14 Days Rwanda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five Tour.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, embark on a comprehensive exploration of Kigali, one of Africa's cleanest, safest, and most progressive cities. This immersive city tour offers a fascinating blend of Rwanda's history, culture, resilience, and modern transformation.
Your first stop will be the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of the country's most significant historical landmarks. The memorial serves as a place of remembrance for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and provides profound insight into Rwanda's tragic past, remarkable recovery, and ongoing journey toward reconciliation and unity.
Afterward, continue exploring the city's modern neighborhoods, bustling commercial districts, and scenic viewpoints that showcase Kigali's impressive growth and development. You will also visit the vibrant Kimironko Market, the city's largest local market, where colorful stalls display fresh produce, fabrics, handcrafted souvenirs, artwork, and traditional Rwandan products. This visit provides a wonderful opportunity to interact with local vendors and experience everyday life in Rwanda.
Following lunch, continue discovering Kigali's unique blend of tradition and innovation before returning to your hotel in the evening to relax and reflect on the day's experiences.

Following an early breakfast, depart Kigali and begin a scenic journey southwest toward Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa's oldest and most biologically diverse montane rainforests. The drive itself is a memorable experience, taking you through Rwanda's iconic rolling hills, picturesque villages, lush tea plantations, and beautiful countryside landscapes.
En route, you will visit the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza, an important cultural and historical site that offers fascinating insights into Rwanda's traditional monarchy and royal heritage. Explore the reconstructed royal residence and learn about the customs, traditions, and leadership structures that shaped Rwanda before colonial times.
After lunch, continue your journey through Rwanda's scenic highlands, enjoying spectacular views of terraced hillsides and rural communities. Arrive at Nyungwe National Park in the late afternoon and check into your lodge nestled near the ancient rainforest. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of this remarkable wilderness area.

Today promises an exciting encounter with one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before venturing into the ancient Nyungwe Forest in search of its resident chimpanzees.
Accompanied by experienced park guides and trackers, trek through the dense rainforest while listening to the sounds of birds and primates echoing through the canopy. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend time observing their fascinating behavior as they swing through the trees, communicate with one another, forage for food, and interact within their family groups.
Following this memorable wildlife encounter, return to the lodge for lunch before heading to the nearby Gisakura Tea Estate. Here, you will gain a deeper appreciation for one of Rwanda's most important agricultural exports. Learn about the tea cultivation process, from planting and harvesting to processing and packaging.
You will also have the opportunity to interact with local tea farmers, participate in tea picking activities, and enjoy a fresh tea tasting session while overlooking the endless green tea fields that blanket the surrounding hills.
After a rewarding day of wildlife and cultural experiences, return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided hike through Nyungwe Forest to the beautiful Kamiranzovu Waterfalls. The trail takes you through dense rainforest filled with birds, primates, and rich vegetation. At the waterfall, take time to relax and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. After lunch at the lodge, proceed for the famous Canopy Walk experience. Suspended about 70 meters above the forest floor, the walkway offers incredible views of the rainforest and wildlife below. This experience is both thrilling and deeply immersive in nature. It offers a perfect balance of adventure and serenity in one of Africa’s oldest forests.

After breakfast, check out and begin your scenic drive toward Volcanoes National Park. En route, stop at Lake Kivu for a relaxing boat ride across its calm waters. Visit scenic islands such as Napoleon and Amahoro, known for birdlife and fruit bats. Enjoy lunch by the lakeside while taking in the peaceful views. Continue your journey through Rwanda’s beautiful highlands to Musanze. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. The journey offers changing landscapes that showcase Rwanda’s natural beauty. It is a perfect transition from rainforest to volcanic highlands.

After an early breakfast, transfer to park headquarters for a briefing before gorilla trekking. You will be assigned a gorilla family and guided into the rainforest by experienced rangers. The trek may take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Once found, you will spend one magical hour observing their behavior in their natural habitat. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. This is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter that creates lasting memories. It is often described as the highlight of any African safari.

After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your hike. Mount Bisoke is an extinct volcano offering a rewarding trekking experience through diverse vegetation zones. The hike leads to a stunning crater lake at the summit with breathtaking views of the Virunga mountains. Take time at the top before descending back to the base. Return to your lodge in the afternoon for rest and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay. The hike combines physical challenge with incredible scenic rewards. It is ideal for adventure lovers seeking a unique mountain experience.

After breakfast, head into Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. These playful primates are found in bamboo forests and are highly active and entertaining to watch. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for traditional dances, storytelling, and cultural experiences. Learn about Rwanda’s heritage and community life. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. The experience blends wildlife and culture in a meaningful way. It offers a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s traditions and identity.

After breakfast, check out and drive east toward Akagera National Park. The journey offers scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and countryside. Arrive at the park and check into your lodge in the afternoon. Depending on time, enjoy a short introductory game drive inside the park. Spot wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes along the way. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. This marks your transition from volcanic landscapes to savannah wilderness. Akagera offers a completely different safari experience within Rwanda.

After an early breakfast, set off for a full-day game drive in Akagera National Park. Search for the Big Five including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards. The park also hosts giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and diverse bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park in a scenic location. Continue exploring different areas of the park in the afternoon. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. The diversity of wildlife makes every game drive unique and exciting. Each moment offers excellent opportunities for photography and observation.

Begin the day with a boat safari on Lake Ihema after breakfast. Spot hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds along the shores. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, head out for another game drive to explore new areas of the park. This increases your chances of spotting predators and rare wildlife sightings. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. The combination of water and land safari offers a rich wildlife experience. It showcases the full ecological diversity of Akagera.

Start the day with an optional hot air balloon safari over Akagera (at extra cost). This offers stunning aerial views of wildlife and landscapes at sunrise. After landing, enjoy breakfast and relax at the lodge. Later, proceed for another game drive to explore hidden areas of the park. This is a great opportunity for photography and final wildlife encounters. Return to the lodge for your final night in the wild. The balloon safari adds a luxurious perspective to your adventure. It is one of the most memorable experiences in East Africa.

After breakfast, join the “Walk the Line” conservation experience with park rangers. Learn how the park manages wildlife protection and human-wildlife coexistence. After this educational activity, enjoy a final lunch in Akagera. Begin your drive back to Kigali with scenic stopovers along the way. Depending on your flight time, you may have brief city stops before airport transfer. Proceed to Kigali International Airport for departure. This concludes your unforgettable Rwanda safari experience. You leave with lasting memories of wildlife, culture, and landscapes.