11 Days Best Of Rwanda Safari

Depart for Akagera National Park located along the eastern border of Rwanda, where the typically hilly countryside gives way to the savannas of the Great Rift Valley. Akagera is dominated by lakes, swamps and marshland, boasting of nature and wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the country.

At about midday arrive at the lodge, check in and have lunch. In n the afternoon your exploration starts with a boat trip on Lake Ihema which is a very rewarding for seeing the large number of hippos, the huge Nile crocodiles and many birds. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at: Akagera Game Lodge | Ruzizi Tented Camp | Magashi Camp

Meal Plan: Full board

After breakfast leave the lodge by 07:00 hrs to engage on a full day game drive and your exploration starts with a visit to the giraffe valley. Akagera National Park is characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The varied terrain shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles. Later drive back to your hotel at around 16:00 hrs for the evening at leisure then later dinner and overnight.

Overnight at: Akagera Game Lodge | Ruzizi Tented Camp | Magashi Camp

Driving Distance: 3 Hours

Drive back to Kigali arriving in time for lunch.At 2:00pm you will have a city tour of Kigali through the historical landmarks with a visit to: Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, which offered a place in which the bereaved could bury their families & friends, now over 250,000 victims are buried at the site. This site also includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide of April 1994. There is also a children's memorial, and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world.After this memorable excursion, transfer back to the hotel & spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at: Flame Tree Village / Onomo Hotel/ Kigali Serena Hotel

Meal Plan: Half board

Driving Distance: 6 1/2 Hrs

After breakfast depart for Nyungwe National park via Butare.

Have a quick stop over in Butare and visit the famous Rwanda National Museum at Butare & the ancient King´s Palace at Nyanza. The museum was donated in 1989 by the Belgian. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to the theme giving premium information on the daily life. Traditional ceramics & basketry are still manufactured & belong to the finest handicrafts of the region. The National Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994. Have Lunch in Butare & thereafter continue to Nyungwe National Park.

Overnight at: Gisakura Guesthouse, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe– Or Similar (Full Board)

Today is another early morning breakfast and packed lunch. Drive to the starting point for chimpanzee trek. Two species of chimpanzee occur in Africa. There is the Bonobo & the Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (often shortened to Chimpanzee, & sometimes referred to as the Robust Chimpanzee).

The largest remaining populations occur in central Africa (Gabon, DR Congo & Cameroon). About only 400 individuals, the population in Rwanda is an endangered one. However; it should be mentioned that it is not guaranteed to see the chimps as they are unpredictable & can move long distances in one day.

Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East & Central Africa & it is an incredibly rich area of biodiversity.

After the trek, have your picnic lunch then head out for a canopy walk set 50 meters above the ground with a 150-meter walkway, the first of its kind in East Africa & third on the continent after South Africa & Ghana. It allows visitors to see the forest from above the trees & be at eye level with birds & monkeys that inhabit the upper storeys of the forest.

Overnight at: Gisakura Guesthouse, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe– Or Similar (Full Board)

Journey Time: 5 Hours

After breakfast head out for a nature walk visiting Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest comprises amongst many things at least 200 tree species over 280 bird species & more than 100 different types of colorful butterfly which make it a true feast of the senses for the nature lover.

Only completion, depart for Gisenyi, Rwanda’s largest port on Lake Kivu arriving in time for check in & later lunch at your hotel. Take a swim at Lake Kivu one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo & Rwanda.

The afternoon will be spent at leisure on the shores of Lake Kivu (You will be in the company of our guide to show you around). Enjoy a boat ride to one of the islands in Lake Kivu. Simply explore the town, enjoying the hustle & bustle of the local market or wander through the leafy streets admiring the old colonial buildings. Later stay for dinner & overnight at your hotel.

Overnight at: Hillview Hotel Kivu/ Kivu Serena Hotel – Or Similar

Meal Plan: Full board

Driving Distance: 1 – 2 Hours

After a leisurely breakfast at about 09: 15am you will depart for Ruhengeri area the second largest town in Rwanda, with its stunning backdrop of five volcanic mountains and the Virungas towering above the town. On arrival, you will visit the Gorilla Guardian’s village popularly known by its former name Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. All proceeds from your visit go to the local communities to buy seeds for farmers & scholastic materials for children.

Highlights

• Intore dancers showcasing drumming & Dancing
• Short community walk
• Church visit
• Consultation with a traditional healer
• Shooting a bow & arrow with local Batwa Pygmies
• Making Banana beer
• Grinding millet & Sorghum

Later drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at: La Palme/ Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest – Or Similar

Meal Plan: Full board

Driving Distance: 3 Hours

After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the National Park headquarters – Kinigi to meet your guides for the day. The Gorilla Trek will commence after completing all park formalities and briefing.

Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience and perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences. The Gorilla to can be tough so amole preparation is needed before taking part in this experience. Read about How to prepare for your Gorilla Safari. You will spend a maximum of one hour with the gorillas and thereafter start your trek back to the starting point. Later return to your lodge for lunch.

Overnight at: La Palme Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge – Or Similar (Full Board)

Have an early breakfast & then transfer to the park headquarter for golden monkey trekking. The golden monkeys are little known & endangered species. They react & interact differently & will keep on playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitor.In the late afternoon, either carry out community walks and visit the village projects or local schools, dinner and an overnight at the lodge.

Journey Time: 2 Hours

After an early breakfast, you will embark on your transfer journey to Kigali International Airport in time, so as to check in for your home departure flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast only