices start from £5,780 per person. A 10 night journey twinning Kenya's iconic Masai Mara with the powdery beaches and…
View ItineraryBest time to visit Rwanda
Rwanda’s tropical highland climate stays pleasantly mild through much of the year, though conditions vary with altitude. June to mid-September is the main dry season and the most popular time for gorilla trekking, with generally easier forest trails and less rain. December to February is another relatively drier window and also works well for wildlife and hiking.
The wetter periods bring lush scenery, excellent birdlife and good conditions for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe. Rain is possible at any time in the rainforest, so a lightweight waterproof is always worth packing.
Regions in Rwanda
Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park
With over 1,000 plant species (including 200 orchids), more than 300 species of bird and north of 100 species of butterfly,…
Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering up almost…
Rwanda
Akagera National Park
For a national park, Akagera is tiny in size. Measuring just over 400 sq miles and clinging to Rwanda’s eastern edge, it’s…

Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas can be tracked year-round, but each season feels different. Drier months bring easier trails, while the wetter seasons transform Volcanoes National Park into an intensely green landscape, often with fewer visitors.
Where to stay in Rwanda
Rwanda is filled with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences, whether it's tracking chimpanzees or spending precious time in the company of mountain gorillas. Luxury lodges hidden among the emerald scenery offer opulent refuges after a thrilling day in Rwanda's wilds, while boutique hotels serve up comfortable city living in the capital, Kigali.
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Volcanoes National Park, occupying the Rwandan share of the Virunga Mountains, is the one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
Bisate Lodge
Clinging to a lush hillside like perfectly formed thatched orbs, Bisate Lodge is an uber-luxurious retreat on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda travel inspiration
The love of travel
Calling all Hodophiles…

Suzy Higgs
02 Jan 20252 mins read
House In The Wild Luxury Safari Lodge In Maasai Mara Kenya
It is really difficult to put into words ‘that feeling’ when you arrive at House in the Wild in Maasai Mara Kenya. A mix of warmth and happiness, overwhelmed with beauty and feeling like home. That’s the best I can …

Martha McHugh
13 Aug 20243 mins read
Best Romantic Luxury Honeymoon Destinations for 2024/25
First of all many, many congratulations to those of you who are getting married and honeymooning in 2024. Although 2024 may be the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac, here at Turquoise we are predicting it is the …

Lizzie Heeley
22 Dec 20236 mins read
Best Safari & Beach holidays
Many people dream of a Safari & Beach holiday at some point in their life, but few know where to start when planning this holiday of a lifetime. From honeymoons to family holidays, a mix of adventure with relaxation is …

Lizzie Heeley
06 Dec 202312 mins read
Our Top 40th Birthday Holiday Ideas
Do you or your loved one have a very special birthday coming up, and you are looking for 40th birthday ideas? Our team of specialists would love to help. We have a number of ideas up our sleeves for the …

James Bell
07 Dec 20217 mins read
Best Safari & Beach Holidays
Africa. The very word sends tingles down our spine. An African safari is, by any measure, the most aspirational holiday of all, an adventure like no other, but it stays on our bucket list for far too long. We read …

Sue Leitch
08 Apr 20217 mins read
Top Turquoise honeymoon trends for 2019
Honeymoons are no longer a week or two just lying on a beach on a tropical island escape. Loved-up couples have become far more versatile and creative with how they celebrate after tying the knot – city breaks, hopping between …

Lizzie Heeley
20 Mar 20193 mins read
A day on safari in Botswana
From being woken by birdsong to ending round the campfire and spotting a feast of wildlife inbetween, Africa travel specialist Nick Prentice recalls how a day on safari in Botswana is a thrill from start to finish…

Nick Prentice
31 Jan 20193 mins read
Our Turquoise 6 Favourite Restaurants
One of the biggest appeals about travel, and long haul in particular, is discovering the range of adventurous flavours which our beautiful planet produces. From home cooking to gourmet, here are our favourite restaurants from around the world where you …

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03 Aug 20184 mins read

Why Choose Turquoise?
Family Owned & Run
We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.
Our Passion Runs Deep
We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.
Definition of Luxury
Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.
Fun & Refreshing
We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.
Frequently asked questions about Rwanda
Answers to the questions we’re asked most often about Rwanda. If you have a more specific question, please get in touch with our destination experts.
British passport holders need a visa to visit Rwanda, which can be bought on arrival in Kigali. Alternatively, you can arrange one in advance – if you’d like to do so, please visit www.migration.gov.rw.
The currency is the Rwandan franc.
The fastest flight from London to Kigali is around 11 hours, operated by RwandAir and flying from London Gatwick to Kigali via a short touchdown in Brussels. For another option, you could fly from Gatwick to Kigali via stopovers in Doha or Istanbul.
The time difference is GMT +2 hours.
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus-Diptheria vaccinations are currently recommended. If entering Rwanda from a Yellow Fever zone, you must be in possession of a valid international Yellow Fever inoculation certificate. Please consult your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel for current advice and medical precautions regarding Malaria.
Speak to our Rwanda specialists

Nick Prentice
Senior Travel Specialist

Martha McHugh
Senior Travel Specialist

Lyndsey Newton
Senior Travel Specialist

Lottie Supple
Travel Specialist

Lara Cowtan
Head of Sales

Chris Gardner
Senior Travel Specialist

Bethany Preston
Senior Travel Specialist & Team Leader

Alessandra Guarneri
Senior Travel Specialist & Africa Product
What Our Travellers Say
“As enthusiastic retirees with a serious case of wanderlust, my wife and I now travel abroad at least four times a year.We'd been subscribed to The Turquoise Holiday Company mailing list for years, but it wasn't until we spotted a special offer for Thailand in November 2019 that we finally booked our first holiday with them.Interestingly, a few months earlier, while waiting for a flight to the Maldives in June 2019, we noticed another couple travelling with a Turquoise travel bag. At the time, we thought little of it, but looking back, it was perhaps an early sign that we were about to discover a travel company that would become our go-to specialist for luxury holidays.Our first experience with Turquoise was excellent and gave us the confidence to book a Maldives holiday for June 2020. Then, of course, COVID struck and brought the travel industry to a standstill. What impressed us most was the way Turquoise handled an incredibly difficult situation. Rather than leaving us in limbo, they worked tirelessly to rearrange our holiday multiple times, adapting to constantly changing restrictions and circumstances. Eventually, in November 2020, despite flying with a different airline and staying at a different hotel than originally planned, we were able to enjoy a much-needed Maldives escape when many other travel plans around the world had simply been cancelled altogether.That experience cemented our trust in The Turquoise Holiday Company. Since then, we have booked many holidays through them and now use them for the vast majority of our trips abroad.What consistently sets Turquoise apart is the quality of its people. Every member of staff we have dealt with has been knowledgeable, professional, friendly and exceptionally thorough. Their expertise, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile give us complete confidence that every aspect of our holiday is being carefully managed.In an age where genuine customer service can be hard to find, The Turquoise Holiday Company continues to deliver it in abundance. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for a travel agent that combines expert knowledge, outstanding customer care and absolute professionalism. They have played a major part in some of our most memorable travel experiences, and we look forward to booking many more adventures with them in the years ahead.”
“Right from first contact, Bethany & colleagues were great. Bethany adjusted the holiday offered several times to get it just how we wanted it, & it was everything she said it would be. We went to Coco Bodu Hithi & it was amazing, I thoroughly recommend it. Turquoise have a great app which was really useful & they were there for us all along the way, even sending me updates on flights. I recommend them 100%.”
“Everything was so efficient from our very first contact. We are not seasoned travellers so the support/help/advice we received from Lucy all the way through was so reassuring. Even the daftest question was never too much trouble. Looking forward to booking again for 2028 - we wouldn’t dream of looking forward alternative travel agents. Thank you so much 🥰”
“I am so thankful we used Turquoise Holidays! From start to finish they were exceptional. A shout out to Martha who designed and organised our honeymoon for us - she took the stress out of planning, understood the vision and put together our dream holiday. She was a pleasure to work with and it was beyond anything we could have imagined. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have all of our transport and transfers sorted the other side. Especially for a trip like ours with lots of flights and travel, using Turquoise Holidays made it so much easier. We also used the concierge services to book activities and they were so helpful and kind. Will definitely use Turquoise again, I can’t wait for our next holiday!”
