14 Days Ultimate Rwanda Safari Experience

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to Rwanda

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your professional guide will warmly welcome you to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” After a short transfer to your hotel, enjoy a briefing on your upcoming safari.

If time allows, take a short city tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Centre, and Kimironko Market. End your day with a delicious dinner featuring Rwandan fusion cuisine.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel / The Retreat by Heaven

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

Day 2: Kigali – Drive to Akagera National Park (Savannah Wildlife Begins)

After breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. The drive takes about three hours, passing through rolling hills and farmlands.

Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive. Spot elephants, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, and antelopes against the backdrop of Akagera’s open plains and lakes.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Spend the entire day exploring Akagera’s diverse ecosystems. Begin with a sunrise game drive for the best chances of spotting predators, followed by a mid-morning breakfast picnic.

Later, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds thrive. As the day ends, enjoy a sunset drink overlooking the shimmering lakes—a moment that perfectly captures Akagera’s tranquil beauty.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Day 4: Akagera – Drive Back to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed game drive as you exit Akagera, spotting more wildlife along the way. Return to Kigali for lunch and leisure. Spend your afternoon exploring Kigali’s artisan 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, set off for Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a biodiversity hotspot. The scenic drive takes you through tea plantations, rolling hills, and rural villages, with a stop in Butare (Huye) to visit the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace in Nyanza for a taste of Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Arrive in Nyungwe by evening, check in at your lodge, and unwind as you listen to the sounds of the rainforest.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest

Rise early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe Forest. After a briefing from park rangers, head into the forest trails in search of these lively primates. The experience of hearing their calls echo through the forest canopy is truly unforgettable.

After lunch, relax at your lodge or take an optional canopy walk, offering panoramic views of the rainforest from suspended bridges high above the treetops.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 7: Waterfall Hike & Nature Walk in Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast, embark on a guided waterfall hike through the lush forest, discovering orchids, butterflies, and bird species along the way. The Isumo Waterfall Trail rewards you with stunning views of cascading water surrounded by pristine nature.

The afternoon is free for relaxation or optional birdwatching and tea plantation visits around Gisakura.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

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

After breakfast, drive to the picturesque town of Kibuye, set on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive offers breathtaking views of terraced hills and sparkling waters.

Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Kivu, visiting nearby islands such as Napoleon Island, home to thousands of fruit bats. The rest of the day is yours to swim, kayak, or relax by the lakeside.

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 north along the lake’s scenic shoreline to Gisenyi, Rwanda’s charming beach town. Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely walk along the sandy beaches or visit local fishing villages for an authentic experience.

Optional activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, or visiting a nearby coffee plantation for a Rwanda coffee experience.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Paradise Malahide

Day 10: Gisenyi – Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, the gateway to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. The journey offers magnificent views of the Virunga Volcanoes rising from the mist.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll experience traditional Rwandan music, dance, and storytelling.

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

Today is the highlight of your safari—mountain gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast and briefing at the park headquarters, embark on a guided trek through bamboo forests in search of a gorilla family.

When you finally find them, spend a magical one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, play, and interact—an emotional and life-changing experience that defines Rwanda’s wild beauty.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, or opt for a community visit in the evening.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Bisate Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

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

Day 12: Golden Monkey Tracking or Hiking Adventure

After breakfast, set out for a golden monkey tracking experience in Volcanoes National Park. These playful primates are unique to the Virunga region and are known for their energetic behavior and striking golden coats.

Alternatively, adventurous travelers may hike one of the Volcanoes, such as Mount Bisoke or Mount Muhabura, offering spectacular crater views.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge / Bisate Lodge

• Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 13: Explore the Twin Lakes – Burera and Ruhondo

After breakfast, visit the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, nestled at the base of the Virunga volcanoes. Enjoy a canoe ride or nature walk as you soak in panoramic views and interact with local fishermen.

Return to your lodge for relaxation or enjoy a final evening sundowner overlooking the mountains.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Virunga Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

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

Day 14: Volcanoes – Drive Back to Kigali & Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before driving back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, visit local craft markets or enjoy lunch at one of the city’s elegant restaurants before your transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Your 14 Days Ultimate Rwanda Safari Experience concludes with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s natural beauty, cultural warmth, and incredible wildlife encounters.