This 8-day journey gives you a chance to visit Rwanda’s key destinations—from the calm streets of Kigali to the open plains of Akagera National Park, the hills of Volcanoes National Park, and the forests of Nyungwe. The itinerary includes wildlife viewing, cultural visits, and quiet moments in comfortable lodges.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will receive VIP meet-and-greet service, assisting you through immigration and baggage claim. A dedicated driver will be waiting outside the arrivals area to transfer you to your hotel. The drive to Kigali Marriott Hotel takes approximately 25 minutes, offering your first glimpse of Rwanda’s clean streets and green hills. Once at the hotel, check-in procedures will be handled and you can settle into your room. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure. The hotel features a range of amenities, including a spa, swimming pool, and fine dining options. Dinner will be available at your convenience in the hotel’s main restaurant. Overnight stay at Kigali Marriott.
Accommodation – Wilderness Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart Kigali and begin the journey to Akagera National Park, located in Rwanda’s eastern province. The drive takes approximately 3 hours and leads you through rural towns and scenic landscapes. You will enter the park through the Northern Gate, where your safari adventure begins. Your lodge for the next two nights, Wilderness Magashi Camp, is located in a private section of the park and offers direct access to one of Akagera’s richest wildlife areas. On arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed by the team and assisted with check-in. Lunch will be served at the camp, followed by a choice of afternoon activities organized by the lodge. These may include a game drive through the surrounding plains or a boat safari on Lake Rwanyakazinga, home to hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife.
In the evening, return to camp for a freshly prepared dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the wild from your luxury tent before settling in for the night.
Accommodation –Wilderness Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Wildlife Viewing in Akagera
Begin the day with a warm breakfast, followed by a morning game drive through Akagera National Park. This part of the park is known for its open savannah, lakes, and acacia woodlands. You may spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and even lions or leopards. Your expert guide will help interpret the landscape and wildlife behavior throughout the drive. Return to the camp in time for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, you will have the option of joining a boat safari along the lake’s shoreline, ideal for observing hippos, crocodiles, and water birds such as African fish eagles and kingfishers.
The evening offers a relaxed atmosphere at camp. Dinner will be served under canvas or in the open dining area, depending on weather conditions.
Accommodation –Wilderness Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Akagera to Musanze
After breakfast and check-out from Wilderness Magashi, your driver will take you back to Kigali, where you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. From here, the journey continues northwest to Volcanoes National Park, a drive of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. As you travel into the highlands, the terrain becomes greener and more mountainous, giving you a scenic preview of the days ahead. Upon reaching Musanze, you will check in at The Bishop’s House, a boutique property located in a quiet area just outside the park. The lodge is well-appointed with comfortable rooms, warm hospitality, and elegant interiors. Spend the remainder of the day at ease, and enjoy dinner at the lodge’s dining room.
Accommodation – The Bishop’s House
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Cultural Visit
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing with the park rangers. Once briefed, you will be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level and preference. From here, you will drive to the trek’s starting point and begin the hike through bamboo forests and rugged terrain. The duration of the trek can vary from one to several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend up to one hour in their presence, observing their interactions and learning about their behavior. After the trek, you will return to the lodge to freshen up and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where local community members introduce you to traditional Rwandan music, dance, and crafts. This cultural exchange provides insight into the lives and resilience of people who live near the park.
Dinner and overnight stay at The Bishop’s House.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking and Travel to Nyungwe
Following breakfast, you will return to the park headquarters for a golden monkey trekking briefing. This shorter trek takes you into the lower slopes of the park to see these active and playful primates. After the trek, you will begin the journey toward Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. A stop is planned in Gisenyi, near Lake Kivu, for lunch. You will then continue along winding roads through tea plantations and valleys toward Nyungwe. Arrival at One&Only Nyungwe House is expected in the late afternoon or evening. Once checked in, you can relax before dinner is served at the lodge.
Accommodation – One&Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk
Today starts early with breakfast, followed by a drive to Cyamudongo Forest, part of Nyungwe National Park. Here, you will begin your chimpanzee trek, led by professional trackers. The forest is home to several habituated chimpanzee families, and with some patience, you may observe them feeding, grooming, or vocalizing in their natural habitat.
After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is left open for rest or personal time. Later in the day, you have the option to take part in a canopy walk, which takes place on a suspension bridge 50 meters above the forest floor. This activity offers a unique view of the forest’s upper layers and is excellent for spotting monkeys and birds.
Dinner and overnight stay at One&Only Nyungwe House.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Return to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, you will have some time to relax at the lodge before an early lunch. You will then check out and begin the drive back to Kigali. En route, there will be a visit to the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, which houses Rwanda’s most significant collection of cultural artifacts and exhibits.
Following the museum stop, the journey continues to Kigali, with an estimated arrival in the late afternoon or early evening. Upon arrival, you will be transferred directly to Kigali International Airport for check-in and departure for your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Cost Inclusive
- Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day.
- All activities as highlighted in the itinerary.
- Kigali including a Genocide visit & Inema Art Gallery.
- 2 Nights at Akagera National Park.
- 2 Nights at Volcanoes National Park.
- 2 Nights at Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- One Gorilla permit per person
- One Golden Monkey permit per person
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe.
- Canopy Walk permit in Nyungwe.
- Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser
- Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
- Village/ Cultural Visit in Volcanoes.
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
- Our assistance.
- Cost Exclusive
International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
All extra activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Entry visa fees,
Drinks throughout the trip,
Tips and gratuities,
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation charges are determined by the fact that we have pre-booked accommodations and services.
- 15–30 days before arrival: 50% cancellation fee.
- 7–14 days before arrival: 75% cancellation fee.
- Less than 7 days before arrival or no-show: No refund.
Clients may reschedule the safari at no extra cost, but any price changes due to revised hotel rates will be covered by the client. Kindly take note of this whenever you book a safari with us.