Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
- Arrive at Kigali International Airport.
- Transfer to Serena Kigali Hotel for check-in and rest.
Day 2: City Tour of Kigali
- Morning guided city tour, exploring historical landmarks.
- Visit Rwanda Genocide Memorial Museum.
- Explore local fresh produce markets and crafts.
- Afternoon free to relax at Serena Kigali Hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Akagera National Park
- Early breakfast, transfer to Akagera National Park (5-6 hrs).
- Game drive to spot wildlife: antelopes, buffalo, monkeys.
- Accommodation at Wilderness Magashi Camp.
Days 4-5: Explore Akagera National Park
- Expert-guided game drives, walks, and boating trips.
- View buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, and more.
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema to see hippos and crocodiles.
Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest NP
- Drive from Akagera to Nyungwe Forest.
- Stop at the Cultural Heritage Corridor, visit King’s Palace and The Ethnographic Museum.
- Accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House.
Day 7: Nyungwe National Park Experience
- Explore Nyungwe Forest with hiking trails.
- Primate tracking for chimpanzees and other monkey species.
- Canopy walk and other activities.
- Return to One & Only Nyungwe House.
Day 8: Ground Transfer to Volcanoes NP
- Breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park (5-6 hrs).
- Lunch stop in Kigali.
- Check into Virunga Lodge.
Days 9-10: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes NP
- Morning transfer to park headquarters.
- Gorilla tracking with experienced guides.
- Visit Iby’iwachu cultural village in the evening.
- Return to Virunga Lodge.
Day 11: Drive to Kigali and Departure
- Check out from Virunga Lodge.
- Drive to Kigali, lunch at the Retreat by Heaven.
- Depending on flight, transfer to Kigali International Airport for departure.
Meal Plans:
- Varied meal plans throughout the itinerary, including Bed & Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner as specified in the daily details.
Day 1: 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 of the day / night.
Accommodation: Serena Kigali Hotel
Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: City tour of Kigali.
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. Afternoon off free to relax.
Accommodation: Serena Kigali Hotel
Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast & Lunch
Day 03: Drive to Akagera national park: After early Breakfast, transfer (5-6hrs by smooth Tarmac road) 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. The 100,000-hectare Akagera National Park is situated in eastern Rwanda, bordering Tanzania, and it comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains
You may be able to spot various animals along the way; predominantly antelopes, buffalo and monkeys.
Accommodation: Wilderness Magashi Camp x 3 nights
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4-5: Spend the next 02 days traversing the very best of Akageera Np: The varied landscape is shown through the different species spotted here. Visitors to the park will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips, including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyena, zebra and more. The park also boasts almost 500 species of birds including the spectacular shoebill with its implausibly massive bill and the near-endemic red-faced barbet.
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: Wilderness Magashi Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Transfer Akageera to Nyungwe Forest Np: Drive from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest. Along the way to Nyungwe Forest stop off in the Cultural Heritage Corridor of Rwanda and visit the King’s Palace and The Ethnographic Museum.
One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primates including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House or
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for 02 Nights
Day 7: Nyungwe National Park Experience today;
With 15 hiking trails from 2.2km to 10Km for experienced hiker, along with various other activities to include Canopy walk and primates trekking, visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves in one of Africa’s most stunning forests.
Primate tracking for Chimpanzees, the L’Hoest’s monkey, and other monkey species tops most visitors’ list. It is common to hear the chimpanzees before seeing them, with their vocalisations reverberating through the forest as they call to each other in a sort of bonding ritual. Tracking starts early, at 5.30am, and can last anything from an hour to several hours depending on where the chimps are – visitors spend a maximum of one hour with them once they are found. Return to your accommodation in the evening.
Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 08: Ground transfer Nyungwe Forest Np to Volcanoes National Park; (Approx.; 05-6hrs drive time); 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: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for 02 Nights
Day 09 & 10: 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. Tracking can be between 90 minutes and the whole morning depending on what family group is assigned. You will spend one hour with the gorillas – sometimes moving around to stay with the gorillas or following them.
The guide will ensure you are in the best spots to take the most beautiful pictures and experience the breathtaking experience properly. 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: Virunga Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Drive to Kigali and departure
In the morning you shall check out of your accommodation 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 at the Retreat by Heaven. Depending on your flight plan, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward departure flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
The package includes:
- Ground transportation in 4×4 Land Cruiser.
- Airport transfers & transfers to & from Airstrips where applicable
- All meals except in Kigali (Bed & Breakfast only) in Ensuite mixed accommodations on single occupancy (hotels and safari lodges)
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages with water along the Tour
- Community visits
- Fulltime English speaking Driver/Guide
- Park entry fees and Government Taxes
- Activities agreed upon
- 1 Gorilla permit per person
- Canopy walk
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Activities in Akageera Np
The package excludes any cost of personal nature like:
- Visa fees to Rwanda
- Accommodation in Nyungwe & Volcanoes National Parks
- Covid-19 PCR test if required
- Any Additional activities not agreed upon and not in Itinerary
- Tips
- Laundry
- Souvenirs
- Personal drinks and cigarettes
- International/ domestic Air ticket and related costs
- Personal Comprehensive Insurance
