Classic Rwanda - Tailor Made Guided Safari

This tour showcases the best that Rwanda has to offer from National Parks and game viewing to cultural encounters. 

Highlights * 'Big 5' Game Drives * Kigali  * Gorillas & Chimpanzees * Mountains & Forests * Lake Kivu

DAY 1

Upon Arrival in Kigali you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to Akagera National Park for a 2 night stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2

After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in the park, keeping an eye open for elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and a host of antelope species, as well as hippo in the lakes and rivers. Lunch is taken back at the lodge, followed by a sunset boat ride.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before driving back to Kigali for a city tour and a visit to the inspirational genocide memorial. Lunch at Hotel des Mille Collines is included, with an evening free to enjoy Kigali. Overnight stay at Park Inn by Radisson.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4

After breakfast, drive to Butare, the cultural heart of Rwanda and home to the former Mwami Palace (King's Palace), as well as several universities. Visit the Butare National Museum - a fascinating ethnographic museum containing items of traditional clothing, maps, photographs and historical artefacts. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to Nyungwe National Park.  At an altitude of 1600-2950m above sea level, this mountainous rainforest reserve is rich in flora and fauna, with over 260 species of trees and shrubs, and over 100 types of orchid and giant lobelia alone. As well as incredible biodiversity, the park also has breathtaking views.

3 night stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Early breakfast at your hotel before you set off on your Chimp trek today. Hike into Nyungwe Forest, the natural habitat for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Treks can take from 2-6 hours, and once you have located your troop, you will have an hour to observe and photograph them. After the trek, drive back to the lodge for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, or alternatively you can book some of the extra activities available to be explored in Nyungwe Forest National Park (additional charges will apply).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

After breakfast head back to the Nyungwe Forest park headquarters for a trek through the park, taking in the scenery, tea plantations and the park’s largest waterfall. Lunch back at the lodge and an afternoon at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 

A final breakfast at Nyungwe before heading to Gisenyi on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu, with a stop along the way for lunch at Comoran Lodge. Lake Kivu is one of the greatest lakes in Rwanda, an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep, green terraced hills along eastern Rwanda. Gisenyi has a beautiful sandy beach lined with swaying palms and colonial-era hotels. Overnight stay at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Following breakfast at the hotel, set off for a scenic drive through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda's landscape. Arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans.The town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. Arrive in time for lunch at Ingagi Park View Lodge, your base for the next three nights.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Early breakfast at your lodge, before your transfer to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters.  You will receive a briefing by the park's guides on how to behave in the forest and in the presence of mountain gorillas. You then enter the park for a gorilla trek which will take you until around midday depending on where you find them. The trek may take between 2-6 hours but once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten as you enjoy an unforgettable hour with these fascinating primates. It is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes' notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.

*Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear at a cost if US$10 per person per day.  It is advised to utilize this service

After the trek, re-join your driver/guide for a transfer to your Lodge for lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

Following breakfast, head back to the park headquarters and off on a trek to see the Golden Monkeys, considered amongst the most endangered primates in Africa. Two groups of monkeys, totalling over 100 each, can be found in the park. 

*Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear at a cost if US$10 per person per day.  It is advised to utilize this service

After your trek, head back to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon visit to Iby’ Iwacu cultural village.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

A final breakfast at the lodge before departing for the scenic drive back to Kigali International Airport for your onward arrangements.

Meals included: Breakfast

This is a sample itinerary designed to fit with the direct flights from the UK. It can be personalised for your requirements and combined with further safaris in Kenya or Tanzania. As gorilla permits sell out many months in advance, we recommend booking early.

For your personalised quotation, please contact the African Pride team on 01904 619428 or email: info@african-pride.co.uk