7-Day Rwanda Lakes & Rivers Budget Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Musanze

Arrive at Kigali International Airport and meet your driver-guide. Depart for Musanze in the Northern Province, a 2.5–3 hour drive through scenic hills. Check into your lodge and unwind, enjoying views of volcanoes and surrounding farmland. In the afternoon, take a short nature walk around the lodge, spotting local birds and learning about Rwanda’s flora. Your guide will brief you on the upcoming adventure along rivers and lakes, including safety tips for canoeing, kayaking, and cycling. Dinner at the lodge prepares you for an active day ahead. Overnight stay in Musanze provides a comfortable base for northern Rwanda exploration.

Main Destination:

Ruhengeri (City)

Accommodation:

Hotel Muhabura

• Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinks not included

Canoeing & Birdwatching on Mukungwa River

After breakfast, drive 30 minutes to the Mukungwa River, where a gentle canoe ride allows you to explore calm waters and lush surroundings. Spot colorful kingfishers, herons, and weaver birds while gliding along the river. Your guide will explain the local ecology, fishing practices, and conservation efforts. Pause for a picnic lunch by the riverbank before visiting a nearby village to interact with local communities. Return to Musanze in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on the harmony of Rwanda’s waterways and wildlife.

Main Destination:

Mukungwa River

Accommodation:

Hotel Muhabura

• Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore Twin Lakes Burera

Short 30–40 minute drive takes you to the volcanic Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Begin a guided kayaking experience, gliding across tranquil waters surrounded by dramatic highlands. Engage in light fishing alongside local fishermen, learning traditional techniques. Stop on the lakeshore for a picnic while admiring the scenery and photographing the volcanic peaks. Optional visits to nearby tea plantations or small villages enhance cultural understanding. Return to Musanze for dinner and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Lake Burera

Accommodation:

Hotel Muhabura

• Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Congo Nile Trail Exploration

After breakfast, transfer to the Congo Nile Trail starting point, approximately a 2–3 hour drive from Musanze. Begin a guided cycling or hiking adventure along the trail, which stretches from Lake Burera to Lake Ruhondo. Experience scenic hills, terraced farmland, and quaint villages. Stop at local coffee or banana plantations to learn traditional farming practices. Interact with community projects such as weaving or beekeeping, gaining insight into rural life. Pause for a picnic lunch with panoramic lake views. Spend the afternoon exploring hidden waterfalls or small streams along the trail. Return to Musanze in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay, resting after an immersive day on the trail.

Main Destination:

Congo Nile Trail

Accommodation:

Hotel Muhabura

• Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Kivu Transfer & Sunset Cruise

Depart Musanze after breakfast and drive 3–4 hours southwest to the shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest lake. Check into your lakeside lodge and enjoy a short break. In the afternoon, embark on a sunset boat cruise, drifting along calm waters while admiring the surrounding hills. Spot fishermen at work, sample fresh tilapia barbecue on board, and observe birds such as herons and kingfishers. The golden hour creates perfect photography opportunities. After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Evening leisure allows time to relax, enjoy lake views, or interact with lodge staff about local customs and history.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Inzu Lodge

• Budget tented camp located at Lake Kivu

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Rusizi Wetlands Birding & Bugarama Hot Springs

After an early breakfast, drive 1–2 hours to the Rusizi wetlands, a haven for waterfowl, including kingfishers, pelicans, and African jacanas. Take a guided birding walk or canoe tour through the marshes. Learn about wetland conservation and local livelihoods dependent on these ecosystems. Continue to Bugarama Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in mineral-rich waters, surrounded by scenic hills and swampland. Picnic lunch along the way offers local specialties. Return to Lake Kivu in the afternoon, allowing free time for lakeside relaxation or optional village visits. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge provide a restful evening after an activity-filled day.

Main Destination:

Cyangugu (Town)

Accommodation:

Inzu Lodge

• Budget tented camp located near Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Return to Kigali & Departure

After breakfast, check out from your lodge and begin the 4–5 hour drive back to Kigali. Along the way, pause at scenic viewpoints or local craft markets for souvenirs. Upon arrival, visit Kigali city highlights if time allows, including local artisan shops or coffee boutiques. Your driver-guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your Rwanda by Water Adventure. This final day balances relaxation, cultural immersion, and scenic drives, leaving travelers with lasting memories of Rwanda’s lakes, rivers, and communities.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.