Enjoy a mix of dense jungles, savannah plains, pristine white sand Lakeside beaches and rolling hills during this safari as you discover the best attractions that Rwanda offers in just 8 days. The safari will head you to Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of the country to trek mountain gorillas, to Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will meet face to face with the chimpanzees, to the pristine white sand beaches of Lake Kivu to unwind and to the country’s savannah-dominated Protected Area (Akagera National Park) for game drives. This safari starts and ends in Kigali, the largest and Capital City of Rwanda which is also known as “the cleanest City in Africa”.
Highlights
- Relaxation along the white sand beaches of Lake Kivu.
- A chance to trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest.
- Enjoy clear views of tree canopies, primates, orchids and birds during the canopy walk.
- Search for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: The three hour drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park, afternoon boat ride.
- Day 2: Game drive in Akagera and drive back to Kigali.
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, afternoon visit to Gorilla Guardian Village
- Day 4: Trek Gorillas & visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus.
- Day 5: Lake Kivu Exploration
- Day 6: Proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park & afternoon tea plantation tours.
- Day 7: Trek the chimpanzees and enjoy the canopy walk.
- Day 8: Depart the verdant Nyungwe Forest National Park for Kigali City, connecting flight.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: The three hour drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park, afternoon boat ride
After breakfast, converge at the Hotel Lobby for briefing from your safari guide/driver then start the journey towards the Eastern side of Rwanda. It is one of the shortest journeys taking about two and a half to three hours and in no time, you will be ushered to breathtaking landscapes marked by sweeping savannah plains, rolling hills, wetland-fringed Lakes, woodlands, and pockets of forests.
Akagera National Park is an 1122-square kilometer Protected Area known for sheltering the big five game, Masai giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, blue monkeys. Impalas, bushbucks, warthogs, Olive baboons, Nile crocodiles, Hippos, and the country’s highest bird concentration.
Have Lunch on arrival then continue to the afternoon boat cruise where you will sight lots of Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and birds. Enjoy dinner before retiring for overnight.
Overnight at;
- Magashi Safari Camp- upmarket
- Akagera Game Lodge- Midrange
- Akagera Transit Lodge- Budget
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 2: Game drive in Akagera and drive back to Kigali
This morning, you will venture into the heart of Akagera National Park, checking out its wildlife hot spots during the 3-4-hour game drive. Sights of Defassa waterbucks, lions, Rhinos, spotted hyenas, elephants, leopards, Topis, buffaloes, duikers, impalas, Olive baboons, bushbucks, Oribis, warthogs, Masai giraffes, giant elands, Mongoose and others should be expected. Return for breakfast at the Lodge, siesta and later lunch before checking out and returning to Kigali. The remainder of the evening and overnight will be spent at the Hotel in Kigali while taking in refreshing night views of the City.
Overnight at;
- Kigali Serena Hotel- Upmarket.
- Hotel des Mille Collines- Midrange.
- Onomo Hotel- Budget.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, afternoon visit to Gorilla Guardian Village
After breakfast, take a short City Tour checking out the unmissable tourist spots in Kigali such as the Kigali genocide center at Gisozi, and the Craft shops. Midmorning leave for Volcanoes National Park, arriving after a 3-hour drive. Continue to the Gorilla Guardian Village for a cultural encounter. While here, you will get immersed in the culture and traditions through traditional dance performances, local beer brewing, visits to traditional medicine man, traditional dance performances and others.
Overnight;
- Virunga Lodge- Upmarket.
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel- Midrange.
- Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge- budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Trek Gorillas & visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus
Be up early and head on a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The first 30-45 minutes is for briefing and registration, then 20-30 minutes of transferring to the trailhead. This is followed by another 3-5 hours of walking through the jungles searching for the Giant Apes and when found, one hour is spent observing and photographing them as they go about their daily routines.
After lunch at the Lodge, you will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a state-of-art Research and Conservation facility commissioned in 2022 to support mountain gorilla research and studies.
Overnight;
- Virunga Lodge- Upmarket.
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel- Midrange.
- Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge- budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Lake Kivu Exploration
After breakfast, leave Volcanoes National Park for the beautiful Lake Kivu area, where you will spend the best part of the day unwinding through a number of activities. Options to choose from include Cycling along the shores of Lake Kivu, canoe or boat ride to Nyamirundi Island (known for coffee growing), guided community walk and others.
Accommodation;
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel- Luxury.
- Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel or Paradis Malahide-Midrange.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park & afternoon tea plantation tours
Have breakfast before hitting the road to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Take in the phenomenal views of the countryside and shores of Lake Kivu until you get to the 1000-square kilometer Protected Area that holds some of the country’s rarest wildlife species that include over 12 primate species and birds, some of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift region.
In the afternoon, take a guided tea plantation tour to learn about the process of growing, plucking and brewing tea. Sum up the day with a delicious dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Accommodation;
- One & Only Nyungwe House- Luxury.
- Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge- Midrange.
- Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge- Budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Trek the chimpanzees and enjoy the canopy walk
Today, you will explore Nyungwe Forest National Park through chimpanzee trekking and canopy walks. You will spend the entire day in the forest hence having packed lunch, enough drinking water and energy-giving snacks is recommended. Chimp trekking begins with briefing at 5:00am, provided by the RDB Park Ranger at Uwinka Visitor Center and lasts 30-45 minutes before you are allocated to one of the two chimpanzee communities. Follow your Ranger guide in walking through the forest while identifying different unique plants, wildlife and birds. After searching and spending time with the chimpanzees, have your lunch at one of the picnic sites recommended by the Park Ranger.
Later join the canopy walkway trail for the rewarding walk through the deep ravines, forest canopies, orchids, and birds. This 160-meter suspended bridge is over 70 meters off the ground.
Accommodation;
- One & Only Nyungwe House- Luxury.
- Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge- Midrange.
- Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge- Budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Depart the verdant Nyungwe Forest National Park for Kigali City, connecting flight
It is time to say farewell to Nyungwe Forest National Park as you drive back to Kigali City via the King’s Palace in Nyanza. Safe travels!
8 Days Rwanda Safari Inclusions:
- Entry fees- Museum, National Parks and others.
- Boat ride in Akagera.
- Chimpanzee permit.
- Gorilla permit.
- Comfortable Ride by a private safari vehicle.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
- Bottled water and snacks.
- Game drives.
- Canopy walk fees.
- Tea plantation tours.
Exclusions
- Visa fees.
- Porter fees.
- Gratuities to Lodge staff, porters, Park Ranger guides, and driver.
- Travel Insurance.
- Rwandan visa.
- Drinks and cigarettes.
- Optional activities not on the program.