This 10 days Best of Rwanda Safari is a tailor-made Rwanda safari package that treats our visitors to Rwanda’s broad savannah plains and jungle diversity, with memories bound to last a lifetime.
This 10 Days Best of Rwanda Safari – Gorillas & Big 5 Tour is totally based within Rwanda and starts/ends within Kigali City with the phenomenal activities being mountain gorilla trekking in the dense jungles of Volcanoes National Park, breathtaking trek and encounter with chimpanzees in the dense Afro-tropical rain-forests of Nyungwe as well as the outstanding canopy walk, game drives and boat rides in Akagera National Park as well as a chance to listen to tales of Rwanda past.
Also watch dance performances that will blow your mind.
Detailed 10 Days Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kanombe International Airport and transfer to a hotel in the capital
Process your Visa on arrival at Kanombe International Airport and your private safari driver will be waiting to transfer you to a Hotel. Depending on the time you arrive Rwanda, you may undertake a brief City excursion to explore the Genocide Memorial Centers, Craft markets or just relax at the Hotel or nurse your jet-lag.
Day 2: Road trip through the countryside to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Arise to the sounds of an African City for breakfast and meet-up with your private safari driver for the 5-6 hours’ drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This scenic drive will see you make stopovers at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and go on to Butare Town where you will tour the Ethnographic Museum and also have Lunch. Transverse the awe-inspiring lush tea estates across the hillsides before getting to your Lodge for check-in dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and the thrilling canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Early breakfast and move/drive to the Park Headquarters for the briefing on Chimpanzee Tracking. Escorted by armed Park Ranger and experienced guide, venture into the forest trails to find the allocated chimpanzee troop. The trek lasts half an hour to 4 hours but once you find them, you will follow and stick to the allotted one hour to watch them groom, make chimpanzee calls, take naps, munch on vegetation and mate. The trek also brings to life the exciting life within Nyungwe Forest and later enjoy your picnic Lunch.
After the chimpanzee trek, enjoy the aerial view of the Nyungwe Forest through the 160-meters’ long suspended bridge towering at over 45 meters from the forest valley. This is so far the World’s most thrilling Canopy walkway and while at it, let loose your emotions as you encounter different birds, butterflies and primates. Meet your private safari drive for a drive back to the Lodge for the rest of the evening.
Day 4: Guided Forest walk in Nyungwe Forest
Much as chimpanzee tend to garner most of the attention and spotlight in Nyungwe Forest National Park, the guided forest walks through any of the 13 well-maintained hiking trails offer nothing below spectacular. This Forest is home to over 75 mammal species including 12 species of primates, over 1000 species of flora that include over 300 tree species, more than 300 bird species and about 200 butterfly species.
Waterfalls, Rivers and many other attractions of this Park can be well uncovered during forest walks. Enjoy a picnic Lunch in the middle of the jungle and retreat to your Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Drive to Kibuye, Lake Kivu
Your delicious breakfast is followed by road trip to Kibuye area on the shores of Lake Kivu. Enjoy views of the jaw-dropping countryside marked by lush valleys, agricultural farms and on arrival, be treated to a hot meal at one of the Lodges/Hotels overlooking the tranquil Lake.
In the afternoon take a boat ride on the Lake to explore the different Islands or just choose to swim in the refreshing bilharzia-free waters. You can instead opt for a guided community walk and our exploration continues the next day.
Day 6: Canoe ride on Lake Kivu and drive to Volcanoes National Park
Breakfast and take a discovery canoe ride on Lake Kivu to tour the fishing villages and interact with the local fishermen and other residents living on the Islands of this Lake. Return back to your Lodge for Lunch before beginning your journey to Volcanoes National Park. The outskirts of this Park is where you will spend your next 2 nights.
Day 7: Sensational Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Park Headquarters in Kinigi for gorilla registration and briefing that lasts 30-45 minutes. This is undeniably your Rwanda safari’s main highlight and thus, take a deep breath and prepare your bag of emotions for this life-changing trek. First, be driven to the trailhead but before venturing into the dense jungles, enough drinking water, comfortable hiking boots, walking stick, waterproof backpack containing the rain jacket, camera and other trekking gear is a must-have.
The total time spent in the forest is 2-6 hours (including the one hour with mountain gorillas) and depends on their location. Also, the location of these Giant Apes depends on the availability of food, temperature and movement the previous day. Religiously follow the guidelines issued during briefing while watching and taking photographs.
Retire to the Lodge with fresh memories of your gorilla encounter and in the afternoon, undertake a tour to Gorilla Guardian Village. Later at sunset return back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking or Dian Fossey Grave Hike and drive to Akagera National Park
After breakfast at the Lodge, choose between trekking the Golden Monkeys and Hiking to the Dian Fossey Gravesite. Whichever activity you choose, it will be worthwhile and later check-out of the Lodge for a drive to Kigali City. Lunch at Ruhengeri and this drive takes 2-3 hours. Straightaway begin your journey to Akagera National Park and the journey lasts only 2 hours.
Day 9: Game drive through the Northern circuit and Boat ride on Lake Ihema
On this day you undertake a game drive through the Northern circuit of Akagera National Park, where you look out for the big five animals-Cape buffaloes, Eastern black Rhinos, African bush elephants, Leopards and Lions, bushbucks, Rothschild giraffes, common elands, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Oribis and many others. However, it is not a 100% guarantee to meet all these species but chances are nonetheless high.
In the afternoon head for the boat ride on Lake Ihema, a perfect way to encounter water-dwelling animals like Nile crocodiles and Hippos, not forgetting elephants, buffaloes and antelopes that also visit the shores of the Lake to quench their thirst. Also watch-out for the numerous aquatic and wetland bird species.
Day 10: Morning game drive and transfer back to Kigali
We undertake a morning game drive through the southern Circuit of Akagera National Park that also shelters more of this Park’s wildlife and bird species. Leave the Park and drive back to Kigali City for a drop-off at the Airport or Hotel. This marks the end of the 10 days Best of Rwanda Safari.
End of 10 Days Best of Rwanda Safari.
