Thirteen days across Rwanda, from golden monkeys and gorillas in the Virunga volcanoes to chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, with time on Lake Kivu and a sunrise balloon flight over Akagera.
1Country
6Stops
12Nights
Medium to Top LuxuryService level
01Rwanda
The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.
The journey
When to go
Gorillas and golden monkeys
Nyungwe chimpanzees
Akagera and the balloon
Lake Kivu
Gorillas and golden monkeys
Nyungwe chimpanzees
Akagera and the balloon
Lake Kivu Avoid
January Primary window
A short dry season. The trails are drier, the volcano slopes are clearer and visitor numbers are moderate. Drier weeks in a rainforest that is wet most of the year. Chimpanzee tracking and forest walks are at their most comfortable. A short dry season. The savannah is open and game gathers around the lakes. Dry and sunny on the lake, with calm mornings for kayaking and boat trips.
Kigali, Musanze and Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park.
Upon arrival, and after completion of customs and immigration formalities, you will meet with our guide and representative who will transfer you to the hotel and assist on check-in process and while in the lobby he/she will then brief you on the upcoming Safari.
After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a Kigali City Tour of Kigali, the capital, to explore the city's attractions; optional visits to the historical museums;
The Genocide memorial, Inema Arts Center and food markets. Have lunch at Chez Robert, then drive to Musanze town near Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast at 6:30am depart to the Park Headquarters in Kinigi for the Golden monkey tracking experience. You will get briefing by Park rangers and then drive to the starting point or the trailhead and traverse the jungle in search of the unique primates. It is an amazing opportunity to spend one hour with them as you observe, photograph, and film them as they forage their natural habitat. Proceed to your hotel for lunch. Afternoon 2pm visit the Diane Fosse Museum and the community visit Gorilla guardians’ village. Through goats for gorilla project, visitors to the village donate $25-40 that buys a goat for a reformed poacher’s family. Through this initiative, over 10.000 goats have been given to families around the park. This provides a start-up farming idea that will stir “from one goat to twenty, " increasing a household’s food and income security. More goats per family will save a gorilla.
After an early breakfast at 6:30am, drive to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for the majestic gorilla tracking experience. Rwanda is home to mountain Gorillas where tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. Upon reaching them, you'll spend an hour in their presence when you can observe, photograph, film and interact with the Gorillas in their idyllic habitat. Thereafter, you will head to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
This day, after a morning breakfast, the group embarks on a drive to Red Rocks and engages with the women community in intercultural and agricultural activities; among them are weaving, cooking, traditional dancing, and making banana wine and many more depending on the likes or preferences of the group. Have lunch and drive to Rubavu Town.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to visit Young Women Destination in Rubavu for handcraft experiences and traditional dancing classes 2-3hrs. Depending the season of the year; one could experience the daily life of women in the rural areas, harvesting or preparing the field for a new crop or grounding of cassava, collecting fire-wood, weaving and many more with Young Women who may have become mothers pre-maturely. Thereafter, visit the hot springs. Have lunch at the Lakeside of Paradis Malahide.
Morning at leisure before you embark on a day-drive for 6 hours to Nyungwe via Karongi, where you will stop for lunch at Moriah hill resort, then proceed to Nyungwe National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive alongside Lake Kivu. You drive through beautiful rolling hills enclosed by steep and green terraced hills along the way. The road winds endlessly in a countless number of twists and turns, and the common storm clouds lend a raggedly romantic panorama to this region.
After an early breakfast at 5 am, embark on a drive to Cyamudongo segmented park for a hike into Nyungwe Forest for a nature walk in search of Chimps. The flora in Nyungwe comes as a bonus. You will spend one hour in their presence, observing, photographing, and filming their idyllic habitat.
After lunch, drive to Uwinka for a canopy walkway experience. Canopy walk offers a clear view of plants, primates, birds, and butterflies at a close range.
Along the way, you will stop at Nyanza town to visit the historical king’s palace. That used to be the centre of Rwanda in pre-colonial times. The palace is beautifully crafted like a bee hive. In the backyard are found “Inyambo” long-horned cows believed to have descended from the King’s herd.
