There are many things to see and do in 10 days. It is a great day of rest and adventure in the Land of a Thousand Hills, from the breathtaking scenery to the kind smiles of Rwandan locals. You will go by car and visit the savannah, mountain, and forest regions of this country.
The activities you will partake in include a welcome experience in Kigali, gorilla trekking, and cave exploration in Volcanoes National Park, canopy walks with chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, bird watching, game drives and boat cruises in Akagera National Park, as well as beach time on the shores of Lake Kivu. The international airport in Kigali serves as both the beginning and end of your tour to Rwanda’s four national parks.
Detailed Trip
Day 1: Arrival and pick up at Kigali airport
Our company driver guide will be happy to greet you when you land at Kigali International Airport and give you a briefing on what to expect during each day of your stay. After that, you will be transferred to your lodge where you can check in and have lunch. Have a tour of Kigali city in the afternoon.
Visit Kigali genocide memorial site to see the victims of Tutsi and Hutu tribal wars, where approximately 25,000 of them were interred. The local markets are another option where you can test your ability to haggle with residents, not to mention the cultural center. The excursions end at dusk, and you’ll head back to the resort for dinner and a snooze.
Day 2: Kigali to Akagera National Park
Wake up comfortable after a restful night’s sleep to enjoy some delectable African fare and a cup of coffee. After that, you’ll check out so you can get a ride to the nation’s only savannah park. Take a refreshing drive around the countryside, making sure to take in the views of the sweeping hills, bustling cities, and verdant landscape.
It takes three to four hours, including a lunch break along the way. Travel to your lodge, where you will check in for lunch in the afternoon and enjoy a delightful evening in the lovely gardens.
Day 3: Game drive and Boat cruise
You’ll embark on a fulfilling 3- to 4-hour game drive after breakfast. Keep an eye out for various mammals there, both prey and predators. Finding unusual creatures like cats is entirely a matter of chance. The day gives opportunities to see lions, leopards, rhinos, African elephants, Cape Buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and other animals.
If you’re lucky, you might see them feeding, playing, or hunting. Have a great lunch after your game drive, and then go on a boat tour at Lake Ihema for dinner. You can observe birds and other wildlife during the approximately two-hour session before going back to the lodge for dinner and night stay.
Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe national park
After a hearty breakfast is served at the resort, depart for Nyungwe National Park. The journey takes about 7-8 hours, including a break at Huye to learn about the history and culture of Rwanda and to enjoy some lunch. After arriving at the lodge in the evening, you will check in, have dinner and then take a restful siesta.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk
Following a reviving breakfast at sunrise, you will check out with a packed lunch and go chimpanzee trekking in the bush. This activity lasts between one and four hours and takes place in the forest. There is a chance to identify several plant species, other flora, and forest creatures. You will appreciate the sounds, social lives, and feeding skills of chimpanzees throughout the hour you get to spend with them because they are such playful animals.
Aside from the other 13 primates present in the jungle, look out for the white and black Columbus monkeys, the grey checked monkeys, and other species. After taking a short lunch break, there will be a 2-hour afternoon canopy walk. Dinner and bedtime bring an end to this day.
Day 6: Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park
Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Volcanoes National Park. This trip takes roughly 5 to 6 hours, including a lunch and stop along the way. Lush vegetation and sloping hillsides along the road leading to the north-western based Volcanoes National Park. With dinner and a restful snooze, this day comes to a conclusion.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking tour
The long-awaited day has finally arrived, and you’ll start it off at the lodge with a hearty breakfast. You will then travel to the park’s administrative center with a packed lunch and your trekking supplies for a pre-trek briefing by the ranger guides. They’ll go over the dos and don’ts of hiking, check your paperwork, and more. It will take 1–8 hours to discover these apes after they have been assigned to you for the walk, depending on how far they have gone; an additional hour will be needed for picture breaks and a clear view of the gorillas in their habitat.
You will have lunch in the forest following your gorilla encounter before returning to the resort for refreshments. If there is time, you will spend the nighttime living in a cave. A one-hour cave adventure takes place in a wholly original environment. You will head back to the resort for dinner and overnight after the activities are over.
Day 8-9: Lake Kivu exploration
Get up extremely early and travel to Lake Kivu, the longest and most prominent lake in Rwanda. You will transfer from the volcanoes national park to the shores of Lake Kivu where you may relax while taking in the lake’s fresh breeze, bird sounds, canoe rides and other activities. Spend the evening eating and sleeping peacefully.
Day 10: Departure
Have breakfast after a restful night’s sleep, then check out in preparation for your transfer to Kigali international airport. You will make a stop at different tea plantations and enroute towns for lunch and to learn more about the vibrant culture of Rwanda.
End of safari
