This 7-Day Rwanda Safari – This 7-day Rwanda safari offers visitors a chance to experience the country’s flora, animals, culture, friendliness, and cuisine. Explore Rwanda’s beautiful metropolis, as well as its flora and fauna. The tour starts and ends in Kigali city, visiting the national parks of Nyungwe (home to chimpanzees and a canopy walk), Akagera (home to lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, African elephants, and rhinos), and Volcanoes (home to mountain gorillas, the closest living relatives of humans).
Enjoy game drives, boat tours, gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, cultural experiences, and more. The focus of this trip is leisure, enjoyment, exploration, and cultural immersion.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
At the designated time, a company representative will pick you up and provide a briefing. Take the wheel and embark on a scenic journey covering approximately 218 kilometers (4 hours). Nyungwe is located on the border of Burundi, Lake Kivu, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, encompassing a 1000 sq. km. area of Afro-montane rainforest.
Learn about Rwanda’s history, Rwandan royalty, and gold mining during your visit to Nyanza King’s Palace, a historical site in Nyabisindu. Enjoy lunch en route and then proceed to your lodge for check-in, relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, depart for the day’s activities, including chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk. Meet with ranger guides for a briefing on trekking guidelines and chimpanzee behavior. Chimpanzees share 98% DNA similarity with humans and live in the forest, where you’ll spend 1 to 5 hours searching for them, observing their behaviors, and photographing them.
Chimpanzees are social animals known for their intriguing vocalizations. After a break for lunch, enjoy an evening canopy walk, spotting rare birds and primates in the treetops. Return to your lodge for dinner, possibly followed by a bonfire and overnight rest.
Day 3: Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, leave the chimpanzee habitat and drive to Volcanoes National Park, the stronghold for gorillas. The journey takes about 4-5 hours, including a lunch stop. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge for a late lunch, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge before heading to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and hiking gear for gorilla trekking. Meet with ranger guides for a briefing on trekking guidelines before being assigned to a gorilla group. Trekking can take 1 to 8 hours, plus an additional hour for observing and photographing these magnificent apes in their natural habitat.
During the trek, you may also encounter vervet monkeys, baboons, and various bird species. After gorilla trekking, return to the lodge for refreshments, dinner, and overnight rest.
Day 5: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Depart after an early breakfast for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park with the African Big 5. The journey takes 2-3 hours, passing through scenic landscapes and rural areas. Upon arrival, have lunch, relax, and conclude the day with dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Check out of the lodge after breakfast and embark on a rewarding 3-4 hour wildlife drive across the expansive plains of Akagera National Park. View a variety of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, antelopes, and with luck, lions, leopards, and hyenas. The park is also home to diverse bird species, set against a backdrop of undulating hills and lush vegetation.
After the game drive, enjoy a delightful 2-3 hour boat cruise, capturing photos and exploring aquatic wildlife. Conclude the day with dinner and a restful night’s sleep.
Day 7: Return to Kigali. End of Safari
After a restful night, enjoy breakfast at the lodge, then check out for transfer to Kigali International Airport. Depending on your flight schedule, visit the Genocide Memorial Center, a poignant memorial and burial site for over 20,000 victims of the Hutu and Tutsi Genocide.
Explore other attractions in the city, such as gift shops, local markets, the former presidential palace, and more. The beauty, wildlife, and cultural experiences of a 7-day Rwanda safari will be a rewarding journey, thanks to your driver/guide.