Overview.
This 10-day safari will expose the traveller to the most beautiful destinations in Rwanda. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the most intact tropical rainforests in the country which are habitats for a variety of primates. They will therefore have the chance to trek mountain gorillas, and chimpanzees amongst other beautiful primates.
Travellers will not only trek the primates but also stare at the breathtaking handful of flora and fauna species that live within the tropical rainforests of Rwanda. An exploration of Akagera National Park will expose the visitor to the views of the big 5 animals. The hike to the grave of the renowned researcher Dian Fossey will unveil the breathtaking views of the entire Virunga massif which will make the trip even more rewarding.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1. Meet up and briefing at the airport, head hotel in Kigali.
The guests upon arrival at Kigali International Airport will meet a professional tourist guide who will brief them about the exciting trip they are yet to experience. Be sure to interact with the guide and inquire about anything that gets your attention about the country.
Undertake the drive to the hotel where you will unwind from the long journeys. A mouth watering lunch will be served to you upon your arrival at the hotel. Continue relaxing in the hotel premises as you enjoy the serene environment amidst the views of the bustling city.
Dinner will be served at sunset and you will have an overnight rest.
Day 2. Kigali city tour. Travel to Nyungwe National Park.
Have breakfast at the hotel in the wee hours of the morning. After breakfast, you will then undertake a morning exploration through the city. You will then conduct a guided city tour of the genocide museum. At the museum, you will immerse yourself in the history of the country back from the genocide days. Enjoy the folklore and be sure to get some souvenirs that will remind you of this exciting safari.
Continue to the Kigali convention centre for more exploration activities. Explore the convention centre until midday when you will transfer back to the hotel to get served a scrumptious lunch. After the mouthwatering lunch, you will then undertake the drive to Nyungwe National Park which will consume about 4 hours covering a distance of 177.1 kilometres.
Continue to the lodging facility in the National Park and unwind as you enjoy the views of the magnificent forest. Dinner will be served at sunset and you will rest for the night.
Day 3. Chimpanzee trekking. Canopy walk.
Arise at the first light of the day and get served a delicious breakfast by the team of well appointed staff. After breakfast, you will then embark on the activities of the day that will start off with a briefing conducted by the Rangers of the National Park. They will tell you about the dos and don’ts while on the chimpanzee trekking activity.
The Ranger guides will then accompany you to the jungle trek the chimpanzees. Be sure to watch several chimpanzees in the forest since it’s host to multiple families. Luxuriate in the views of the primates until the afternoon when you will go back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you will continue with exploring the forests through a canopy walk. The canopy walk will expose you to the beautiful views of the towering evergreen tropical rainforest.
The fact that it will be done in the golden hour will even make it more rewarding due to the beautiful views associated with it. Travel back to the lodge at sunset to get served dinner and have a night time rest.
Day 4. Travel to Gishwati Natural reserve. Enroute exploration at lake Kivu.
Have a delicious meal at the sun up as prepared by the catering team at the lodge. After the meal, you will check out of the lodge to undertake the journey to Gishwati Natural Reserve. On your way to the reserve, you will branch at Lake Kivu to get yourselves immersed in the beauty of the lake.
Explore the shores of the lake as you watch the beautiful plants and animals that come by the shores to feed and supplement their diets. Visitors will also set their eyes on some of the most beautiful bird species endemic to the East African region, especially the African fish Eagles, sunbirds, hammerkop, African paradise flycatchers, cuckoo shrikes, egrets and secretary birds.
Head to the restaurant to get served a delicious lunch. Continue to Gishwati natural reserve after lunch. Thee journey will take you approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes covering 154.3 kilometer distance.
On arrival in the reserve, you will continue to the lodge to relax and enjoy the views of the forests and primates therein from your units. A delicious dinner will be served to you at sundown and you will be accommodated overnight.
Day 5. Primates trek. Biking on Congo Nile trail.
Arise at Cockcrow and feast on the mouthwatering breakfast served by the professionals at the lodge. After breakfast, you will then undertake an exploration of the primates in the reserve. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch a series of primates, especially the black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys.
