8 DAYS RWANDA SAFARI.
Overview.
Explore Rwanda’s top three National Parks on the 8 days Rwanda Safari for gorilla trekking adventures, chimp treks, bird watching expeditions, canopy walks, game viewing experiences and boat cruises, then relax and rejuvenate by the pristine shores of Lake Kivu. This long safari starts and ends within Kigali City.
Trip itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival into Rwanda and drive to Akagera National Park.
Welcome to Rwanda, the phenomenal land of a thousand Hills. Your safari driver/guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport for a road trip to Akagera National Park, within the Eastern boundary of Rwanda.
Before that, first engage in the Kigali City tour to historical and cultural sites such as Art galleries, Kigali Genocide memorial Sites and many others. Arrive Akagera National Park in the afternoon for late Lunch, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Explore Akagera National Park through game drives and boat ride on Lake Ihema.
Located in the eastern border of Rwanda with Tanzania, Akagera National Park is the only savannah Park in the country and home to majority of Africa’s wildlife species that include the big five animals (Rhinos, buffaloes, lions, elephants and leopards), zebras, Kobs, Masai giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, olive baboons, common elands, black and white colobus monkeys, Oribis, hartebeests, warthogs and bushbucks among others. The game drive, through the northern sector of the Park will introduce you to majority of these animals as well as bird species.
Lunch will be at the Lodge after the game drive and in the afternoon there will be a boat ride on Lake Ihema. The boat ride introduces you to the Hippos and crocodiles as well as water and wetland bird species that call this Park home.
Day 3: Connect to Nyungwe Forest National Park and Canopy walk.
The 6-7 hours’ drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park starts with an early breakfast and exit the Park through a game drive. En-route Lunch and arrive in the late afternoon for the canopy walk, the 120-meter long tree-top bridge standing at 70 meters from the forest floor. This walk allows you to identify different tree species, primates, butterflies and bird species that occupy this Afro-montane rainforest in East and Central Africa. The safari driver/guide will lead you to the booked Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Karongi – Lake Kivu.
A typical Chimpanzee trekking adventure within the deep jungles of Nyungwe Forest National Park starts with breakfast at the Lodge, followed by assembling at the Park Headquarters for registration and briefing. Park officials will brief you on the set rules and regulations of chimp treks in this Park and start the trek by 8am.
These treks are undeniably to find an assigned chimpanzee troop/community but other encountered primate species, birds, trees, butterflies and reptiles of the Park will not be ignored. Settle for a cold bathe and hot meal at your Safari Lodge and pack your bags for a transfer to Volcanoes National Park. However, given the long drive hours to this gorilla trekking destination, you will spend a night at a Hotel/Motel in Karongi.
Day 5: Drive to Volcanoes National Park, Northern Province of Rwanda
Have breakfast at the Hotel/Motel in Karongi and continue with your journey to Volcanoes National Park, a popular gorilla trekking destination and home to Dian Fossey gravesite found within the north-western side of Rwanda.
Upon arrival, have Lunch and head for the boat ride along the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, as a way of relaxing. Dinner and overnight will be at one of the budget, midrange or luxury lodges within the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 6: Mountain gorilla encounter and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Encounter the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park on this day. Breakfast at the Lodge and briefing at Kinigi Park Headquarters then the trek through the jungles to search for the mountain gorillas, after allocation into a gorilla family. Trekking lasts from 2-5 hours and is inclusive of the one hour spent in the presence of the mountain gorilla family.
In the evening head for a traditional dance performance, taste local food, participate in banana beer brewing and visit the traditional healer with the tour to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Meals and overnight stay at the Lodge, within the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 7: Leave Volcanoes National Park for Gisenyi, on the shores Lake Kivu
As you recollect the unforgettable memories on the gorilla trek of the previous day, leave Volcanoes National Park for Gisenyi area, along the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu. This is a perfect way to relax after the hectic safari activities.
A boat trip to the Islands wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend your afternoon. Relax by the Lakeside or Lodge overlooking the waters of Lake Kivu. Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at the Lakeside Lodge/Hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at the Hotel/Lodge and leave for Kigali City for departure flight or transfer to the agreed drop-off point.
End of your 8 days Rwanda Safari.

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