9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Lake Kivu Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Kigali City Experience

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and taking some time to refresh, you will begin your introduction to Rwanda with a guided city experience. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can learn about Rwanda’s recent history and the country’s journey of remembrance and reconciliation. You can also explore some of Kigali’s lively neighbourhoods, local markets, craft shops and art spaces. Your guide will introduce you to the city’s culture, architecture and everyday life while sharing information about Rwanda’s transformation in recent decades. The evening will be spent at your hotel, giving you time to relax and prepare for your journey to the Volcanoes region.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, The Retreat by Heaven
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and Musanze Experience

After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and travel northwards towards Musanze and Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with rolling hills, cultivated fields and rural communities providing spectacular scenery along the route. As you approach Musanze, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes become increasingly prominent on the horizon, creating an impressive backdrop for your arrival. Volcanoes National Park protects a variety of montane habitats and is internationally recognised for its mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and enjoy lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure. Depending on your interests and arrival time, you may visit a local community, explore Musanze town or enjoy a relaxed cultural experience before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Accommodation Options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the principal highlight of your Rwanda adventure as you embark on a mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. You will have an early breakfast before travelling to the park headquarters in Kinigi for registration, briefing and allocation to a gorilla family. You will then begin your trek through the montane forest accompanied by experienced park guides and trackers. The duration and difficulty of the trek can vary depending on the location and movements of the gorilla family allocated to you, so you should be prepared for a potentially demanding forest hike. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend the permitted viewing period observing their behaviour and interactions in their natural environment. After completing the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch, rest and an evening at leisure.

Accommodation Options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Cultural and Conservation Experience in Musanze

After breakfast, you will enjoy a more relaxed day exploring the cultural and conservation attractions around Volcanoes National Park. You may visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund or participate in a community-based experience that provides insight into the relationship between local communities and gorilla conservation. Depending on availability, you can also experience traditional music, dance, crafts or a village visit around Musanze. Volcanoes National Park offers more than gorilla trekking, with hiking, village experiences and other outdoor activities available in the surrounding area. After lunch, you will have time to explore the area or simply relax at your lodge while enjoying views of the volcanic landscape. The afternoon can also be used to recover from the previous day’s trek. You will enjoy dinner and spend another peaceful night in the Volcanoes region.

Accommodation Options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will leave the Volcanoes region and travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu in western Rwanda. The journey takes you through mountainous countryside, passing cultivated hills, villages and spectacular viewpoints before reaching the lakeside. You will arrive in the Rubavu area, also known as Gisenyi, which lies on the northern shores of Lake Kivu and provides easy access to the lake and the surrounding attractions. After checking into your accommodation, you will enjoy lunch before having the afternoon to relax beside the lake. You may take a leisurely walk along the shoreline, enjoy the hotel facilities or simply admire the surrounding mountains and water. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner while taking in the peaceful atmosphere of this scenic lakeside destination.

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

Day 6: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise and Lakeside Exploration

You will begin the day with breakfast before setting out to explore Lake Kivu from the water. A guided boat excursion provides an opportunity to appreciate the lake’s beautiful shoreline, islands, inlets and surrounding mountains from a different perspective. Lake Kivu is one of Rwanda’s major natural attractions and is known for its scenic beauty and range of recreational activities. During the excursion, you can learn about life around the lake and observe some of the communities whose livelihoods are connected to its waters. After returning to shore, you will enjoy lunch before spending a relaxed afternoon at your accommodation. Depending on your interests, you may take part in a suitable lakeside activity such as kayaking, swimming or a guided walk. You will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay beside Lake Kivu.

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

Day 7: Lake Kivu Community Experience and Scenic Exploration

After breakfast, you will spend another day discovering the scenery and culture around Lake Kivu. You will visit a local community or lakeside area where you can learn more about traditional livelihoods and everyday life in western Rwanda. Depending on the arrangements, you may experience traditional fishing practices or visit one of the lake’s islands while learning about the communities that live around the water. Lake Kivu’s shoreline is characterised by mountains, terraced hills, fishing communities and numerous islands, making it an excellent setting for combining relaxation with cultural discovery. After lunch, you will have free time to enjoy the lakeside environment at your own pace. You can relax on the shore, enjoy a gentle walk or participate in an optional activity arranged through your guide. The evening will conclude with dinner and another comfortable overnight stay at your lakeside accommodation.

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

Day 8: Lake Kivu to Kigali and Farewell Experience

After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Kigali. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s scenic highlands, with rolling hills, agricultural terraces, villages and roadside communities providing plenty of opportunities to appreciate the country’s distinctive landscapes. You will make suitable stops along the way for photographs and refreshments before continuing towards the capital. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will enjoy lunch and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you can visit a local craft market or art centre to purchase souvenirs and discover locally produced baskets, textiles, artwork and other handmade products. You will then have time to relax at the hotel before enjoying a farewell dinner. This final evening provides an opportunity to reflect on your gorilla trekking experience, the beauty of the Virunga mountains and the peaceful days spent beside Lake Kivu.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, The Retreat by Heaven
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, you will have your final morning in Kigali before your departure from Rwanda. Depending on the timing of your international flight, you may have some free time to relax at your hotel or make any final purchases from local craft shops. Your Verdant Safaris representative will arrange your transfer to Kigali International Airport and ensure that you arrive in good time for your departure formalities. As you leave Rwanda, you will carry memories of the misty Virunga mountains, your mountain gorilla trekking experience, the warm hospitality of local communities and the spectacular scenery of Lake Kivu. Your journey will have combined adventure, nature, culture and relaxation in one carefully planned experience. The 9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Lake Kivu Tour officially ends at Kigali International Airport.

Meals: (Breakfast)