Rwanda is a landlocked country neighboring Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This 10 day safari will take you to three of the four National parks in Rwanda. This safari leads you to places like Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, where you will spend time with these apes while learning their social behaviors. It will also lead you to another protected area known as Nyungwe Forest National Park known for chimpanzees and golden monkeys though it’s a home to thirteen primates therefore, other primates will also be spotted.
The 10 days safari will also lead you to Akagera National Park for a game drive experience where you will spot many wildlife such as large herds of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, warthogs, bushbuck and many others. Other activities won’t be left behind such as canopy walk where you spot primates like Angola colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, and watch birds, and other beautiful creatures. The boat cruise is another experience that lets you come across water life species like birds, animals, reptiles and lizards. Expect to spot much more than what is mentioned during the safari.
Detailed information
Day 1. Arrival in Kigali and do a city tour.
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, our well-behaved driver guide will be ready to welcome you and take you through a quick briefing about the safari. He will drive you to the booked hotel for breakfast or lunch depending on the arrival time then after head for the city tour around Kigali. You can visit the museum to learn more about the historical background of Rwanda and if time permits also visit the craft shop and buy some souvenirs to take home.
Day 2. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On day two of your safari, wake up early in the morning, enjoy your delicious breakfast then start your journey to Volcanoes National Park located in the Northwestern parts of Rwanda. The drive will take you about 2 hours and 29 minutes from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Proceed and check in with the booked lodge.
Day 3. Gorilla trekking
Gorillas are great primates with huge developed brains but no tails. They live in groups known as families and to trek any gorilla group you must have a gorilla permit and children under 15 years are not allowed to trek Gorillas. During trekking only a group of eight people is to trek a Gorilla family. A ranger guide will lead you into the jungle in search of gorillas and having a chance to trek them you will spend one while in their presence taking photos, watching how they groom each other, mothers giving care to the infants, playing, and many other interesting things.
Retreat to the Park offices and meet your safari driver guide to drive you back to the lodge for lunch. You can have an optional activity or relax in the afternoon.
Day 4. Golden monkey trekking
On this day you will wake up early in the morning, have your well-prepared breakfast then head to the headquarters to meet a ranger guide to lead you for the golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are cute primates that spend most of their time in the lower parts of the bamboos feeding, playing, and others. The trekking requires you to spend only one hour the same as gorillas while in the presence of these primates watching how they feed, groom each other, play, rest and do many other interesting activities. Later, drive back to the lodge for a late lunch and relax.
Day 5. Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Have your breakfast this day, sunbathe from the lodge then pack all your things and check out the lodge. Drive to Nyungwe National Park which takes you about five hours and thirty minutes to get to Nyungwe National Park. Spot as many animals as you can as soon as you start entering the park such as Angola colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons and many others. Proceed and check in with the booked lodge.
Day 6. Chimpanzees trekking, canopy walk
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast after, drive to the Park offices to present your chimpanzee trekking permit and meet a ranger guide who will brief you about the jungle then later head into the field in search of these great primate apes. Depending on where you will find the habituated group you will take 2-3 hours and once you meet them spend one hour in their presence, watching how they groom each other, play, rest and mothers nursing and giving care to their infants and many interesting things.
Retreat to the starting point to meet your safari driver guide and drive back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, head for the canopy walk which is a great and interesting experience where you spot lots of beautiful creatures during this experience such as primates, for example, red tailed monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys and others including bird watching, forest views and many more. Drive back to the lodge in the evening for dinner and relax.
Day 7. Transfer to Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is one of the protected areas in Rwanda among the four National parks that are found in this country which is located in the eastern part of Rwanda. Akagera National Park borders Tanzania and is known for swamps, Savannah, woodland and low mountains. For that matter, have your morning meal then head to Akagera National Park to check in with the booked lodge.
Day 8. Full-day game drive
Game drive is the best experience which leads you to most wildlife species. Therefore, after having your breakfast jump into your safari car and head for such an amazing experience. Spot as many animals as possible such as elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, warthogs, buffalos, and many others including bird species for example brown snake Eagle, African fish Eagles, swamp flycatchers, Heugline Robin chat, and many others.
Enjoy your picnic lunch as you watch them feed too. Thereafter, head back to the lodge as you spot more animals on your way back. Proceed and check in with the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9. Boat cruise at hot air ballooning
Grab your breakfast early morning then later set out for the best experience, the boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Feel great while enjoying the experience as you spot as many water species as you can such as hippos, crocodiles and other wild animals that tend to come near water banks to drink water and cool their bodies, for example, elephants, buffalos, warthogs and many others. Drive back to the lodge for lunch as you plan for the next activity.
In the afternoon, set off for hot air ballooning where you will be able to spot wildlife, enjoy the stunning views, come across different birds and so many others. After the activity drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10. Drive back to Kigali.
On this day arise early in the morning for a delicious breakfast then after check out of the lodge and embark on your journey to Kigali. Pass through beautiful scenery which grant you good viewing points that prove how beautiful Rwanda is. Your safari driver guide will take you directly to the agreed location for drop off and if time permits you can first visit some of the craft shops in Kigali and buy some souvenirs to take home for remembrance.
