Embark on our remarkable 15-day Wildlife and Gorillas of Rwanda. Rwanda has more to offer than the mountain gorillas it’s best known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda beckons with abundant wildlife and an incredible array of bird and primate species.
From searching for the Big 5 in the rolling plains and lake shores of Akagera – one of Africa’s conservation success stories – to the dense forests of Nyungwe for chimpanzees and the highland forests of Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorillas & golden monkeys.
And expect a few gems as you navigate this remarkable country – like rare golden monkeys, the heart-wrenching but inspiring story at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and some of the best coffee available. You’ll have the opportunity to hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and visit the Genocide Reconciliation Village for a recap of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
This is the one chance you will get to flatten three bucket list items in one epic safari – in one country!
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport, Karibu Rwanda!
Upon arrival, a Nyumbu Beyond Journeys safari guide will give you a warmly welcome and transfer to your accommodations in Kigali. You’ll have a safari briefing and time for questions regarding your adventure across Rwanda. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 2: Explore Kigali on a remarkable City tour
Kigali is known for its cleanliness, incredible cultural exhibits, and award-winning museums. There, you’ll explore a landmark site among the rolling hills of Kigali with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which commemorates the 1994 genocide and marked a critical moment in Rwanda’s history. The Memorial honors the lives of those lost during the genocide and recognizes that changes that have taken place in Rwanda since. Other places you will explore the Presidential Palace Museum, Kimironko Market, and the Nyamirambo Women’s Center. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant in Kigali. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: King’s Palace, National Museum, Nyungwe Park
After breakfast, depart your hotel for the journey to Nyungwe National Park. You’ll stop along the way to visit the King’s Palace in Nyanza and the National Museum of Rwanda. You’ll see the seat of the ancient kingdom of Rwanda before the arrival of Europeans. Continue your journey to Nyungwe National Park. Check into your lodge upon arrival.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Wake up for an early breakfast and then head to the Gisakura Park offices to sign up for the chimpanzee trek. In addition to chimpanzees, Nyungwe is home to 12 other primate species, including L’Hoest’s and colobus monkeys, as well as 300 bird species.
After the briefing, your guide will lead you into the forest in search of the chimpanzees. After locating them and spending a full hour observing them, you will leave the forest and return to your lodge.
Later in the afternoon, go on a canopy walk to admire the beautiful views of the forest from above.
Day 5: Colobus Monkey Tracking in Nyungwe National Park
After a cozy breakfast with the magical views of the tropical forest, we’ll return to the park for another hike—tracking colobus monkeys. You’ll be briefed on the hike, after which a community guide will lead you in search of a community of these playful monkeys. Leave the forest after an hour in their presence. Relax in the evening at the lodge.
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu via Kibuye
After a leisurely breakfast, depart the lodge for Lake Kivu via Kibuye. This is a purely scenic drive, showcasing the beauty of the countryside and Lake Kivu. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening.
Day 7: Boat Cruise and Visit to the Nyamyumba Hot Springs
This will be a rest day for you to relax after all the intense travel and experiences you may have had so far. Exploring the shores of the beautiful Lake Kivu, activities you can participate in include a visit to the Nyamyumba hot springs, a boat trip to the island, kayaking on Lake Kivu, and a visit to the Gisenyi Beach to catch the epic sunsets.
Day 8: From Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
Leisurely breakfast at the lodge, departure and transfer to Musanze, Volcanoes National Park. Check in to your lodge and have lunch.
Afternoon rest and evening visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village, formerly the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. This will be an immersive cultural experience where you will learn more about Rwanda’s culture and heritage. The village relies mainly on tourism and many of the locals who share their traditional cultures with visitors are former poachers. You will tour the village enjoying the sounds of local music, traditional dances and a visit to a local healer.
Day 9: Trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Start your day with a hearty breakfast as you will be trekking for 3 to 6 hours to see the mountain gorillas. There is a routine gorilla trekking briefing at the Kinigi Park headquarters. After the briefing and assignment of a gorilla family, you will be transferred to the trekking starting point away from the headquarters.
The trek begins by following the gorilla trail and the time it takes to find them cannot be predetermined. However, after finding them, you will stay in their presence for an hour, after which you will leave the park. Return to your lodge and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 10: Golden Monkey Tracking and Evening Relaxation
Early morning after breakfast, headout for a Golden monkey trekking experience that takes place in Virunga Massif with an expert ranger guide. The golden monkey trekking, takes the same procedure as the gorilla trekking, however less, demanding compared to gorilla trekking.
There are two habituated golden monkey troops in the park, living at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. As with the gorillas, visitors are allowed to spend an hour with the monkey troops after locating them. Later after the trek return and relax in the evening at the lodge.
Day 11: Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave
Early in the morning after breakfast, embark on a remarkable hike to Dian Fossey’s original Karisoke Research Camp in Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll be able to imagine what it must have been like for Dian when she arrived in Rwanda to set up her research camp to study and protect the endangered mountain gorillas back in 1967, and have the chance to pay respects at the gravesite of Dian Fossey and her favorite gorilla friend, Digit.
Dian Fossey’s Grave
Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Transfer from Musanze in the morning for Akagera National Park, taking in views of the Rwandan countryside along the way. Enjoy afternoon game viewing in the park.
Day 13: Safari Game drives and Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
Wake up very early in the morning to go on safari and see many of the animals hosted by Akagera National Park. You will see elephants, antelopes such as zebras, elands, topi, Masai giraffes, buffaloes and more. Predators include lions, leopards, hyenas, civets sharing the habitat with savannah birds and other wildlife. Enjoy a hot lunch at the lodge, rest in the afternoon, then return to the safari trails to observe more animals. In the evening, you will have many chances to encounter predators on the hunt. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 14: Cultural experience near the park
Experience the daily life of local pastoralist households in Rwanda through a community tour. Eastern Rwanda is relatively flat compared to the rest of the country, making it a favorite with pastoralists. Start early by participating in hand-milking cows. You’ll be guided by the herder on how to calm the cow before milking. There are also lessons on how milk is traditionally processed into various products like ghee and yogurt.
Day 15: Transfer to the airport for departure
After breakfast, and depending on your departure time, you will return to Kigali, where you will transfer to the airport. This concludes your 15-day classic Rwanda tour.