Day 1: Meet in Kigali City or at Kigali Airport (after landing), transfer to Akagera National Park - Game Drive
After meeting with your dedicated and knowledgeable Rwanda and Uganda safari guide, you will embark on your well-planned wonderful and unforgettable journey. Our first drive is to Rwanda's only BIG-5 safari park, Akagera National Park. The park in incredibly rich in terms of biodiversity endowments and it is very rare for anyone to be disappointed with a visit. You will be driving across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region.
Once we enter Akagera National Park, we shall immediately embark on a search for the big cats and other wildlife in the park. You shall proceed to the southern sector for a game drive alongside the Lake Ihema circuit where plenty of animals can be seen, including elephants, Masai giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and also many other mammal species. This game drive will also enable you to have a clearer view of the gentle hills blending beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.
In the evening, you can relax at the lodge poolside or take evening walks around the hotel, where you can see various bird species or participate in the day-to-day local pastoral lifestyle.
Accommodation options:
Upmarket: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Mid-range: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Lower Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time – 2 hours 30 minutes
Day 2: Game drive in Akagera National Park, Boat Trip at Lake Ihema
It is better to set off early morning from the lodge if we are to have any chances of catching the big cats in action. Most of the morning today shall be spent on a game drive, viewing earth's rare wildlife species that find home in Rwanda's Akagera. This game drive is always conducted using our specialized Africa game viewing vehicle - the customized safari Land-cruiser with a popping rooftop that also covers you from the hot sun or rain showers. The tracks also have big ad wide opening windows for each passenger to adjust for the best game viewing experiences and photography. They are 4x4 and can easily maneuver over the impassable tracks in the park.
As we go along, keep looking out for the resident wildlife here. The list includes giraffes, zebras, impalas, elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, Topi among others. If you are interested in birdwatching, Akagera is endowed with over 550 bird species.
Boat Ride on Lake Ihema: After lunch, your guide shall transfer you to the pier so that you can join the boat trip on Lake Ihema. The trip is guided by a local guide who is very knowledgeable about the water-based Wildlife here. You should expect encounters with the Nile crocodiles and Hippos. The lake is rich in biodiversity, except fish, the lake is home to hippopotami and crocodiles. As for birds, it has 550 species including unique species such as the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) and the Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri). Among the endemic species, there are the ibis (Threskiornithinae), jacanas, herons, Plovers (Charadriidae), Sandpipers, Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata), Hawk and many others.
Lake Ihema is located in the south of the Akagera National Park, and it is the largest of the 12 lakes in the park covering about 90 square kilometres. Its depth is about 5-7 meters, but this may alternate with seasons. On its eastern side is Tanzania.
Accommodation options:
Upmarket: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Mid-range: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Lower Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Nyungwe National Park
After an early morning breakfast, we shall set off driving to Nyungwe Forest.
We shall be briefly stopping over in Nyanza to visit the ancient kings' palace - Nyanza King’s Palace and the National Museum of Butare. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound has an ancient palace constructed by King Mutara in 1934.
Next to it is the reconstructed King’s hut as it was on the arrival of the Europeans. It is tastefully decorated with traditional mats and utensils.
Nyungwe National Park may be most famous for chimpanzee trekking, but this stretch of 394 square miles (1,020 square km) in southwestern Rwanda is teeming with more than a dozen primate species, a dazzling array of flora and fauna, and an impressive spread of hiking trails. Meander through, and you’ll feel as though you’ve wandered onto the set of Jurassic Park. You’ll spot 100-year-old trees, fern-fringed waterfalls, and oversized driver ants to the accompaniment of a cacophony of bird calls.
Nestled in East Africa’s Albertine Rift biodiversity-rich area, Nyungwe National Park protects some 1,000 plant types, nearly 300 bird species, more than 75 different mammals, the charismatic chimpanzee, and a dozen other primates' species. It is Africa’s largest protected mountain rainforest.
Trails cut through the park’s closed-canopy forests, bamboo thickets, and orchid-filled swamps. Be warned that the weather can be wet—it is a rainforest, after all. The park receives more than 2,000 mm (79 inches) of precipitation annually and provides water to approximately 70% of the county. In 2006, an exploring team claimed to find the furthest source of the Nile River in Nyungwe.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Lower Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park - Chimpanzee Trekking, Canopy Walk
Your safari guide will pick you up for the chimps trekking in Nyungwe National Park.
