Classic rwanda safari- 10 days

Overview

This 10-day Classic Rwanda Safari takes you on an amazing journey to explore some of Rwanda’s best natural attractions and rich cultural heritage.

You will trek through the ancient forests of Nyungwe in search of chimpanzees, witness the savannah wildlife in Akagera National Park, and stand in awe of the majestic mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.

But it’s not just wildlife you’ll experience; immerse yourself in Rwandan culture at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. And there is no better way to unwind than with a boat ride on the stunning Lake Kivu.

Take a closer look at the detailed itinerary to get a better idea of how the safari would flow for you on a day-by-day basis. Keep in mind that all our trips can be customized to fit your specific needs.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

You will be met at Kigali International Airport by our driver guide who be waiting for you. You will then go to your hotel where you will have dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Visit Akagera National Park

After an early breakfast, depart from Kigali to Akagera National Park. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Akagera National Park covers 2500 km² of savannah west of the Kagera River, in the northeast of Rwanda.

The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 different species of birds. Herds of elephants and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, while you might stumble across a leopard, a spotted hyena, or even a lion.

Giraffes and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park.

Upon arrival, you will start with a game drive in search of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, antelopes, and various bird species. After lunch, you will embark on a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds such as the African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, and many more.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drives

Wake up early for breakfast and embark on an early morning game drive in Akagera National Park to catch the animals at their most active. Look out for lions, leopards, hyenas, and other predators that may have come out to hunt. You will also have the opportunity to see more of the park's varied wildlife, including the Burchell's zebra, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck, and many others. After the game drive, you will have a picnic lunch and then continue with your game drive. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Kigali and Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial

After having your morning breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kigali in time for lunch. You will later head to the Kigali genocide memorial ground where over 25000 bodies of victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide were buried in a mass ground. This place acts as a museum and an education center. There is a lot to see and learn from Rwandan history, to date. You will later return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Along the way, stop at the Royal Palace Museum and National Museum of Rwanda for a cultural experience. This offers an opportunity to learn about the history of Rwandan culture and Kingship. You will have lunch and then continue to Nyungwe for an overnight stay.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

After your early breakfast, you will be driven to the park offices for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee tracking adventure. With a guided ranger, you will hike through the thick forest in search of chimpanzees and the other 12 species of primates.

Throughout your hike you will see many species of monkeys- sometimes in massive troops as well as hundreds of bird species. After finding the chimpanzees, you will spend 1 hour with them after which you will leave them and go back to the starting point.

After the hike, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation before going back to the park for the canopy walk. This is a suspended metallic bridge that is 70 meters above the ground and spans a distance of 160 meters.

The canopy walk provides great opportunities to see the forest from above and really appreciate the work of nature. On a lucky day, you will be able to spot some primates that are high up in the canopies.

You will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Boat ride on Lake Kivu

This day will be spent at leisure. You can take a boat ride to visit some of the nearby islands and explore their communities. You can take a nature walk at one of the islands within this lake which is known for harboring thousands of the bats. You will also have an opportunity to see local fishing practices and interact with the locals.

Accommodation: Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After an early morning breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Along the way, you will stop at the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village. This is a community-based tourism initiative that aims to preserve Rwandan culture and wildlife conservation. You will have lunch at the village and learn about the traditional practices of the Rwandan people. Afterward, continue to Volcanoes National Park, where you will spend the night.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the big day! Prepare yourself for an encounter with the gentle giants; the endangered mountain gorillas. After your morning breakfast, you will go to the headquarters of the park where the park rangers will brief you about the gorilla trekking experience.

You will go into the forest in groups of not more than 8 in search of mountain gorillas. En route, your guide will point out previous signs of gorilla activity such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo. Upon finding the gorillas, you will spend a maximum of 1 hour with them after which you will be led back to the starting point.

After the gorilla trekking, if time allows, you will have lunch and relax at the lodge.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge 

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 10: Departure

After your morning breakfast, you will again go to the park offices where you will start your golden monkey trek. A visit to the golden monkeys is a very different experience from gorillas, the monkeys react and interact differently; they will keep on playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitors.

There are two habituated golden monkeys’ troops that are available for visiting. The largest troop has about 80-100 monkeys.

You will trek for the monkeys in groups of not more than 8 & spend an hour with them once you find them. You might have to follow them around because they love jumping from tree to tree.

In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Kigali for your flight back home.

Accommodation: None

Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch