Our 10 days safari in Burundi, Rwanda Congo will offer a combined memorable experience in East Africa. Explore Bujumbura city, see the drummers of Burundi, trek the lowland gorillas, and track the chimpanzees. Also, the Rwanda safari offers you a chance to experience the Nyungwe as well as the Kigali city tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bujumbura Cultural and historical tour
You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your lodge before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
On arrival—Livingstone–Stanley Monument Meet our guide on arrival at the airport, then transfer to Hotel Safari Gate for check-in. We may proceed with a short tour depending on the arrival time, including visiting the Livingstone–Stanley Monument at Mugere. This monument is located 12 km south of Bujumbura, overlooking Lake Tanganyika, where explorer and missionary Dr. David Livingstone and journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley met in November of 1871, Mausoleum of the Hero of Independence.
Day 2: Source of the Nile—Karera Waterfalls – Drum Performance
After breakfast at 7:30 am, take the south direction to see the source of the Nile. This site is marked by a compact pyramid about 115 km from Bujumbura on Mount Kikizi. A German explorer, Burkhart Waldecker, marked this spot in the early 20th century. This is considered the southern source of the White Nile. Back to the car to drive to Karera Waterfalls, a park in southeastern Burundi. This is a pleasant stop to see a couple of waterfalls in a quiet garden. You will get to meet some locals who are also visiting. Then, take the direction of Gitega, the second town of Burundi and political capital. On a hill outside of Gitega stand several straw-roofed structures, formerly the palace for the monarchy. The monarchy was disbanded in 1966. There, we witness an impressive music performance from the world-famous and talented Burundian drummer. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3: Rusizi National Park’s wetlands cross the border to Rwanda
After breakfast at 8:00 am, drive back to Bujumbura and visit Rusizi National Park’s wetlands, which form an ideal habitat for different species of animals and vegetation. A visit by taking a boat on the Rusizi River can let you explore closer to hippos, crocodiles, and birds and the joining point between Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second deepest lake, after that transfer to the Rwanda border and an overnight stay at Butare.
Day 4: Transfer from Huye to Bukavu
You will transfer to Bukavu in Congo. During the journey, you will view beautiful Rwanda’s rolling hills, passing through various districts of Rwanda until you reach the Congo—Rwanda border at Bukavu. You will finalize border arrangements and cross into Congo. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Orchids.
Day 5: Visit of Chimpanzees sanctuary
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive in the Congo safari jeep to visit Jane Goodall Lwiro Chimps Sanctuary in Kahuzi-Beige; it is here that you will be briefed about the cover. Afterward, you will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
During the second gorilla trekking activity, you can stay with the Eastern lowland gorillas for 1 hour for observation and photography as you watch them play in the wild with their young ones. After this gorilla-watching experience, you will return to the park headquarters, where you will find the driver waiting for you, and straight away, you will be driven back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Bukavu back to Nyungwe Forest National Park
On this day, you will wake up early and have a cup of tea. Then, you will jump into your Rwanda safari jeep for the drive back to Rwanda side. If time allows, you will make stopovers in exciting places. Later, you will be dropped off at the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking & Canopy walk
You’ll enjoy breakfast in the morning and then gather at Uwinka Reception for a briefing about chimpanzee tracking rules. After the briefing, you will meet the park ranger and guides who will take you on a trek for 1- 4 hours in the forest to meet chimpanzees which are normally spotted as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. On finding the awe-inspiring primates, you’ll spend one hour taking pictures and videos of the life-changing experience.
In the afternoon, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk— a swinging bridge 50m in length that is suspended from bird trees. You will be able to see the captivating rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you.
Then, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Nyungwe Forest National – Kibuye
On this day, after enjoying your breakfast. You will have time for a tea-picking experience. Then, you will jump onto your Rwanda safari jeep for the drive towards Kibuye Lake to relax and enjoy the view of Lake Kivu with the option of swimming or just relaxing at the lodge. Overnight stay.
Day 10: Kibuye back to Kigali
After breakfast, you will hike Peace Island to experience cow swimming while on an East African Tour with Rwanda Safari. You will walk the island by boat and back and drive to Kigali International Airport for your departure home.
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You’ll be dropped off at the airport.