12 DAYS RWANDA SAFARI
Our comprehensive 12 days Rwanda safari ticks off the best three National Parks in the land of a thousand hills and allows visitors to uncover the hidden treasures found in the heart of Africa. This trip kicks off in the Capital- Kigali with visits to the top historical and cultural tourist sites like the Nyamata and Kigali genocide memorial centers, the Kandt House Museum, and browse local art at the Inema Art Center before continuing to the Northern Province. Here, the endangered mountain gorillas are sheltered and the local community is visited to have an insight into the everyday life of a typical Rwandan traditional village. Time permitting, you will also check out the famous Ellen DeGeneres Campus (Dian Fossey Research Station) before ending this lovely trip with a journey to the Eastern side of Rwanda, where the mighty Akagera National Park- home to the big five game is located.
Highlights of the 12 days Rwanda safari
- Explore the beautiful City of Kigali to learn about the genocide history, exercise haggling skills at the local market, and shop for souvenirs.
- Trek the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
- Tour the Gorilla Guardian Village to get an insight into the unique rural life and culture of Rwanda.
- Take a game drive through Akagera Nation Park.
- Explore the beautiful Lake Ihema by boat.
- Enjoy the canopy walk.
- Undertake tours of the Gisakura tea estate for a crop-to-cup tea experience.
- Kayak on Lake Kivu.
Brief itinerary
Arrive in Rwanda, the remarkable land of a thousand hills.
Full-day Kigali City excursion
The scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Chimpanzee trekking and a visit to the Gisakura tea estate.
The thrilling waterfall hike and Nyungwe canopy walk.
Drive to Lake Kivu, Gisenyi area via Kibuye.
Full-day Lake Kivu exploration.
Depart for the incredible Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla tracking adventure and the unforgettable visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.
The ride to Akagera National Park, on the extreme Eastern border of Rwanda.
Full-day Akagera National Park tour- Game drives and boat cruise.
Road transfer to Kigali City, an onward departure flight.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rwanda, the remarkable land of a thousand hills
The beautiful rolling hills and verdant Valleys welcome you into Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. Our Airport representative will meet you at the Airport and assist you through immigration without delay. Later meet your wonderful driver who will transfer you to the Hotel. 12 days Rwanda safari , Depending on the time you arrive, you will visit some exciting tourist sites or just relax from the jet lag.
Overnight at;
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center or the Retreat (for luxury).
- Hotel des Mille Collines or Kigali Marriott Hotel (for moderate accommodation).
Meal plan: Dinner.
Day 2: Full-day Kigali City excursion
You will explore Rwanda’s peaceful and clean City surrounded by scenic rolling hills and beautiful green Valleys, and most interestingly enjoy the high level of hospitality exhibited at every corner you go. Your tour will last a full day as you enjoy fine dining experiences, and the lively music scene, check out the historical and cultural sites during the Tour. A number of places will be visited and including the Kigali genocide memorial Center, the Presidential Palace Museum (the spot where then Rwandan and Burundian Presidents were assassinated in 1994 hence sparking the genocide), and the legendary Inema Art Center before taking a lunch break.
The Tour continues to the local Kamironko market where you will encounter vendors of organic vegetables, fruits, and African wear and exercise your haggling skills at the different stalls. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Overnight at;
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center or the Retreat (for luxury).
- Hotel des Mille Collines or Kigali Marriott Hotel (for moderate accommodation).
Meal plan: Dinner.
Day 3: The scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After a wonderful breakfast at the Hotel, hit the road to Nyungwe Forest National Park with an en-route stop at Azizi Life and Rwanda National Museum before continuing to the Southern Province. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a biodiversity hot spot with over 70 mammal species, 320 bird species, 200 butterfly species, snake species and so much more that will interest nature lovers. Arrive at the Lodge in the afternoon for lunch and relaxation.
Overnight
- One & Only Nyungwe House (for upmarket accommodation).
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and a visit to the Gisakura tea estate
This extraordinary Protected Area is popular for its 12 primate species, one of which is the endangered chimpanzees which you will search and spend quality time with on this day. The trek starts with a briefing at the Visitor Center, starting at 5:00 am to get you acquainted with the way treks are done. Later start the search for the allocated chimpanzee community which will last anywhere between one and four hours, before spending another hour watching and photographing them.
In the afternoon, be prepared for a crop-to-cup tea experience as you tour the Gisakura tea estate to see how tea is picked and then to the factory to see how it is dried, graded, and processed. Get back to the Lodge for a nice dinner and overnight.
Overnight
- One & Only Nyungwe House (for upmarket accommodation).
