8-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Tour

   Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide from Safari 2 Gorilla Tours and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an introductory city tour featuring Kigali’s landmarks and the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can learn about Rwanda’s history and remarkable journey toward reconciliation. If your flight arrives late, sightseeing can be arranged for the following morning, subject to your schedule. Overnight at Hotel des Mille Collines or a similar property.

2. Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Akagera National Park

   After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial if you did not explore it on the previous day. Afterwards, drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination. The park features open plains, lakes, woodland, and diverse wildlife. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you may spot hippos, crocodiles, and numerous waterbirds. Relax and take in the beautiful scenery before settling into your accommodation. Overnight at Salt of Akagera or similar

3. Day 3: Akagera Game Drive and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

   Begin the day with an early breakfast before embarking on a game drive through the northern sector of Akagera National Park. Look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and, with luck, lions and other predators. Afterwards, travel via Byumba towards Volcanoes National Park, enjoying views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and rural communities. Depending on your arrival time and opening hours, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about mountain gorilla research and conservation. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or a similar property.

4. Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

   After an early breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers before beginning your mountain gorilla trek. Accompanied by experienced trackers, walk through the forested slopes in search of an assigned gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain. Once you find them, spend one unforgettable hour observing their behaviour in their natural habitat. If time and energy permits, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to experience traditional Rwandan culture. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or a similar property.

5. Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Nyungwe

   After breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. Accompanied by park guides, explore the bamboo forest in search of these playful primates, recognised by their golden-orange fur. After the trek, begin your journey to Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. Travel through scenic countryside, terraced hillsides, and rural communities while enjoying views of Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes. The transfer is long, so an early start and timely departure after the trek are recommended. Arrive at your accommodation in the evening and relax. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or a similar property.

6. Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

   Rise early for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests and an important sanctuary for primates. With the assistance of experienced park guides, explore the forest in search of chimpanzees moving through the trees and undergrowth. Later, experience the famous Nyungwe canopy walkway, a suspended bridge offering spectacular views above the forest floor. Discover the rainforest’s rich biodiversity, including birds, butterflies, and other primates. After these memorable experiences, return to your lodge to relax and enjoy the surrounding forest scenery. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or a similar property.

7. Day 7: Nyungwe to Kigali via Butare and Nyanza

   After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and travel toward Kigali, stopping to explore Rwanda’s cultural heritage along the way. Visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, formerly known as Butare National Museum, to learn about the country’s traditions, history, and cultural artefacts. Continue to Nyanza to visit the King’s Palace Museum, where you can discover Rwanda’s royal heritage and see the traditional palace and long-horned Inyambo cattle. Afterwards, continue to Kigali and check in at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel des Mille Collines or a similar property.

8. Day 8: Departure from Kigali

   Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, depending on your flight schedule. At the agreed time, your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. If your flight departs later in the day, additional sightseeing or shopping for local crafts and souvenirs may be possible, depending on available time. Your 8-day Rwanda safari concludes with wonderful memories of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife, rainforest adventures, and the cultural heritage of the Land of a Thousand Hills.