The 9 days Rwanda gorilla tour includes gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, Big 5 Safari in Akagera and chimpanzee tracking in either Nyungwe or Kyamudongo forest. Begin with a city tour in Kigali, proceed for primate tracking and birding in Nyungwe Forest National park, connect to Parc National des Virunga for Mountain Gorilla tracking and end with a big game viewing drive in Akagera National Park. The tour starts and ends in Kigali.
Trip Summary – 9 Days Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport. Take a Kigali City Tour through the different Genocide Memorial Sites, Curio shops and Kimironko fruits market.
Day 2: Hiking and Trekking along the colobus Trails in Nyungwe Forest.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Connect to Kibuye in the afternoon.
Day 4: Leave Kibuye for Kinigi via Gisenyi and Ruhengeri.
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in PNV. Visit the twin lakes of Bulera and Rubondo.
Day 6: Day Hike to the Volcanic Mount Bisoke
Day 7: Drive to Akagera National Park. Take a boat ride along Lake Iheema.
Day 8: Big Game Drive in Akagera National Park.
Day 9: Connect to Kigali, do some shopping & later transfer to the airport.
Detailed – 9 Days Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Arrival – Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, our tour guide will welcome and take you for a briefing in the Hotel. A city tour to the Genocide Memorial Museum, curio markets and the Kimironko fruits markets is a great experience of the life style of the Rwandese.
You may visit the old town of Nyamirambo, the new handicraft village, the Batwa pottery, dance centre and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Along the way lunch can be got in one good restaurant around. Thereafter, proceed to Nyungwe National park.
Day 2: Hiking and trekking Colobus trails: Nyungwe forest N.P
Enter Nyungwe forest after breakfast to track the Nyungwe Colobus monkeys. A walk in the forest is a whole learning experience conducted by knowledgeable tour-guides well versed in botany, ornithology and interspecies relationship in this forest. There after, return to your lodge for lunch. Dinner and overnight Nyungwe forest lodge.
Day 3: Chimp trekking in Nyungwe forest & Kibuye City
After a cup of coffee, enter Nyungwe forest (0600hrs) to track the chimpanzees; return to the lodge for lunch, thereafter, connect to Kibuye for dinner and overnight in Kibuye Guest house or Hotel Centre Bethanie.
Day 4: Kibuye-Gisenyi-Ruhengeri & Kinigi (PNV)
After break fast, proceed to Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park Head quarters) from Kibuye via Gisenyi and Ruhengeri. This is a 6hrs drive (213Km). The Kibuye-Gisenyi drive traverses the most beautiful sceneries, providing spectacular views of the tea growing countryside of Gisovu and Kayove. Brief stops are provided for photography and refreshment. A 4 – hours drive takes us to Gisenyi for lunch and a brief city tour. There after drive for 2hrs to Ruhengeri and finally Kinigi; the base of gorilla tracking. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla’s Nest / Kinigi Guest House.
Day 5: Rwanda Gorillas in the Mist: Parc National des Volcans
An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Kinigi station – park headquarters for guide allocation and briefing on the Dos’ and Don’ts while tracking mountain Gorillas. This is followed by a drive to the trailheads where hiking and trekking up the hills to the bamboo zone begins. Hiking to the gorillas may take 2-5 hours, depending on their movements. At least an hour with the mountain Gorillas can suffice. Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 6: Day Hike to Volcanic Mountain Bisoke
Begin early for the day’s hiking of Mt Bisoke, with a beautiful spectacular crater lake. The trail traverses the rainforest inhabited by the endangered mountain gorillas that were the subject of the movie – Gorillas in the Mist with Dian Fossey. The hike to the Crater lake takes about 3 hours up and 2 hours down.
Put on long pants to avoid the stinging nettle plants along the trail. The Mt Bisoke hike is suitable for those who are reasonably fit! Return to the lodge for lunch and relax in the evening while discussing the day’s sightings! Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 7: PNV & Akagera National Park: Boat trip
Start a picnic drive to Kigali after breakfast, enroute, enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. Drive to Akagera National park, through the beautiful undulating plains, composed of dense, broad-leafed woodland, lighter acacia woodland and rolling grassland, also with an extensive series of lakes linked by papyrus swamps forming a sprawling wetland.
After lunch, proceed for a boat trip on Lake Ihema, where you will have a closer look at marine animals like Crocodiles and Hippos, coupled with large concentration of birdlife, with over 525 species identified. Unique species such as Shoe billed stocks and papyrus gonolek are part of the list. Endemics include the jacanas, ibis, sand pipers and herons. Return to Akagera safari Lodge for dinner and overnight!
Day 8: Big 5 game drive
An early start this morning as you join your ranger in an open vehicle for your safari into the Akagera National Park. A half day game drive here will allow you the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Burchell’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck. Have lunch and relax while having a discussion about the safari experience, and prepare for a flight back home.
Day 9: Final day in Rwanda
This is the day to say farewell to your fellow travelers, guide and to a country that has been your home for a short while. Following breakfast, you will connect to Kigali, do some shopping and latter transfer to the airport and catch your flight back home.
End of the tour
Tour Cost Inclusions
- Gorilla Permits
- Chimpanzee permit
- Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
- Canopy walk
- Park entrance fees
- Accommodation & meals
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground TransportMiscellaneous
– Bottled Drinking water
– Government Taxes
Tour Cost Exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Shopping
- Tips
- Extra activities not in the itinerary
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