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: The thrilling Kamiranzovu waterfall hike and Nyungwe canopy walk
On this day, you will return back to the Jungles for the waterfall hike and canopy walk. Make sure that you have packed lunch and enough drinking water. After a briefing at the Visitor Center, slowly start the hike to one of the Park’s jaw-dropping waterfalls through steep slopes while encountering different bird species. On getting there, enjoy the views and later have lunch.
Afterward, connect to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge through treetops, and a deep gorge with endless views of primates, birds, and most interestingly photography. What you need after this eventful day is a cold shower, dinner, and overnight.
Overnight
- One & Only Nyungwe House (for upmarket accommodation).
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Drive to Lake Kivu, Gisenyi area via Kibuye
After breakfast, leave Nyungwe Forest and transfer to the Gisenyi area along the shores of Lake Kivu via Kibuye Area.
Overnight at:
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (for luxury accommodation).
- Paradise Malahide or Palm Beach Resort Lake Kivu (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Full-day Lake Kivu exploration
This day will be spent at leisure with a wide range of options to explore the beautiful Lake Kivu. You can choose to kayak while taking in views of the surrounding rolling hills, bird species, and the sights of fishing boats. You can also decide to just relax in the comfort of the Resort, and undertake guided nature walks and bird-watching tours.
Overnight at:
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (for luxury accommodation).
- Paradise Malahide or Palm Beach Resort Lake Kivu (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Depart for the incredible Volcanoes National Park
This day, drive through the magnificent Hilly Northern province of Rwanda until you are ushered to Volcanoes National Park. Settle in at your Lodge, have lunch and later visit the recently established Ellen DeGeneres Campus where you will be taken through the country’s remarkable mountain gorilla conservation history, a legacy of Dian Fossey.
Overnight at:
- Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (for luxury accommodation).
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (for midrange accommodation)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking adventure and the unforgettable visit to Gorilla Guardian Village
On the 9th day of the 12 days Rwanda safari, you’ll track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Start by transferring to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on how gorilla treks are conducted and later start the search in the dense bamboo forest. When the mountain gorillas are found, you will spend one hour with the allocated gorilla family as individuals go about different activities like playing, resting, grooming, raising their babies, and many others.
Later settle for a hot meal at the Lodge before continuing to the nearby Gorilla Guardian Village. Undertake community tours in the company of a local guide as you visit the traditional medicine man, watch traditional dances, and do other activities.
Overnight at:
- Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (for luxury accommodation).
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (for midrange accommodation).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: The ride to Akagera National Park, on the extreme Eastern border of Rwanda
Your day starts with an early transfer to Rwanda’s only savannah-dominated National Park, where you will spend the next two nights. The Park’s landscape is marked by savannah plains, Lakes, rolling hills, papyrus swamps, woodlands, and forests. On getting there, check in at the Lodge and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight;
- Magashi Camp (for luxury accommodation).
- Akagera game Lodge (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Full-day Akagera National Park tour- Game drives and boat cruise
Early in the morning, leave the Lodge for the game drive through the wildlife-rich southern sector of Akagera National Park marked by lots of Lakes, rolling hills, savannah plains, and marshlands. Spend the next 3-4 hours sighting African bush elephants, Rhinos, Masai giraffes, lions, leopards, Oribis, buffaloes, warthogs, impalas, bushbucks, Giant elands, zebras, duikers, Defassa waterbucks, and Hippos among others. The game drive ends with a transfer to the Lodge for lunch and a siesta.
In the afternoon, you will continue for the Akagera National Park exploration on Lake Ihema where you will see Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and bird species that include great white pelicans, grey-crowned cranes, African fish eagles, pied and giant kingfishers, to mention but a few. Return to the Safari Camp/Lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Overnight;
- Magashi Camp (for luxury accommodation).
- Akagera game Lodge (for midrange accommodation).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Road transfer to Kigali City, an onward departure flight
Depart Akagera National Park for Kigali International Airport for your onward flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
Inclusions;
- Park entry fees.
- Rwanda Gorilla permit.
- Rwanda chimpanzee permit.
- Ranger fees.
- A full-time English-speaking guide for the entire safari duration.
- Bottled water throughout the safari.
- Community tours.
- Lake Kivu excursions.
- Gisakura tea estate tours.
- Relevant government taxes and levies such as V.A.T.
- Kigali City tours.
- Canopy walk fees.
- Airport transfers on the first and final day of the trip.
- Hiking fees.
Exclusions;
- Porter fees.
- Travel and medical insurance,
- Visa, if required.
- Vaccinations (COVID-19 at the time of writing, yellow fever, and others).
- Souvenir shopping.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, except if provided during meals.
- Laundry services.
- Telephone expenses, and other expenses of personal