8 Days Rwanda Safari Holiday | Best of Gorillas, Wildlife & Chimps
Safari Overview
The 8 Days Rwanda Safari Holiday combines remarkable African big 5 game safari experiences and gorilla trekking. Taking 7, 8 days in Rwanda, inclusive of visit to Akagera National Park for game viewing, boat cruise; Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking & canopy walk, Volcanoes NP for a guided gorilla trekking experience.
On this safari holiday Rwanda, you can also support community and conservation efforts on a visit to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village. Get to interact with the ex-poachers now turned active conservation advocates. The Rwanda tour also includes Kigali city tour, explore one of Africa’s and world’s modern cities.
Key Highlights
- Trek into the tropical forest to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat.
- Support community & conservation on visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village.
- Get up close and personal with the Big Five Game in Akagera N/Park
- Enjoy up close & personal with chimpanzees (98.7% DNA similar to humans) our closest relatives.
- Explore 3 of the 4 Rwanda safaris parks
Brief itinerary
Day 1: #Akagera National Park, Launch Cruise
Day 2: #Game drive, return to Kigali city
Day 3: #Kigali city tour, connect to Nyungwe Forest NP
Day 4: #Chimpanzee tracking, Canopy walk Nyungwe Forest NP
Day 5: #Lake Kivu
Day 6: #Canoe trek & Volcanoes National Park
Day 7: #Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu cultural tour
Day 8: #Depart
8 Days Rwanda Safari Holiday Detailed Trip
Day 1: Akagera National Park, Launch Cruise
Akagera National Park: Located in Eastern Rwanda is a spectacular savanna park Akagera National Park, the only one in the land of 1000 hills. Accessible within just 2.5 hours, Akagera hosts all the big 5 game and a range of other wildlife, 500 bird species.
Arrive early at Akagera NP, check in at the lodge for lunch and relax then catch up with a boat cruise in the afternoon. The launch cruise takes 2-3 hours and it is done on Lake Ihema offering a remarkable chance to see hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp/Rusizi Tented Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Day 2: Game drive, return to Kigali city
Akagera National Park Game Drive: Leisurely breakfast, followed by a guided game drive in Akagera National Park 2-3 hours in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof. This comes with excellent view of big five game, zebras, the Masai giraffes, roan antelopes, birds and more. After, drive back to have lunch, then return to Kigali city.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
- Midrange: Hotel Chez Lando
Day 3: Kigali city tour, connect to Nyungwe Forest NP
Kigali: A city tour today starts early morning and you will be exploring one of the modern cities Africa has. Areas of interest range from Kigali genocide site, local markets to historical centers and after, you will head to Nyungwe Forest 6-7 hours’ drive. En-route to Nyungwe NP, the stopover points include the National Museum, Nyanza village, then lunch in one of the hotels in Butare.
Travel time: 6-7 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking, Canopy walk Nyungwe Forest NP
Nyungwe Forest National Park chimpanzee tracking: A leisurely breakfast early morning, after proceed to Uwinka reception of Nyungwe National Park to get briefed on chimp tracking rules. At 8:00am, the park guide takes you through 2-4 hours search for chimpanzees that share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, our closest relatives. Enjoy one hour of magical encounter, taking pictures and you will get back to the lodge for lunch.
Canopy walk Nyungwe Forest National Park in the afternoon. Lasting for about 2 hours, exploring a suspended canopy walk way 60m from the ground. Keep an eye on variety of park’s primates, birds and more.
Travel time: 6-7 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Day 5: L . Kivu
Visit Lake Kivu after breakfast and you have the long evening relaxing at the shores, enjoying the cool breeze.
Travel time: 6 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Midrange: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu
Day 6: Canoe trek & Volcanoes National Park
Lake Kivu- canoe ride early morning, after return to check out of the accommodation facility. Drive to Volcanoes N/Park located in Northwestern Rwanda, check in at the lodge for evening relaxation and overnight stay.
Travel time: 2 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Hotel/Bisate Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/La Palme Hotel
Day 7: Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu cultural tour
Gorilla trekking Volcanoes National Park starts early after breakfast and briefing at Kinigi offices. The normal trekking takes 2-6 hours, this covers one hour of magical encounter with a family of mountain gorillas. After observing the daily behaviors of gorillas and photography, start returning to the lodge. Chill a little, then meet the driver ready for evening cultural walk to Iby’Iwacu village.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight stay:
- Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Hotel/Bisate Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/La Palme Hotel
Day 8: Depart for Kigali
After breakfast, return to Kigali. Departure back home at Kigali Airport Rwanda.
End of safari
Safari inclusions
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Park entry fees
- Bottled water
- Guide services
Safari exclusions
- Insurance
- Beverages
- Tips
- Laundry
- Cigarettes etc