This 12-day Rwanda safari takes you through Rwanda’s top national parks, lakes, and cultural sites. The safari combines wildlife viewing, primate trekking, boat cruises, forest walks, and cultural experiences. You will visit savanna parks, rainforests, freshwater lakes, and mountain gorilla habitats.
Key destinations on this safari include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, and Volcanoes National Park. The safari ends with a city tour of Kigali.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver guide. You will receive a briefing about your 12-day Rwanda safari, including the places you will visit and activities planned.
After the briefing, you will be driven to your booked hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel and recover from the journey. Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali.
Day 2: Drive to Akagera National Park and Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
After breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. This park is Rwanda’s only savanna park and is home to wildlife and many lakes.
Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. During the cruise, you may see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds such as kingfishers and cormorants. Some animals may come to the lake shores to drink water.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Butare
After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive in Akagera National Park. This is the best time to look for animals. You may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, warthogs, giraffes, and antelope species.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, begin the drive to Butare city in southern Rwanda. Arrive in the evening, check in at the hotel, and relax. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Butare City Tour and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Butare. Visit the National Museum to learn about Rwanda’s history and culture. You will also visit the former King’s Palace and pass by the National University of Rwanda to learn about education in the country.
After lunch, drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey passes through rural areas and hills. Arrive at the lodge near the forest in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, drive to the park offices for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. With ranger guides, enter the forest to search for chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking can take several hours because the animals move often. Along the way, you may see other primates such as blue monkeys and colobus monkeys. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will spend one hour watching them feed, move, and interact.
Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take part in the canopy walk. This walk is done on a raised bridge above the forest. You may see birds, monkeys, and forest views from above. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 6: Transfer from Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, check out and drive to Lake Kivu in western Rwanda. The drive offers views of hills, villages, and farms.
Arrive in Gisenyi town near Lake Kivu and check in at your lakeside lodge. Have lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the lake. You can enjoy the cool air, short walks, or rest at the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Full Day on Lake Kivu
After breakfast, spend the full day exploring Lake Kivu. Enjoy a boat trip to different islands on the lake, including Idjwi Island and Nyamirundi Island.
At Nyamirundi Island, you can take part in a coffee tour and learn how local coffee is grown and processed. Other activities include swimming in the lake, kayaking, fishing, or relaxing at the lakeshore.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village Visit
After breakfast, drive north to Volcanoes National Park. This park is home to mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
Arrive at the lodge near the park in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you will learn about Rwandan traditions, local dances, and daily life of the community living near the park.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. You will be assigned a gorilla family and ranger guides.
Enter the forest to search for mountain gorillas. Trekking can take between one and seven hours depending on where the gorillas are located. The trek involves walking through forest paths and slopes.
Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour watching them as they feed, rest, and interact. After the trek, return to the lodge for rest, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 10: Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave and Karisoke Research Centre
After breakfast, begin a guided hike to the grave of Dian Fossey. She was an American researcher who worked to protect mountain gorillas.
During the hike, learn about her work and the history of gorilla conservation. Visit the Karisoke Research Centre, which was set up during her studies and is still used for research today.
Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Drive Back to Kigali and City Tour
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali. The drive takes about two to three hours.
On arrival, enjoy lunch or refreshments at the hotel before starting a city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site to learn about the events of 1994. You will also visit Kimironko Market and local art centers to see crafts and souvenirs.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Your driver guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 12-day Rwanda safari.
