12 DAYS RWANDA SAFARI.
Overview.
Rwanda, a small landlocked country in East and Central Africa is known for boundless remarkable attractions and with the 12 days Rwanda Safari, you are bound to discovering the best of the country’s beauty – 3 National Parks and the stunning Lake Kivu with a line-up of activities such as gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee tracking, hiking/or guided forest walks, relaxation by Lake Kivu shores, wildlife viewing, boat cruises, tour of the twin Lakes, visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and many others.
This long safari will start in Kigali and by the time it ends, you will have an entire photo album or film documentary of all wildlife encounters as well as recollection of wilderness memories.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
Your safari driver will be waiting for your arrival at Kigali International Airport, to pick and transfer you to the Hotel in Kigali for meals and overnight stay. Lunch will be served at the Hotel on arrival, leading you to the first activity on the itinerary.
Embark on the tour of Kigali City that will lead to Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, local markets, craft markets and other interesting tourist sites within the Central business District. Dinner and overnight will be at one of the secluded hotels/motels in Kigali City.
Day 2: Road trip to Akagera National Park, in the eastern part of Rwanda.
After breakfast, your safari guide will meet you at the hotel for a short briefing, after which you will embark on the drive to the spectacular Akagera National Park in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.
Your journey will be filled with beautiful views of Rwanda’s lush countryside and on arrival check-in at the booked Lodge for Lunch. Later for the rest of the evening and prepare your mind for the next day’s activities.
Day 3: All day to explore the hidden treasures of Akagera National Park.
On this day you will explore the hidden beauty of Akagera National Park through a morning game drive after a sumptuous breakfast. The game drive will be conducted through the northern section of the Park because it is characterized by vast open savannah plains where numerous wildlife species freely roam. Common wildlife species here are Hippos, elephants, lions, Rhinos, Masai giraffes, Kobs, zebras, impalas, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, common elands and spotted hyenas among others. After the enlightening game drive, be driven back to the lodge for lunch.
After your meal, set off for an afternoon boat ride on the stunning Lake Ihema, within the southern part of Akagera National Park. This boat ride is the best, if not only way to see the Park’s Nile crocodiles and sometimes large Hippo population. The activity also gives visitors the opportunity to see variety of wildlife species along the shores such as buffaloes, Kobs and elephants that usually converge to drink water. Bird species such as Papyrus gonolek, African fish eagles, herons, giant and pied kingfishers as well as shoebill storks can be spotted during the boat ride on Lake Ihema.
Day 4: Transfer from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Breakfast will be served early at the Lodge to allow you embark on your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park on-time. Drive southwards with a stopover at Nyanza Palace, the traditional home of former Rwandan Kings where remnants of the Kingdoms such as baskets, calabashes, arrows, spears and cow hides are still kept. Lunch will be en-route and arrival at the Park will be in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and guided walks through the tea plantations and estates.
Breakfast will be at the Lodge and will be followed by assembling at Uwinka Park Headquarters for registration and briefing at 7:00am. The chimpanzee trekking experience officially starts at 8:00am and lasts 2-4 hours, including the one hour you will have in their presence after finding them. Get back to your place of stay for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon you will be led through the verdant tea estates where you will interact with some of the farmers to learn how tea is planted, maintained, Harvested and processed into the final product. If you visit in season, you will take part in the harvesting process and even taste the final product. Dinner and overnight will be at the same Lodge within the juggles of Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 6: Forest walks/hiking and engrossing Canopy walk.
Breakfast will be served at the Lodge to allow you undertake the energy-demanding activity you are about to undertake. Extending for over 1000 square kilometers, Nyungwe Forest National Park is so far the largest protected montane rainforest within East and Central Africa with over 12 species of primates, more than 1000 plant species, over 300 species of birds, 120 species of butterflies as well as several reptile and Amphibian species. These extraordinary attractions can be best explored through the forest walk and with over 13 outstanding hiking trails, you will be spoilt for choice.
Get back to the Lodge for a hefty meal and in the afternoon step out for the thrilling canopy walk that starts from Uwinka Visitor Center and goes through tree canopies, offering views of primates, birds and unique tree species.
Day 7: Drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Early morning after breakfast leave for Volcanoes National Park, in the north-western part of the country for another moment of wildlife encounters. Be served lunch on arrival and relax by the lodge or explore some of the lodge’s activities.
Day 8: Mountain gorilla trekking experience and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Enjoy breakfast at the Lodge and converge at Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing by Park officials. Be assigned a gorilla family to trek and later start the trek that lasts 2-5 hours, depending on the movement/location of the mountain gorillas on that particular day. Also, time is also inclusive of the one hour in their close proximity to take photos or record videos while admiring their unique character. Return to the Lodge for a hot and delicious meal.
Your evening will be dedicated for a cultural tour around the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village where Traditional Rwandan lifestyle and traditional will come to life through traditional song and dance performances, local meals, visit to the traditional healer and many other activities that depict the ancient life of the Rwandan people. Dinner and overnight will be at a beautiful lodge in the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 9: Golden monkey tracking adventure and Musanze Caves tour.
Golden monkey tracking is similar to gorilla trekking in terms of process the activities are conducted, and the only variation is that different primate species are involves. However, just like gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking starts with assembling at the Park Headquarters after briefing, after which trek for 1-2 hours through the forest in the company of armed ranger and porters and on finding them within the Bamboo vegetation, one hour is the time you are given to be in their presence. After this wonderful wildlife experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon you will be driven to the Musanze Caves for a tour that will last 1-2 hours. The Caves are cold and dark with rocky ceiling as well as rocky walls with holes. During the tour, you will come across the numerous Bats that call the Caves home and learn about the historical significance of the Caves. Dinner and overnight stay with be at the same Lodge within Volcanoes National Park.
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Kivu.
Breakfast will be served from the Lodge and is followed by check-out, then departure for Lake Kivu-Gisenyi area. The pristine shores of Lake Kivu are one of the perfect relaxation spots after all the adventurous activities in Akagera, Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Parks. Dinner and overnight will be at one of the Lodges/Hotels at the shores of the Lake.
Day 11: All day Lake Kivu exploration.
This entire day you will be within the Gisenyi area of Lake Kivu to explore its serenity through swimming in the bilharzia-free waters, water sports (jet skiing and kayaking), sunbathing or simple walks around the surrounding local villages. Whatever your choice is, you are guaranteed of leaving rejuvenated. Dinner and overnight within the pristine Lake Kivu area.
Day 12: Return to Kigali City.
Breakfast will be served at the Lodge/Hotel to allow you set-off for Kigali on-time and have Lunch on arrival. Be transferred to your preferred place of stay or Kigali International Airport if the flight is scheduled for this day.
End of your 12 days Rwanda Safari.

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