14 Day – Best of Rwanda's untamed Wild Destinations
Wildlife guided Game drives, Primate expedition and unique cultural encounter.
Overview:
This 14 Days – Best of Rwanda Safari starts and ends in Kigali international Airport. Meet eye to eye with the amazing Gorillas and chimpanzees of Rwanda in their natural habitat, one of Africa’s major highlights. This close encounter with these amazing apes is simply breathtaking. Also get a close encounter with other diverse African wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and amazing culture and if you are a keen Birder, this is the place to be!
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to the Hotel
Day 2: Morning Visit to Genocide Rwanda Museum – Transfer to Akagera NP
Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
Day 4: Transfer to Ruhengeri where you will have an overnight at the slopes of the Volcanoes
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking Experience
Day 6: Hike to Diana Fossey Grave – Visit to Ibya Iwacu Village
Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking – Afternoon Canoe on the Twin Lakes, Lake Ruhondo and Burera
Day 8: Hike Mount Muhabura
Day 9: Banana Beer Experience with Red Rocks – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Day 10: Chimps Trekking Experience
Day 11: Black and White Columbus Monkey Trekking – Canopy walk in the afternoon
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Kivu for Relaxation – Enjoy a sunset Boat
Day 13: Enjoy the whole day at the Beach
Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your onward Flight Back Home
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to the Hotel
| Meet and greet at Kigali International Airport where your Rwanda Adventure Safari starts by our representative who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities. Your will then be transferred to your hotel where you will be briefed about your adventure safari.
Depending on the time of arrival you are advised to have money Changed on this day and time allowing you may go for city tour with the help of our driver/guide, visit the shopping Malls around town and craft villages to get items which you may need while in upcountry. |
Overnight: Flame Tree Village Meal Plan: B/B |
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Day 2: Morning Visit to Genocide Rwanda Museum – Transfer to Akagera NP
| After Breakfast, transfer to Kigali and visit the Genocide memorial center in Kigali – The center was officially opened in 2004 to Mark the 10th commemoration of 1994 genocide that was against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The center serves as the final place where masses can flock to grieve for their lost ones, and as for today; it acts as a museum where both locals and international visitors can learn about the history, implementation and consequences of genocide.
Later enjoy a road trip to Akagera NP; driving East of Rwanda you will Have Lunch in a selected Restaurant reaching in the Early Afternoon to Relax. |
Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Camp Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
| Rise a bit early (6:00am) and with your morning cup of coffee, set off for a wonderful morning game drive through the savannah woodlands to have clear glimpse of various wildlife species among which include the hyenas, lions, Impalas, buffaloes, elephants and zebras etc. Return to your lodge midmorning for lunch or continue with a game drive. After a Hot Lunch and step out for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema for aquatic wildlife viewing like the hippopotami, crocodiles etc | Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Camp Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 4: Transfer to Ruhengeri where you will have an overnight at the slopes of the Volcanoes
| After breakfast, you will transfer to Ruhengeri following the dramatic Topography and Plantations, you will reach in Time for Lunch – Relax whole afternoon at Lodge as You wait for the Next adventure. | Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 5: Gorilla Tracking Experience
| After an early breakfast depart to the starting point for briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure after which you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins.
Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas before finally sloping down back to your lodge. |
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 6: Hike to Diana Fossey Grave – Visit to Ibya Iwacu Village
| After breakfast, proceed with the trail head to access the karisoke research Camp which is about 10 minutes from the park boundary Trekking to the Dian Fossey’s grave takes about one and half to 2-hour hike which too rewards you with good views of forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species. This hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The hike involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience. At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons unknown.
After lunch in the Jungle lunch, you may enjoy a hike to Ibyiwacu Community which is a Profit Umbrella that that aims at improving the lives of Poachers or the Community through Community initiatives, supporting community development and livelihood based projects. Share their stories and Knowledge. |
Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking – Afternoon Canoe on the Twin Lakes, Lake Ruhondo and Burera
| After Breakfast, head to Kinigi at The Headquarters where you will receive a Briefing about Golden Monkey Tracking, you will later Head to the Forest and open fields for a search of Golden Monkeys with Your Ranger Guide, these monkeys are quicker than Gorillas thus may need quick Pictures and movements as you follow them and as they swing on Branches and climb small and big Trees. Later enjoy a Canoe on sunset exploring the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera, be sure to wave to some fishermen and other clients in the canoe. |
Overnight: Ruhondo Resort Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 8: Hike Mount Muhabura
| After breakfast have a memorable hike of Mount Muhabura which is too commonly known as Mount Muhavura. It is an extinct volcano in the Virunga Mountains found on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. At 4,127 metres (13,540 ft) Muhabura is the third highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range, which is a part of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. The name Muhabura means “The Guide” in the local language, Kinyarwanda.
