8 Days Best of Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Safari Highlights
Outstanding scenery
Interesting rural countryside
Cultural interaction
Plenty of wild-life viewing gorillas and more
Routing: Kigali-Akagera-Butare-Nyungwe-Lake Kivu-Volcanoes Park - Kigali 
Tour Summary
8 days tour covering the entire, although comparatively tiny country of Rwanda. It includes a short tour of Kigali town You go tracking gorillas once, you visit the King’s palace and delve into the largest remaining mountain forest in the whole of East Africa.
Day 1: Drive Kigali – Akagera Natioal Park
On arrival at Kigali Airport (morning), Meet and Greet services, including briefing and introduction to your safari driver-guide. Enjoy a short city tour of Kigali. After lunch we drive North-East to Akagera National Park (2 hours on a fairly good road). Dinner and Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 2: Day in Akagera National park
Full day with game drives in the park.
The Akagera National park is named after the river that runs along the eastern boundary. It is Rwanda's answer to the famous savannah reserves of East and Southern Africa. The park supports an extensive network of wetlands; a complex of a dozen lakes linked by papyrus swamps and winding water channels fed by the mighty Akagera river. Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodlands to drink at the lakes and lucy visitors might come across a leopard, spotted hyena or lion. Giraffe, Zebra and more than a dozen type of antelope, including the world's largest antelope, the cape Eland inhabit the park. The lakes support some of the highest concentration of hippo you'll ever find anywhere in Africa, while outsized crocodiles soak up the sun with their massive jaws menacingly agape. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 3: Drive Akagera National park – Butare – Nyungwe Forest Reserve
After breakfast, we drive South-East for 4 hours to Butare. This small town is the
cultural and intellectual centre of the country. Just before Butare, we will visit the traditional King's Palace in Nyanza (capital of Rwanda's former kingdom). In Butare, visit the beautiful National Museum with its famous " Intore" dancers. Lunch at Ibis Hotel. Afterwards drive via Gikongoro (optional visit to a genocide memorial site) to Nyungwe Forest. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
After an early breakfast, enter the Nyungwe Forest Reserve in search of primates. Nyungwe Forest Reserve extends across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda. This Forest reserve is the largest mountain forest remaining in East Africa. Of the larger mammals, primates are the most visible with 13 recorded species, representing 25% of the African primate checklist, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, grey-checked mangabey and redtailed monkey. Nyungwe is also home to more than 275 bird species. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House.
Day 5: Nyungwe National Park – Lake Kivu
After an early breakfast, return to the Nyungwe Forest Reserve in search of more primates. The trekking will take you until around 13.00hrs. Enjoy lunch at the Guesthouse.
In the afternoon, from Nyungwe Forest, drive to Kibuye, on the shores of Lake Kivu 3 hours on a very good road). Dinner and overnight at Centre Bethanie.
Day 6: Lake Kivu
Morning at the lake before driving along the lake with spectacular sceneries to its northern part, Gisenyi. Gisenyi is another lake resort at the border with Goma Dinner and overnight at Kivu Sun Hotel or similar.
Day 7: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes park (Mountain Gorillas) - Kigali
After an early breakfast, we drive to Ruhengeri/Kinigi, main base town for gorilla trekking. The drive will take approx. 1 hour on a relatively good paved road through the countryside with its beautiful terraced hills that characterise the rural Rwanda.
Arrive at the park's Headquarters at around 0730hrs for registration and briefing by the park's guides before a morning in the forest tracking the gorillas.
The trekking can take from 3 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.
Lunch at Gorillas Nest Lodge before proceeding back to Kigali where we will arrive at around 1800hrs. Overnight Novotel Umubano or similar.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at the Hotel. Use of room until 10.00hrs only. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
End of services
| Tour Rates | |||
Season | Period | Adult Rate (per person sharing) | Single Room Supplement |
Remarks
Above prices are based on a 2 adults traveling exclusively. For more than 2 persons, let us know.
Children Rates
Children under 12 years of age, pay 50% of the price when sharing with 2 adults.
The prices given above include:
- Arrival & departure transfers to and from international Airport at the destination.
- Bed & breakfast accommodation on the first day where applicable.
- Use of 4x4 safari vehicle for game viewing & photography
- Guaranteed window seats for every participants.
- All Park Entry fees and Gorilla Tracking fees
- Full board meal plan while on Safari – breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Qualified local English - Speaking driver guide (French, Spanish & German on request)
- Game drives as per the program
- All government taxes applicable
