12 Days Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Your safari begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport where you will be warmly greeted by a representative from Gorilla Quest Africa. After a short transfer to your luxury hotel, you will have time to relax and recover from your flight. If time permits, you may enjoy a short city orientation tour or simply unwind at the hotel with views of Kigali’s rolling green hills. This day sets the stage for your 12-day journey across Rwanda, combining comfort with anticipation of the incredible experiences ahead.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali Marriott Hotel

Meals: (Dinner)

Day 2: Kigali City Tour

After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided tour of Kigali. Highlights include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers insight into Rwanda’s remarkable resilience and transformation. Explore bustling local markets like Kimironko, visit art galleries, and enjoy lunch at one of the city’s finest restaurants. The afternoon includes a visit to the Nyamirambo Women’s Center where you can immerse yourself in traditional Rwandan culture, crafts, and music. Return to your hotel in the evening to relax in luxury while reflecting on the day’s cultural experiences.

Accommodation Options: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat by Heaven, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park

This morning, drive east toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah destination. Along the way, enjoy the ever-changing landscapes and rolling hills dotted with villages. On arrival, check into your luxury lodge overlooking Lake Ihema and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive to spot elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and various antelope species. As the sun sets over the plains, enjoy a bush sundowner before returning to your lodge for dinner under the stars.

Accommodation Options: Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Full Day Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Spend the entire day exploring Akagera’s breathtaking landscapes with both morning and afternoon game drives. This is your chance to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas as well as herds of zebra, eland, and topi grazing across the savannah. After a bush picnic lunch, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema where hippos, crocodiles, and countless bird species can be spotted. Akagera’s mix of land and water safaris makes it a highlight of any Rwanda wildlife adventure. Return to your lodge for an evening of relaxation and fine dining.

Accommodation Options: Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Scenic Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to Akagera and begin the scenic journey north to Volcanoes National Park. This drive reveals Rwanda’s famous rolling green hills, fertile valleys, and stunning tea plantations. Stop along the way for photo opportunities and a leisurely lunch before arriving in Musanze, the gateway to Rwanda’s gorilla country. Your luxury lodge, nestled at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, provides world-class comfort and panoramic mountain views. Spend the evening by the fireplace enjoying a gourmet dinner and preparing for tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

Accommodation Options: Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

This is the highlight of your safari, a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing and then set off with experienced guides into the forest. The trek may take a few hours, but the reward of meeting a mountain gorilla family up close is simply unforgettable. Watch them feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat before returning to your lodge for lunch. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying spa treatments or soaking in the forest views.

Accommodation Options: Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Virunga Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Encounters

After breakfast, venture into the forest again, this time to track the playful golden monkeys. These endangered primates are unique to the Virunga region and are a joy to watch as they leap through the bamboo forests. In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural tour of the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you will experience Rwandan traditions, music, and dance while interacting with local communities. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening and a delicious dinner.

Accommodation Options: Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Twin Lakes Excursion and Transfer to Lake Kivu

This morning, visit the scenic twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for a peaceful boat ride and cultural interactions with local fishermen. Later, drive to the stunning shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Check into your lakeside resort and enjoy lunch while gazing at the serene waters. The afternoon is free for swimming, kayaking, or relaxing on the sandy beaches. Lake Kivu offers the perfect place to unwind after the mountain treks of Volcanoes National Park.

Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Paradise Kivu Resort

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Leisure and Water Adventures at Lake Kivu

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Lake Kivu. You may choose to take a boat trip to explore the nearby islands, go paddle boarding, or simply relax at your luxury resort. Birdwatchers will delight in the rich birdlife around the lake while food lovers can savor freshly caught fish at dinner. As the sun sets, enjoy a romantic lakeside evening, making this day one of rest and rejuvenation before your rainforest adventures.

Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Kivu Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, passing through picturesque hills and vast tea plantations. On arrival, check into your luxury lodge situated on the edge of the rainforest. Enjoy lunch and then take in the serene surroundings with an optional short nature walk around the lodge. The evening is spent at leisure as you prepare for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking – Canopy Walk in Nyungwe

Rise early for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest. Guided by expert trackers, you will follow the calls of chimpanzees and watch them as they swing through the trees, forage, and interact. This thrilling encounter is one of the highlights of your Rwanda safari. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before setting out again for a canopy walk. Suspended above the treetops, the canopy walkway offers incredible views of the forest and its wildlife. End the day with a luxurious dinner at your lodge.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12: Return to Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely drive back to Kigali. Along the way, stop at viewpoints, tea plantations, and local markets for last-minute souvenirs. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a farewell lunch in Kigali before being transferred to the airport. This marks the end of your 12 Days Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Chimpanzee Trekking with Gorilla Quest Africa, a journey filled with gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and unforgettable Rwandan landscapes.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)

End of the 12 Days Ultimate Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Chimpanzee Trekking.