You will see and explore all three Rwandan national parks during this wildlife safari. You’ll begin with the gorgeous Akagera, then move on to Nyungwe, and finally to Volcanoes National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas. As you weave your way into Rwanda, you’ll take in the scenery. The parks contain a combination of savannah, woodland, and hilly terrain, providing you with a view of Rwanda, which will give you an opportunity to enjoy several game drives, gorilla, and chimpanzee tracking.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali International Airport
Today, you’ll begin your incredible journey of Rwanda on your wildlife and gorilla safari. On your arrival, our experienced guide will pick you up from your accommodation or the Kigali International Airport and take you on a city tour to explore the beauty of Kigali city. Later in the day, you will retire to your hotel and dinner before sleeping.
Day 2-3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After your morning breakfast, you’ll depart towards Akagera National Park, with brief stops along the road for photography and restroom usage. You’ll arrive in the park and, following a quick stop at the park reception desk, you’ll proceed to your lodge for check-in and lunch. After lunch, you’ll depart for a boat safari on Lake Ihema in search of hippos and crocodiles, or spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge and reading a good book.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After your morning breakfast, you’ll leave for the Nyungwe forest in southern Rwanda, with a lunch break at Huye, formerly known as Butare. Huye is home to the Rwandan ethnographic museum, formerly known as the Rwandan national museum. Here, you will learn about Rwandan culture and history. Later in the evening, you’ll arrive in Nyungwe Forest and check into your accommodation, where you’ll retire after dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest immerses you in nature, allowing you to feel and appreciate it. Unless you are the kind who can have an early breakfast, chimp trekking is done early in the morning with a packed meal or lunch. You are asked to be at the briefing site at 5.30 a.m., where you will be briefed on how to behave and the potential length of your trip.
Nyungwe forest is home to 13 species of primates, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and others. For chimp trekking, your guide will take you to either the Uwinka trailhead or the Cyamudongo area. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the Uwinka center to begin your canopy walk and further explore the park. From there, you’ll head back to your accommodation to refresh and prepare for dinner.
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After a lovely and interesting day in the forest yesterday, prepare to begin your journey to the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda in the morning. After breakfast, you’ll depart for Volcanoes National Park, taking in the beauties of Lake Kivu and the twisting roads of the country of a thousand hills.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
You’ll meet the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains’ deep woods. The journey begins with a briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi, where you will be given a ranger and a gorilla family to hike with. The Rwanda gorilla hike through Volcanoes National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime event that many people want to do.
The gorilla trek can range anywhere from an hour to several hours, depending on where the gorillas nested the night before. You should be reasonably fit to appreciate this experience, and remember to pace yourself while you trek with the gorillas.
Depending on how long the gorilla tracking lasts, you may be able to participate in a cultural group performance by visiting a cultural hamlet or going on a community stroll.
Day 8: Transfer to the Airport
You’ll start your last day with breakfast. Then, you’ll go to the airport for your outbound departure. If you have time before your flight, you may do a brief city tour of Kigali.
