Safari Overview ~ the Safari in Summary
The 9 days best of Rwanda tour is one of the best long safari packages you should book this coming holiday. It is an exceptional package in that it combines all the 4 national parks in Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. You will have opportunity to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking, Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. It also takes you through game viewing in Akagera and nature walk in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Your long 9 days best of Rwanda tour begins and ends in Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary ~ Day By Day Itinerary
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to a Hotel
Find your driver guide at Kigali airport as he waits to give you a warm welcome. He briefs you on your 9 days best of Rwanda tour and later, go check into your hotel. For dinner and overnight stay at The Manor Hotel Kigali or Flame Tree Village Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe via Nyanza
Have breakfast and later, leave Kigali for Nyungwe in the south. This will be 5-6 hours’ drive and you will have a stop visit at Nyanza to explore the royal palace. Lunch later be offered in Huye/at a lodge in Nyungwe and you may have a quick tour then go check in at your lodge. For relaxation, dinner and overnight stay in Nyungwe; Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget), One&Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range).
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking & drive to Kibuye
Wake up for an early morning breakfast and after, go for chimpanzee trek. This begins at 8:00am from Uwinka or Cyamudongo after briefing on guidelines you will be required to observe. With over 13 primate species, expect to see more than chimps. You should also keep an eye on other primates such as L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, plus birds. Get back after 1 hour of magical encounter to relax and enjoy lunch before an afternoon canopy walk. For your dinner and overnight stay: Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget), One&Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range).
Day 4: Nyungwe to Kibuye along L. Kivu
Have a hefty breakfast and later, check out of your lodge ready to connect to Kibuye in the North. Drive along L. Kivu while enjoying amazing view of the lake. You will have a relaxed evening at the lake shores or go for a boat ride. For all your evening relaxation, dinner and overnight; Cormoran Lodge/Rwiza Village Guesthouse.
Day 5: Kibuye to Volcanoes National Park/Parc National des Volcans
After breakfast, depart Kibuye for Parc National des Volcans in the Northwest. Drive on the route connecting via Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Here, you will engage in a nature walk to get yourself excited with amazing primates. The 34sq.kms protected is blessed with numerous primates including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, baboons, L’Hoest monkeys plus over 232 bird species. After a short nature walk, proceed to Volcanoes National Park for relaxation, dinner and night stay at a lodge; Kinigi Guesthouse/Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge/Le Bambou Lodge (Mid-range), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 6: Gorilla trekking
Begin your Rwanda gorilla trek with an early morning breakfast. After, verification, briefing and allocation of gorilla family at Kinigi. Start trekking at 8:00am and ensure you have packed lunch, a bottle of water, poncho and you are on waterproof hiking boots. The time it will take you to find gorillas isn’t predictable and can take 2-6 hours or less/more and this also includes 1 hour with gorillas.
Once you are done exploring about Rwanda mountain gorillas, get back to relax at the lodge. In the evening, you will visit the Iby’Iwacu village to explore the local community projects, get cultural entertainment then get back to the lodge. Dinner and for your comfortable stay; Kinigi Guesthouse/Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge/Le Bambou Lodge (Mid-range), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 7: Parc National des Volcans to Akagera in the East
After breakfast, you may have an optional walk in Volcanoes National Park or drive to Akagera straight, about 6 hours. Akagera National Park is a beautiful savanna park with all the big five game and several other wildlife. You will check in at Akagera Game Lodge/Dereva Hotel/Magashi Camp/Ruzizi Tented Camp for a night stay.
Day 8: Game drive & boat cruise
Enjoy your breakfast and after, embark on a game drive 2-3 hours along the northern loops in Akagera. Expect clear view of varied wildlife not only the big game but also antelopes, giraffes, zebras, birds to mention but a few. Retreat thereafter in a 4WD car to have lunch and relaxation then head to enjoy boat cruise on Lake Ihema. You will be enjoying sight of crocodiles, hippos, birds especially aquatic bird species. For dinner and overnight: Akagera Game Lodge/Dereva Hotel/Magashi Camp/Ruzizi Tented Camp.
Day 9: Akagera-Kigali for departure
Leave your lodge after breakfast for a quick game drive once again from the south to the north. After, connect to Kigali for Kigali city tour and later, depart if your flight is scheduled today or check in at a hotel for relaxation.
End of the 9 days best of Rwanda tour
Safari Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee permits
- Airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water
- Travel in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Fulltime English-speaking driver
- All relevant government taxes
- Activities in the travel plan but not the optional ones
- Game drives
- Boat cruise
- Park entry fees
Safari Exclusions
- International Flight fares
- Personal insurance
- Tipping
- Telephone calls
- Additional/optional activities
- Hotel fees before and after the trip
- Laundry services
- Beverages of personal interest
- Visa fees
