Experience Rwanda from an extraordinary perspective on this 7 Days Helicopter Wildlife Safari in Rwanda, combining private helicopter transfers, spectacular aerial scenery, wildlife viewing and some of the country’s most remarkable natural destinations. Rwanda offers a compact but remarkably diverse safari landscape, from the savannahs and wetlands of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and the volcanic highlands of Volcanoes National Park. This itinerary has been designed to maximise your time in Rwanda by using helicopter transfers between key destinations where operationally possible, while incorporating game drives, boat excursions, primate experiences and opportunities to appreciate the country’s landscapes from above. Helicopter flights are subject to weather, aircraft availability and operational conditions, so the precise flight times may be adjusted accordingly.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Helicopter Transfer to Akagera National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by the Verdant Safaris team and assisted with your transfer to the helicopter departure point. After a briefing and preparation for your flight, you will board your helicopter for a scenic journey towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s savannah and wetland safari destination. As you fly eastwards, you can enjoy remarkable aerial views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, agricultural landscapes, lakes and changing countryside before reaching the park. Depending on the flight schedule, you will land at an appropriate airstrip or helipad and continue to your lodge. After checking in and enjoying lunch, you will have time to relax before embarking on an afternoon game drive. Akagera is home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and numerous bird species, making your first safari experience an exciting introduction to Rwanda’s wildlife.
Accommodation options in Akagera: Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge.
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Full-Day Akagera Wildlife and Aerial Safari Experience
You will begin the morning with an early breakfast before heading out for an extended wildlife experience in Akagera National Park. The day can combine a traditional 4×4 game drive with a specially arranged aerial experience, allowing you to appreciate the park from two very different perspectives. From ground level, you will explore open savannah, woodland and wetland habitats in search of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife. Akagera’s extensive lakes and wetlands also support hippos, crocodiles and a remarkable variety of waterbirds. You will return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before continuing with an afternoon wildlife activity. If conditions and scheduling permit, the helicopter experience can provide spectacular views of the park’s lakes, wetlands and wildlife-rich plains, followed by a relaxed evening at your lodge.
Accommodation options in Akagera: Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Helicopter Transfer to Nyungwe National Park and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, you will prepare for your helicopter transfer from Akagera towards Nyungwe National Park, travelling across Rwanda’s dramatic landscape. The flight provides an opportunity to see the country’s changing ecosystems from above, from eastern savannah and wetlands to the mountainous terrain and dense rainforest of the south-west. Published Rwanda tourism packages have incorporated helicopter transfers between Akagera and Nyungwe, demonstrating how this type of itinerary can be arranged when operational conditions permit. After landing, you will transfer to your lodge, check in and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore Nyungwe’s spectacular rainforest environment, with the Canopy Walkway offering elevated views across the forest. Nyungwe is an ancient rainforest renowned for its biodiversity, including chimpanzees, numerous primate species and hundreds of bird species.
Accommodation options in Nyungwe: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Nyungwe Forest Exploration
Your fourth day begins early with breakfast before heading into Nyungwe Forest for a guided chimpanzee tracking experience. You will follow established forest trails through one of Rwanda’s most important biodiversity areas, listening for calls and looking carefully through the dense vegetation for chimpanzees and other primates. Nyungwe supports 13 recorded primate species and is particularly well known for its chimpanzee trekking experiences. The forest also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with around 300 recorded bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics. After the trek, you will return for lunch and have time to relax at your lodge. Depending on your energy and the day’s schedule, the afternoon can be spent enjoying the forest surroundings, visiting a nearby attraction or taking a gentle nature experience before dinner.
Accommodation options in Nyungwe: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Helicopter Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Mountain Gorilla Experience
After breakfast, you will depart Nyungwe for another scenic helicopter journey, this time heading towards the volcanic landscapes of northern Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park. The aerial journey gives you a fascinating perspective of Rwanda’s mountainous terrain, terraced hillsides and rural communities before you reach the Virunga volcanic region. Volcanoes National Park is internationally recognised for its mountain gorillas and is also home to golden monkeys and other wildlife. After landing, you will transfer to your lodge for lunch and time to prepare for the following day’s activities. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent relaxing, enjoying views of the volcanoes or taking a gentle community or cultural experience, depending on your interests. Your guide will also provide a briefing about the next day’s gorilla experience, including the early start and appropriate preparation for the forest environment.
Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Helicopter Scenic Experience
You will rise early and enjoy breakfast before travelling to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Once allocated to a gorilla family, you will enter the montane forest accompanied by authorised guides and trackers. The duration and difficulty of the trek can vary considerably depending on where the gorilla family is located, so you should be prepared for a rewarding but physically demanding forest experience. Volcanoes National Park forms part of the Virunga Massif and is one of Rwanda’s principal destinations for mountain gorilla conservation and trekking. After returning from the forest, you will have lunch and time to freshen up at the lodge. Later, depending on flight operations and weather conditions, you will enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the volcanic landscape or use the helicopter for your return towards Kigali, providing a memorable aerial conclusion to your safari experiences.
Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Kigali Transfer – Departure
After breakfast, you will leave your lodge and prepare for your departure from Rwanda. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a final helicopter transfer towards Kigali, giving you one more opportunity to appreciate Rwanda’s distinctive hills, valleys and countryside from the air. Upon arrival in Kigali, your Verdant Safaris representative will assist with your onward transfer to Kigali International Airport. If your international flight departs later in the day, you may have time for a short Kigali city experience, souvenir shopping or a relaxed meal before proceeding to the airport. Kigali is Rwanda’s capital and is known for its clean, green and well-organised urban environment. Your 7 Days Helicopter Wildlife Safari in Rwanda ends with your departure flight, marking the conclusion of an exceptional journey combining aerial adventure, wildlife, rainforest and mountain experiences.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Included in the Safari
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- Private transportation during the safari.
- Helicopter transfers and scenic flights as specified in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- Akagera National Park entry fees.
- Guided game drives in Akagera National Park.
- Boat excursion where included in the final programme.
- Nyungwe Forest activities as specified.
- Chimpanzee trekking experience and applicable permit.
- Canopy Walkway experience.
- Volcanoes National Park entry fees.
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit.
- Accommodation taxes and applicable service charges.
- Bottled drinking water during road transfers and safari activities.
- Emergency assistance throughout the safari.
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights to and from Rwanda.
- Rwanda visa fees, where applicable.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic and other premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Optional activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Excess baggage charges on helicopter flights.
- Personal photography or specialised equipment costs.
- Any additional accommodation required before or after the scheduled safari.
- Costs arising from changes caused by weather, flight disruptions or other circumstances outside Verdant Safaris’ control.