Experience the best of Rwanda on this 12-day adventure. Begin your journey in Kigali with visits to the Genocide Memorial, local markets, and art galleries. Then, head to Nyungwe Forest National Park, where you’ll trek through the dense rainforest in search of chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Walk across the Canopy Walkway for panoramic views of the forest and wildlife.
Take a scenic drive to Lake Kivu, followed by a visit to Volcanoes National Park for the unforgettable experience of trekking to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Drive through Akagera National Park for exciting game drives where you’ll spot lions, rhinos, buffalo, and giraffes, and end with a boat cruise.
Highlights
Trek through Nyungwe Forest in search of chimpanzees and primate species
Spot golden monkeys at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo
Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Kivu’s emerald green waters
Go on thrilling game drives in Akagera’s savannah to spot diverse wildlife
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Upon arrival at Kigali airport, clear immigration and customs, then collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrivals hall where you'll meet your driver/guide who then transfer you to Sheraton Four Points for the next two nights.
Discover Rwanda’s capital from the comfort of the Four Points by Sheraton Kigali. Located in the city's financial district and close to several embassies, this four-star hotel is an ideal base for exploring Kigali. Enjoy a meal at one of the three restaurants and bars, recharge at the 24-hour fitness center, take a swim in the outdoor pool, or unwind with a relaxing massage.
At 9 am, head out for a half-day city tour, including a visit to the genocide museum/memorial. Then take your lunch at Hotel Mille Collines. In the afternoon, visit Kimironko markets and Inema Art Gallery.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre opened in April 2004, marking the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. It is located on a site where 250,000 victims are buried and serves as a permanent memorial for those who lost their lives. The Centre offers a place for people to grieve and remember their loved ones.
One of the main purposes of the Centre is education. It is important for younger generations of Rwandans, who did not live through the genocide but whose lives are still impacted by it, to learn about its causes and effects. The Centre has three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which focuses on the 1994 genocide. There is also a children's memorial and an exhibit on the history of genocidal violence worldwide.
The Education Centre, Memorial Gardens, and National Documentation Centre of the Genocide provide a meaningful tribute to the victims and serve as a powerful educational resource for future generations.
After an early breakfast, head south to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in Southeast Rwanda and is the largest block area of montane forest in East Africa. Covering about 1,000 square kilometers, it features diverse vegetation, from tall trees to flower-filled marshes, and over 200 tree species, including striking plants like giant lobelia and orchids. The park is rich in wildlife, with 86 mammal species, including 14 primates like chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and the endangered golden monkey. It's also home to 280 bird species, making it Rwanda's most important site for birdwatching. Nyungwe is one of Africa’s most species-rich areas.
On the way, visit memorable historical sites. These include the Nyanza King's Palace, once home to King Mutara III Rudahigwa, where you can also witness the traditional "Inyambo" cow parade. Then, visit the National Museum of Butare, where you can explore Rwanda's history from the pre-colonial era. Lunch is provided along the route.
Depart your hotel early at 4:30 am with a packed breakfast to transfer to the starting point. The actual trek starts at 5 am in the forest. Begin your trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees. Once you find them, you'll have the opportunity to spend 1 hour observing and following them before returning to the starting point. While seeing chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park is not guaranteed, starting the trek early helps improve your chances of encountering them.
In the afternoon, you have the chance to view the forest from a Canopy Walkway. You have a 45-minute walk into the forest and then walk above the tree tops on a suspended bridge. This offers stunning views of Africa's largest temperate rainforests. This experience also allows us to observe primates and birds up close, at eye level.
After breakfast, head into Nyungwe forest to track the black and white colobus monkeys. Along the way, you have the chance to spot thirteen primate species including chimpanzees, Rwenzori colobus, and L'Hoest's monkeys. The colobus monkeys live in large groups, with one semi-habituated troop of around 400 members, making it the largest known group of tree-dwelling primates in Africa. In the afternoon, you can either relax at the lodge or enjoy birdwatching in the area.
After breakfast, head up-country to Volcanoes National Park via Kibuye with a packed lunch. It is around 6 6-hour drive following the stunning shores of Lake Kivu. Located in western Rwanda, Lake Kivu is surrounded by majestic mountains and has deep emerald green waters, covering an area of 2,700 km². It is the largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest in Africa. The paved road to Musanze offers breathtaking views of the lush green hills and valleys, with excellent panoramas of the entire Virunga mountain range.