After your lunch, at 3 pm, set off to proceed to Kigali and check in at Hotel Des Mille Collines for dinner and an overnight stay.
After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a drive to Nyamirambo Women's Center for a tour and cooking class experience of the Rwandan traditional meals, have lunch there as well as shopping of souvenirs.
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive to Kayonza Women for Women International (Urugo) to share their experience and have lunch there.
Later, proceed to Akagera NP. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, and you may stop for photography. Upon arrival, go to the reception for registration and briefing.
Early in the morning, head to the balloon's departure point to admire the aerial panorama and sunrise from Acagera National Park. Champagne and breakfast await you afterwards. Then you'll head for the plains to the north, crossing the entire park and much more.
After breakfast, you'll head to the plains to the north, crossing the entire park in search of the “Big Five” animals.
After a leisurely breakfast, we will transfer you to the Airport for your outbound flight back home.
The detail
About this trip
Explore Rwanda in totality in our 13-Day Rwanda Tour. You will visit some major national parks: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park. In addition, you will learn about the cultural life of Rwanda. You will also stay in the capital city of Kigali. We're sure you'll find it interesting to walk the city streets and learn about the complicated past of the “City on The Hills”.
What is included
Park fees (For non-residents);
Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident);
Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident);
All activities (Unless labelled as optional);
All accommodation (Unless listed as an upgrade);
A professional driver/guide;
All transportation (Unless labelled as optional);
Round-trip airport transfer;
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section);
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section).
What is not included
International flights (From/ home);
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour;
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day);
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.);
Increases in taxes and/or park fees set by the government.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How do we travel around Rwanda on the 13-day tour?
The tour is by road. After Kigali, day 2 goes to Musanze near Volcanoes National Park. Day 5 drives to Red Rocks and Rubavu on Lake Kivu. Day 7 is a drive of about six hours to Nyungwe via Karongi. Day 9 returns to Kigali with a stop at the king’s palace in Nyanza. Day 11 goes to Akagera National Park, and day 13 is the transfer to Kigali airport.
When is the best time for the Rwanda primates and wildlife tour?
January, February, June to September and December score highest across the gorillas, Nyungwe chimpanzees, Akagera and Lake Kivu, with firm trails and clear mornings for the Akagera balloon. July and August are peak season for trekking, with the earliest sell-out. March to May and October to November are wetter, with slippery trails, and April is the wettest.
What does a typical day look like on this tour?
Primate days start early. On day 3 breakfast is at 6:30 am before golden monkey tracking, and on day 8 breakfast is at 5 am before the chimpanzee walk at Cyamudongo, followed by the canopy walkway at Uwinka. Day 12 starts with a sunrise balloon flight over Akagera and a champagne breakfast, then a game drive. Cultural days include community visits and cooking classes.
What is flexible on the 13-day Rwanda itinerary?
Some days have choices. On day 2, visits to the historical museums, the Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Center and food markets in Kigali are optional. The Lake Kivu community activities on day 5 depend on the preferences of the group, such as weaving, cooking or dancing, and day 7 begins with a morning at leisure. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.
On this trip
Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.
Book it in this order
Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.
Field notes
The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.
Goats for Gorillas
On day three you visit the Gorilla Guardians' village, where visitors help fund goats for families who once poached. It is an easy way to see how conservation supports the community.
Women's community visits
The Red Rocks and Rubavu visits include weaving, cooking and dance. Ask before photographing people.
Six hours to Nyungwe
Day seven is a long drive of about six hours via Karongi, along the shore of Lake Kivu. The roads wind steeply, so travel sickness tablets help.
King's palace at Nyanza
On day nine you stop at the historic king's palace at Nyanza, built like a beehive, where long-horned Inyambo cows graze.
A cooking class in Nyamirambo
On day ten you tour the Nyamirambo Women's Center and cook a Rwandan meal, then eat it for lunch.
Plastic bags
Rwanda bans plastic bags, so pack in cloth or paper bags for the whole trip, including Akagera and Nyungwe.
Plan this journey
Make this trip your own
Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.
