This 9 Day Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari will take you through Rwanda and Uganda’s iconic landscapes, allowing you to connect intimately with the two country’s incredible wildlife, including the majestic mountain gorillas plus golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and the agile chimpanzees and Canopy Walk experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Explore the wonders of Rwanda’s Akagera National Park with unparalleled wildlife encounters of over 8,000 large mammals and over 480 bird species. This adventure, designed for the ultimate nature lover, is perfect for those seeking a rare, close-up encounter with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Safari Highlights:
- Night Game drive.
- Day Game drives.
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
- Kigali city tour.
- Rwanda Monarchy history at King’s Palace Museum.
- Chimpanzee tracking experiences.
- Canopy walk experience.
- Tea plantation tour experience.
- Gorilla trekking adventure in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
- Golden Monkeys tracking.
- Batwa cultural experience.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host, who will ensure a seamless transition from the airport and aid you through fast-track assistance with visas and luggage collection. After the immigration and baggage collection process, you will be handed over to our driver guide to start your safari journey. You will then be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at The Retreat by Heaven/Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel des Milles Collines (Midrange), 5 Swiss Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Akagera National Park – Night Game Drive.
After breakfast at 0600hrs, you’ll enjoy a brief city tour through Kigali, exploring cultural landmarks, local markets, and historic sites. You’ll visit Kigali Genocide Memorial which will provide you with a moving insight into Rwanda’s Genocide history and resilience, serving as a reminder of the strength of its people. Following our Kigali exploration, you will set off from Kigali, the vibrant capital city, and journey to Akagera National Park, located approximately 2.5 hours east of Kigali. The drive alone offers captivating scenery as it weaves through the Rwandan countryside, giving visitors an early taste of the country’s natural beauty. Upon arrival, you will check into a remarkable lodge that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings followed by lunch. In the evening at 1700hrs, you will head out for sunset, and night game safari, a must-do experience as the soft golden light creates ideal photography conditions in the Northern part of Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park spans over 1,122 square kilometers and features a variety of ecosystems, from lush wetlands to savannahs and woodlands. Founded in 1934, the park is managed in partnership with the African Parks Network, which has been instrumental in restoring and preserving its biodiversity.
Dinner and overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Game Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3: Big Game Safari – Boat Ride on Lake Ihema.
Day 3 is all about spotting the Big Five game: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Early in the morning at 0600hrs, you will start your game drive to maximize wildlife sightings. A morning game drive through Akagera’s northern plains is particularly rewarding, with herds of zebras, giraffes, and antelopes roaming freely. The more elusive predators, like lions and leopards, tend to be active during these cooler hours, enhancing the chance of sightings. A game drive along Kilala Plains reveals large buffalo herds, elephants, and grazing antelopes while driving along the Lake Shakani trail offers excellent views of hippos and crocodiles and Mutumba Hills Offers panoramic views of the park’s valleys and lakes and the rolling hills. You will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon at 1400hrs, you’ll serene boat ride on Lake Ihema, Akagera’s largest lake and an essential habitat for a diverse range of aquatic wildlife. The boat safari offers an intimate view of hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as a spectacular range of birdlife, including the African fish eagle, papyrus gonolek, and shoebill stork. This guided tour provides insights into the lake’s ecosystem, as well as the conservation measures in place to protect these species.
Dinner and overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Game Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Scenic Game Drive and Return to Kigali.
The final day allows for a relaxed morning game drive. After breakfast at 0600hrs, you will head out for one last game drive to have a last chance to spot any remaining wildlife. We will take you to visit parts of the park we may have missed in the previous game drives or revisit favorite spots from previous days. Following the morning drive, you’ll embark on the return journey to Kigali, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and landscapes they’ve experienced over the past four days.
Dinner and overnight at The Retreat by Heaven/Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel des Milles Collines (Midrange), 5 Swiss Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Cultural Immersion Tour – Transfer to Nyungwe National Park.
After breakfast on this exciting day at 0600hrs, you will start on a 2-hour journey to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, a historic and cultural landmark that provides insight into Rwanda’s royal heritage. This palace is an impressive reproduction of a traditional royal residence, with its thatched roofs and distinctive architecture. During this guided tour, you’ll experience a glimpse of Rwanda’s monarchical traditions and courtly life. The palace is famous for its resident royal cows, known as “Inyambo,” which symbolize Rwandan heritage and are revered for their elegance. This enriching experience sets the cultural foundation for the days to come. You will continue with your scenic journey 3.5-hour drive through Rwanda’s iconic rolling hills and local communities to Nyungwe National Park. The drive itself offers a glimpse of Rwanda’s beauty and a chance to witness rural life up close. Upon arrival, you will settle in at a lodge near the park entrance.
Dinner and overnight stay at One and Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Midrange) Emeraude Kivu Resort (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking – Canopy Walk Experience.
