11 Day Discover Rwanda Safari

We can organise a fully à la carte 11 Day Discover Rwanda Safari trip for you, according to your wishes and budget. The route is tailored to your preferences and guided by a French-speaking guide.

This trip will allow you to discover the unique landscapes of the country of a thousand hills, the Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu and its numerous islands, and the majestic chain of Virunga volcanoes. The meeting with mountain gorillas will be the highlight of your trip to Rwanda.

Day 1: Kigali

Arrival in Kigali. Reception at the airport and installation at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Flame Tree Village.

Day 2: Kigali – Butare – Nyungwe

After breakfast, you will depart for Huye (Butare), the second-largest city in the country. Housing the National Museum and several academic and scientific institutions, Huye (Butare) is considered the intellectual centre of Rwanda. On the way, you can stop in Nyanza to visit the old palace of Mwami.

You will visit the National Museum, considered one of the most beautiful ethnographic museums in East Africa. At the end of this visit, you will attend a demonstration of traditional dances spectacularly performed by the Intore dancer troupe from Urugangazi. After lunch, you will leave Butare to reach the Nyungwe Forest National Park. On the way, visit Huye’s artisanal tin foundry.

Dinner and overnight at Emerald Kivu Resort.

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest

After a very early breakfast, departure for your trek in search of chimpanzees. The duration of the hikes varies significantly since the primate clan constantly moves in search of food.

Expect to exert more strenuous physical effort! In the afternoon, you can continue your exploration. There are several possibilities for wonderful circuits, and the superb Gisakura falls are probably the most fascinating destination.

This hike lasts 2 to 3 hours and is enjoyable and accessible to all audiences! Nyungwe Forest is the largest high-altitude rainforest in East Africa! The large social groups of Angolan colobus, which can exceed 300 individuals, are of particular interest.

Dinner and overnight at Emerald Kivu Resort.

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest – Kibuye

After breakfast, you will leave Nyungwe to join Kibuye. You will cross the large green expanses of tea plantations before embarking on the exploration of the shores of Lake Kivu. Kibuye is the most beautiful of the three cities erected on Lake Kivu.

Your arrival in Kibuye is scheduled for noon. After engaging in physical activities in Nyungwe, most participants will welcome a good moment of relaxation on the shores of Lake Kivu! You can also take a walk and visit this splendid sight. Good to know that there is no risk of contracting schistosomiasis in Lake Kivu.

Dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge.

Day 5: Kibuye – Gisenyi

After breakfast at the Lodge, departure by boat on Lake Kivu towards Gisenyi. You will experience the daily life of the rural population as it has been lived for centuries.

You will see people at work – growing bananas, cassava, sorghum, beans, rice, potatoes, and coffee. This section offers you panoramic views along Lake Kivu. Lunch upon arrival in Gisenyi. Relaxing afternoon on the shores of Lake Kivu.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Lodge.

Day 6: Gisenyi – Volcano Park (Rwanda) or Bwindi (Uganda)

Breakfast at the Lodge. Relaxing morning by Lake Kivu. After lunch, departure towards Gisenyi and installation at your Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Gorilla trekking

After a good breakfast, you will go to the entrance of the Volcanoes National Park, or the park guides will give you all the information for your trek in search of the last mountain gorillas.

You will then enter the gorilla sanctuary. The moments spent with these last mountain lords will be the highlight of your trip and will forever be remembered as a unique and fabulous experience.

A good physical condition is necessary because the trek with the gorillas is somewhat unpredictable, and it’s back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, if the schedules allow it, discover the lakes of this magnificent region: Bulera and Ruhondo lakes. Depending on weather conditions, you may benefit from.

Dinner and overnight at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Optional activity possible at the volcano park (second gorilla trekking, ascent of the Bisoke volcano, visit to Diane Fossey’s tomb and Karisoke research centre, excursion in search of golden monkeys). Depending on your flight schedules, departure to Kigali.

Several stops are planned along the way, allowing you to take in the landscape. Rwanda is the country of a thousand hills! Upon arrival in Kigali, visit the Genocide Memorial, then transfer to Kigali airport for your return flight to Europe.

Day 9: Akagera National Park

After lunch, we depart towards Akagera Park. Arrival at the end of the morning and installation at the Lodge. After lunch, departure on safari in the southern part of the park. You will have magnificent views of the Akagera lakes and the Karange Mountains. You will finish the safari in the giraffe valley.

Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge.

Day 10: Akagera National Park

Breakfast at the Lodge, followed by a boat trip on Lake Ihema, where you can observe many hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Then, you will continue exploring the park in a 4×4. Return to the Lodge for lunch and a moment of relaxation by the pool. At the end of the afternoon, departure for a new safari in the park.

Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge.

Day 11: Akagera National Park – Kigali

Breakfast at the Lodge, then departure for a safari in the northern part of the Akagera Park. You can observe impalas, buffalo, and hopefully the roan antelope. After lunch, departure towards Kigali and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Europe.

The End of the 11 Day Discover Rwanda Safari

The 11 Day Discover Rwanda Safari price includes

Airport/hotel/airport transfers.
One night in Kigali at the Flame Tree Village with half-board.
The circuit in Rwanda or Rwanda / Uganda is 7 days / 6 nights, as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in Lodges with the full board as described in the itinerary.
Mineral water.
1 night in Kigali at Flame Tree Village with half board.
The 3-day / 2-night safari at Akagera Park.
Full board accommodation at Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge.
The Land Cruiser 4×4 vehicle.
The French-speaking driver-guide.
Visit to Kigali and the Genocide Memorial.
Visit the National Museum of Huye.
Intore dancers show.
Chimpanzee trek in the Nyungwe forest.
Entrance fees to the parks.
1 gorilla permit per person, subject to availability at time of booking.
Unlimited mineral water.

The price does not include

International flights, airport taxes.
Expenses of a personal nature.
The drinks.
Tips.
Visa fees.
Repatriation insurance.

Notes

Gorilla permits must be paid upon booking and are non-refundable (Rwanda: $1,500 / permit – Uganda: $800).