Venture to Rwanda for an exciting gorilla trekking Safari Rwanda
Overview
Rwanda is dubbed the land of a thousand hills! This 12 day Gorilla Trekking Safari – Rwanda covers 3 national parks with water fall hikes and visits to tea estates in the Nyungwe Forest environs. We cap off the adventurous tour with a relaxation break at the pristine white sand beaches of Gisenyi – Lake Kivu, where you will spend some time recollecting the memories of the tour.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
- Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 5: Nyungwe Canopy walk and waterfall hike
- Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and afternoon tea plantation experience
- Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National park
- Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Safari Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 9: Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 10: Transfer to Lake Kivu
- Day 11: Transfer to Kigali
Gallery
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Our tour guide will pick you up from the airport and drive you to the hotel where you will be spending the night.
Lunch will be served at the hotel
After lunch we shall embark on a City tour of Kigali with visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center and the Central Business District of the city.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast our driver or guide will pick you up from your hotel after which you will set off for Akagera National Park.
Check-in at the lodge and later have lunch.
After you lunch you will set off for an afternoon boat ride on Lake Ihema at Akagera National Park.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Akagera National Park
After your morning breakfast your tour guide will drive you to the Mutumba hill en-route to the northern section of the park. The northern section is an ideal area for game drives and spotting the wild animals because of its lush open Savannah grasslands. Some of the animals you expect to see at the park include; Masai giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hippos and crocodiles
Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will embark on a journey down south with your tour guide.
You will have a stopover at Nyanza palace for a tour of the palace which was a traditional home for Rwanda’s former kings.
There will also be a lunch stop over en-route to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Check in at the Lodge for your Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Nyungwe Canopy walk and waterfall hike
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will step out for a waterfall hike where you will observe the diverse flora and fauna that Nyungwe Forest National Park has to offer. The water fall hike will last 4 hours after which you will return to the lodge for lunch.
After your lunch break you will step out for an afternoon canopy walk in the park from the Uwinka visitor center. The canopy walk will last 2 hours and offers stunning views of the Nyungwe jungle
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and afternoon tea plantation experience
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will head to the park headquarters for briefing at 8am. Nyungwe Forest is by far the largest montane rain forest in East and Central Africa and contains 13 primate species, 275 bird species and 38 reptile species.
After your morning Chimpanzee tracking expedition you will return to the lodge, relax and have lunch. In the afternoon after your lunch break you will step out for a tour of the nearby tea estates where you will talk to the farmers and hopefully take part in the tea harvesting experience.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National park
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge prior to your morning departure for Volcanoes National Park
After arrival at Volcanoes National Park you will visit the iby’iwachu cultural village for local musical performances by a local musical cultural troupe.
Day 8: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will transfer to the Kinigi briefing area where you will be briefed by park officials about the day’s activities and assigned a group that you will trek the Gorillas with. Gorilla tracking lasts anywhere between 2-8 hours depending on the location of the Gorillas on that particular day.
After successfully tracking the Gorillas you will stay in close proximity with the Gorillas for an hour after which you will return to your lodge for lunch.
Dinner will be served at the lodge
Day 9: Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will set off for the Kinigi visitor’s center for briefing. With the help of the park rangers you will head to the park open fields to start tracking the Golden Monkeys
Golden Monkey tracking takes anywhere between 1-2 hours after which you will return to your lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge after which you will depart for Gisenyi – Lake Kivu. Relax and enjoy your stay at the pristine white sand beaches of Lake Kivu as you recollect the memories of your adventurous gorilla tracking and wildlife tour.
Dinner and overnight stay at your preferred lodge/hotel
Day 11: Gisenyi – Lake Kivu
Spend the day relaxing at the white sand beaches of Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is free of Bilharzia essentially meaning you can dive into the waters and cool down with a swimming session.
Also on offer are other popular water sports activities like Kayaking and Jet skiing.
Full board stay at a lodge/hotel of your preference.
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali
Breakfast will be served at the lodge and we shall set off for Kigali in the mid-morning. Travel plans for the last day are entirely dependent on your flight schedule or travel arrangements.
END OF TOUR
Route Map
Inclusions
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
WHAT IS EXCLUDED
- Pre and post tour accommodation
- International airfares
- Rwanda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Personal items for example drinks and laundry
- Tips and Gratuity