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe starts early in the morning at 0500hrs. With a packed breakfast, your guide will drive to Cyamudongo visitor reception where an experienced guide will give a briefing that will usher you into the chimpanzee tracking guidelines. You will dive into the forest with a ranger guide in your lead searching for the chimpanzees. The dense, mist-covered forest provides an unforgettable setting as trekkers navigate through steep and sometimes muddy paths. The chimpanzees of Nyungwe are accustomed to human presence but remain unpredictable, making each tracking experience unique. The trek can last between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location, so physical endurance and appropriate gear, including hiking boots, rain gear, and insect repellent, are essential. As you reach the chimpanzees, a sense of awe fills the group. You will watch the chimps interact, play, and communicate in ways that reveal their intelligence and complex social structures. This encounter, which typically lasts about an hour, is a profound experience that highlights the beauty of wildlife in its natural form. You will return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon at 1400hrs, you report to Uwinka Park reception for a briefing before undertaking the canopy walk experience, a key highlight in Nyungwe. Suspended 50 meters above the ground, this 160-meter bridge offers panoramic views of the rainforest and the unique chance to observe wildlife from above. The canopy walk allows for sightings of other primates, such as the L’Hoest’s monkey and blue monkeys, as well as numerous bird species like the great blue turaco, making it ideal for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. After this exhilarating activity, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at One and Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Midrange) Emeraude Kivu Resort (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 7: Tea Plantation Tour – Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Following a hearty breakfast at 0700hrs, you will take a scenic drive to a local tea estate, where you’ll learn about the tea-making process, from leaf to cup. At the tea estate, a guided tour covers the entire production cycle, from harvesting and drying the leaves to packaging. You’ll even have the chance to sample freshly brewed tea while taking in panoramic views of the plantation. The tea tour offers a fascinating insight into one of Rwanda’s most significant agricultural exports. After an exhilarating crop-to-cup tea tour, you will embark on a scenic 6-hour drive to the southwestern part of Ugandawith beautiful views of the Rwandan countryside, with terraced hills and lush valleys. Your destination is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where gold meets silver located in the small town of Kisoro.Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge followed by dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Mt. Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Lake Chahaffi Resort (Midrange), Travellers Rest Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Batwa Cultural Experience.
Our first full day in Mgahinga National Park is all about meeting the gorillas! Rising early, you will fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to the park’s headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers about the guidelines on gorilla trekking. Equipped with trekking gear and excitement, you’ll embark on a guided journey through dense forests, bamboo groves, and hilly terrains. The trek varies between 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, you encounter other fascinating wildlife, a wide array of bird species, and unique plant life that thrives in the volcanic soil. After navigating the forest, you’ll finally meet a family of mountain gorillas. During a one-hour interaction time permitted, you watch them play, feed, and rest, capturing memories that will last a lifetime. Observing these majestic creatures up close is a humbling experience as the gorillas’ expressive faces and close-knit family bonds leave a profound impression. Returning to our lodge, we unwind and share stories from the day over a delicious dinner, reliving each moment of the trek.
At 1400hrs, you will visit the Batwa also known as the “Keepers of the Forest,” for a cultural experience. Through a guided cultural experience, you’ll learn about their history, traditions, and lifestyle, which are deeply intertwined with the forest. You’ll enjoy traditional dances, songs, and demonstrations of Batwa hunting, honey, and medicine-gathering techniques, enriching your understanding of the local heritage.
Dinner and overnight at Mt. Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Lake Chahaffi Resort (Midrange), Travellers Rest Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking – Departure.
Our final day in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begins with an exciting trek to see the golden monkeys. After breakfast at 07h00, you will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about Golden Monkeys Trekking code of conduct heading out to the Golden Monkey trails. These rare and lively primates are endemic to the Virunga Mountains, adding another layer of diversity to our wildlife experience. The golden monkeys are known for their playful nature and watching them leap from tree to tree is a joyous sight. This half-day trek offers a less strenuous but equally captivating exploration of the park’s biodiversity.
After our golden monkey trek, we will return to Kigali (4-hour drive). Depending on your time of Departure, you’ll bid farewell to Rwanda, taking with you, unforgettable memories and a newfound appreciation for the wonders of Volcanoes National Park.
Safari Inclusion
1. All permits and park entrance fees.
2. All ground transportation in a 4WD Vehicle.
3. Night Game drive.
4. Day Game drives.
5. Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
6. Kigali city tour.
7. Canopy walk experience.
8. Tea plantation tour experience.
9. King’s Palace Museum visit.
10. Kayaking.
11. Boat Ride on Lake Kivu.
12. Night fishing.
13. All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
14. English-speaking Experienced Safari guide.
15. Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
16. Refreshments and snacks in the vehicle.
Safari Exclusions
1. All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide.
2. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
3. International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
4. Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.