14 Day Magical Rwanda Safari Adventure

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide. You will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an evening walk through Kigali’s lively streets or savor local Rwandan coffee at a city café while taking in the breathtaking views of rolling green hills.

Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel or 5 Swiss Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Immerse yourself in Rwanda’s culture, resilience, and artistic spirit. Start with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a profound and moving tribute to Rwanda’s past. Continue to the Inema Arts Center and Kimironko Market, where you can explore local crafts and flavors. Visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum and interact with Kigali’s artisans and community changemakers.

Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel or 5 Swiss Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey through rolling hills and terraced countryside to the legendary home of the mountain gorillas. The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with opportunities for photography stops along the Virunga volcanic chain.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Embark on one of the world’s most profound wildlife experiences as you trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas. After an early morning briefing by park rangers, set off on a guided trek through misty bamboo forests to encounter a gorilla family. Enjoy an eye-to-eye moment with a silverback gorilla—an encounter that is truly life-changing. Spend an unforgettable hour observing their behavior and social interactions. During your trek, you may also come across forest elephants, bushbucks, golden monkeys, and over 200 bird species. Return to the lodge to relax and unwind after a remarkable day.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the morning with a trek to spot playful golden monkeys in the forest. In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural tour at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can experience traditional Rwandan dance, music, and crafts. Meet and interact with friendly local communities dedicated to preserving Rwanda’s heritage.

Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savanna park and home to the Big Five. Check in to your lodge for relaxation and enjoy a golden sunset over Lake Ihema.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore Akagera’s golden savanna landscapes on a classic wildlife safari. Begin with a sunrise safari drive across the open plains, where you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and antelopes. The park is also home to over 500 bird species, including the shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, and African fish eagle.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Experience Akagera from two unique perspectives. Start your day soaring over the park on a hot air balloon safari, capturing breathtaking aerial views. In the afternoon, after lunch, embark on a serene boat cruise on Lake Ihema to observe hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. Enjoy a golden sunset reflected on the waters of Lake Ihema.

Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge or Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through the scenic countryside to Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests. The journey takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, with stops at the Butare National Museum and King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. Upon arrival, take in panoramic views of the forest canopy and check into your hotel.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Emerald Lodge Nyungwe Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out early to track playful chimpanzees deep in the rainforest. While walking through the forest, you are likely to encounter chimpanzee families and hear their energetic calls echoing through the trees. The forest is also home to L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, vervets, butterflies, and countless orchids, along with over 300 bird species, including the great blue turaco and paradise flycatcher.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Emerald Lodge Nyungwe

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk across East Africa’s only canopy walkway, suspended above the treetops. Enjoy guided nature walks, a canopy bridge adventure, and birdwatching as you witness the calls of chimpanzees echoing through the forest. Return to the lodge for relaxation and unwinding.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Emerald Lodge Nyungwe

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel north to the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest freshwater lake. Cross through the country’s upcountry regions, passing beautiful plantations and vibrant communities as you journey to the western region. Upon arrival, relax by the lakeside and enjoy stunning sunset views.

Accommodation: Paradise Kivu Resort or Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Experience a portion of the legendary Congo Nile Trail, which follows Lake Kivu’s picturesque shores. Enjoy a guided biking or hiking excursion along the trail. Visit fishing villages, participate in coffee tasting at a local cooperative, and try kayaking on Lake Kivu. The day is filled with immersive cultural encounters and breathtaking lake vistas.

Accommodation: Paradise Kivu Resort or Cormoran Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive back to Kigali for your onward flight home. Make stops at roadside markets for crafts and souvenirs and reflect on your extraordinary Rwandan journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

End of Tour – Memories of a Lifetime