Tour overview
This safari also starts and ends in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. The tour takes you for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park, a city tour in Kigali to view the city attractions including the genocide museum site. Later go for chimpanzee trekking within Nyungwe National park, one of the best places to see primates in Africa. You will end your tour with a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park where you will enjoy game drives and boat cruises along Lake Ihema.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 &3: Gorilla trekking safari
Day 4: Golden Monkey trekking & transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 5: Boat Cruise -transfer to Butare & Nyungwe Forest
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking & a Forest walk
Fay 7: Transfer to Kigali
Day 8: Drive to Akagera National Park
Day 9: Have a game drive and a Boat Cruise
Day 10: Kigali City and Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On your arrival, you will be picked by the guide from the airport who will also drive you to Kigali town were you will be able to enjoy a city tour and also view lots of attractions including; the Genocide memorial site and the national museum . You will have lunch and then drive to volcanoes National park that takes 2 hours. You will also check in at the lodge where you will have dinner and overnight. The park lies in the north western in Rwanda and is also well known for gorilla trekking and is also home to mountain gorillas, it’s also famous for the 8 volcanoes that are found in Virungaand thee include; Muhabura, Gahinga, Bisoke, sabyinyo and the Karisimbi. These are also covered in the bamboo and the rain forest inside the park. You will also view the golden monkeys and also visit Dina Fosey tomb.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mountain gorilla view lodge
Moderate: La palme lodge
Budget: Kinigi Guest House
Meal plan: Full board
Day 2 &3: Gorilla trekking safari
Have breakfast and then take a short drive to the park headquarters and meet with the beautiful local guides and the trackers who will give you a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking tours. We shall then hike into the forest to where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trek can take from 1 to 6 hours and the climb to the altitudes not in excess of 7,500 feet. We shall also hike into the forest to be these gorillas were seen the night before and track from that. The terrain is o rough and at times so muddy. Even though the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of this forest and the surrounding scenery that makes the trekking worthwhile. Once these are located, all the fatigue will be forgotten, as the adventure is also described as being the most deep natural history adventure in the world. The picnic lunches are also provided an its vital to take lots of water. The cameras and fast speed films are also recommended. It can also rain in a few minutes’ notice, hence water poof clothing is also good including the water proof bags for cameras and film.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mountain gorilla view lodge
Moderate: La palme lodge
Budget: Kinigi Guest House
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4: Golden Monkey trekking & transfer to Lake Kivu
Enjoy your breakfast and then proceed for golden monkey tracking and after you will also return to the lodge and then enjoy lunch, check out of the lodge and then drive from Volcanoes National park to Lake Kivu and then relax at the beach after.
Dinner and overnight at the Serena Lake View Hotel
Day 5: Boat Cruise -transfer to Butare & Nyungwe Forest
Have breakfast and then have a boat cruise on Lake Kivu and then return to the lodge, check out and then proceed to Kigali that will take 2 hours. Enjoy lunch in Butare and then continue to Nyungwe Forest.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Moderate: Nyungwe Hill top hotel
Budget: Gasakura Guest House
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking & a Forest walk
Enjoy breakfast in the morning and then head to the headquarters for briefing and then go with the game rangers and then proceed for chimpanzee trekking you will also view many primates including the red tailed monkeys, the Angolan colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys and many more. This trek also takes 3 to 5 hours and immediately after the trek, you will go for your lunch and then rest for some hours in the afternoon, you will also have a guided walk in the forest. This will also be a good time for the birders in order to enjoy the trip. This forest is also home to many bird species and some of these include; the white casqued hornbill and the Rwenzori Turaco and many more. You will then return to the lodge and have dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Moderate: Nyungwe Hill top hotel
Budget: Gasakura Guest House
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali
Have breakfast , transfer to Nyungwe Forest which is about 6-7 hours, have lunch in Kigali and on arrival, you will relax for the afternoon
Dinner and overnight at the Chez londe Hotel/ Top tower Hotel
Day 8: Drive to Akagera National Park
Breakfast and then later you will be picked by the company guide who will also transfer you to Akagera National park that takes 2.5 hours, upon your arrival, check in at the lodge where you will have dinner and an overnight stay. The park edges with Tanzania in the East. this vegetation in this park is also mainly mountainous, swamps, savannah and is home to many animals including; the birds and the big lake Ihema.
Dinner and overnight at Ruzizi Tented Camp/ Akagera Game Lodge
Day 9: Have a game drive and a Boat Cruise
You will wake up so early in the morning and have breakfast as you prepare to go for a game drive, you will also get a chance to view many animals like the elephants, lions, Masai giraffes, impalas, zebras, topis, leopards and baboons you will also go back to the lodge, enjoy lunch and in the afternoon, go for an afternoon boat cruise on lake Ihema. You will also be able to see many crocodiles, birds, hippos and the birds here include; the shoebill stork, Papyrus, Ganolex, sand pipers, Jacana and many more.
Dinner and overnight at Ruzizi Tented Camp/ Akagera Game Lodge
Day 10: Kigali City and Departure
Enjoy your breakfast and then drive back to Kigali and after proceed to the airport for your departure flight.
END OF SAFARI
Tour inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- full board accommodation,
- Full time English speaking professional driver/guide,
- All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary,
- Bottled water while on safari,
- Transport
Tour Exclusions
- Kigali hotel fees( the eve of the safari and the night after the safari),
- Tips,
- Laundry services,
- Beverages/ drinks,
- international flights,
- Visas,
- Items of a personal nature,
- Optional activities in the itinerary
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