7 Days Best of Rwanda safari tour
7 days Best of Rwanda safari tour takes you to all the corners of Rwanda. Rwanda is a small landlocked country of an area of 26,338 square kilometers surrounded by Uganda in the north, DR Congo in the west side, Burundi in the south western and Tanzania in the Eastern side. Rwanda has 3 major national parks which you will get to visit in this 7 day safari in Rwanda.
Take two days in Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking, two days in Nyungwe national park for chimpanzee trekking and the canopy and another 2 days in Akagera national park the only park that offers wildlife safaris in Rwanda.
Trip highlights the 7 days Best of Rwanda safari tour
- Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe forest national park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking with an afternoon canopy walk
- Day 5: Drive to Akagera national park
- Day 6: Half day game drive and Lake Ihema boat trip
- Day 7: Connect back to Kigali
Trip Description
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Your driver guide for the next 7 days will be waiting at your communicated pick up location by 9 am. You will exchange pleasantries and get a briefing on what to expect the next few days. Take some time to go to the Kimironko market for souvenirs and Kigali genocide memorial as the Kigali city tour before you head out to Musanze for lunch.
After your lunch in Musanze, you will connect to the Dian fossey fund museum for a virtual tour and 3D presentation of the Virunga ranges and learn about the contribution of Dian fossey towards gorilla conservation. Before it gets dark, you will drive further to check in at your hotel in Musanze for dinner and the night stay.
Hotel options in Volcanoes national park
- Hotel Muhabura for budget
- Le Bambou gorilla lodge for midrange
- 5 Volcanoes gorilla lodge for luxury
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Get up anticipating the mountain gorilla trek. Grab some breakfast and set out to the park offices where you will have a 30 minute pre trek brief and hire your porters if necessary. You will head into the forest in search of the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park takes about 2 to 5 hours all depending on where the gorillas would have spent the night before as they have new homes every night. Upon reaching the mountain gorillas, you will spend an hour in their presence as they carry on with their daily routine.
Leave the forest to connect back to hotel for lunch as you wait for the sun to cool down. Later in the afternoon, you will connect for a cultural tour at the Iby’iwachu cultural center. Get to learn the culture of the Rwandan people and after connect back to your hotel for dinner and a second night in Volcanoes national park Rwanda.
Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe forest national park
Right after having your breakfast at the hotel, you will check out of your hotel and meet your driver guide who will be waiting to take you to your next destination. Leave Volcanoes national park for Nyungwe forest national park via Kibuye. You will take some time to enjoy the view of Lake Kivu Rwanda on your transfer with an enroute lunch.
Arrive in Nyungwe forest in the afternoon and drive to connect to your hotel to check in. You will be welcomed with a cold glass of Juice and settle into your room. Return to the dinning arena in time for dinner prepared by the Rwandan chefs at your hotel. Spend your first night in Nyungwe forest national park.
Hotel options in Nyungwe forest national park
- Gisakura visitor centre for budget
- Nyungwe top hill view lodge for midrange
- One and only Nyungwe house for luxury
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking with afternoon canopy walk
You will be expected to be up by 5 am to go to the Uwinka or Cyamudongo chimpanzee trek starting point. Chimpanzees are early risers thus the early hours. Receive your pre trek brief from the park rangers and head into the forest on the designated trails as you search for the chimpanzees. You will be able to hear the sound of the different Nyungwe primates from the trail head. Catch the chimpanzees swinging from tree branch to tree branch and after the trekking you will head back to your hotel for a late breakfast and cool off.
Lunch will be served and you will after head out to the park for the 2 pm canopy walk of Nyungwe forest. This 2 meter long 9 meters up suspended bridge gives visitors of the Nyungwe national park of Rwanda a chance to view the forest from the top- the bird’s view. Get to see some smaller primates and birds on this canopy. Drive back to your hotel in time to catch the sunset as you wait for dinner to be served.
Day 5: Drive to Akagera national park
Wake up in the cold Nyungwe forest excited for your next destination. You will have breakfast and later head out on this 6 hour drive. You will pass via Butare and take a few minutes at the Butare museum and have lunch and continue to Akagera national park via Kigali.
You will arrive in the Akagera national park in time before the gates close. Check in to you accommodation and have dinner before you spend your first night in the Akagera national park Rwanda.
Hotel options in Akagera national park
- Akagera game lodge for budget and midrange
- Rusizi tented camp for luxury
Day 6: Half day game drive and Lake Ihema boat trip
Wake up early for breakfast and set out to the park office to pick your ranger guide to take on your game drive in Akagera national park. You will meet your driver guide and drive around the savannah plains exploring the game of Akagera national park like the lions, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. Get to spot some birdlife on this safari.
Drive back to your hotel for lunch and later in the afternoon drive to Lake Ihema for a boat trip to see the aquatic life of Akagera like the crocodiles and hippos. Get back to your hotel for dinner and second night in the park.
Day 7: Connect back to Kigali
Wake up at leisure as you digest your last moments on your safari. Breakfast will be served and you will connect with your driver guide to exit the park. You may take on a brief game drive as you exit the park. Head out to Kigali for drop off as you will advise. If you did not get chance to have a city tour on the first day, you will take it on this day
Inclusive of
- English/ French speaking driver guide
- Mountain gorilla permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Canopy walk permit
- Game drive
- Entrance fees
- Boat trip fees
- Accommodation selected
- Meals all trip; breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Bottled water
Exclusive of
- International flight fares
- Country visa fees
- Personal needs like laundry, alcoholic beverages, phone calls
- Extra optional activities not included in the itinerary
