12 Days Rwanda Scenic Discovery

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to the Land of a Thousand Hills

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a Kigali city tour, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Centre, and Kimironko Market.

In the evening, relax at your hotel and prepare for your scenic discovery through Rwanda’s most iconic destinations.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Heaven Boutique Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines

Day 2: Kigali – Drive to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, depart for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah reserve and home to the Big Five. The scenic drive east takes about 2.5 hours, offering views of rolling hills and rural villages.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes roaming through acacia woodlands and open plains.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive & Boat Safari on Lake Ihema

Rise early for a sunrise game drive in the northern plains of Akagera, where predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards can often be seen hunting in the golden morning light.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari on Lake Ihema, watching hippos, crocodiles, and flocks of waterbirds. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner under the stars overlooking the savannah.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Day 4: Akagera – Drive Back to Kigali

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before taking a game drive as you exit Akagera National Park. Arrive in Kigali by afternoon for lunch and spend the rest of the day exploring local markets or relaxing at your hotel.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 5: Kigali – Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a haven for primates and birdlife. En route, stop at the King’s Palace in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye (Butare) for a glimpse into Rwanda’s royal and cultural history.

Arrive at your lodge nestled amidst tea plantations and the forest canopy.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Set out early for a thrilling chimpanzee trekking adventure. Follow the park rangers into the dense forest to track these intelligent and playful primates. Hearing their calls echoing through the forest is an unforgettable experience.

In the afternoon, enjoy the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 160-meter suspension bridge offering panoramic views over the forest and valleys.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 7: Nature Walk and Waterfall Hike

After breakfast, embark on a guided nature hike to Isumo Waterfall, where you’ll walk through lush vegetation, spot orchids and butterflies, and be rewarded with spectacular views of the cascading falls.

Later, visit a nearby tea plantation to learn about Rwanda’s tea-making process—from leaf picking to tasting. This blend of nature and culture captures the essence of Rwanda’s scenic charm.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

Day 8: Nyungwe – Drive to Lake Kivu (Kibuye)

After breakfast, journey north to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes. The drive through the hills and valleys of western Rwanda is one of the most scenic routes in the country.

Arrive in Kibuye, a peaceful lakeside town, and enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Kivu to explore Napoleon and Amahoro Islands. The afternoon is free for swimming, kayaking, or relaxing by the lakeshore.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Cormoran Lodge / Cleve Hotel Kibuye

• Mid-range: Moriah Hill Resort

Day 9: Lake Kivu – Drive to Gisenyi (Rubavu)

After breakfast, drive along the shoreline to Gisenyi, another stunning lakeside destination. En route, enjoy picturesque stops for photos of terraced hills and fishing villages.

In Gisenyi, relax on the sandy beaches or visit a coffee plantation to learn about Rwanda’s specialty coffee industry. Optional water activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, or visiting the hot springs of Nyamyumba.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Paradise Malahide

Day 10: Gisenyi – Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, travel inland to Volcanoes National Park, home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive offers stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes—Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Muhabura.

Arrive in Musanze and spend your afternoon visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to experience Rwanda’s music, dance, and traditional crafts.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Bisate Lodge / Singita Kwitonda Lodge

• Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing on mountain gorilla trekking. Accompanied by experienced rangers, hike through bamboo forests and volcanic terrain to locate one of the habituated gorilla families.

Spending one hour in their presence is a life-changing encounter—observing their gentle interactions, feeding habits, and powerful yet calm demeanor.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, reflecting on this incredible experience.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge / Bisate Lodge

• Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Day 12: Volcanoes – Drive Back to Kigali & Departure

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before returning to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may stop at local craft markets for souvenirs or enjoy lunch at a city restaurant before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Your 12 Days Rwanda Scenic Discovery ends with unforgettable memories of misty mountains, serene lakes, and the warmth of Rwandan hospitality.