This 9 days Rwanda safari with gorilla tour is an extended safari that allows you to explore the destination of Rwanda in 9 days period.
It involves impressive activities like recreational boat cruise and rewarding game drive and thrilling sport fishing in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking and the famous canopy walk in Nyungwe forest National Park; Gorilla trekking and Dian Fossey encounter in Volcanoes National Park, the Kinyarwanda culture and the encounter of Kigali city. This amalgamation of these ultimately generates memorable experience.
Day 1: Drive to Akagera National Park & do boat cruise.
Day 2: Do a game drive & boat cruise or sport fishing in Rwanda’s largest Savannah Park – Akagera.
Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Visit Murambi genocide memorial site & Butare National Museum en route.
Day 4: Do Chimp trekking.
Day 5: Undertake a canopy walk.
Day 6: Drive to Volcanoes national park – the home of the endangered Mountain gorillas.
Day 7: Do gorilla trekking
Day 8: Take an excursion to the Karisoke Research Center (Dian Fossey) & transfer to Kigali.
Day 9: Do a tour of Kigali city & depart.
After breakfast, embark on transfer to Akagera National Park – the largest Savannah Park in Rwanda 130km about 2.5 hours’ drive from Kigali city.
You will have lunch from the park and embark on the boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon where you will be able to spot water birds, Hippos, Nile crocodiles among other species.
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Camp (Luxury/upmarket), Akagera game lodge (Midrange/standard) or Dereva Hotel (Budget/basic).
Wake up for an early morning game drive to catch up with early risers and nocturnal getting back to their hiding places before dawn.
You will be exposed to a range of wildlife including; giraffes, elephant, buffalo, zebra and a range of antelope.
Return to the lodge for relaxation at 11:00am till lunch time. In the afternoon, you can embark on the fishing encounter on Lake Shakani or opt for another boat cruise on Lake Ihema before returning to the lodge for overnight.
Accommodation: You will spend a night at your previous lodge.
Transfer after breakfast to Nyungwe Forest National Park 320km about 4 – 5 hours’ drive. You will visit Murambi memorial and the national Museum at Butare, Nyanza palace en route to Nyungwe. Arrive in Nyungwe in the evening for overnight.
Accommodation: Nyungwe forest View Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Hill Top View Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Gisakura Guest House (Budget/basic).
Wake up early for an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on the Chimpanzee trekking experience in the prehistoric forest of Nyungwe.
It is quite amazing encountering Chimps rolling themselves across these well-structured trees as they gather and consume more fruits as they can. Take photos and generate enough memories to keep with you forever.
Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.
Undertake a canopy walk in the Forest Park of Nyungwe – the largest montane forest in East Africa. This canopy walk exposes you to primate species that are rarely seen on ground including bird species. The lush of the forest top is quite rewarding too.
Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.
After breakfast embark on 284km journey over 8 hours’ drive to Volcanoes National Park. You will arrive in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel.
Accommodation: Muhabura Hotel (Basic/budget), Lapalme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Mountains Gorilla View Hotel (Upmarket/luxury).
Wake up as early as possible to take breakfast before converging at the Park Headquarters at Kinigi at 08:00am for briefing and eventual commencement of gorilla trekking encounter.
The activity of trekking can take 2 – 8 hours thus it is important to carry with you packed lunch. One hour will be allocated to you to interact physically with the gorillas and photos and questions are allowed during this historical encounter.
Return to the lodge after trekking for relaxation and in the evening you can to visit the twin lakes or a cultural tour to the Iby’wachu Village to explore in to the Banyarwanda culture.
Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous lodge.
Visit Karisoke research center after breakfast to witness the attempts of the leading gorilla conservationist – Dian Fossey an American Primatologist.
During this visit, you will also visit her grave and that of Digit – her admirable silverback after which you will return to the lodge for lunch and eventual departure for Kigali City 116km about 3 hours’ drive. Arrive in the evening for overnight.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel (Budget/basic) or Hotel Chez Lando (Midrange/budget).
After breakfast, undertake a Kigali city tour visiting Gisozi/Kigali memorial genocide site, Nyamata church, Hotel Des Mille Collines, down town Kigali, Presidential palace museum and craft centers before retiring to prepare for your departure in the afternoon.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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