Overview
The best Rwanda safari experience is attained when you take a round trip that almost exhibits everything this small wonderful East African country offers. This ten-day Rwanda Gorillas and Wildlife safari leads you to explore the rich biodiversity through the hilly tropics and stretching savannahs. The trip will cover parks like Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and the magnificent Lake Kivu. Additionally, expect to spot several wildlife species, take part in game drives and boat cruises, canopy walks, trek gorillas, and relax at the sand beaches of Lake Kivu. The safari package also accommodates luxury and midrange travellers.
Trip Summary
- Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
- Day 2: Kigali city tour
- Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walks
- Day 5: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 6: Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 8: Trek gorillas
- Day 9: Relaxing at Lake Kivu
- Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali International Airport
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
You will arrive at Kigali International Airport and meet and greet with an Early Trails Expedition representative. This representative will be your driver guide for all your safari days in Rwanda. Then you will transfer to your hotel in Kigali and relax. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel.
Mid-range: Hotel Villa Portofino Kigali
Day 2: Kigali city tour
Today, you will take on a city tour in the country’s capital city, Kigali. The key places to visit include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Centre, Nyamata church etc. Then will continue to Kimironko market and can crown the day with a visit to Lake Nyarutarama. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight and rest for the next day.
Mid-range: Hotel Villa Portofino Kigali
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Today, you will take a morning drive to one of the most fantastic places in Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park. The forest is a supernatural biodiversity that hosts greater African tropical dwellers. Reaching the park South of Kigali will take about 3 hours, and then you will check-in, have lunch and then take an afternoon nature walk. The nature walk is rewarding with a basket of primate species, bird species, and many unique Central African tree species.
Lastly, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Luxury: One and Only Nyungwe House
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walks
After energising with breakfast this morning, you will move to the tracking point. Consider trekking in the morning session. Chimpanzee tracking at Nyungwe forest leads into the tea leaves contours, thick forests, and bamboo. Chimpanzees at Nyungwe are habituated, and trackers have a chance for a close-up encounter. The track can last 30 minutes to about 3 hours, searching for apes in the deep forest. And when you find them, you have a limit of one hour in their presence.
After enjoying your delicious lunch, you will head out for an afternoon canopy walk. This tropical canopy walk on a swinging suspended bridge is a world-class adventure. It leaves you wanting more of the swings and walks overhead the ground.
Luxury: One and Only Nyungwe House (Dinner and overnight)
Day 5: Transfer to Akagera National Park
With breakfast refreshments, we will transfer to Akagera National Park, which requires us to drive back to Kigali and continue to the Park Eastwards. Reaching the park by afternoon hours, we will take a boat ride at Lake Ihema. This adventure brings you close to the breathtaking wilderness of Rwanda through scenic views of golden savannahs, swamps, and tropics surrounding the lake, all of which make a tremendous consideration. You will watch more unique wildlife species, including crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards, and many land mammals drawing water on the lake shores. Then, check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Day 6: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
Wake up to the beauty of the unique East African clear sunrise, and appreciate the brightness of the sun rays heating directly on the golden savannah. Then, you will enjoy your delicious breakfast before embarking on a morning game drive through the savannah and swampy landscapes of the park along the Akagera River. Afterwards, you will return to your lodge for lunch and take an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. While there, you will spot crocodiles, hippos, and water birds like shoebill storks and kingfishers. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast and embark on a cosy drive to the Volcanoes National Park. This is Rwanda’s capital of adventures and the hub of gorillas that reside in the Virunga Conservation Area. The journey will lead you to Kigali and continue North wards to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you will enjoy a rare scenic view of rolling landscapes, which is why Rwanda is commonly called the land of a thousand hills. The drive will last for about 5 hours. You will have a stop-over for lunch before proceeding to the park. When you arrive, you will check into your lodge, rest for a while and then head out for a community visit in the afternoon in Musanze. If time allows, you will drive to Karisimbi Conservation Centre and learn about the conservation efforts for the mountain gorillas which Dian Fossey started. Lastly, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Day 8: Trek gorillas
Following your energising breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park’s starting point at least 30 minutes before the trekking time. Get briefed about the trekking rules and regulations and then get into groups of 8 people under the leadership of an armed ranger. After that, you will begin your adventure by following your guide into the jungle to look for the endangered mountain gorillas. The search for these gentle beasts can last 30 minutes to 4 hours as you walk into the rush, unmade path, sometimes moist and slippery grounds. At the sight of the gorillas, you will have strictly one hour in their presence. After your trekking experience, you will return to your lodge, have lunch and set off for Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.
Midrange: Kivu Peace View Hotel
Day 9: Relaxing at Lake Kivu
Take this day to relax and enjoy the vibe of the white sand beaches at Lake Kivu. This is a perfect way to unwind after all the previous adventure-filled days. All meals will be at your lodge as well as overnight stay.
Midrange: Kive Peace View Hotel
Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali International Airport
This will be your last safari day. Enjoy the coloured morning alongside your delicious breakfast. Then, pack your bags and embark on your journey to Kigali International Airport for your next flight back home.
Our driver guide will say goodbye to you on behalf of Early Trials Expedition Uganda. Then, you will take your flight back home. After this 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Wildlife safari, you will become our next ambassador in your country and area. Thank you!
Trip inclusive;
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- All trip fuel
- All meals and soft drinks
- All Park entrances
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Boat ride
- Accommodation
- City-guided tour
- Driver guide
- Canopy walks
- Dain Fossey Tombs
- Kivu beach
Exclusive;
- Visa and air ticket
- Laundry
- All hard drinks
- Souvenirs
- Tips
