9-Day Best of Rwanda Safari and Cultural Experience

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your Kigali hotel for a city tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kimironko Market. These visits offer insight into Rwanda’s history and vibrant daily life. In the afternoon, you drive east to Akagera National Park, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way. You arrive at your lodge in time for dinner and relaxation. Your overnight stay will be at Akagera Transit Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Best Time To Visit June to September and mid-December to mid-February (It is drier and wildlife is easier to spot)

High Season June to September (The park is busiest at weekends)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Akagera NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

HippoAbundant

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Show more

ElephantOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

HyenaRare

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Akagera Transit Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Akagera National Park Game Drive and Boat Safari

You begin the day with an early morning game drive to spot lions, giraffes, elephants, and antelopes across Akagera’s rolling savannah. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, home to hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birdlife. You will return to your lodge for dinner and an evening at leisure. Your overnight stay will be at Akagera Transit Lodge or similar.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Accommodation:

Akagera Transit Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Cultural Visit

After breakfast, you will depart Akagera for Volcanoes National Park, traveling through Rwanda’s scenic countryside. Upon arrival, you visit the Gorilla Museum (Dian Fossey Center) and the Gorilla Guardians Village to experience Rwanda’s traditional music, dance, and crafts. Your overnight stay will be at Kinigi Cottages or similar.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Kinigi Cottage

• Mid-range guest house located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early briefing by park rangers, you'll embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. You hike through dense rainforest to encounter one of the habituated gorilla families. You will spend an hour observing their fascinating behavior before returning to the lodge for relaxation. Your overnight stay will be at Kinigi Cottages or similar.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Kinigi Cottage

• Mid-range guest house located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided trek to see the endangered golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Later, you will transfer to Lake Kivu, a stunning freshwater lake on Rwanda’s western border. You spend your evening relaxing on the lakeshore. Your overnight stay will be at Paradise Marahide or similar.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Paradise Malahide Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Kivu

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Coffee Experience and Relaxation at Lake Kivu

You will visit a local coffee plantation to learn about Rwanda’s world-famous coffee production from cultivation to cup. Participate in a coffee tasting and meet local farmers. The rest of the day is free for swimming, kayaking, or relaxing by the lake. Your overnight stay will be at Paradise Marahide or similar.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Paradise Malahide Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Kivu

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, you will depart Lake Kivu and drive south along the scenic Congo-Nile trail towards Nyungwe National Park. You will enjoy stunning views of terraced hills and lakeside villages before checking into your lodge near the park. Your overnight stay will be at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

EAR Ken Barham Guest House

• Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk

You'll start early for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. You will witness these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, you take part in a canopy walk suspended high above the forest for breathtaking panoramic views. Your overnight stay will be at Ken Barham Guesthouse or similar.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

EAR Ken Barham Guest House

• Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Cultural and Historical Visits – Return to Kigali

After breakfast, you travel back to Kigali. En route, you will stop at the Ethnographic Museum in Butare (Huye) to learn about Rwandan history and culture. Then, you visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. You will continue to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your tour. End of tour.

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.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.