12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Arrive in Rwanda

Upon arrival at the main gateway of Rwanda, Kigali Airport from your flight, you will be welcomed by our guide who will introduce you to the situation in Rwanda and highlights about the safari. You will then be transferred to your respective Hotel.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel Chez Lando (Midrange/standard) or Omurugo Rwanda Hostel (Budget/Basic).

Day 2 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park via Butare.

After breakfast, embark on your 12 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari by driving to the south west of Rwanda to Nyungwe forest National Park.it is 268km about 6 hours drive via the verdant country side that is shaped by hilly scenic views. You will make stops in Butare to visit the National Museum, visit the Kings palace in Nyanza and the Nyanza and Murambi genocide memorial sites. You will have Lunch en route and arrive in Nyungwe Forest National Park in the evening.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Nyungwe Hill Top Hotel (midrange/standard) or Gisakura guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 3 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Nyungwe Forest Primate walk

Wake up for an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on Chimp trekking experience at 08:00am in the Forest of Nyungwe  Rwanda. The experience is quite rewarding as you see Chimps roll down the tree branches; munching fruits, young ones playing amidst their amazing sounds. Their playful and food gathering tactics will leave you in a state of marvel prompting you to fill your camera with amazing photos. During the chimp trekking, you will also come across other 12 primate species including the unique colobus monkey, Las Monkey, Silver Monkey, Adolf Friedrich Angola, Golden Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, Hamlyn Monkey, Dents Mona Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet Monkey and Olive Baboon which will leave you with a true taste of nature. In the evening, you can pay a visit to the adjacent eco-villages to learn about the Kinyarwanda culture; see their daily activities including their tea gardens.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 4 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Nyungwe Nature walk.

After breakfast, embark on the rewarding nature walk to explore the pre-historic forest of Nyungwe. There are a range of trails including the famous coloured trails, the Bigugu trail that exposes you to the highest point in Nyungwe among other trails thus you will select the favorite trail to hike. During the hike, you will be astonished by the plant species that have grown for years and years, splendid orchids, birds, butterfly and other offers in the eco system.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 5 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Transfer to Kibuye

After a soothing breakfast amidst the cozy air from the virgin forest of Nyungwe, you will continue on your gorilla safari in Rwanda by embarking on the drive to Kibuye 125km about 3 hours drive. This is one of the resort towns on the shores of Lake Kivu thus connecting to it involves a great scenic drive through valleys and uplands overlooking the waters of Lake Kivu in the west which makes it a thrilling encounter. The Rwandese inhabit the rich fertile soils adjacent to the lake and have carried out various agricultural activities that will leave you with a great sight of the crops that are grown locally. Upon arrival, you will have lunch after which you will embark on the boat cruise on the waters of Lake Kivu where you will encounter the islands of Amahoro the peace island with its single bar and Napoleon with its bat colony. You are free to swim in the bilharzia free waters of Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge (Midrange/standard),Golf Eden Rock (Upmarket/luxury) or Saint Marie (Budget/Basic).

Day 6 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Transfer to Kinigi via Gisenyi

After breakfast, embark on the surface transfer to the gorilla trekking destination of Volcanoes National Park (Kinigi) 172km about 5 hours drive. You will make stops in Gisenyi to have the fresh breath of Gisenyi beaches on Lake Kivu. Continue to Kinigi and arrive in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Virunga Lodge (Luxury/Upmarket), La Palme Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Kinigi guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 7 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Do gorilla trekking

Wake up for an early cup of coffee, before gathering at Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking activity at 08:00am always conducted by park rangers. This gives highlights about the dos and donts while trekking gorillas. After briefing, you will traverse the jungle in search of the splendid mountain gorillas in the company of the park ranger guide which stretches between 2 -8 hours. You will walk through the luxuriant vegetation, climb raised gradients, ascend down the valleys before you encounter the great mountain gorillas as they munch their food and get astonished by the young gorillas playing and demonstrating their tactics which will prompt you to use up your camera space unknowingly. Your one hour with gorillas is done and return to the lodge for relaxation. You will embark on the visit to the splendid twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in the evening.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 8 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Track Golden Monkeys or Hike Bisoke Volcano or Hike Dian Fossey

