Join our 7 days Rwanda safari to discover the beauty and diversity of Rwanda’s top three safari destinations. Starting from Kigali, you will get the chance to meet face-to-face with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats, spend some quality time with the chimpanzees, and undertake game drives, boat rides, and cultural tours that will leave you breathless. Pack up your bags, but also come with enough excitement bugs because what you will experience will leave memories lasting a lifetime. For this one-week trip, you will visit Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest of the country, and Akagera National Park in the Eastern side.
Highlights
- Experience unmatched gorilla trekking experiences.
- Take in awe-inspiring views of the countryside, Virunga Volcanoes, and so much more.
- Walk through Nyungwe forest in search of the chimpanzees, while sighting lots of other unmissable attractions.
- Gaze through Nyungwe forest during the canopy walk.
- Sight the big five game among other wildlife species in Akagera National Park.
- Experience the traditional Rwandan culture and lifestyle.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking experience & Nyungwe Canopy walk.
Day 3: Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park via road trip.
Day 4: Gorilla Trek & afternoon visit the Gorilla Guardian Village for a cultural experience.
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park via road transfer
Day 6: Game drives & Boat ride in Lake Ihema
Day 7: Drive back to Kigali, departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nyungwe National Park, southwestern Rwanda
On this day you will transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This Protected Area is only 6-7 hours from the City Center by road, hence allowing you to arrive on time for lunch. There will be a number of stops for photography, to watch the en-route attractions such as Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum among others.
Nyungwe National Park is known for being the largest Afro-montane rainforest in the African Continent and shelters over 96 mammal species, about 300 species of birds and so much more to behold. On getting to the Lodge, you will be treated to a hot lunch, before relaxing.
Day 2: Nyungwe Chimpanzee trekking tour & Canopy walk.
It’s now time to experience mankind’s closest relatives- chimpanzees that live in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee then set off from the Lodge early (possibly by 5:00 am) with a packed breakfast to attend a briefing at the Visitor Center. You will be introduced to the team of Rangers and guides as well as get acquainted with the guidelines to be followed.
Afterward, spend another 1-3 hours searching for the chimpanzees in the Forest, and once sighted, take the pleasure of spending one hour watching their daily activities such as mating, resting, feeding, grooming, and playing. You will have lunch at the Lodge, rest for a while then continue for the second activity of the day.
Start the canopy walk at 2:00 pm, and go through the suspended bridge that extends for over 200 meters and is about 50 meters off the forest floor. Enjoy views of the tree canopies, different primate species, birds, and many other Nyungwe specialties. Retire for your dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 3: Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park Road trip
Just 5-6 hours from Nyungwe Forest National Park by road, you will reach Rwanda’s most popular safari destination- Volcanoes National Park. This Park is not just the stronghold for mountain gorillas but also home to Dian Fossey’s gravesite. There are over 12 habituated gorilla families here, over 200 bird species, and five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes to see.
You will have lunch after settling in at the Lodge. Next, it is time to explore the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo via Boat ride or simply choose to relax at the Lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla Trek & visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village for a cultural experience
This is another wonderful day of your one-week Rwanda safari, as you will meet the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Depending on where you will be staying, you will either walk or get driven to Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing that starts by 7 am. Later, be allocated a gorilla family and hop into the safari vehicle for a 20-30 minutes drive to the starting point.
In about 1-4 hours or more of walking through the forest while spotting different wildlife, birds, and tree species, meet the gorilla family. Watch them go about their activities and take photos for one hour. A hot and hearty lunch awaits you at the Lodge, then you can use the rest of the afternoon to rest and rejuvenate.
Next, you will visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village, a community-based organization that allows visitors to have an insight into the traditional life of Rwandans. Here, activities include visits to the traditional healer, tours of the Royal Palace replica, preparation and tasting of local dishes, banana beer brewing, and others. Be at the Lodge before dark, enjoy dinner and overnight while reminiscing on the day’s adventures.
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park scenic drive
A 4-5-hour road trip Eastwards will deliver you to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s largest National Park and the home to the big five games. To explore this Park, you will have two activities- game drives and boat cruises. Enjoy the beautiful scenery while being driven to your next destination, where you will spend the next two nights. Arrive in time for lunch and afternoon game drive.
Day 6: Game drive & afternoon Boat ride in Lake Ihema
Having rested well, grab a cup of tea/coffee before leaving for the game drive that starts at 6:00 am. Drive through the Park for the next 3-4 hours’ while sighting Masai giraffes, lions, Buffaloes, Rhinos, African elephants, Defassa waterbucks, spotted hyenas, serval cats, leopards, jackals, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, the Giant elands, impalas, Olive baboons, blue monkeys and many others. Akagera National Park’s landscape is also irresistible during game drives. Have your lunch and afternoon siesta on returning back to the Lodge.
Later in the afternoon, your safari driver will lead you to Lake Ihema, where your next adventure is based. Enjoy the next 2-3 hours on the water, sighting Hippos, elephants, Nile crocodiles, elephants and others. Lots of bird species will also be spotted during this boat ride. This is one of the best adventures of this trip and later get back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Scenic drive back to Kigali, Departure
Relish your last moments in Akagera National Park by having the last game drive to see more animals that were missed during the last two days. Later take a road trip back to Kigali, where you will catch a flight back home or continue with your next adventures.
Inclusions of our 7 Days Rwanda safari
- 1 Gorilla permit per person
- 1 Chimpanzee permit per person.
- Meals per the program.
- Canopy walk fees.
- Entry fees for Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks.
- Boat ride fees.
- Game drives per the program.
- Tours of Gorilla Guardian village.
- Services of a private English-speaking driver.
- Accommodation- 2 nights each in Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes
- A private safari vehicle.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
- Other activities are mentioned on the itinerary.
- Bottled water.
Exclusions of the 7 days Rwanda Helicopter Safari
- Tips.
- Airfares.
- Rwanda visa fees, where required.
- Laundry fees.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Cigarettes.
- Telephone expenses.
- Insurance.