Climbing and hiking Muhavura Mountain is an adventurous and a worthwhile visit walking through the beautiful terrains which are varied and often like a desert. the open slopes are covered with thick shrubs and thickets which are broad spinned plants which look like Yucca. The trails that you walk through as you get to see all the 3-peaks normally turn foggy in the mountains. The walk is through muddy and slippery grounds as it rains on and off. And as you get to the summit, you find small crater ponds which are pristine and completely hiding in a slight hollow like shape. |
Overnight: Ruhondo Resort Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 9: Banana Beer Experience with Red Rocks – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
| After Breakfast at The Lodge, we will drive to Musanze to head to the village where you will learn how to grow bananas, their species, ripening process, demonstration of making beer. The banana beer is manufactured from fermentation of mashed bananas and roasted Sorghum flour is added as a source of wild yeast. You will visit different families for historical background of homemade beer and further demonstration. You will end the tour by visiting a local pub where banana beer and other local homemade beer are being served and enjoy interacting with local people.
Later, Transfer to Nyungwe forest |
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 10: Chimps Trekking Experience
| Take an early morning breakfast then with your packed lunch drive to this park for the starting point of your Chimpanzee trek. Two species of chimpanzee occur in Africa. There is the Bonobo and the Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (often shortened to Chimpanzee, and sometimes referred to as the Robust Chimpanzee). The largest remaining populations occur in central Africa (Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon). About only 400 individuals, the population in Rwanda is an endangered one. However; it should be mentioned that it is not guaranteed to see the chimps as they are unpredictable and can move long distances in one day. Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of Montane forest in East and Central Africa and it is an incredibly rich area of biodiversity. Later depart for your nature walk visiting Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest comprises amongst many things at least 200 tree species over 280 bird species and more than 100 different types of colorful butterfly which make it a true feast of the senses for the nature lover. Later return for dinner and overnight at your hotel. Later, Transfer to Nyungwe forest |
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 11: Black and White Columbus Monkey Trekking – Canopy walk in the afternoon
| After Breakfast, join the briefing team and enjoy the trek alongside the large troops of black and white colobus monkeys which reside in Nyungwe Forest. These primates often travel in groups of over 300 individuals. It is possible to purchase a permit to trek these animals. Walking through a montane rainforest and being surrounded on all levels by these active and cheeky monkeys is an experience not to be missed.
Have Lunch at The Hotel, later in the afternoon Later we will drive to Uwinka, the main reception center of the park, and set out for the canopy walk to experience which will give us a different perspective of the park – the Canopy Walkway is a highlight of a Nyungwe Safari and hangs 60 meters above the forest floor between giant trees and towers, this is East Africa’s only Canopy Walkway that provides a stunning view of the park’s amazing wildlife and nature. The Walkway accesses several trails including the famous Igishigishigi trail if one is interested in hiking one! Enjoy epic views of the Nyungwe forest and catch elusive wildlife in the canopies such as monkeys and birds! |
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Meal Plan: F/B |
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Day 12: Transfer to Lake Kivu for Relaxation – Enjoy a sunset Boat
| After Breakfast, enjoy a Leisure Drive to Lake Kivu, you may stopover for sight Seeings which will give you an opportunity to take some photographs of the Community. | Overnight: Paradise Malahide Meal Plan: B/B |
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Day 13: Enjoy the whole day at the Beach
| After Breakfast, be sure to be at the Beach here, you will have meals at the Hotel and still spend the whole Day overlooking the water. | Overnight: Paradise Malahide Meal Plan: B/B |
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Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your onward Flight Back Home
Transfer to Kigali and Time allowing Proceed to visit the oldest Nyamirambo town in Kigali which has a stretched neighborhood found in southwestern corner of Kigali that envelopes diverse behavior with dominancy of Arab – like Culture. It is a huge stretched corner which is sometimes referred to as a gangsters’ Paradise! Characterized with Many Muslim residents, Mosques and unlike other places that close by 8pm with everyone inside their homes, Nyamirambo hustles and rocks late into the nights!
Later Transfer to the Airport for Out Bound Flight Back Home.
✔ Inclusions
- All ground private transportation in A 4×4 safari Land Cruiser vehicle with all fuel
- Full time professional and well trained driver/guide with all his associated expenses
- Accommodation based on per person sharing
- Meals are on Full Board apart from in Cities or Towns.
- Gorilla Tracking Permits @ 1500 per person in Volcanoes
- Banana Beer Making Experience
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe
- Guided Hike to Muhabura
- Guided Canoe on the Twin Lakes
- Golden Monkey Tracking
- Black and white Columbus Monkey Tracking
- Guided Canopy walk
- Guided Game Drive
- Visit to Ibya Iwacu Village
- Guided Boat Safari
- Hike To Diana Fossey Grave
- Sunset Boat on Lake Kivu
- City Centre site Visits & Drives
- Well bottled mineral water
- Any other items included in the above itinerary
❌ Exclusions
- International Air tickets
- Visas
- Personal insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, etc
- All meals en route and in cities
- Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary
- All optional activities