This 9 days Rwanda safari offers you a great chance to explore what this magical country has in offer for its world’s travelers. You will kick start and end your safari in Kigali. This safari takes you through Kigali city tour, primate adventures, bird watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park.
Expected activities
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Game viewing
- City tour
Safari highlight
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport-do a city tour in Kigali and proceed to Nyungwe forest national park
Day 2: Hike and trek via the colobus trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and transfer to Kibuye
Day 4: Transfer from Kibuye to Kinigi through Gisenyi and Ruhengeri
Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 6: Hiking through Mount Bisoke
Day 7: Drive to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat ride
Day 8: Game viewing in Akagera National Park
Day 9: Return to Kigali and departure
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport-do a city tour in Kigali and proceed to Nyungwe forest national park
Arrival at Kigali Airport and a warm welcome from our driver guide who then will take you through out your safari. He will brief you on what your 9 days Rwanda safari is all about at a hotel. After, drive through Kigali capital on a city tour and pay a visit to Gisozi genocide memorial center to learn more about the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Besides, you will also visit some markets and the Kimironko fruits market where you will interact with locals and also purchase some fruits. This will also cover areas like Nyamirambo-the old town in Rwanda, handcraft shops a mention but a few. After, proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park and you will have lunch along the way. Upon arrival at Nyungwe forest national park, have a rest, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe safari lodge (luxury), Gisakura Guest House (Budget) or Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange).
Day 2: Hike and trek via the colobus trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast early in the morning, hit the jungles to track the colobus monkeys that dwell within Nyungwe Forest National Park. The hike will be accompanied by experienced tour guide especially the one who has more knowledge about botany, ornithology and many aspects about forests. After, walk back to the lodge where you will have a rest, lunch, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe safari lodge (luxury), Gisakura Guest House (Budget) or Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange).
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and transfer to Kibuye
Start your day with a tasty cup of coffee and after, gather at the park headquarters for morning briefing on chimpanzee trekking dos and don’ts. Later, proceed to the forest for actual trek and upon getting chimpanzees, you have an hour of magical encounter with these fascinating creatures. After, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest then proceed to Kibuye. On arrival at Kibuye check in at Kibuye Guest House or Hotel Center Bethanie for dinner, overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer from Kibuye to Kinigi through Gisenyi and Ruhengeri
Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast, after check out from your respective lodge ready to embark on about 213 kilometers approximately 6 hours’ drive to Volcanoes National Park. Drive through Kibuye to Ruhengeri and then Kinigi. En-route, enjoy the breathtaking sceneries, stunning views of tea growing in the countryside of Kayove and Gisovu. After making a stopover for photo taking, proceed to Gisenyi about 4 hours’ drive and have lunch then take a quick drive via the town. Later, continue for about 2 hours’ drive to Ruhengeri and lastly, you arrive at Kinigi. Upon arrival, check in at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate safari lodge/Sabyinyo silverback lodge (Luxury), Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel/La Palme Hotel/Gorilla Nest Lodge (Midrange), Kinigi Guest House/Muhabura Hotel (Budget) for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Get up early in the morning and have a hot cup of tea or coffee then later join the rest of trekkers at Volcanoes National Park headquarters for briefing on rules and regulations you have to follow while in the forest tracking mountain gorillas. It is during this period that you will be grouped into 8 visitors and be assigned 1 park guide to track only one habituated gorilla family. After, set off to the jungles to look out for a group of these beautiful apes and once you come across your family, you have an hour of face to face encounter with these critically endangered apes. This experience may last you about 2-6 hours or more depending on your physical wellness, location of these creatures and nature of their habitat. This means that you will need some packed energy giving snacks, bottled water and others. After, return lodge and if time allows, pay a visit to the spectacular twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate safari lodge/Sabyinyo silverback lodge (Luxury), Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel/La Palme Hotel/Gorilla Nest Lodge (Midrange), Kinigi Guest House/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Day 6: Hiking through Mount Bisoke
After breakfast, embark on a volcano hiking to the summit of Mount Bisoke which comes with breathtaking Crater Lake. The trails take you through the beautiful tropical rainforest and this may last you about 3 hours hiking to the top and 2 hours downslope. For this exhilarating experience, have your packed energy giving snacks ready and bottled water, long pants, long sleeved shirts and make sure you are physically fit. After your breathtaking views, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate safari lodge/Sabyinyo silverback lodge (Luxury), Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel/La Palme Hotel/Gorilla Nest Lodge (Midrange), Kinigi Guest House/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Day 7: Drive to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat ride
Begin your day with a cup of coffee and after, set off to Akagera National Park about 4 hours’ drive from Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding areas, the hilly side of Rwanda and then proceed to the park via undulating landscape comprising of thick, broad leafed woodland, lighter acacia woodland as well as expansive savanna grassland. On arrival, you will be served with lunch early enough and after, set off for your afternoon boat cruise where you have a chance to encounter variety of aquatic life including hippos, crocodiles as well as bird species such as herons, kingfishers, fish eagles and others. After, return to your respective safari lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange) or Dereva Hotel (Budget).
Day 8: Game viewing in Akagera National Park
Following breakfast early in the morning, embark on morning game drive with an experienced guide in a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle with a pop up. Spend about half a day in the expansive savanna grassland of Akagera National Park where you will be rewarded with incredible views of wildlife species such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards if you chance, Oribis, bushbucks, giraffes, impalas, topis, birds, zebras a mention but a few. After, return to the lodge for lunch, rest and have dinner then overnight stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange) or Dereva Hotel (Budget).
Day 9: Return to Kigali and departure
After breakfast, check out from the lodge of your choice ready to set off to Kigali Airport for your flight back home if it is scheduled the same day. En-route, enjoy the stunning landscape and surrounding areas, do some shopping in Kigali and connect to the airport and this marks the end of your 9 days Rwanda safari.
End of safari
- Ground transportation in 4wheel drive safari vehicle plus full time English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation and meals
- Bottled water
- Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permit
- Game drive and launch cruise
- Hiking
- City tour
- Park entry fees
Safari exclusions
- Domestic and international flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses-tips, laundry, alcohol, other accommodation and meal options outside the itinerary, additional activities
- Personal insurance