Wake up for an early breakfast before gathering at the park Headquarters  Kinigi to embark on the golden monkey tracking activity as part of your 12 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari. Briefing starts at 08:00 am after which you will head to the forest in search of these rare and endangered primate species  golden monkeys. In your one hour encounter with them, you will be astonished by their amazing skin color and structure of their nose not forgetting the playful tactics and the chatters of these golden monkeys.
Alternatively, you can hike Mount Bisoke 3,711m above sea level. Stunning with its two cones that were formed out of eruption in 1957 , the Bisoke Volcano contains an amazing crater Lake known as Lake Ngezi about 11km from the summit. This activity on your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda involves ascend of four (4) hours from the departure point. You will be astonished by a walk around the Crater Lake and stunning sights of Virunga ranges in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic of Congo. The activity takes about 7 hours including ascending and descending. You will return to the lodge for relaxation and memory sharing.
Alternatively, you can opt to pay tribute to the famous American Primatologist  Dian Fossey who did great work regarding the conservation of Wild Mountain gorillas. She established a research center at Karisoke which you can also visit on this gorilla safari in Rwanda. Her grave lies along that of her most loved silverback Digit. The activity also involves hiking through the forest amidst a relatively steep ascend. The activity is less strenuous compared to hiking Mount Bisoke. After the activity, transfer to spend an overnight in Kigali 116km about 3 hoursdrive.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury/upmarket), Hotel Chez Lando (Midrange/Standard) or Omurugo Rwanda Hostel (Budget/Basic).

Day 9 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Transfer to Akagera National Park

You will embark on the drive to the Akagera National Park as part of your 10 days Rwanda Gorilla Wildlife and Cultural safari after breakfast at your Hotel. It is 130km great scenic drive about 2.5 hours passing through the amazing farmed hill sides of Rwanda as you draw down the lowered landscapes of Eastern Rwanda widely shaped by Savannah influence. You will arrive early for Lunch and relaxation after which you will embark on an amazing boat cruise on one of the multiple lakes in Akagera and the second largest in Rwanda – Lake Ihema where you will be able to enjoy the amazing sights of water waves, animals that inhabit it including; the Hippos and Nile Crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world not forgetting the splendid water birds and other wildlife drinking on the Lake side.

Accommodation: Akagera game Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Ruzizi Tented Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Dereva Hotel(Budget/basic).

Day 10 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Game drive & boat cruise

You will wake up very early to embark on a game drive so as to spot early risers and night hunters drawing back to their hideouts. You will be able to see herds of wildlife beginning their grazing routine and dawn of the sun on the magnificent Akagera Savannah landscapes. Animals to be spotted include; buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, Impala among others. You will return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till Lunch time after which you can either embark on the afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema or opt for a sport fishing encounter on Lake Shakani.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 11 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Explore the north of Akagera & return to Kigali city

After an early breakfast, you will explore the northern sector of the park up to the height of Mutumba, the highest elevation in Akagera to gain stunning views of the plains of Akagera and the Karagwe highlands of Tanzania. The sights of the Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Mihindi, and Lake Gishanju in the far north are quite rewarding. The northern sector is rich in wild game including; elephants, zebra, Impala, Giraffe, Buffalo leopard among other animals. You will return to the lodge for simple relaxation and lunch after which you will embark on the journey back to Kigali city.

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury/upmarket), Hotel Chez Lando (Midrange/Standard) or Omurugo Rwanda Hostel(Budget/Basic).

Day 12 of the12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari: Kigali city encounter

After breakfast, embark on Kigali city tour as the last activity on your 12 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. You will visit the Gisozi genocide memorial site, Presidential Palace Museum, the down town Kigali, the Hotel des Collines where the popular movie Hotel Rwanda was played. You will retire in the afternoon to mark the end of your 12 days gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.

End of 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari highlight.

Please note that Upon your request, we can change(customize) the tour destinations, hotels and number of days to suit your desire .just contact us call us 24/7 on phone