12-Days Awesome Rwanda Culture & Wildlife

Highlights

Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Game drives
Boat safaris
Chimpanzee trekking
Gorilla trekking
Canopy Walk
Photo session & shopping at the Equator

Day 1: Arrival At Kigali International Airport

Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel where you will get a detailed briefing from our representative and also acclimatize to the high altitude of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at Inside Afrika

Day 2: Kigali City Exploration And Bugesera Reconciliation Village

After breakfast start a historical-minded exploration of Kigali city with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times. Start with the Kigali Genocide memorial site where over 250,000 genocide victims were put to rest in mass graves, Visit Belgian camp where 10 UN peacekeepers were killed before the start of Genocide trying to protect the late Prime Minister.

Lunch and afternoon transfer to Bugesera to visit the reconciliation village where the survivors of genocide live together in harmony with the perpetrators that killed their own families, get to hear testimonies from them and engage in different community activities such as: traditional dances, cooking, basket weaving, etc. Drive back to Kigali.

Dinner and overnight at Inside Afrika

Day 3: Transfer To Akagera And Boat Cruise At Lake Ihema

Transfer to Akagera National Park – arrival and briefing followed by a Game drive get opportunity to see 11 species of antelopes, over 480 species of birds including the rare ones such as the shoe bill stock, papyrus gonolek and the big 5 i.e., Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) to mention but a few. The park has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer, very beautiful undulating landscapes, high species numbers and endemic species plus historical and cultural sites inside the park.

In the afternoon drive to Lake Ihema for the thrilling boat cruise to see the schools of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, water birds, etc. Overnight & dinner at Akagera game Lodge.

Day 4: Full Day Game Drive In The Park

After an early breakfast proceed to Akagera National Park., kick-start your day with a drive towards the northern gate for the full-day game drives. Expect to encounter some predators happily feasting on their freshly preys and wave to the fortunate preys that managed to survive the night. This region is best for spotting members of the Big Five including the Hippos, elephants, buffaloes; giraffes, warthogs, water bucks, and different antelope species such as the “Roan Antelope” or horse antelope, the largest and, with the topi or lyre antelope, one of the fastest. You will be amazed by the beautiful landscape, where you can see the lakes lined up like a string of pearls that demands your attention. Most part of the day is spent doing the game drives. It may take up to six hrs. on the game drive. At noon, you will check-in at Akagera Game Lodge, have Lunch and later Immerse to Lake Ihema for a thrilling boat cruise.

A boat cruise on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park offers a unique and memorable experience, allowing you to get up close to the park’s aquatic wildlife and take in the breathtaking scenery.  This will be a splendid sighting of schools of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, water birds, buffaloes, elephants etc. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

Day 5: Game Drive Out Of The Park & Back To Kigali

After Early breakfast, you will leave for a full day game drive in Akagera national park. You will be searching for the big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, several Antelope species, Lions and Rhinos. The park is a varied habitat for wildlife and a birders haven with over 500 bird species in the park. You will leave the lodge with parked lunch for the game drive, which will last about 6 hours depending on your interests before starting the journey back to the hotel.

Akagera National Park is a captivating experience that immerses you in the beauty of Rwanda’s natural landscape while providing an intimate encounter with its diverse aquatic wildlife. As the day comes to an end, we transfer back to Kigali. Dinner and overnight at Inside Africa.

Day 6: Transfer To Nyungwe En-route Visit The King’s Palace And Ethnographic Museum & Visit Canopy Walkway

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Nyungwe National Park, en-route start a historical-minded exploration of Nyanza – visit the King’s palace and traditional Rwanda home; the National Museum, introduction to Rwanda’s kingdoms, discovery of colonial architecture.

Proceed to Nyungwe forest. This national park is the largest tropical afro Montane rain forest east or central Africa and a rain forest it is and receives over 2000mm of rain each year and its Rwanda’s largest water catchment area and its home to 2/3rds of all Rwanda’s water.  The forest also feeds both the river Congo and the River Nile with water. Nyungwe is also home to over 300 different bird species, many butterflies, orchids, 75 mammal species including the 13 primates, and there have also been the sightings of the golden monkeys. Overnight & dinner at Chimpanzee lodge.

Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walkway

Early breakfast (or have packed breakfast instead) at 5am then drive to the edge of the forest where chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe. Accompanied by experienced trekking guides and trackers who will give you exciting information about the humans’ closest relative in DNA composition, you will spend up to an hour following and watching the chimpanzees once you spot them.

Lunch and refreshment followed by a walk to the famous canopy walk way. A 70 m high and 160m long artificial bridge which allows you to see beautiful views of this old forest from the top. You will also get a chance to see some birds at the tree crowns.

Overnight & dinner at Chimpanzee lodge

Day 8: Transfer To Kibuye – Boat Cruise To Visit Napoleon And Amahoro Islands And Environment Museum

Breakfast, then drive to Kibuye at Lake Kivu. Rwanda’s most attractive of lake ports, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze.

Lunch at the hotel as you enjoy the views of the Lake. Transfer to the shores of Lake Kivu to enjoy a boat ride to visit the Napoleon and Amahoro Islands to see a number of colorful birds, clouds of big fruit bats, learn the history of the lake and the beautiful views of the Lake surroundings. Afternoon visit the Environment Museum, learn more about conservation, different Rwanda’s vegetation, fauna and flora, geographical changes, etc. Overnight at Bethany hotel

Day 9: Transfer To Gisenyi/Rubavu – Hotspring & Sunset Fishing

Morning transfer to Gisenyi at the Lake Kivu (1 hour drive) arrival and enjoy the morning at the Lakeshore. On arrival, you will visit the hot spring and enjoy the massage from locals.Afternoon visit the fishing village where you will do a sunset fishing to learn more fishing techniques and do the boat ride with traditional fishermen. Dinner and overnight at Hakuna Matata lodge

Day 10: Transfer To Volcanoes National Park- Golden Monkey Tracking And Ibyiwacu Cultural Village

Early morning transfer to Volcanoes National Park to do golden monkey tracking. It is now believed that they are the only feasible population of Golden Monkeys residing in Volcanoes National Park. They are beautiful and endangered primates which are endemic in the Virunga Mountains Region and have become quite habituated to humans, making it possible to observe them closely.

After lunch, you will proceed to Ibyiwacu Cultural Village known as Gorilla Guardians where you will learn more about Rwandan culture and lifestyles. Get to understand the culture of the Rwandans through their daily life and knowledge of the environment, poetry, folklores, dancing, singing, pottery and the theoretical hunt gathering skills. It’s one of the thrilling experiences and very adventurous as you try to adapt to the traditional hut homes and lifestyle. Dinner & Overnight at best view hotel

Day 11; Ellen Degeneres Campus And Afternoon At Leisure  

After breakfast you will proceed to visit Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian fossey fund. This multi-acre, Eco-friendly facility adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park includes three main buildings – the Research Center, Education Center, and Conservation Gallery – as well as housing for visiting students and researchers. The Ellen Campus is designed to serve as a gateway to conservation for the many stakeholders as well as visitors from around the world, helping to create the next generation of conservationists. Have lunch at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight at best view hotel

Day 12: Drive Back To Kigali

On this day depending on your flight time, you will drive back to Kigali and drop off at the airport for the departure flight.