Chimpanzee trekking adventurers hike through its stellar jungles to spend one precious hour with a human-habituated chimpanzee troop. Nyungwe protects over 500 chimpanzees and over 350 black-and-white colobus monkeys endemic to the Albertine Rift, whose clever antics and aerial acrobatics keep visitors gazing into the canopies.
Nyungwe Forest is one of the destinations in the world where you can see up to 13 primate species; these include chimpanzees, the blue monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, endangered golden monkeys, and the Angolan black and white colobus monkeys, among others. Nyungwe forest has huge concentrations of habituated primates whose troops can include 400 to 500 individuals! This is a unique tourism phenomenon.
Nyungwe Forest is a nature lover’s paradise. The only remaining mountain rainforest in East and Central Africa, Nyungwe boasts of 260 species of trees and shrubs, over 200 species of orchids and giant lobelias, 275 Species of birds of which 25 are endemic, colorful butterflies and 13 recorded species of primates (25% of Africa’s total) including the chimpanzees.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park
Suspended above a ravine in the lush montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, the canopy walkway provides an exhilarating perspective on the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160m long and 70m high suspension bridge is accessible as part of a guided tour along the Igishigishigi trail, or to those hiking the Imbaraga or Umuyove trails.
Along the hour’s walk to the canopy walkway from the Uwinka Reception Centre, visitors will see countless butterflies, orchids and colorful birds, including many endemics to the region.
Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis)
Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Lower Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Have breakfast and drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to the Mountain Gorillas.
Ranging in altitude from 2400km to 4,507 the Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) is dominated by the setting of volcanoes after which it is named. Best known to the outside world as the place where for almost 20 years, the American primatologist Dian Fossey undertook her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behavior. Day hikes to see the gorilla families can be strenuous on tracks climbing through the forest, and time is very limited once contact is made with the gorilla families. It is a rare and memorable experience to visit with these giant cousins of man.
Our accommodation is ideally positioned for those who want to watch animals in their habitat, specifically the endangered Rwanda Mountain Gorillas that still roam these areas. Share in the cuisine of Rwanda, which is served with the hospitality for which we all return to African countries.
Accommodation options available
Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge
Low Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Volcanoes National Park - Golden Monkey Tracking
This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed with open glades; you will make your way deep into golden monkey territory. Guides lead visitors to the habitat of groups of „habituated‟ golden monkeys – monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence. Though viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travelers can get an up-close look at the golden monkey in its natural habitat.
Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch. Females carry their young, completely comfortable among onlookers.
After this unforgettable experience, retire to the lodge for an overnight stay, where you can reflect on the day's activities and relive the amazing encounter with the golden monkeys.
Accommodation options available
Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge
Low Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Drive to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have breakfast and go to ORTPN offices for briefing after that set off in the forest for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
A thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virunga's provides inspiring views in all directions. Then, suddenly, the trail enters the national park, engrossing trekkers in the strange closeness of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey and besieged with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.
Through gaps in the forest canopy, the marvelous peaks are sighted, easily easy to get to, and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent. Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but worthwhile in the encounter of these gentle giants. The enthusiasm of your coming across these apes will wipe away your intricacy of the strenuous trek.
Spend time watching gorillas, watch the adults feeding their young ones, brushing and resting as the youngsters play from vines in a pleasurably playful display.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Five Volcanoes Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge
Low Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Canoe Trek experience on Twin Lakes, Cross to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have a morning breakfast and then visit the beautiful region of the twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo. You will be introduced to traditional sustainable farming methods with African vegetables and fruits, visit the local fishermen and also see the fishing competition with children from the adjacent villages.
While here, you will go a launch cruise in one of the traditional canoes and have a visit to the local witch doctors and the “snake man” and also to the convent “Foyer de Charité”.
Afterward, a few minutes' drive leads us to the Rwanda/Uganda border post of Kyanika. We cross and continue driving through the amazing landscapes of the terraced Virunga region.
After the fabulous scenery drive, we will be at our overnight accommodation.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Mahogany Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Four Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi GorillaLodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge
Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today enjoy surely. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Bwindi National Park, located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. The area, one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa, where lowland and mountain habitats meet, contains a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs. Home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa. The park contains almost one-half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. Bwindi is also home to several endangered bird species with very limited ranges, and acts as an important catchment area for many rivers, supplying water for agriculture in the surrounding region.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Mahogany Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Four Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge
Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 9: Transfer to Kigali to end the tour
Have early breakfast at the lodge. Later in the morning, we shall proceed on our 4-hour drive to Kigali Airport for your scheduled flight back home
Please note that this is a guideline program that may be customized according to travelers' needs and preferences. The variations are normally made to improve the tour and your experience.
