Overview
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich culture of Rwanda on this 8-day safari. Explore the savannahs of Akagera National Park, track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and hike through the rainforests of Nyungwe National Park. Along the way, learn about Rwanda's history and culture from your knowledgeable guide.
Arrive in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, after a long flight from home.
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will spend the next few days tracking mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Check into your lodge and relax after your journey.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Rwandan dinner at a local restaurant.
As you drive to the park, you will be able to see the stunning scenery of the Virunga Mountains. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and chimpanzees. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the park and the efforts that are being made to protect the gorillas.
After dinner, you can relax in the lodge or go for a walk around the grounds. The next day, you will start your gorilla tracking experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these amazing animals up close.
After a hearty breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge and driven to the park headquarters. Here, you will meet your guide and receive a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will then be divided into groups of eight and assigned a gorilla family to track.
The trek to the gorillas can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the location of the family. The terrain is often steep and muddy, so it is important to be in good physical condition.
Once you reach the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. This is a truly unforgettable experience, as you will get to see these amazing animals up close and personal.
After your gorilla trekking experience, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to relax or go for a walk in the park.
In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Rwandan dinner at your lodge.
On the third day of your trip to Volcanoes National Park, you will have the option of either going on a golden monkey trekking expedition or participating in one of the many other activities that the park has to offer.
Golden monkey trekking is a unique and unforgettable experience that allows you to see these endangered creatures in their natural habitat. The treks typically last for around 3-4 hours, and you will need to be in good physical condition as the terrain can be challenging. However, the rewards are well worth the effort, as you will get to see these beautiful monkeys up close and learn about their fascinating behavior.
If you are not interested in golden monkey trekking, there are still plenty of other things to do in Volcanoes National Park. You could go for a nature walk, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund headquarters, or hike to one of the park's many volcanoes. There is also a cultural village nearby where you can learn about the local Rwandan people and their way of life.
No matter what you choose to do on Day 3 of your trip, you are sure to have a memorable experience in Volcanoes National Park.
On the fourth day of your trip, you will transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes approximately 5-6 hours, so you will have a few stops along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and birds. You will also have the opportunity to go on a canopy walk, which is a suspended walkway that allows you to see the forest from above.
After arriving at Nyungwe Forest National Park, you will check into your hotel and have dinner. In the evening, you can go for a walk in the forest or relax at the hotel.
Today, we woke up early and headed to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests in Africa. After a short briefing, we set off on our chimpanzee tracking expedition. We hiked through the dense forest for several hours, following the trail of our guide as he led us to the chimpanzees' nesting area.
When we finally reached the chimpanzees, we were amazed by their intelligence and playful behavior. They were swinging through the trees, grooming each other, and eating fruit. We were able to observe them for several hours, and it was an unforgettable experience.
After our chimpanzee tracking, we took a break for lunch and then headed to the canopy walk. This is a suspended walkway that winds through the treetops, giving us stunning views of the forest below. We saw monkeys, birds, and even a few butterflies from the canopy walk.
It was a long and tiring day, but it was also one of the most rewarding days of our trip. We learned so much about chimpanzees and the rainforest, and we had the opportunity to see some amazing wildlife. We would highly recommend visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park if you are looking for an unforgettable nature experience.
Today, we transferred to Akagera National Park, a wildlife haven in eastern Rwanda. We drove for several hours, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. We arrived at the park in the afternoon and checked into our lodge.
In the evening, we went on a game drive, hoping to see some of the park's abundant wildlife. We were lucky enough to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. It was an amazing way to end our day.
Today, we woke up early and set off on a full-day game drive in Akagera National Park. We were eager to see the park's abundant wildlife, and we were not disappointed.
We soon spotted a herd of elephants grazing in the distance. We also saw lions, giraffes, zebras, and many other animals. We were even lucky enough to see a few rare white rhinos.
After our game drive, we took a break for lunch and then headed out on a boat safari on Lake Ihema. We saw hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds. We also saw some of the park's smaller animals, such as monkeys and warthogs.
It was an amazing day, and we saw so much wildlife. We learned a lot about the park and its inhabitants, and we had a great time exploring the park.
After a leisurely breakfast, we said goodbye to Akagera National Park and headed back to Kigali. We stopped along the way to visit a local village and learn about the traditional way of life in Rwanda.
We arrived in Kigali in the afternoon and checked into our hotel. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and reflecting on our amazing trip.
In the evening, we had a farewell dinner with our guide and driver. We shared stories and laughed about all the amazing things we had seen and done.
It was a bittersweet moment to say goodbye, but we knew that we would never forget our time in Rwanda.
What's Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Transportation within Rwanda
- Professional tour guide
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to national parks and reserves
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Game drives and wildlife viewing activities
- Boat cruises (if applicable)
- Bottled water during the tour
- All taxes and service charges
What's Excluded
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Extra meals and drinks
- Any other item not specifically mentioned as included