After breakfast, take a short drive to the Park Headquarters, where you meet experienced local guides and trackers for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette. From there, hike into the forest, starting from where the gorillas were last seen the previous night. The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours and may involve climbing up to altitudes of 8,858 feet. The terrain can be rough and muddy, but the stunning forest and surrounding scenery make the effort worthwhile. Once the gorillas are found, the fatigue fades, as this is often considered one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in the world.
A picnic lunch is provided, and it's important to bring plenty of water. Since rain can start unexpectedly, waterproof clothing is essential, along with a waterproof bag for cameras. Please note: plastic (e.g. carrier/shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda.
In the afternoon, if time allows, you can visit the Dian Fossey Center and explore the markets in Musanze.
This morning at 6:40 a.m., transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading out to explore Volcanoes National Park in search of the rare golden monkeys. There are two habituated groups of these monkeys, with one group consisting of around 80-100 members living at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. Similar to gorilla treks, the golden monkey treks take place in the morning, and visitors are allowed to spend 1 hour with the monkeys. Each group is limited to 32 visitors. An additional gorilla trek can be pre-arranged today, discuss options with your trip planner.
Start the day early with a 5-hour drive to Akagera National Park, which spans 2,500 km² of savannah along the Kagera River in northeastern Rwanda. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife and over 500 bird species. Herds of elephants and buffalo can often be seen emerging from the woodland to drink at the lakes, and you may even spot a leopard, spotted hyena, or lion. Giraffes and zebras roam the savannah, while more than a dozen species of antelope inhabit the park. After lunch, you’ll enjoy an afternoon-long game drive through the park.
At 7 am this morning, you'll take part in the Community Walk the Line tour, a 2-hour, 7 km walk along a section of Akagera National Park's 120 km boundary fence. The fence, patrolled daily by attendants, plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, supporting the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and fostering community support for the park.
Guided by a local freelance guide, the walk begins at the park entrance and follows a gentle slope where early morning birds are active. You may encounter cattle herders and farmers along the way. The climb becomes steeper and rockier halfway up, but there’s a rest stop with stunning views across the valley.
As you continue up the hill and along the ridge, you'll walk between the park’s electric fence and the older "buffalo wall," a stone barrier built to keep buffalo out of farmlands. Depending on the season, you might see farmers working land that was once unusable before the fence was installed. The contrast between the park’s natural bushland and the cultivated community land with cows and goats is striking. The guide also explains the traditional uses of native trees and shrubs along the way.
At the top of the ridge, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the park. Your guide points out landmarks like the Bramin commercial farm with its large irrigation program and Ndego village beyond it. The walk ends at two antennas, visible throughout much of the walk, where you can arrange for your driver to pick you up and return to the park via Nyankora village.
After breakfast in the morning, you go for a shared boat cruise on the Akagera River in search of water-loving animals like hippos and crocodiles.
After the boat cruise, head out to the north of the park for a day of game drives with a packed lunch. During the game drive through the Savannah grassland of Akagera National Park, keep an eye out for wildlife such as lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, elephants, antelopes, and many more. Then in the evening, enjoy the unique experience of an authentic bush camp.
Day 12: Return Home
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Start your day with a morning game drive toward the North Gate, followed by a three-hour road transfer back to Kigali. After lunch in town, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight back.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Courtesy bag which includes tea, coffee, biscuits, and paper napkins
Airport transfer
Meet and Greet upon arrival
Departure services
Additional guides as needed
Comfortable, modern, 4X4 vehicles, customized for maximum viewing with open roof hatches. These are usually Toyota Land Cruisers, or comparable vehicles.
Professional, experienced drivers, and guides who are knowledgeable in all aspects of Uganda and Rwanda Safaris
Books available in the vehicles to help identify the flora and fauna
Umbrellas, bean bags, and blankets in the vehicles
Coolers in our vehicles
Bottled water in vehicles
Map of Rwanda
Park Fees
Trekking Permit
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Optional all tipping: $406 per person (includes all airport/hotel/lodge staff/porters, gorilla & Chimp guides, trackers & porters, Colobus guides and porters, Canopy walk guide - excludes tipping while at Magashi Camp and for CAS driver/guides)
Cost for extra airport transfer if required
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
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