Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Rwanda with our exclusive Rwandan Uniquely Hand-Crafted Journey! Start in the vibrant city of Kigali before exploring the diverse landscapes and rich wildlife of Akagera National Park. Experience the awe of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and immerse yourself in the lush beauty of Nyungwe Forest in hunt for our closest cousins-chimpanzees. This adventure offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, thrilling wildlife encounters, and breathtaking natural scenery, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime safari!
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 – Karibu Kigali! Arrive to Kigali
Welcome to the Land of A thousand Hills, Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our Nyumbu Beyond Journeys experienced safari guides who will transfer you to your Hotel for the rest of the day and overnight. At check in, you will be briefed about your safari and what to expect, the safari do’s and don’ts. Overnight at your Hotel.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park
Enjoy a morning breakfast at your hotel in Kigali before embarking on a half-day city tour. This tour includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum, as well as a stroll through local markets. After lunch, depart for Akagera National Park and conclude the day with an evening game drive.
Day 3: Full day in Akagera – Game Drive & Boat
After a morning breakfast, embark on an exciting game drive in Akagera National Park. This renowned savannah park, located in northeastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border, is home to several large mammals not found elsewhere in the country. Keep your cameras ready and your eyes open for sightings of elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and the recently reintroduced lions. Game drives typically take place in the northern sector of the park and can last for several hours, depending on the day’s animal sightings. Return to your lodge for lunch, and in the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ihema, where you’ll search for hippos and crocodiles, as well as other wildlife along the riverbanks.
Day 4: Akagera National Park to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and numerous bird species. Located in Kinigi, Musanze, in northern Rwanda, the park is about a two-hour drive from Kigali, the country’s capital. Your journey from Akagera National Park to Volcanoes will pass through Kigali and offer scenic views of charming villages and beautiful landscapes. Arrive at your lodge in the evening.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Community Walk
This morning, after breakfast, you will be transferred from your lodge to the park headquarters for a briefing on the day’s gorilla trekking activity. It is advisable to pack your lunch and drinking water and consider hiring porters, as the time spent in the jungle can be unpredictable. After the briefing from the park rangers, you will be assigned a gorilla family and then venture into the forest to search for these gentle giants.
Gorilla tracking may take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on where the gorillas were last seen the previous night. Physical fitness is highly recommended, but those who are not as fit have the option to hire “human helicopters” (sedan chairs). Once you find the gorillas, you will have the opportunity to spend a maximum of one hour with them, during which you can take videos and photographs. Afterward, you will return to your lodge for lunch.
Cultural Encounters Bwindi
In the afternoon, enjoy a community walk to Red Rock, a local initiative focused on improving community livelihoods through environmental conservation, arts and culture, education, and community health and security.
Day 6:Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, embark on a 6-7-hour drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest and largest rainforests in East Africa. This forest is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a small population of chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, such as the L’Hoest’s monkey, which is endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Day 7:Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk
Set out early in the morning for the renowned chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This adventure takes you deep into the jungle to search for man’s closest relative among primates: the chimpanzees. It’s advisable to pack your breakfast from the lodge as the briefing starts at 5:30 AM, followed by the trek at 6:00 AM. During the briefing, you’ll learn about proper behavior and the park’s do’s and don’ts.
Your ranger guide will lead you to either the Uwinka trailhead or the Cyamudongo sector to begin your chimpanzee trekking experience. Nyungwe Forest boasts rich biodiversity and is home to over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, embark on the famous canopy walk in the afternoon. This thrilling experience allows you to explore Nyungwe National Park from 40 meters above ground level.
Day 8:Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before embarking on your 4 to 5-hour journey back to Kigali. En route, you will stop at Huye, formerly known as Butare, to visit the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda. Here, you will learn about the country’s culture, history, and the daily lives of the Rwandan people. Continue your journey to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon in time to connect to your international flight.
End of 8 Days Rwanda Wildlife & Primates Safari