Day 1: Pick Up – Transfer to Gisenyi – Relaxation at the Beach
Start your beach holiday by transferring to Gisenyi early in the morning at 0700hrs. Located about 170 kilometers from Kigali, the approximately 4 hours drive to Gisenyi offers scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and green landscapes. Upon arrival, you check in to your hotel. Once you’ve settled in and enjoyed your lunch, you will head to Lake Kivu’s beaches. Gisenyi boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Rwanda, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply relaxing by the water. Gisenyi Public Beach is the most popular spot, with golden sands and calm waters ideal for families.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury), Kivu Paradise Hotel (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Boat Ride – Hot Springs – Return to Kigali
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. At 0800hrs, you will embark on a boat ride to explore the lake and Visit the Hot Springs of Nyamyumba. Known for their healing properties, these natural hot springs offer a unique way to unwind and enjoy the nature of Gisenyi. Locals often bathe in the hot springs, believing in their therapeutic benefits. It’s a relaxing experience and a fascinating look into local traditions. On return, you’ll dine for lunch and enjoy a meal while overlooking the lake. Following lunch, you’ll embark on the return journey to Kigali, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and landscapes they’ve experienced over the past few days. You will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your homebound flights.
End of the 2 Day Lake Kivu Beach Tour.
Day 1: Pick Up – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Iby’wacu Cultural Experience
Kickstart your gorilla trekking adventure with an exploration of Kigali. At 1000hrs, our driver guide will pick you upand embark on a scenic 2-3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park.
In the afternoon at 1400hrs, you’ll immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you have the chance to interact with the local community and learn about traditional Rwandan norms and customs as you enjoy performances of traditional dances and songs. The village tour also includes demonstrations of traditional medicine, basket weaving, and hunting techniques, offering a glimpse into the local way of life and Rwanda’s rich heritage. Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge followed by an evening relaxation.
Dinner and overnight at One & Only Gorillas Nest (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Sambora Kinigi/Ingagi Parkview Lodge (Midrange), Classic Resort Lodge/Lalocanda Boutique Hotel (Budget)
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Return to Kigali – Departure.
Our final day in Volcanoes National Park begins with 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 lunch, reliving each moment of the trek.
After our Lunch, we will return to Kigali (2.5-3-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.
End of the 2 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 1: Pick Up – Transfer to Akagera National Park – Sunset Boat Ride – Night Game Drive
After breakfast at 0700hrs, you will be picked up by our driver guide and 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 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. 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
Dinner and overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Game Lodge (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Day Big Game Safari – Return to Kigali
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. Your driver guide will pick a spot to have a picnic lunch. Following lunch, you’ll embark on the return journey to Kigali, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and landscapes they’ve experienced over the past few days. You will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your homebound flights.
Day 1: Pick Up – Cultural Immersion Tour –Transfer to Nyungwe National Park– Canopy Walk
Early in the morning at 0600hrs, you will be picked up and 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.
You will arrive in the afternoon at 1400hrs and 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 then check in to your 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)
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking–Return Journey to Kigali
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. After lunch, you will begin the journey back to Kigali (5-hour drive). Whether you’re continuing your travels or heading home, the memories from Nyungwe will stay with you. You will be dropped off at your accommodation.
1 Day Kigali City Tour
Following a relaxed breakfast at 08h00, you will be picked up and driven for 20 minutes to Kigali Genocide Memorial to commemorate the 1994 Tutsi Genocide where the remains of over 250,000 people are interred in mass graves. The center is a permanent memorial site for those who fell victim to the genocide and serves as a place in which the bereaved could bury their family and friends. At 10h00 after this heartfelt and eye-watering tour, you will indulge yourself in the Rwandan coffee culture, this 2-hour specialty coffee master class experience will usher you into the entire process of coffee processing, from the plant to the coffee bean, observing how it grows, ripens, harvested up to the final stage of brewing into the cup. You will have lunch at Question café. Thereafter, you will then indulge yourself in a sightseeing tour around Kigali city including visits to the Kimironko local market and some of the most blended art centers like Inema art gallery seating a galore of the finest artists in Kigali. After your sightseeing tour, you will be returned to your hotel or dropped off at the airport to catch up with your homebound flight.
End of the 1 Day Kigali City Tour
Day 1: Pick Up – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Iby’wacu Cultural Experience
Your Gorilla trekking excursion begins with rising early. At 0400hrs, our driver guide will pick you up and embark on a scenic 2-3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. You will head to the park’s headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers about the guidelines for 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.
After our Lunch, we will return to Kigali (2.5-3-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.
End of the 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Volcanoes National Park
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Morning Boat Ride – Game Drive
After breakfast at 0400hrs, you will be picked up by our driver guide and 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 at 0700hrs, you’ll check in at the park reception and head for a serene boat ride on Lake Ihema departing at 0730hrs, 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. 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.
After the boat ride at 1000hrs, you will start your game drive through Akagera’s northern plains which is rewarding with herds of zebras, giraffes, and antelopes roaming freely. 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. Your driver guide will pick a spot to have a picnic lunch. Following lunch, you’ll embark on the return journey to Kigali, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and landscapes they’ve experienced over the past few days. You will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your homebound flights.
End of the 1 Day Akagera National Park Wildlife Safari.