Best Rwanda Safari Tour, 9 days 8 nights

*Our Rwanda packages are usually via Uganda, however they can be altered to Kigali direct or via Nairobi.

This safari gives you the opportunity to discover the best natural and cultural sites of Rwanda. Parc National des Volcans, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu, Butare, Kigali. Activities include mountains gorilla tracking, primate trekking, cultural and historical visits. Rwanda has a moderate temperature all over the year with the dry seasons are between January and march and June to September making this package suitable for everyone looking forward to trekking through tropical rain forests all through the year. Gorilla tracking is probably the most demanding activity.

DAY 1: Arrival

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda you will be met by our representative for the transfer to the hotel in Entebbe for dinner and overnight. Alternatively, arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to the hotel in Kigali.

DAY 2: Ruhengeri

After breakfast, leave Entebbe/Kigali to reach Ruhengeri at the gate of Parc National des Volcans. The journey is full of beautiful sceneries, through the cultivated terraced hills of Kigezi and Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Nest Camp or Muhabura Hotel.

DAY 3: Mountain Gorilla Tracking

Early morning you enter the gorilla sanctuary of Parc National des Volcans, the rain tropical forest covering the hills surrounding Virunga Volcanoes. The trekking is a demanding but rewarding experience. Ensure you bring with you enough water and the packed lunch. The time spent in the forest depends on the movements of the primates in their natural environment. After the activity you return at leisure to Gorilla Nest Camp or Muhabura Hotel in Ruhengeri for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: The Beach of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi

After breakfast, leave Ruhengeri and proceed to Gisenyi, a pretty town located on the shores of beautiful Lake Kivu, the main water body of Rwanda. Relax on the beach in full board at Kivu Hotel or Palm Beach Hotel.

DAY5: Traditions and Culture of Rwanda

After breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe National Park. You will have a stop over in Nyanza for a tour of the royal palace of the traditional king of Rwanda, the Mwami. A storyteller is available to narrate for you the prowess of the pre-colonial Kingdom. After the palace tour, drive to Butare for a tour of the National Museum. After lunch proceed to Gikongoro for a tour of the Genocide Memorial of Murambi. Arrive in Nyungwe National Park in time for dinner and overnight at ORTPN Guest House.

DAY 6: The primates of Nyungwe National Park

After an early breakfast, you enter Nyungwe forest for the trekking in search for the numerous troops of Colobus monkeys and/or tracking the chimpanzee. Nyungwe is a vast, uncontaminated rain tropical forest over 1000 sq km in size and you will be amazed by such an intense, green mountain vegetation. Ensure you carry with you packed lunch and water for a pic nic lunch. Return to ORTPN Guest House for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Akagera National Park

After breakfast, depart for Akagera National Park located along the Tanzanian border of Rwanda. You reach in time for the evening game drive. This park is famous for its herds of game animals including Burchell’s Zebra, lions, elephants, topi, giraffes, impalas and over 425 species of birds including the shoe billed stock, African jacana, sacred ibis goliath heron. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

DAY 8: Game Drive in the Akagera Park

Early morning game drive along the trials of Akagera. As an optional activity, you can board the boat for exploring the water of the Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippo, the huge Nile crocodile and birds. In the afternoon return to Uganda for dinner and overnight in Mbarara, Lake View Regency Hotel. In alternative, drive back to Kigali for dinner and overnight at Kigali International Hotel.

DAY 9: Departure

Reserved for departure flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport.

The tariff includes

• Accommodation in hotels or lodge, in double room, full board treatment, included one soft drink for the meals
• All the transfer in private means 4×4 Land Cruiser or minibus
• English speaking Driver/Guide
• Entrance fees, taxes and “gorilla permit”

The tariff does not include

• Air ticket
• Tourist insurance
• Entrance visas: 30 USD for Uganda directly from Entebbe Int. Airport; 85 USD for Rwanda directly at the border
• Extra drinks and tips
• Anything not directly mentioned in the program itinerary