Enjoy watching the primates and traversing through the reserve until midday when you travel to the lodge to get served a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will embark on yet another exciting adventure, a biking tour on the Congo Nile trail that will present you the views of the lake and the breathtaking landscapes.
Enjoy the biking until sunset when you travel back to the lodge. Relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the environment. A mouth-watering dinner will be served after which you will be accommodated overnight.
Day 6. Travel to Volcanoes National Park, Iby’iwachu cultural village.
Wake up to a well-prepared meal at the lodging facility. Luxuriate in the golden hours of the day as you enjoy your meal amidst the views of the tropical rainforests and the diverse array of landscapes. After breakfast, you will then embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park which will take you about 30 minutes.
Explore around Volcanoes National Park and get immersed in the views of the Virunga volcanoes. They present breathtaking views of giant rocks covered with lush vegetation which is good for sightseeing and photography that you will gladly indulge in. Travel to the lodge at high noon to get served a delicious lunch.
After lunch, you will then undertake the visit to the Iby’iwachu cultural village. At the village, you will get deep insights into the cultures and traditions of Rwanda. The local people will welcome you and entertain you with their cultural dances, the elders will tell their stories about their society which will help you understand their ways of life.
You will also get a taste of the local cuisine that will help you bond more with the local people. Enjoy interacting with the local Rwandese until sundown when you travel back to the lodge to relax, have dinner and rest overnight.
Day 7. Gorilla trek.
A delicious breakfast will be presented to the guests in the wee hours of the morning. Enjoy the meals and after head to the park headquarters to meet the Ranger guides who will brief you about the exhilarating gorilla trekking activity you are yet to indulge in.
The Ranger guides will thereafter accompany you to the jungle to help you meet the mountain gorillas and observe their fascinating behaviours up close.
Enjoy the activity until the afternoon when you will travel back to the lodge to have delicious meals. Relax in the spacious rooms at the lodge the entire afternoon as you enjoy the views of the conical landscapes of the National Park. A scrumptious dinner will be served at sunset and you will have a nice time rest.
Day 8. Dian Fossey hike.
You will have a delicious breakfast at the hotel at sunrise. After breakfast, you will undertake the drive to Karisimbi Mountain in the national park. At around 8:00 AM, you will embark on the hike to the celebrated researchers’ grave. This will take you about 5 to 6 hours through the tropical rainforests and large vegetation on the slopes of the mountain.
You will stand chances of watching several primates and other wildlife species along the way. This trek will help you learn more about the works of the following researcher in the region. A delicious packed lunch will be served at the site to keep you energetic and interested in the day’s activities.
After lunch, you will then descend back. The descending journey will take you about two hours and at arrival at the base of the mountain you will then head back to the lodge to unwind, have dinner and rest overnight.
Day 9. Travel to Akagera National Park, boat cruise.
Upon waking up at the crack of dawn, the guests will be served a well marinated breakfast with the team of professionals at the lodge. After breakfast, you will then undertake the drive to Akagera National Park.
This journey will take you about four to five hours covering the distance of 213 kilometers through the various landscapes and local towns in Rwanda. This will help you get a deeper understanding of the ways of life of the Rwandan citizens.
Upon arrival in the National Park, you will continue to the lodge to relax and get served a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will undertake a boat cruise on lake Ihema.
Enjoy cruising on the magnificent lake as you observe a variety of wildlife species and birds up to sunset. Head back to the lodge to get serve dinner and be accommodated for the night.
Day 10. Game drive, travel back to Kigali.
At the crack of dawn, the esteemed guests will be served a mouth watering breakfast. After breakfast, you will then undertake a morning game drive through the breathtaking landscapes of Akagera National Park.
The game drive will present to you opportunities to watch a variety of animals including the big 5 animals and other small sightings that will make the trip worth it especially spotted hyenas, hartebeests, defasa waterbucks, ellands, common warthogs, zebras, giraffes, serval cats and jackals.
Enjoy the game drive until midday when you will transfer to the lodge to get served lunch. After lunch, you will undertake the transfer journey back to Kigali which will take you about 2 hours and 30 minutes covering the distance of 110 kilometers. Continue to Kigali International Airport to get on board for the flights back home.
