Cost Includes
- Park Entrance Fees
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee Permits
- All Transportations
- All Meals & Accommodations
- A professional Driver / Guide
- Drinking water
9 Days Explore Rwanda Tour
Tour Overview
The 9 Days Explore Rwanda Tour with Trip to Gorilla Safaris offers a comprehensive journey through Rwanda’s stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and vibrant culture. This adventure begins in Kigali with a city tour to explore the country’s history and culture before heading to Akagera National Park for thrilling game drives and a scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema. The safari continues to Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee tracking and the breathtaking canopy walk, providing an up-close experience of Rwanda’s lush rainforest. In Volcanoes National Park, travelers embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla trek, track playful golden monkeys, and explore the Musanze Caves. Carefully selected lodges ensure comfort and scenic surroundings throughout the trip, making this tour perfect for travelers seeking wildlife encounters, primate experiences, cultural immersion, and Rwanda’s natural beauty all in one journey.
Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Drinks other than Water
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Trip to Gorilla Safaris guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Take the rest of the day to relax after your flight or explore the city at your leisure. Optional activities include visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial or strolling through local markets to get a sense of Rwandan culture and history.
Meals: Dinner included
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Meals: Dinner included
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour visiting key attractions, including the Genocide Memorial, craft markets, and historic sites. In the afternoon, depart for Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda. Arrive at your lodge and enjoy dinner while taking in the park’s scenic savanna views in preparation for your wildlife adventures the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Full Board)
Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise in Akagera
Start the day with a morning game drive across Akagera National Park’s savanna, spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and various antelope species. After returning to the lodge for lunch, enjoy a scenic boat cruise along Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species can be observed. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Full Board)
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, drive southwest to Nyungwe National Park, passing through picturesque tea plantations, rolling hills, and traditional villages. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the serene surroundings of the rainforest. Evening is free to relax and prepare for the chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk adventure planned for the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Full Board)
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk
Start the day early with a briefing from expert rangers before trekking into Nyungwe Forest to track habituated chimpanzees. Observe these playful primates for up to one hour, learning about their behavior and social dynamics. After lunch at the lodge, embark on the thrilling Nyungwe Canopy Walk, enjoying panoramic views of the forest canopy, distant hills, and abundant birdlife. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Full Board)
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Cultural Experience
After breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, stop at a local Rwandan community to learn about cultural traditions, visit schools or artisan workshops, and interact with locals. Arrive at your lodge near the park and settle in, taking in views of the surrounding volcanic mountains and preparing for gorilla trekking the following day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Begin the day early with a ranger briefing before trekking into the dense volcanic forest in search of your assigned gorilla family. Trekking can take from a few minutes to several hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing the gorillas as they feed, play, and interact in their natural environment. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation, reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking & Visit Musanze Caves
After breakfast, embark on a guided trek to track the habituated golden monkeys of Volcanoes National Park. These colorful primates are playful and active, offering excellent photography opportunities. After lunch, visit the nearby Musanze Caves, exploring the underground formations and learning about their history. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)
Day 9: Return to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, check out from your lodge and drive back to Kigali, stopping for scenic photos and local souvenirs along the way. Arrive in Kigali in time for your departure flight, concluding your 9-day Rwanda exploration tour with Trip to Gorilla Safaris.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