“Sophie was brilliant from start to finish. From the very first email she was professional but also had that friendly touch. Any amendments I wanted to our honeymoon plans she came back with the updated itinerary. Even after 5 iterations she was still incredible with the responses. I would highly recommend using turquoise travel and we will definitely be using them again”
“Amazing Family Holiday and just what we asked for! We wanted a resort and location that was approriate for small kids but had all the luxuries for adults, and Turquoise holidays provided a great service. Commincation was great and they took all the pain out of the small details and provided an excellent service and the value was outstanding!”
“Just got back from a fantastic Holiday in Mauritius with which I booked the Holiday with Turquoise Holidays. This is my first time I have booked with this company and I will have no hesitation in booking again, from start to finish the correspondence I had with Milly and the rest of the team at Turquoise as been outstanding. Thankyou Neil & Jane”
“Enjoyable trip to Canada.Jonty made excellent recommendations as always, hotels were great in every respect.Highly recommend Turquoise for their advice and insight into places and hotels at a very good price point. We have used many times in the past and will continue do use again in the future.”
“Mrs Stone organised all my flights details and extra help extremely well.”
“This was the best travel agent experience we have ever had. We went on a bespoke 5 week trip to Australia. Our agent, Stuart, designed a trip exactly matching our requirements and really listened to us when we described the brief. What came through strongly during the course of the trip was Turquoise’s ability to not just source the best properties/accommodation, but the best rooms in those properties. Likewise with the tours and activities that they organised — everything felt highly curated and considered. When any queries arose or we wanted to change the bugs, the team was super-responsive through the app. We will definitely use them again have recommended them to many friends.”
“We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blend of activity and adventures in Sri Lanka mixed with the relaxation and tranquility of the Maldives, worked extremely well and the itinerary put together by Turquoise was excellent.Overall we were very impressed with Sri Lanka and whilst hectic at times enjoyed our busy agenda. We found all the accommodation wonderful and food was plentiful and enjoyable. We were pleased to have climbed the two rocks to see the sunset/sunrise albeit a bit daunting when we realised the climbing challenge ahead.Special mention has to go to our driver/guide Mahesh who was excellent and really helped make our trip run smoothly. He was knowledgeable, practical and always prompt.In fact our only hiccup occurred when trying to leave the Notary House to fly to Male. We had booked a 4am alarm call, bags to be picked up at 4.20am and “breakfast to go” ready for 4.30am. Fortunately we had used our own phone alarms as we awoke to a completely silent hotel, no alarm call, no bags collected and no breakfast, and no driver.We did however just about hear a car hooting and on seeing some lights at the end of the long drive to the hotel set off and found Mahesh. However, the gates were padlocked shut and Mahesh was locked out and we were locked in! Fortunately Mahesh had a number for the hotel and after ringing several times, an apologetic staff member appeared and unlocked the gate and off we went. Phew !After making our plane we successfully arrived in Male and took the speedboat to Velassaru. We thought the island was impeccably well kept and had obviously been recently modernised in many areas. Our room - 205 - was perfectly positioned close to the Chill Bar, and ideal for drinking cocktails and watching the sunset, yet only a small walk from all other amenities including the buffet restaurant where we ate all our meals. We found the breakfast plentiful and varied but thought the offerings for dinner were less extensive than on other islands( maybe we were a bit spoilt at Six Senses last year ! ). We were also disappointed that given we were half board had we wished to use any of the other 3 à la carte restaurants for dinner then this was additionally chargeable albeit with a 30% discount.And yes, sadly the view from our villa of Thilafushi was certainly not ideal or romantic but overall we still agreed that Velassaru was a lovely island with everything you would expect from a trip to the Maldives.Overall we were very satisfied and would consider doing a similar trip again and definitely using Turquoise albeit I think we would allow for a longer journey from Male and take the seaplane even if that did eat into a bit more of our holiday time.Thanks again to Anthony for listening to our requirement and tailoring our trip to suit our needs.Steve ( and Cathy )”
“Always so helpful, professional and efficient, thank you once again!”

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Ready to start planning your holiday to Rwanda? Contact our team of experts for first-hand knowledge, expert advice and your bespoke holiday quote.













