Classic Rwanda Safari
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Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Safari Overview
Experience Rwanda’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant culture on this classic 9-day safari. From the rolling savannahs of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe and the misty volcanoes that shelter the endangered mountain gorillas, this journey combines game drives, primate trekking, cultural encounters, and spectacular scenery. Perfect for travelers who want to see the very best of Rwanda in one unforgettable adventure.
Safari Highlights
- Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial
- Big Five game viewing in Akagera National Park
- Boat safari on Lake Ihema
- Scenic drive through Rwanda’s countryside
- Canopy walk and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey trekking or Dian Fossey hike
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village experience
- Stunning views of Lake Kivu
Included/Exclude
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as per itinerary (luxury, midrange, or budget)
- Meals as indicated
- Drinking water during transfers and safari activities
- Park entry fees for Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Parks
- Gorilla trekking permit (one per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit (one per person)
- Golden monkey permit or Dian Fossey hike
- Lake Ihema boat safari
- Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
- Kigali city tour
- International flights
- Rwanda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (tips, laundry, souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Optional activities not specified
- Additional hotel nights before or after the safari
Tour Plan
Arrive at Kigali International Airport where you’ll be met by your professional driver-guide. After a short safari briefing, transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a guided city tour including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local craft markets. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Step Town Motel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Dinner
After breakfast, drive east through Rwanda’s picturesque hills to Akagera National Park, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and giraffes against the stunning backdrop of savannah plains and lakes. Return to your lodge for dinner.
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge / Akagera Game Lodge / Dereva Hotel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a full-day game drive through Akagera’s diverse habitats, from open plains to woodlands and swamp-fringed lakes. With some luck, you may spot lions, rhinos, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of birdlife. A picnic lunch is served at a scenic spot in the park. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge / Akagera Game Lodge / Dereva Hotel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day with a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema, known for its hippos, crocodiles, and plentiful water birds. Return to your lodge for brunch, check out, and drive back to Kigali. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Step Town Motel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, begin your scenic drive south-west to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Stop along the way to admire tea plantations and local villages. Arrive at your lodge near the forest, check in, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of one of Africa’s oldest rainforests.
Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning, head into Nyungwe Forest for a guided chimpanzee trek. Listen to their hoots and calls echoing through the ancient trees as you track and observe these lively primates in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, experience East Africa’s only canopy walkway — a suspended bridge that offers panoramic views of the forest canopy and incredible birdwatching opportunities. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and drive north through Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes, passing beautiful Lake Kivu along the way. Arrive at Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, and check in at your lodge with the dramatic Virunga volcanoes in the background.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trek. Hike through bamboo forests and misty slopes to spend an extraordinary hour observing a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge to rest and reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, choose between trekking to see the playful golden monkeys or hiking to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Research Center to learn about her legacy in protecting the mountain gorillas. After your activity, return to your lodge for lunch, then drive back to Kigali. Your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your classic Rwanda safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
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