Helicopter safaris in Rwanda

Driving in Rwanda offers an immersive experience, allowing you to enjoy scenic landscapes and local culture, though journeys can be long and tiring due to the mountainous terrain. By contrast, helicopter flights provide a fast, luxurious way to travel in Rwanda, with breathtaking aerial views, and ideal for those with limited time.  

All Wilderness bookings in Rwanda automatically include a private vehicle and driver-guide for the duration of your stay. However, as all of our safaris are customisable, you simply need to talk to your Travel Designer if you would prefer to transfer by helicopter. Helicopters are reserved exclusively for your group, with our partner in the region flying to most airstrips within Rwanda. A short road transfer of around 20 minutes may be required from the helipad depending on altitude restrictions.

What is a helicopter safari?

In Rwanda, while helicopter flights are not typically offered as standalone scenic safaris, they play an important role in travelling between the country’s wildlife regions. Adding a helicopter transfer on to your Rwanda safari makes it easy to combine two of Africa’s most extraordinary experiences: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Big 5 game viewing in Akagera National Park. 

When is the best time for a helicopter safari in Rwanda?

The best time for a helicopter trip in Rwanda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. These months offer the clearest flying conditions, and the most reliable visibility for helicopter transfers between Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. With less rainfall, skies are generally clearer, making for spectacular aerial views, especially of Rwanda’s dramatic volcanic landscape in the north-west.

Can I combine a helicopter safari with a ground safari?

Yes, driving in Rwanda is more affordable and can be more culturally enriching, as you have more time to stop and appreciate the scenery or see villages and Rwandan life along the way. However, after a long international flight, a road transfer through the country’s hilly terrain can be draining. Instead of a long road journey, a helicopter transfer dramatically reduces travel time and adds a striking aerial perspective of Rwanda’s Land of a Thousand Hills terrain. A combination of both, perhaps flying one way and driving back, can provide the best of both worlds, balancing efficiency with experience.