7-Day Highlights of Rwanda Safari/Tour

Overview of This Safari/Tour

This incredible 7-day safari/tour adventure in Rwanda offers the opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. You’ll track chimpanzees and spot monkeys, baboons and other wildlife in Nyungwe National Park. Trekking deep into the forests of Parc National des Volcans, you’ll search for endangered mountain gorillas with expert local rangers. You’ll also have an opportunity to explore Kigali and its colourful markets, cross Nyungwe’s Canopy Walkway and kayak on Lake Kivu.

Day 1 Safari/Tour

Arrive in Kigali

Board your international flight to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. Once you arrive, you will be swiftly escorted by our representative who will transfer you to your chosen accommodation. As this is the first day, you will have time to leisurely explore Rwanda’s lively city.

You’ll have an opportunity to visit the bustling local markets and the Caplaki craft co-operative where you’ll find local craftsmen in wooden huts selling handicrafts, including jewellery, paintings, batik, fabrics, wood carvings, traditional masks, baskets, bags, scarves and beading.

Main Destination: Kigali (City)

Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense

Drinks not included

Day 2 Safari/Tour

Kigali to Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast you’ll be driven through spectacular scenery to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda’s mountainous southwest. The rain forest within the park is home to chimpanzees and monkeys, plus an abundance of bird life and butterflies.

*Accommodation upgrades optional for extra cost.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Best Time to Visit: Oct to Feb (Best chimp trekking, without heavy rain)

Best Weather for Safari/Tour: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)

Drinks not included

Day 3 Safari/Tour

Chimpanzee Trekking

Today you’ll join a guided hike through the dense forest of Nyungwe National Park to track chimpanzees. This is a phenomenal wildlife experience that is on par with gorilla tracking. Whilst the trek is undoubtedly exciting, it can be challenging as the chimps are very mobile and they’re always running around in the canopies, on the move from one place to another.

During your time in Nyungwe National Park you’ll also have an opportunity to cross the Canopy Walkway – a 200 meter bridge suspended between giant trees, 50 meters above the forest. The walkway offers incredible views of the upper canopy and it is excellent for spotting wildlife (many of the primates live in trees so you’ll have better chances of locating them from the walkway), plus it is also a fantastic way to see the birds and butterflies that are found in the forest.

*Accommodation upgrades optional for extra cost.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: One &Only Nyungwe House (Luxury+ lodge bordering Nyungwe Forest NP without fences)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 4 Safari/Tour

Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu

Today you’ll depart Nyungwe and head to your next accommodation which is located on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu. Here you can relax on the stunning palm fringed beaches, kayak on the calm waters of the lake, take a boat tour to the nearby islands or coffee and banana plantations, hike in the surrounding hills or visit Imbabazi Orphanage.

*Accommodation upgrades optional for extra cost.

Main Destination: Lake Kivu (Lake)

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury hotel located in or near Lake Kivu)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)

Drinks not included

Day 5 Safari/Tour

Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

After a hearty breakfast Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, you’ll be driven from Lake Kivu to Parc National des Volcano (Volcanoes National Park), which is roughly a four hour drive passing through breath taking scenery. On arrival at your accommodation you’ll have a briefing about tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

*Optional accommodation upgrade for extra cost.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time for Safari/Tour to Visit: Jun to Sep (It is drier and trails are easier to hike)

Best Weather for Safari/Tour: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 6 Safari/Tour

Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast you’ll venture out to Kinigi, at the foothills of the Virungas, in Parc National des Volcans where you’ll begin your trek. Your guide and tracker will lead you deep into the forest in search of your allocated gorilla family. Your trek could last from 30 minutes to eight hours depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.

When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend up to one magical hour quietly observing them. The gorillas are likely to be just a few meters away from you and they will continue to go about their daily lives – feeding and interacting with each other, under the watchful gaze of the silverback.

In the late afternoon you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation where you can spend the evening reflecting on your incredible encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

*Accommodation upgrade optional for extra cost.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 7 Safari/Tour

International Inbound Flight

On this morning you’ll be driven back to Kigali, where you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre which is a permanent memorial to those who were killed during the 1994 genocide.

You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Main Destination: Kigali (City)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

End of Safari/Tour

Rates per Person for safari/Tour

Included on safari/Tour

• Park fees (For non-residents)
• Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
• Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
• All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded on safari/Tour

• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips (No tip expected)
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks