8 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari

Day 1 Arrival and pick up

Our guide/ representative staff will be at the airport to pick you and  transfer to Akagera national park. The activity you engage will depend on the time of your arrival.

Meal plan (Half Board)

Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Camp (High end)

                               Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range)

                               Dereva Hotel (Budget)

Day 2   Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is a Savannah park located in north eastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania. It is home to several big mammals not found anywhere else in Rwanda. And with the recent introduction of Rhinos and lions the park is now home to the Big 5. On a morning game drive right after an early breakfast, we will look out for Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Water bucks, Bush bucks and recently introduced Lions. The game drives in Akagera national park usually take place in the northern sector of the park.

You will, return  to lodge for lunch and in the afternoon do a boat cruise on Lake Ihema for Hippos and Crocodiles OR you can alternatively spend the afternoon at the lodge enjoying nature as you read a good book.

Meal plan (B, L , D)

Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Camp (High end)

                               Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range)

                               Dereva Hotel (Budget)

Day 3 Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park

This morning we wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and depart from Akagera National park for Nyungwe forest in southern Rwanda. The journey is about 7 hours and we shall have a stopover for lunch in Huye formerly known as Butare. Huye is home to the ethnographic museum of Rwanda that was formerly known as the national museum of Rwanda; here we will learn about the culture and history of the Rwandan people. We arrive in Nyungwe forest later in the evening and check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan – B, L, D

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge (High end)

                               Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid-range)

                               Gisakura Guest House (Budget)

Day 4 Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe forest national park

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest takes you deep in the forest to experience and appreciate nature. Chimpanzee trekking is done early morning, so after an earl y breakfast or snack, you will also carry packed lunch. You are expected to be at the briefing point as early at 5.30 am from where you will receive information on how to behave and possible length of your trek. Nyungwe forest is rich in botanical diversity and home to other primate species other than chimpanzees like L’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori Colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabey among others. The ranger guide will lead you to either the Uwinka trail head or the Cyamudongo sector for chimp trekking.

Meal plan – B, L, D

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge (High end)

                               Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid-range)

                               Gisakura Guest House (Budget)

Day 5 Transfer to Lake Kivu (Relaxation) and boat cruise on Lake Kivu

Wake up have breakfast and we leave for (About an hour from Volcanoes) Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu. This will be more of a day for you to think through your entire journey exploring Rwanda on the shores to the beautiful Lake Kivu. The activities you can engage in include a visit to the to the hot springs, take a boat trip to an island, kayaking on Lake kivu  or  relax at the lakeside in the evening for sunset photography. After in the late evening check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Serena Lake Kivu (High end)        

                               Water Front Resort Lake Kivu(Mid-range)

                               Hotel Paradise Malahide (Budget)

Day 6 Transfer  to Volcanoes national park

Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast. After breakfast, we leave for Volcanoes national park. You will enjoy the sights of Lake Kivu and winding roads in the land of a thousand hills. We arrive at the hotel later that evening.

Meal plan – B, L, D

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge(High end)  

                               Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)

                               Kinigi Guest House (Budget)

Day 7 Gorilla tracking

Rise early and have breakfast at the lodge, then transfer to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by park ranger on how to carry out gorilla tracking. Hiking on the slippery and muddy Volcanoes slopes with nettles is quite challenging. But the encounter with mountain gorillas erases all the challenges of the hikes. You will be allowed to stay with these gentle giants for an hour for observation and photography. (No flash lights allowed during photography)

In the evening visit the panoramic twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Return to your lodge for dinner and folk tales at the fire place.

Meal plan (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge(High end)  

                               Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)

                               Kinigi Guest House (Budget)

Day 8 Transfer to the airport for departure

Start your day with breakfast and transfer to the airport for your exit flight, in case you have some time before your flight you can have a short Kigali city tour.

Meal Plan (B, L)

Inclusions

• Ground transport per private 4WD safari vehicle
• English speaking driver/guide
• Airport transfer
• Equator stopover
• Gorilla permit
• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
• Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
• Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
• VAT for hotels and lodges outside Kampala

Exclusions

• Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, laundry etc
• Personal insurance
• Souvenirs
• Tip/gratitude
• Visas and international air tickets
• Any other items which are not included in the itinerary