Rwanda Safaris

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & City Tour

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, enjoy an afternoon city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Umusambi Village Nature Reserve, and bustling local markets like Kimironko and Kaplaki, where you can purchase unique Rwandan crafts.

Day 2: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic 2-3 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, situated in Rwanda’s northern region. This park is home to the famous mountain gorillas. After check-in at your lodge, you have the afternoon to relax or take an optional activity, like a nature walk or a cultural visit to a local village.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking

Today, set out for a once-in-a-lifetime experience—gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your trek. Your group will be assigned to a specific gorilla family to track. The hike through Volcanoes National Park’s dense forest may take 1-3 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend an hour observing them as they feed, play, and interact. After your trek, enjoy a relaxing massage back at your lodge, or take a stroll through Musanze town.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking & Drive to Nyungwe National Park

In the morning, head out for the golden monkey trek. These charming, vibrant monkeys are only found in the forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo. The trek is less strenuous than the gorilla trek, with golden monkeys often found in the lower bamboo forests. Afterward, drive for about 4-5 hours to Nyungwe National Park, located in the southwestern part of Rwanda. This journey will take you through beautiful Rwandan landscapes, with scenic views of the rolling hills and tea plantations.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe

Start your day with an early chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park, home to over 90 chimpanzees. The trek can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, as the chimpanzees roam freely in the forest. Once you locate the chimps, you’ll be able to spend one hour with them, observing their fascinating behaviors, including feeding, playing, and grooming. The park’s rangers will provide informative commentary on the chimps’ social structure and daily life. After the trek, return to your lodge to relax or enjoy an optional activity.

Day 6: Colobus Monkey Trekking & Return to Kigali

On your final day, head out to track the beautiful colobus monkeys, which live in large groups in the forests of Nyungwe. These monkeys are easy to spot as they swing through the trees in their distinctive black-and-white fur. After your trek, enjoy the scenic drive back to Kigali for your flight.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & City Tour

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide. After a short briefing, embark on a city tour to explore Kigali’s rich history and culture.

Tour Highlights:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial: Learn about the tragic events of the 1994 Genocide and Rwanda’s journey to recovery.
• Umusambi Village Nature Reserve: Visit a sanctuary for endangered grey-crowned cranes.
• Nyandungu Urban Wetland Park: A reclaimed swamp that is home to over 100 bird species.
• Kimironko Market & Caplaki Craft Village: Shop for souvenirs, handmade crafts, and local goods.
• State House Museum: Learn about Rwanda’s colonial and post-colonial history.
• Inema Art Center: Discover contemporary Rwandan art and meet talented artists.

After the tour, check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and relax for the night.

Accommodation Options in Kigali:

• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Heaven Boutique Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center

Day 2: Travel to Akagera National Park & Game Drive

After breakfast, drive approximately 2 hours to Akagera National Park, or take a 30-minute flight from Kigali to Bugesera Airfield. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and have lunch.

In the afternoon, embark on an exciting game drive to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, and the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and elephants). The best times for game drives are early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Options in Akagera:

• Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (Luxury)
• Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Mid-range)
• Magashi Safari Camp (Exclusive Luxury)

Day 3: Nature Walk & Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema

Wake up early for a guided nature walk through the park’s lush landscapes. Walk through savannahs, wetlands, and woodlands as you observe plants, birds, and animals up close. Look out for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species.

After lunch, take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in the park. Enjoy close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds, including the rare shoebill stork and African fish eagle.

Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Sport Fishing & Community Visit

Start your day with a sport fishing session on Lake Shakani, where you can try your luck catching tilapia and catfish using traditional and modern fishing techniques. Safety equipment such as life jackets and first aid kits will be provided.

After lunch, visit a nearby community to experience Rwandan rural life. Meet local farmers and pastoralists, learn about traditional beer brewing, try local dishes, and watch cultural performances. You can also participate in milking cows and making crafts like handmade shoes from cattle hides.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Leisure & Departure to Kigali

Enjoy a relaxed morning before driving back to Kigali for your departure flight. Alternatively, take a short flight back to Kigali. If time allows, you may explore more of the city or shop for souvenirs before heading to the airport.

• End of Safari Services.

Day 1: Arrival and Cultural Experience

Your guide will meet you at the Cyanika border and assist with immigration. From here, you’ll take a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Musanze City, nestled near Volcanoes National Park.

Stop 1: Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Fund

Your first stop is the Ellen Campus, a conservation center dedicated to gorilla research and education. Here, you’ll explore:

• Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery – Showcasing the history of mountain gorilla research and conservation.
• Augmented Reality Gorilla Tracking – A virtual experience mimicking real-life gorilla behavior.
• Sandy and Harold Price Research Center – A hub for scientific research on gorilla genetics and health.
• Rob and Melani Walton Education Center – An interactive space teaching about co-existence with gorillas.

Stop 2: Gorilla Guardians Village

This village is a cultural project run by former poachers who turned to conservation. Here, you’ll:

• Learn about Rwandan traditions through interactive displays in traditional huts.
• Participate in cultural activities like banana beer brewing, butter churning, and iron smelting.
• Experience a traditional Rwandan wedding ceremony.
• Enjoy energetic dance and drumming performances from local artists.

After this immersive cultural tour, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Leisure

Wake up early and head to Volcanoes National Park headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing on gorilla trekking. After being assigned a gorilla family, you will begin your trek through dense bamboo forests.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

• Trek duration varies from 1-4 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location.
• Porters are available to assist with carrying bags and provide support on steep terrain.
• Once you find the gorillas, you’ll have one magical hour to observe them in their natural habitat.
• Watch them play, feed, and interact under the guidance of expert trackers and rangers.

Afternoon at Leisure

After your trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest. Many lodges offer complimentary massages to soothe sore muscles. If you’re feeling adventurous, take an optional stroll through Musanze City to interact with locals and explore craft markets.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Departure

Wake up early for a morning golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park.

Golden Monkey Trekking

• Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys are agile and often leap from bamboo trees.
• The trek is relatively easy, as they stay in lower altitudes of the park.
• Along the way, you might spot other wildlife like duikers, bush pigs, and colobus monkeys.
• After the trek, return to the lodge for a meal and freshen up before embarking on a scenic 3-hour drive to Kigali for your international departure. End of Safari.