8 DaysRWANDASmall Groups
Experience the very best of Rwanda on this unforgettable 8-day wildlife, primate, and cultural safari. Explore the country's diverse landscapes, from the savannah plains of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe and the volcanic mountains of Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy thrilling Big Five game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorilla trekking, and golden monkey trekking, complemented by cultural experiences, museum visits, the scenic beauty of Lake Kivu, and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This carefully designed itinerary offers the perfect blend of wildlife, adventure, nature, and Rwanda's rich history, making it an ideal journey for travelers seeking an authentic East African safari experience. Request Quote
$5,300per person
Day by Day
Your Itinerary
1Day 1
Arrival and Airport Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax after your journey or enjoy a short drive through Kigali, one of Africa's cleanest and safest cities.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel
Midrange Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Kigali Serena
Meal Inclusion: Dinner
2Day 2
Transfer to Akagera National Park & Sunset Boat Safari
After an early breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah national park and home to the Big Five. The scenic drive takes approximately 2.5 hours through beautiful countryside. After lunch and check-in, head out for an unforgettable afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you'll encounter hippos, Nile crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birdlife including African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and cormorants. The boat cruise also offers excellent opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes along the shoreline.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange Accommodation: Salt of Akagera
Luxury Accommodation: Ruzizi Tent Lodge
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3Day 3
Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park & Return to Kigali
Start the day with an early breakfast before embarking on a full-day game drive across Akagera's diverse landscapes of open plains, woodlands, wetlands, and rolling hills. Keep your camera ready as you search for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards (occasionally spotted), impalas, topis, elands, waterbucks, warthogs, and numerous bird species. Your experienced guide will help track wildlife while sharing fascinating insights about the park's conservation success. After the game drive, exit the park and return to Kigali in the evening.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel
Midrange Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4Day 4
Transfer to Nyungwe National Park via Cultural Museums
After breakfast, journey southwest toward Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa's oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Along the way, visit some of Rwanda's fascinating cultural and historical museums, such as the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, where you'll gain insight into Rwanda's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and history. Continue through Rwanda's beautiful rolling hills before arriving in Nyungwe for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Maravilla Kivu Resort
Midrange Accommodation: Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Munazi Hotel
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5Day 5
Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk Adventure
On this day, wake up early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest. Accompanied by expert park rangers, venture into the rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while listening to their energetic calls echo through the forest. Besides chimpanzees, you may encounter several monkey species including L'Hoest's monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and countless colorful birds. After lunch, enjoy the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge stretching above the forest canopy, offering spectacular views of the rainforest and surrounding mountains.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Maravilla Kivu Resort
Midrange Accommodation: Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Munazi Hotel
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6Day 6
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park via Lake Kivu Boat Excursion
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and travel north along the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes. Upon reaching Rubavu (Gisenyi), enjoy a relaxing boat excursion to explore several islands on Lake Kivu. Depending on conditions and timing, you may visit Napoleon Island, Monkey Island, Peace Island, or nearby fishing communities while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Following the boat trip, continue to Volcanoes National Park, home of Rwanda's famous mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Kinigi Cottages
Midrange Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Virunga Inn Resort
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7Day 7
Gorilla Trekking, Twin Lakes Boat Trip & Scenic Viewpoint Hike
After an early breakfast, report to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on your unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Guided by experienced rangers, hike through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes in search of one of the habituated gorilla families. Once located, spend a magical one hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, play, and interact naturally in their forest home. After lunch and some relaxation, visit the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride across the lakes before taking a short hike to a scenic viewpoint offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lakes, surrounding islands, and the Virunga Volcanoes.
Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Kinigi Cottages
Midrange Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Luxury Accommodation: Virunga Inn Resort
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8Day 8
Golden Monkey Trekking, Kigali City Tour & Departure
Following breakfast, enjoy another exciting primate adventure with a Golden Monkey Trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. These playful and endangered primates are known for their vibrant golden-orange fur and energetic behavior. After the trek, drive back to Kigali. Upon arrival, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important historical site that offers a moving and educational understanding of Rwanda's past, resilience, and remarkable transformation.
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some last-minute shopping for souvenirs before your guide transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of an unforgettable Rwandan adventure.
Meal Inclusion: Breakfast and Lunch
What's Included
Transportation on a 4 x 4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game view
Accommodation and meals as listed on the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
1 Chimpanzee permit per person
Canopy walk
1 Gorilla permit per person
Golden Monkey Trekking permit per person
Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
Cultural visits
Boat tour
Park entrance fees
Enough Bottled mineral water
Game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
What's Excluded
Expenses of a personal nature:
International Airfare,
Visa,
Alcoholic Drinks,
Tips to local guides,
Porter fee while trekking,
Personal insurance,
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