Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
- Arrive at Kigali International Airport.
- Transfer to Serena Kigali Hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 2: City Tour of Kigali. Drive to Akagera National Park
- Morning city tour, exploring landmarks and the Rwanda Genocide memorial museum.
- Visit local markets and crafts for souvenirs.
- Transfer to Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing.
- Accommodation: Magashi Lodge
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
- Early morning game drive in Akagera National Park.
- Ranger-guided tour to spot buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, and various bird species.
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema with hippos, Nile crocodiles, and waterbirds.
- Accommodation: Magashi Lodge
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
- Journey to Volcanoes National Park with scenic views.
- Stop in Kigali for lunch.
- Check-in at Sabinyo Silverback Lodge or Bishop’s House.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Visit Iby’iwachu Cultural Village
- Morning gorilla tracking, spending an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
- Return to accommodation and relax.
- Evening visit to Iby’Iwachu cultural village to learn about Rwandese culture.
- Accommodation: Sabinyo Silverback Lodge or Bishop’s House
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Gisenyi. Optional Activities and Boat Ride on Lake Kivu
- Drive to Gisenyi, a picturesque lakeside destination.
- Optional activities in Gisenyi, such as kayaking, biking, or exploring fishing villages.
- Evening boat ride on Lake Kivu and visit to some islands.
- Check-in at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Drive to Kigali and Departure
- Check out from Lake Kivu accommodation.
- Journey back to Kigali with scenic views and optional stops.
- Lunch in Kigali.
- Transfer to the airport for departure.
This itinerary offers a diverse experience, from exploring Kigali’s history to wildlife encounters in Akagera and Volcanoes National Parks, topped with cultural immersion and relaxation by Lake Kivu.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Today you will arrive at Kigali international airport. After completing your emigrations formalities, you shall be received and transferred to your accommodation in Kigali city. You shall check in and rest for the night.
Accommodation: Serena Kigali hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 2: City tour of Kigali. Drive to Akagera national park
In the morning after breakfast, you will have a guided city tour to explore the landmarks of history of this budding capital. You will visit the Rwanda Genocide memorial museum in Gisozi. You will also visit local fresh produce markets and local crafts to purchase souvenirs. After lunch, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing. This is the only park in Rwanda where you can do a game drive and view savannah based wild animals. Upon arrival and clearance, you shall enter the park and drive to your accommodation. You may be able to spot various animals along the way; predominantly antelopes, buffalo and monkeys.
Accommodation: Magashi Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Morning game drive and boat ride on Lake Ihema
Early in the morning you will embark on a game drive in Akagera National Park. The largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing. Sightings of buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an incredible 490 bird species are possible. You will be led by a ranger guide to better chances of encountering many animals in the park. You may also spot members of the lion pride in Akagera. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant waterbirds on the island in the middle of the lake.
Accommodation: Magashi Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Drive to Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, you shall begin your journey to Volcanoes national park. Enjoy the spectacular views of hills and misty valleys on your way. You will pass via Kigali where you will have a stop for lunch. Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla. You will check into your accommodation, have dinner and prepare for activities of the next day.
Accommodation: Sabinyo Silverback Lodge Or Bishop’s House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Visit Iby’iwachu cultural village
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the park headquarters for clearance, briefing and allocation. After briefing, you will be led by experienced ranger guides on the hike to visit one of the 12 habituated mountain Gorilla families in the park. You will spend an hour in their presence when you can observe, photograph and film them in their idyllic habitat. After tracking you shall return to your accommodation and relax. In the evening, you will drive to Iby’Iwachu cultural village where you will have an introduction to Rwandese culture and history. You will learn about herding, home management, traditional crafts and cultural dances. Return to your accommodation in the evening.
Accommodation: Sabinyo Silverback Lodge Or Bishop’s House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Gisenyi. Optional activities and boat ride on Lake Kivu
Gisenyi is one of Rwanda’s loveliest spots and the closest the country has to a beach resort. With some attractive stretches of sand fringed with all manner of tropical vegetation along Lake Kivu’s long shore. The drive from Volcanoes national park takes only 2 hours. In Gisenyi you may choose to do any of the following optional activities; kayaking, biking, tour of fishing villages or tour of Gisenyi town. In the evening, you will have a boat ride on Lake Kivu where you will visit some of the islands. Check in at your accommodation in the evening.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Drive to Kigali and departure
In the morning you shall check out of your accommodation on Lake Kivu and start the journey to Kigali city. Enjoy the countryside views along the way and you may stop for landscape photography or to interact with local communities along the way. You will have lunch in Kigali city. In the evening you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
The package includes:
- Ground transportation in 4×4 Land Cruiser.
- Airport transfers & transfers to & from Airstrips where applicable
- All meals except in Kampala (Bed & Breakfast only) in Ensuite mixed accommodations on single occupancy (hotels and safari lodges)
- A window seat for easy game viewing
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages with water along the Tour
- Community visits
- Fulltime English speaking Driver/Guide
- Scheduled afternoon Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth Np
- Park entry fees and Government Taxes
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale forest
- 1 Gorilla permit per person
The package excludes any cost of personal nature like:
- Visa fees to Uganda ($50)
- Any Additional activities not agreed upon and not in Itinerary
- Walking Safari $35
- Horse Back riding $35
- Tips
- Laundry
- Souvenirs
- Personal drinks and cigarettes
- International/ domestic Air ticket and related costs
- Personal Comprehensive Insurance
