9 Days Rwanda Safari -A thrilling Gorilla, Nyungwe & Akagera Tour
With 9 days Rwanda safari, you get the best of what makes Rwanda one of Africa’s leading travel destinations. This is a nature-rich itinerary introducing you to the country’s iconic sites to enjoy enchanting activities such as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, game drive and boat cruise in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee encounter and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
This remarkable safari package combines gorilla safaris, wildlife tours, and also cultural encounters in Iby’Iwacu cultural village/Gorilla Guardian. Your expedition starts and ends in Kigali inclusive of the Kigali city tour.
Tour Highlights – 9 Days Rwanda safari
Day Six: Nyungwe-Lake Kivu
Day Seven: Lake Kivu-Volcanoes NP
Day Eight: Explore Rwanda gorillas & visit the Guardian Village
Day Nine: Depart
Day One: Arrival & transfer to a hotel
Day Two: Travel to Akagera National Park
Day Three: Enjoy Akagera’s game drive & launch cruise
Day Four: Akagera to Nyungwe
Day Five: Chimpanzees & canopy walking
Day Six: Nyungwe-Lake Kivu
Day Seven: Lake Kivu-Volcanoes NP
Day Eight: Explore Rwanda gorillas & visit the Guardian Village
Day Nine: Depart
Detailed Itinerary -9 Days Rwanda Safari
Day One: Arrival & transfer to a hotel
Arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL), meet and greet your driver guide. A short briefing session from your driver guide and you will be transferred to a hotel. In case you arrive early, there will be a visit to Gisozi genocide memorial to explore about the 1994 Rwanda genocide. You may also visit local markets like Kimironko; craft shops and other historical sites depending on the available time.
Accommodation
- Serena Hotel Kigali/The Retreat/Kigali Marriott Hotel
Day Two: Travel to Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is home to all the big five game and today is a special day as you start your expedition to uncover its hidden secrets. You will drive for 2 and half hours from Kigali to the Eastern side of Rwanda. Arrive early and as you connect to the lodge, keep an eye on the park wildlife and birds. Have lunch at the lodge and you will embark on an afternoon game drive/boat cruise.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park include buffaloes, elephants, topis, impalas, Masai giraffes, reedbucks, Defassa water, hippos, bushbucks, rhinos, zebras, leopards, and over 500 bird species.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp or Rusizi Tented Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Day Three: Enjoy Akagera’s game drive & launch cruise
A normal game drive starts early morning before the sunrises taking you about 2-3 hours along Akagera National Park savanna grassland. A huge profusion of wildlife should be expected on a game drive including lions, hyenas, leopards, topis, Masai giraffes, bushbucks, duikers, warthogs, elands, impalas, elephants, birds, and more.
Get back to relax at the lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. An afternoon launch trip on Lake Ihema will treat you to incredible sights of aquatic life such as hippos, crocodiles, and birds. You will get back and have a relaxed evening at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp or Rusizi Tented Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Day Four: Akagera to Nyungwe
After a hefty breakfast, you will leave Akagera National Park for Nyungwe. En route to Nyungwe Forest National Park, there will be a stopover visit at Nyanza King’s palace and an ethnographic museum in Butare. Have a lunch break and then continue to the lodge for an overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day Five: Chimpanzees & canopy walking
Explore Nyungwe chimpanzees and other primates on the chimpanzee trekking tour starting at 8:00 am after the briefing. Nyungwe shelters 13 primate species and include 500 chimpanzees plus other primates such as silver monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, vervet, pottos, bush babies, and others. One hour will be spent enjoying a close encounter with chimpanzees and taking pictures.
Lunch will be served on return from the chimpanzee trek. In the afternoon, you will catch up with a canopy walk. This leads you via a suspended canopy walkway 50m from the ground.
Accommodation
- Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (NTVHH)
Day Six: Nyungwe-Lake Kivu
Following a heavy breakfast, check out of the lodge. Start your trip to Lake Kivu, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Rwanda and it is shared by Congo. En route, you will visit the Murambi memorial and proceed to Lake Kivu.
Accommodation
- Palm Gardens Resort & Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Day Seven: Lake Kivu-Volcanoes NP
After a cup of tea/coffee, head off for a boat cruise along Lake Kivu. Enjoy the scenic view of the lake and birds. Retreat from your memorable excursion and check out of the hotel at Lake Kivu. Thereafter, drive to Volcanoes National Park, Ruhengeri in Northwestern Rwanda.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/La Palme Hotel/Le Bambou
Day Eight: Explore Rwanda gorillas & visit the Guardian Village
You will visit Kinigi for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. From Kigali, a gorilla family will be allocated to you to track and each family is assigned 8 guests. The available gorilla groups to track in Volcanoes National Park include Kwitonda, Hirwa, Bwenge, Susa A, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Karisimbi/Susa B, Ugenda, Amahoro, Titus, and others.
Return after you have spent one hour with gorillas and settle at the lodge for lunch. In the evening/afternoon, you will visit the Gorilla Guardian Village for a cultural encounter and entertainment from residents.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/La Palme Hotel/Le Bambou
Day Nine: Depart
Enjoy a hefty breakfast, after, you may proceed straight to Kigali or first engage in guided golden monkey tracking. Today marks the end of this special 9-day Rwanda safari.
End of 9 Days Rwanda Safari
9 Days Rwanda Safari Inclusions
- Boat cruise
- Park entry fees
- Chimpanzee permits
- Gorilla permits
- Game drives
- A bottled drinking water
- Travel on ground in a classic 4×4 drive car
- Accommodation 8 nights & meals
- Safari guide services
9 Days Rwanda Safari Exclusions
- Airfares
- Souvenirs
- Visas
- Tipping
- Beverages
- Cigarettes
- Laundry services
- Shopping costs
- Telephone