14 Days Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Kigali City Tour

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. After settling in and enjoying some time to refresh, you will begin a guided city tour introducing you to Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore important parts of the city and enjoy views across Kigali’s rolling hills. You can also visit local craft markets and galleries to discover Rwandan art, handmade products and traditional designs. The evening will be spent at your hotel, where you can relax and prepare for the safari adventure ahead.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Kigali to Akagera National Park and Evening Boat Safari

After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and travel towards eastern Rwanda, enjoying scenic views of the countryside along the way. Your journey takes you to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s principal savannah wildlife destination and home to diverse habitats of open plains, woodland, wetlands and lakes. After checking into your lodge and having lunch, you will have time to relax before embarking on an afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema. The boat experience gives you an opportunity to observe hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds while enjoying the peaceful scenery surrounding the lake. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the atmosphere of the African wilderness.

Accommodation Options: Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Wilderness Magashi
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park

You will wake early for breakfast before setting out on a full-day game drive through Akagera National Park. The park is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and many other species. Your experienced guide will follow suitable game tracks and help you identify animals, birds and other interesting features of the savannah ecosystem. You will enjoy a picnic or lodge-prepared lunch during the day’s adventure before continuing your exploration of the park. The varied scenery of grasslands, lakes, wetlands and woodland provides excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife observation. In the late afternoon, you will return to your lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest.

Accommodation Options: Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Wilderness Magashi
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, you will leave Akagera and begin the scenic journey towards the southwestern part of Rwanda. The drive takes you through the country’s famous rolling hills, rural communities, cultivated landscapes and changing vegetation zones. You will have opportunities to stop at suitable viewpoints and local settlements along the way, allowing you to appreciate the remarkable scenery for which Rwanda is famous. Depending on your chosen route and timing, you may stop for lunch before continuing towards the ancient forests of Nyungwe. Nyungwe is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, including chimpanzees, numerous primate species, birds, butterflies and ancient rainforest vegetation. On arrival near the park, you will check into your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee experience.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park

You will rise early and have breakfast before heading into Nyungwe National Park for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience. Accompanied by experienced trackers and park guides, you will walk through the rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Nyungwe is one of Rwanda’s most important primate destinations and is home to a remarkable diversity of forest species. As you walk through the forest, you will also look for other primates, colourful birds, butterflies, plants and signs of wildlife activity. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend time observing their behaviour while following the park’s wildlife guidelines. After the trek, you will return to your accommodation for lunch, relaxation and an evening at leisure.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk and Nature Experience

After breakfast, you will return to the forest for another memorable experience in Nyungwe. The highlight of the morning will be the famous canopy walkway, which gives you a different perspective of the rainforest from above the forest floor. The experience allows you to appreciate the extensive tree canopy, surrounding mountains and dense vegetation while watching for birds and primates. Rwanda promotes the canopy walkway as one of its distinctive adventure experiences within its forest environment. After the canopy experience, you may enjoy a guided forest walk or a more relaxed nature experience depending on conditions and your interests. You will return to the lodge for lunch and have the afternoon available for relaxation, photography or enjoying the lodge surroundings. The evening will provide another peaceful night close to the rainforest.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Nyungwe National Park to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will depart Nyungwe and travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu in western Rwanda. The journey takes you through spectacular mountainous landscapes, with numerous opportunities to appreciate the country’s terraced hills and rural communities. As you approach the lake, the scenery changes as the expansive waters of Lake Kivu come into view. Lake Kivu is one of Rwanda’s major attractions, known for its islands, inlets, beaches and scenic shoreline. After arriving at your hotel, you will enjoy lunch and have time to relax beside the lake. The afternoon can be spent swimming, taking a leisurely walk along the shoreline or simply enjoying the views before dinner.

Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise and Lakeside Exploration

You will begin the day with a relaxed breakfast before setting out to explore more of the Lake Kivu region. A boat excursion will allow you to experience the lake from the water while enjoying views of its islands, surrounding hills and lakeside communities. Depending on your interests, you can visit one of the nearby islands or enjoy a peaceful cruise along the shoreline. You may also participate in activities such as kayaking or take a guided walk through the surrounding area. Lake Kivu is well suited to outdoor experiences including kayaking, hiking and cycling, offering a pleasant contrast to the intensive wildlife activities earlier in the safari. After lunch, you will have free time to relax at the lodge, enjoy the lake views or take part in an optional activity. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at your lakeside accommodation.

Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you will leave Lake Kivu and travel northwards towards Musanze and Volcanoes National Park. The journey offers beautiful views of Rwanda’s mountainous countryside, with the dramatic Virunga volcanoes becoming increasingly prominent as you approach the park. Volcanoes National Park is internationally recognised for its mountain gorillas and is also home to golden monkeys and other forest wildlife. After arriving in the Musanze area, you will check into your lodge and enjoy lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to relaxation and preparation for your gorilla trekking experience, including checking your walking equipment and receiving a briefing about the following day’s adventure. You can spend the evening enjoying the views of the volcanoes and having an early dinner before resting.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is one of the major highlights of your Rwanda safari as you embark on a mountain gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you will travel to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing before beginning your trek into the forest. The length and difficulty of the trek can vary depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family allocated to you. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend the permitted viewing period observing their behaviour, family interactions and movements in their natural forest environment. The experience offers an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate Rwanda’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting the mountain gorilla habitat. After completing the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch, rest and an evening at leisure.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking and Volcanoes Forest Experience

After breakfast, you will head back towards Volcanoes National Park for a golden monkey tracking experience. These distinctive primates are associated with the Virunga volcanic forests and provide a different wildlife encounter from the previous day’s gorilla trekking. The hike will take you through the forest while your guide and trackers help you locate the golden monkey groups. You will have time to observe their behaviour, movements and interactions while appreciating the surrounding forest ecosystem. The activity also provides an opportunity to explore the lower sections of the volcanic forest and enjoy the scenery around the Virunga mountains. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation. You can spend the evening enjoying the peaceful surroundings before dinner and your final night in the Volcanoes region.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12: Dian Fossey Memorial and Musanze Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will enjoy a slower-paced day exploring the cultural and conservation attractions around Volcanoes National Park. You may visit the Dian Fossey-related conservation site and learn about the history of mountain gorilla research and conservation in the Virunga region. You will then have an opportunity to explore Musanze and interact with local communities, artisans or cultural groups depending on the arrangements made for your safari. Rwanda’s tourism experiences extend beyond wildlife to include traditional dance, crafts, architecture and community-based cultural activities. Lunch will be enjoyed in the Musanze area before you continue with a relaxed afternoon. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and another comfortable overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13: Volcanoes National Park to Kigali via Nyanza

After breakfast, you will begin your journey back towards Kigali, travelling through Rwanda’s scenic central and southern countryside. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop in Nyanza, the historic royal capital of Rwanda, where you can learn more about the country’s pre-colonial heritage and royal traditions. Depending on your interests and available time, you may visit the King’s Palace Museum and experience aspects of Rwanda’s cultural history before continuing towards Kigali. The journey provides another opportunity to appreciate the country’s carefully cultivated hills, rural settlements and changing landscapes. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax after the long journey. In the evening, you can enjoy a farewell dinner and reflect on the wildlife, landscapes and cultural experiences encountered throughout your safari.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14: Departure

After breakfast, you will have your final morning in Kigali, depending on the timing of your international flight. If your departure is later in the day, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping, photography or relaxation at your hotel. Your Verdant Safaris representative will assist with your departure arrangements and transfer you to Kigali International Airport in good time for check-in. As you leave Rwanda, you will carry memories of the country’s savannah wildlife, ancient rainforests, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, beautiful Lake Kivu and welcoming communities. Your safari officially ends at the airport, marking the conclusion of your 14 Days Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Verdant Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast)