8 Days Kigali, Akagera, Volcanoes & Nyungwe Safari

Safari Description
Included/Excluded
Tour Plan
Tour Map

Overview

This Rwanda safari takes you Akagera national, Volcanoes national park and Nyungwe forest national park. Akagera comprises some of the most scenic Savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – and is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, large crocodiles, as well as the rare sitatunga and almost 500 species of birds.

The Volcanoes National Park is a forested area in the Virunga Mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is Rwanda’s premier tourist attraction where you can track a habituated family group of mountain gorillas.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and the wide variety of endemic species it hosts. Comprising vast stretches of lush rainforest nestled on the fertile slopes of the mountains, it isone of Africa’s oldest forests. The park is home to Rwanda’s only remaining chimpanzee population, alongside 85 other mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species, and over 1,000 plant species.

Highlights

  • Gorilla Trekking
  • Chimpazee Trek and Canopy walk
  • Ellen Campus tour
  • Village Cultural tour

Included/Excluded

  • Transport in a customized 4x4 pop up top safari Jeep
  • Service of an English/French - speaking professional driver/guide.
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance (Does not cover hospitalization)
  • Accommodation at hotels/lodges & meals mentioned in the program
  • Gorilla trek permit and government taxes as per the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle.
  • VIP Meet and greet on departure at the airport.
  • Ellen DeGeneres Campus Tour
  • Akagera park entry fee
  • Village Cultural tour
  • Chimpazee Trek and Canopy walk
  • Items and services of a personal nature
  • Tips & gratuities
  • Gorilla trekking gears

Tour Plan

Day 01: Arrival Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport and be welcomed by our representative outside the customs and immigration hall, who will assist with immigration procedures. A transfer will take you to your city accommodation. An assisted check-in assures a smooth experience, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Full Disposal Kigali City

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you indulge in city tour visiting the:

Genocide Memorial visit:https://kgm.rw/

Visit the Genocide Memorial located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum started by a partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The center is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.

Question Coffee Master Class:

Ready to take a deep dive into how your coffee makes its way from seed to cup? Here in the heart of coffee country, we invite you to learn how Rwanda’s world-class coffee is grown, harvested, roasted, brewed andserved. Guests will pick coffee cherries straight from the trees in our coffee garden, then experience the transformation from seed to cup, including smelling, tasting and making your very own coffee blend that you can take home! Our coffee also makes for great gifts to bring home to your friends and family and for your own home brewing.

Inema Arts Centre:

Located in the heart of Kigali City, Inema Art Center is one of East Africa's major art galleries, housing a collection of artists from around the African Continent. Today, Inema Arts Center has become a beacon in Rwanda for cultivating creative expression. The center provides space for 10 artists in residence to explore their creative talent by producing paintings, sculptures, and mixed media expressions.

Fashion Tour:
You will then have a fashion tour. Start your fashion tour in Kigali visiting Moshions a Rwandan clothing store, fashion house and brand that designs apparel and accessories. House of Tayo. Another Rwandandesigner that specializes in Men’s wear, bespoke suits focusing on African Sophistication, Style & Flavor through locally made clothing & accessories through unique products. Conclude it with a visit to Haute Baso, an ethical lifestyle brand for the modern individual looking for thoughtful, simple and functional designs.

You will have lunch table at Repub Lounge Restaurant

Day 3: Akagera - drive to Volcanoes National Park I Ellen Campus Tour

Drive to Volcanoes ,check in at the hotel intime for lunch. Afternoon at leisure relaxing or have an optional explore the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/

The Ellen Campus, which opened in 2022 near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park – home to the majestic mountain gorillas – is the realization of a 20-year dream. This world-class research and education center honors Dian Fossey’s legacy and furthers our mission to save gorillas from extinction.
The campus is open daily to the public, offering state-of-the-art exhibits showcasing nearly 60 years of gorilla conservation, a gift shop featuring locally made crafts, delicious meals and coffee at the Gorilla Café, serene nature trails and the opportunity to connect with our dedicated staff.

Day 4: Gorilla Trek I Village Cultural Tour

You will have a morning call at around 5:30am before meeting at the main dining area at 6:00am for breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed Rwandan coffee. 6:45am depart for the Trekking Headquarters at Volcanoes National Park (20-minute drive), on arrival: Coffee will be served, while your driver guide secures your spots with specific gorilla families (selecting the most suitable family depending on the group’s requirements – there
are however no guarantees).

You will then gather in a group with the Volcanoes National Park Guide for a detailed briefing. At 8:00am, vehicles will depart to the various trailheads for a 15-minute to one-hour drive – depending on the gorilla family each group has been allocated. At the start of the trailhead, you will be allocated a porter to assist with carrying bags and navigating challenging terrain, (this is recommended). Cash is required to pay the porters
(the minimum amount is USD 10).

The time that it takes to reach the gorilla family varies and can be anything from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours, and treks reach an altitude from 2,500-4,000m.The gorilla-trekking terrain varies from farmlands to thick bushes closer to the Park boundary, and visitors may be allocated to a gorilla family who is on the move – which could make their trek longer. This may at times require navigating a path through dense vegetation, which can be slippery. There are also stinging nettles, which is why we recommend packing gloves and gators to be used during Gorilla trekking.

For gorilla trekking, you will be in the rainforest. Warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, hat, lightweight backpack, raincoat, garden gloves to avoid stinging nettles and gaiters are recommended.

After this amazing experience, you will descend from the mountains. Lunch will be at the lodge. Afternoon join the local community for a village cultural experience.

Day 5: Volcanoes - Nyungwe Forest National Park

This morning, you will enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to Nyungwe National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and the wide variety of endemic species it hosts. Comprising vast stretches of lush rainforest nestled on the fertile slopes of the mountains, it isone of Africa’s oldest forests. The park is home to Rwanda’s only remaining chimpanzee population, alongside 85 other mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species, and over 1,000 plant species. You will
arrive in time for lunch and have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the property's complimentary activities.
Upon arrival, check in and have a lunch.

Aftenoon at lesiure.

Day 6: Nyungwe Forest National Park I Canopy Walk

This morning, we take you once again to the park headquarters for the canopy walk briefing at 8am.
The canopy walkway consists of three bridges and three towers, with a total length of 200m. The walkway is embedded in a guided tour along the breathtaking Trail. On this journey, your expert Park Guide will not only reveal the forest canopy, but also explain why it is an integral part of the tropical rainforest ecosystem.
You will learn what the major characteristics of a rainforest and its canopy are, and the importance Nyungwe National Park has for Rwanda as a whole.

Day 7: Nyungwe Forest National Park I Chimpanzee Trek

The day begins bright and early, driving to the park headquarters at 5:00 am with a delicious packed Breakfast. After an insightful chimpanzee trek briefing, you’ll be escorted to the Evergreen Forest at 6 am, when the adventure begins. Alongside the famous chimps, you are likely to spot a wide variety of bird life.

Their playfulness and human–like characteristics make this journey so rewarding. You may even be welcomed by chimp morning calls deep in the forest. Upon encountering the chimps, you can stay in their presence for one hour as you enjoy their acrobatics, feeding, and day-to-day behaviors. You’ll make your return to the lodge at around 11 am, and lunch will be served.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the Airport for your outbound departure flight.

Tour Map

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