14 days best of Rwanda safari
The 14 days best of Rwanda safari as the title states, takes you to explore and visit the best sites and most popular sites in Rwanda. Some of the activities on this tour program include gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, an opportunity to see the big five and so much more including the history and culture of Rwanda.
Summary of 14 days best of Rwanda safari
- Day 1: Arrival- Kigali City Tour.
- Day 2: Transfer to Akagera wildlife park.
- Day 3: Game drives and Boat ride in Akagera
- Day 4: Transfer back to Kigali.
- Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park the home of primates.
- Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking / Primate walks
- Day 7: Black and White Colobus Monkey trek / Canopy Walk
- Day 8: Transfer from Nyungwe to Kibuye ( Lake Kivu )
- Day 9: Transfer from Kibuye to Gisenyi. Hot water springs
- Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 11: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 12; Golden Monkey Trek
- Day 13: Dian Fossey Tombs Treks
- Day 14:Transfer back to Kigali/ Catch flight back Home.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1; Arrive Kigali- City Tour
On arrival , you will be welcomed by a tour guide from AA Safaris and tours ltd who will brief you about your 14 Days best of Rwanda safari that includes Gorilla and Wildlife Safari before you transfer to Kigali. Indulge in a Kigali city tour – Visit the genocide memorial and some other cultural centres. Retire for dinner and over nights .
Budget : Chezlando Hotel
Moderate accommodation package: Gorillas Golf Hotel, Onomo Hotel , Mille Collin Hotel
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel , The retreat Hotel.
Day 2; Kigali – Akagera National Park
Take breakfast and then you will be transferred to Akagera National Park . Check in and then later have lunch . In the afternoon , you will do a game drive. Akagera NP is a home to various savannah wildlife which include; Zebras, Girrafees, antelopes which include the diminutive Oribi, the ungainly Tsessebe and the shy Bushbucks, Herds of buffalos and elephants come out of the savannah in the evening to drink some water from the edge of the Akagera river. The park is also home to over 525 species of birds, 4 endemics and big numbers of birds migrating from elsewhere and during a walk in this savannah one can get an opportunity to see the spotted hyenas, lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, warthog and so many other animals. . The park also hosts acquatic mammals that include hippos, crocodiles while the shoebill stock which is the treasure of the Akagera together with the papyrus Gonolek are always seen occasionally . You will return for dinner and over night at either;
Budget : Dereva Hotel
Moderate : Akagera Game Lodge (FB)
Luxury : Ruzizi Tented Camp
Day 3; Game drive and Boat Ride on Akagera River
Go for an early morning game drive to search for those animals that you may have not seen in the previous game drive. The guide will help you search and spot the animals and then latter transfer to the lodge. Have lunch and then go for a boat-trip along Akagera River to search for those famous and legendary aquatic mammals – the Hippos and Crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4; Akagera – Kigali
Indulge in another Rwanda Safari Game drive in the morning then head to Mt Mutumba(1825M above sea level) for Picnic lunch . The mountain has magnificent scenic view of the park. You will later transfer to Kigali for dinner and over night at your lodge in Kigali .
Day 5; Transfer to Nyungwe
Drive to Butare to Visit the Natural history museum and then drive to proceed to Nyungwe forest National park for dinner and over night at either
Budget : Gisakura Guesthouse
Midrange: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge.
Luxury : One and Only Nyungwe Lodge
Day 6; Chimpanzee tracking
You will go for a Chimpanzee tracking safari in Nyungwe Forest. Search for man’s closest cousin the Chimpanzees with the aid of the rangers who will also give you the names and knowledge about the other flora and fauna that you will encounter along the Chimpanzee trekking tour in Nyungwe forest. Requires an early departure from the Hotel
Later you will have a free afternoon to relax and enjoy the surroundings. If you want you can take a walk to go visit the surrounding communities.
Day 7; Nyungwe Forest / Canopy Walk
Go for a nature walk this time to search for the black and white Colobus monkeys. The guides will this time explain to you the names of the birds along this trail together with the flora and Fauna and return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a walk above the canopy of this dense forest, if you are lucky you might spot the chimps in the canopy or even the Blue Turaco. Binoculars are recommended for this afternoon trek. Overnight at previous hotel.
Day 8; Transfer from Nyungwe to Kibuye ( Lake Kivu).
Take your breakfast and drive to the Bugarama hot water springs (the largest and biggest natural spring in Rwanda) via Cyamudongo natural forest. It is possible to take a warm bath in the hot springs if time allows but this must be pre-arranged so that we plan for it before. We will later drive to River Rusizi for a day trip with lunch and fresh drinks and then later transfer to Kibuye town.
Budget: Bethanie hotel
Upmarket :Moriah Hills Hotel
Day 9; Transfer to Kibuye to Gisenyi
Today in the morning after breakfast, you will depart Kibuye to transfer to Gisenyi , the drive will take about 1 hour. Check into your hotel and then go visit the hot water springs and the fishing communities. If you are adventurous, you may opt to go kayaking to Napoleon Hill.
Budget: Ubumwe Hotel / Malahide Paradise
UpMarket: Kivu Serena Hotel.
Day 10; From Gisenyi To Volcanoes National Park
Take breakfast and later go for nature walk along the shore of Lake Kivu or take a boat ride along Lake Kivu and later have lunch . In the afternoon, you will transfer to Parc Des Volcans.
Budget : Kinigi Guest House / Muhabura Hotel
Standard : Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Le-Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
Luxury : Five Volcanoes Hotel
Upmarket: Virunga Lodge / Sabyinyo Silver back lodge / Bisate Lodge / Singita Kwitonda
Day 11; Gorilla Tracking
Take breakfast and then later take your packed lunch with you for briefing at the park headquarters for briefing and allocation of gorilla tracking escorts and rangers. You will then start the search for the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The bamboo forest log will dribble as you first perceive sound the breaking of bamboo indicating that the gorillas are nearer then bingo you come face to face with one of the most charming and mesmerizing beings in the world. After gorilla tracking encounter, stay with the gorillas for 1 hour and then and trek back to your lodge . There is an optional visit to the twin lakes of Ruhundo and Bulera but this can only be done if gorilla tracking ends early.
Relax as you wait for dinner and over night at your lodge
Day 12 ; Golden monkey Trek
Wake up early in the morning and then assemble at Volcanoes Park Offices once again to get another briefing from the rangers to prepare you for Golden monkey trekking. Golden monkey trek takes between 2 to 4 hours and therefore, you should be back in time for lunch. Have lunch and then relax to enjoy your hotel. Ovenright at previous Hotel.
Day 13; Dian Fossey Tombs trek/ Ellen Museum
Take a nature walk to the grave of the late famous gorilla s research – Dian Fossey. The trek is shorter and may take 3 hours. The rangers will explain all the history of how the lady was assassinated and what impact her research has done to help in the conservation of the gorillas. Later, go visit the ellen Museum which is a latest addition to the conservation efforts of volcanoes national park. Later return to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon. Overnight at the previous Hotel.
Day 14; Transfer to the airport for your outbound flight
Today after breakfast, we embark on the 2 and half hours drive to Kigali, stop at the souvenir shop before we transfer you to the airport to catch the onward flight back home. This therefore, marks the end of the 14 days Best of Rwanda safari gorilla and wildlife safari.