12 Days Rwanda Safari – Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey, Wildlife, Canopy Walk, Scenery Viewing & Community Tours

12 Days Rwanda Safari – SAFARI OVERVIEW.

12Days Rwanda Safari is a comprehensive 11 nights/12 day Rwanda safari trip, and a highlight of a Rwanda tour offering Gorilla trekking, Chimp trekking, wildlife viewing tours, cultural and community tours, scenery viewing, and historical tours in the destination Rwanda.

This 12 day Rwanda safari tour is an amazing Rwanda safari package that includes the three National Parks of Rwanda i.e. Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park. This will expose you to various tourist activities on your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda including; Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, Game drives and a boat cruise in Akagera National Park, tracking golden monkeys or hiking Bisoke mountain or Dian Fossey Centre, exploring the resort towns of Kibuye and Gisenyi on Lake Kivu, the rich heritage of Rwanda in Butare and eventual Kigali city encounter.

The experience is quite rewarding and well designed to generate ultimate safari memories.

12 Days Rwanda Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY.

Day 1: 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 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: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park via Butare

After breakfast, embark on your 12 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari by driving to the southwest of Rwanda to Nyungwe forest National Park. It is a 268km about 6 hours drive via the verdant countryside that is shaped by hilly scenic views.

You will make stops in Butare to visit the National Museum, visit the King’s 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: Nyungwe Forest Primate walk

Wake up for an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on a Chimp trekking experience at 08:00 am in the Forest of Nyungwe  Rwanda. The experience is quite rewarding as you see Chimps roll down the tree branches; munching fruits, and 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: Nyungwe Nature Walk

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

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

Day 5: Transfer to Kibuye

After a soothing breakfast amidst the cosy 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 the 12 Days Rwanda 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: Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Wake up for an early cup of coffee, before gathering at Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing about the gorilla trekking activity at 08:00 am always conducted by park rangers. This gives highlights about the dos and don’ts while trekking gorillas. After the 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: 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 colour and the 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 ascending four (4) hours from the departure point. You will be astonished by a walk around Crater Lake and stunning sights of Virunga ranges in Uganda, Rwanda and the 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 centre 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 hours drive.

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

Day 9: 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 a 130km great scenic drive about 2.5 hours passing through the amazing farmed hillsides 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 another wildlife drinking on the Lakeside.

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

Day 10: 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 the 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 Lunchtime after which you can either embark on the afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema or opt for a sport fishing encounter on Lake Shakuni.

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

Day 11 of the12 Days Rwanda 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 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: Kigali City Tour

After breakfast, embark on the Kigali city tour as the last activity on your 12 days Rwanda safari tour. You will visit the Gisozi genocide memorial site, Presidential Palace Museum, downtown Kigali, and 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 Safari Tour

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 the phone

Your Safari Route

General Safari Inclusions

• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

General Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)

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