8 DAYS EXPLORE RWANDA SAFARI
Itinerary Overview
This 8 Day Rwanda safari reveals the country’s natural, historical and cultural attractions while staying in some of the best accommodation facilities available. Starting from Kigali, which is clean, sophisticated and beautiful then you will spend the next few days traveling to other locations and participating in a variety of activities. These include Musanze caves tour, Gorilla trekking and twin lakes excursions in Volcanoes National Park.
Game drives and boat cruises are available in Akagera National Park, while Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walks happen in Nyungwe National Park. Other activities include a cultural tour of the King’s Palace, nightlife in Kigali and leisure on Lake Kivu. The international airport of Kigali is where you will be picked and dropped off.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up, Transfer To Volcanoes National Park
This will be the start of your vacation in the “wonderful land of a thousand hills.” For the commencement of the journey, our driver-guide will gladly greet you at the airport or your hotel. Before beginning on a two-hour picturesque drive to Volcanoes National Park, you will be informed on the country and other trip requirements. On the highway, take in the scenery of undulating hills, rich flora and scattered farmsteads in the countryside. As you make your way to the lodge for lunch and refreshment, you will be greeted by the tropical rain forest of Volcanoes. An optional Musanze cave excursion, followed by dinner and a calm siesta, is available, depending on your preference.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking, Twin Lakes Tour
After a sunrise breakfast at the lodge, put on your best hiking gear (long-sleeved shirt, trousers, hiking boots, gloves, and a hat), pack everything you’ll need for the activity, including water and a packed lunch, and head to the park headquarters for a pre-tour briefing, which starts early in the morning. Gorillas have almost 95% human-like genes, are located solely on the African continent, and are most active in the morning. The ranger guides will go through the norms and regulations of gorilla trekking, as well as the unique traits of gorillas, before assigning a Gorilla group to track. The hike takes between 2-6 hours on foot, depending on how far they’ve gone, plus an hour of photography. After that, there will be a lunch break before heading to the lovely Twin Lakes in the afternoon. Swimming and boat rides, will be done until dark, when you will return to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 3: Depart Volcanoes National Park For Akagera National Park
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the lodge, followed by a trip to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park. The route takes you through beautiful scenery, rolling hills, and lush greenery. The Africa Big 5, a plethora of birds and breathtaking scenery may all be found in Akagera. Music and food will follow you to your park lodge, where you will have a refreshing relaxation, a delicious lunch, dinner and a tranquil snooze.
Day 4: Game Drive & Boat Cruise
By day break, enjoy a delectable breakfast at the lodge, followed by a journey to the forest for thrilling game viewing tours and photographic experience. Lions, waterbucks, warthogs, leopards, Buffaloes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, and other notable animals available to look out for while on your 3-4-hour game drive experience; the birds, primates and the captivating landscape are also worthwhile to look out for during the game drive. Return to the resort for lunch before embarking on an afternoon boat excursion to see the aquatic wildlife on the shores of Lake Ihema, including hippos and crocodiles. Many creatures cluster near the lake banks, providing an opportunity to see some of those you might have missed. At sunset, have dinner and night stay.
Day 5: Transfer To Nyungwe National Park
Begin your day with a cup of coffee or whatever beverage suits your fancy, then check out and transfer to Nyungwe National Park, which is home to around 13 different primate species. En route, you’ll stop at Nyanza King’s Palace for some cultural insights and lunch. The journey continues with spectacular views of the scenery and vegetation cover to your lodge, where you will check-in for refreshment, dinner, and a relaxing snooze.
Day 6: Primate Trekking & Canopy Walk
After a delectable breakfast at the lodge, you will check out and be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing by senior ranger guides. The chimpanzees dominate the Nyungwe forest, which is home to around 13 different primate species. During the 2- 5-hours’ chimpanzee trekking tour, plus an additional hour for photography and observing the special qualities of this creature, your eyes will see, ears will hear and hands will touch much of what is found in a typical natural forest.
Chimpanzees have smaller hands than humans, eat vegetables, eat with sticks as forks, and pick insects with grass. They are really bright and energetic. Following your encounters with these critters, you will have a lunch break before embarking on an afternoon beautiful canopy walk among the treetops on a 7-meter hanging bridge. You’ll be able to admire the stunning scenery, as well as birds and primates in the treetops and much more.
Day 7: Lake Kivu Exploration
After morning breakfast at the lodge, you will check out for a transfer to Lake Kivu, where you will spend the entire day fishing, swimming, drinking and taking a boat ride on Rwanda’s largest lake. With lunch break, there are also various games to do on the gorgeous white sand beaches. At the end of the day’s activities, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and sleep.
Day 8: Departure
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast and after prepare to check out and embark on your journey to Kigali. We shall have lunch and after lunch we transfer to the airport to mark the end of our 8 Days Explore Rwanda Safari.
