8 Days Rwanda Safari

8 Days Rwanda Safari

For only 8 days, discover Rwanda’s gems from Kigali, right to the deep forest that have another dimension of nature. You can experience activities such as gorilla trekking, Kigali tour, chimpanzee trekking, and many more in Rwanda’s premium travel destinations.

Safari highlights

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park

Wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park

Nyungwe Canopy walk

Bird watching in Gishwati Mukura National Park

Iby’Iwacu cultural village in Volcanoes national park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera National Park

Day 2: Full day game drive in Akagera National Park

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National park

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe canopy walk

Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Day 6: Gorilla trekking and cultural tour

Day 7: Visit the Twin Lakes

Day 8: Drive back to Kigali and departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera National Park

When you land at Kigali International Airport, you will be picked by an arranged driver. You will be taken to East to Akagera National Park. This is will be one of the most beautiful drives you will ever take as it will be through rolling hills, plains and general clean beauty of Rwanda.

On arrival, check into your lodge, have lunch and then relax. However, you can choose to also have an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema where you will see crocodiles and hippos. Thereafter, you go back to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 2: Full day game drive

After breakfast at the lodge, engage in a full day game drive. In the comfort of your 4×4 vehicle, you will search and sight different animals, especially members of the big five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes).

In the afternoon, have a picnic lunch and then proceed with the same activity until sun set. Thereafter, head back to the lodge for rest and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Early in the morning, you will check out of your lodge and drive south to Nyungwe Forest National park. This will be a distance of about 330 kilometers for about 8 hours depending on the road conditions and traffic and the starting and ending points of the journey.

When you arrive, check into your lodge and relax to regain back lost energy and to also prepare for the next day’s activities.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk.

Set off, after breakfast for the chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe forest. Habituated chimpanzee individuals will be sighted after a several hour trek led by park ranger guides. On sighting them, you will have an hour to notice their natural behaviors in their natural habitat such as feeding, nurturing, grooming and others.

After lunch and relaxing at the lodge, you engage in the Nyungwe Canopy walk. This is bridge 160 meters long and raised 70 meters above the ground. You will see a lot of flora, butterflies, bird species and other primates.

Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Drive north to Volcanoes National Park for about 220 kilometers for about 6 hours. This timing and distance will entirely depend on the road conditions and routes used. On arrival, check into the lodge, have lunch, relax and prepare for the next day’s activity.

Day 6: Mountain gorilla trekking and cultural tour

Head out for the most intriguing experience in Volcanoes National Park. It will start with a briefing session at the park center and then the actual trek. You will be led by ranger guides of the park down the trails of the forest so as to spot habituated gorilla families.

For only one hour, you will observe the gorillas in their natural environment when you locate them. Feeding, communicating, nurturing and grooming are some of the activities you will observe about them.

After having lunch at the lodge, you can go for a cultural tour in Iby’Iwacu village. You will witness ancient Rwanda culture and how it blends with urbanization aspects such as conservation. The interconnectedness of the forest, people and the primates in this area will be much explained. You will also see how different crafts are made.

Day 7: Visit the Twin-Lakes tour

You can visit the Twin-Lakes namely Burera and Ruhondo which are still in the north at the border of Rwanda and Uganda. While here, you will have volcanic views of the Virunga Mountains such as Mount Muhabura, Bisoke and Sabyinyo in a distance.

Bird watching can also be done with at the twin lake tour to see King Fishers, Darters, Hammerkops and Cormorants.

After this activity, you will relax at the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day.

Day 8: Drive back to Kigali and departure

As you leave the tourist destinations, you will have a scenic drive back to Kigali, heading to the airport for your departure.