12 Days Rwanda Classic Safari is a well-designed safari tour package, leading you to intimate mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, offering a great chance to see these endangered primates in their natural habitat, doing a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, as well as engaging in cultural experiences.
Highlights for the 12 Days Rwanda Classic Safari
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park (Approximately 6 hours’ drive)
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy Walk
Day 4: Isumo Waterfalls Hike
Day 5: Transfer to Gisenyi and Afternoon boat ride on Livia (Approximately 6 hours’ drive)
Day 6: Transfer to Ruhengeri and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village (About 1 hour’s drive)
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Parc National Des Volcans
Day 8: Golden Monkey tracking
Day 9: Hiking Mountain Bisoke
Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali and to Akagera National Park—Evening Game Drive (Approximately 4-5 hours)
Day 11: Morning game drive and Boat ride on Lake Ihema
Day 12: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Kigali
You will arrive at Kigali International Airport and be welcomed by a professional driver-guide who will brief you about the safari. Then, depart for your booked hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you can opt to do a short city tour where you will visit the Genocide memorial site and the local market. Dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park (Approximately 6 hours’ drive)
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before transferring you to Nyungwe Forest National Park while passing through the cultivated countryside. Have a stopover at the Royal King’s Palace in Nyanza for a unique traditional experience. Proceed to visit the cultural museum at Rwesero. Continue to drive to Butare town, where you will have lunch and a visit to Rwanda’s National Museum. Arriving in the evening.
Dinner and an overnight stay at Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel – Midrange.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy Walk
After a morning cup of coffee or tea at the lodge, head to the park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking dos and don’ts. After the briefing, you will go meet the park ranger, who will lead you through forest trails on the lookout for chimpanzee groups. On finding them, you will be given an hour to spend with these great apes, learning about their behaviors and habits, as well as taking a memorable photo shoot. Back to the lodge for hot lunch.
After lunch, head out for another activity: the canopy walkway, which is 50 meters long and suspended from large trees. The experience takes 2 hours. During the canopy walk, expect to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the nature, birdlife, and primates. You will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 4: Isumo Waterfalls Hike
After a delicious breakfast, go on a guided nature walk where you will be able to explore the park’s unique tourist features, including waterfalls and orchids, among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the time at leisure. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 5: Transfer to Gisenyi and Afternoon boat ride on Livia (Approximately 6 hours’ drive)
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before transferring to Gisenyi town, and the journey offers spectacular views of Lake Kivu and sandy beaches. Arriving in time for lunch and having lunch at the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Lake Kivu for a boat ride, where you will have a chance to witness the beautiful Island and various bird species around the area. Spend the evening at leisure at the lodge, dinner, and an overnight stay at Serna Hotel Lake Kivu -Luxury, Gorilla Kivu Lodge -Midrange.
Day 6: Transfer to Ruhengeri and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village (About 1 hour’s drive)
After a morning breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Ruhengeri, where you will visit Ibyiwacu Village and embrace the traditional life of the Rwandan people. Enjoy a hot lunch at the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing. Dinner and an overnight stay at Tiloreza Eco Lodge (mid-range) and Virunga Inn Resort and Spa Hotel (luxury).
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Parc National Des Volcans
On this day, you will enjoy an early morning breakfast at the lodge. Thereafter, you will be driven to the park headquarters for a short briefing about gorilla trekking rules and regulations. After a briefing, you will walk into the forest trailhead in search of a gorilla family with the help of the park ranger.
Once you find the gorilla family, you will be given one hour to observe their amazing behaviors and take impressive photographs.
Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the evening, you will visit the Karisoke Research Center and the graves of Dian Fossey, a woman who greatly contributed to the survival of mountain gorilla conservation. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 8: Golden Monkey tracking
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the lodge before embarking on the Golden monkey tracking briefing at the meeting center. After the briefing, walk into the forest to look out for these active and playful creatures. Upon finding them, you will be given an hour to spend watching these creatures swinging on the tree branches, feeding, and enjoying taking photoshoots. Back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 9: Hiking Mountain Bisoke
Enjoy a morning breakfast at the lodge before taking part in a hiking adventure along Mount Bisoke. The hiking experience offers impressive views of the slopes and the nature around. Dinner and an overnight stay as above. After a gorgeous hiking adventure, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali and to Akagera National Park—Evening Game Drive (Approximately 4-5 hours)
You will depart for Kigali with a picnic lunch. Thereafter, transfer to Akagera National Park, passing through a phenomenal landscape and seeing the lifestyle of its people. Arrive at the park and embark on a short game drive where you will see animals like giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles, among others.
Dinner and overnight stay at Akagera Game Lodge (midrange) and Ruzizi Tented Camp (luxury).
Day 11: Morning game drive and Boat ride on Lake Ihema
You will have a yummy breakfast and, thereafter, drive to the Northern circuit game drive to search for the missed-out animals during the previous game drive. Return to the lodge for Lunch.
After lunch, you will head out on a boat ride excursion on Lake Ihema. Expect to see Hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp (luxury)/Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange
Day 12: Transfer back to Kigali city (Approximately 2 hours’ drive)
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before transferring back to Kigali Airport for your next flight.
End of the 12 Days Rwanda Classic Safari.
Safari Includes:
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- Gorilla tracking permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Bisoke Hike
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Boat cruise
- Vehicle entrance fees
- Game viewing in a 4X4 Safari vehicle.
- Full-time English-speaking Professional Safari Guide/Driver.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water while on safari.
Not included:
- International airfares and Visa fees
- Optional Activities
- PCR and Rapid Tests
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, email, laundry, beverages, or meals not indicated in the itinerary, portage, and waitstaff gratuity.
