Discover the finest of Rwanda on this 10 Days Luxury Safari Tour in Rwanda with Verdant Safaris. This exclusive journey combines Rwanda’s spectacular wildlife, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, while giving you the opportunity to stay in carefully selected luxury and premium accommodation. From the vibrant capital of Kigali to the savannah plains of Akagera National Park, the ancient forests of Nyungwe and the volcanic landscapes of Volcanoes National Park, you will experience Rwanda’s most remarkable destinations at a comfortable and unhurried pace. Along the way, you will enjoy private guided experiences, cultural encounters, scenic drives, wildlife viewing and some of Africa’s most extraordinary primate experiences.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Luxury Kigali City Tour
Your luxury Rwanda safari begins when you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your private Verdant Safaris guide and transferred to your luxury hotel. After settling in and enjoying some time to relax, you will begin exploring Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most beautifully organised capital cities. Your city tour may include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will learn about Rwanda’s difficult history and its remarkable journey towards peace, reconciliation and development. You will then explore some of Kigali’s vibrant neighbourhoods, local art galleries, craft shops and carefully selected viewpoints overlooking the city’s rolling hills. You may also enjoy a refined dinner featuring Rwandan and international cuisine at your hotel or one of Kigali’s highly regarded restaurants. The evening will be spent relaxing at your luxury accommodation in preparation for the wildlife and cultural experiences ahead.
Accommodation options in Kigali: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Kigali to Akagera National Park and Luxury Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and travel east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination. The journey takes you through picturesque countryside, rural communities and rolling hills before the landscape gradually changes into open grasslands and wetlands. After entering the park, you will begin your first game drive, searching for some of Rwanda’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitat. You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and numerous bird species, while the park’s restored lion and rhino populations add to the excitement of the safari. Your experienced guide will help you understand the behaviour of the animals and the conservation success story that has transformed Akagera into one of East Africa’s most rewarding wildlife destinations. After your game drive, you will continue to your luxury lodge, where you can enjoy an evening overlooking the park’s beautiful landscapes and relax in an exclusive safari setting.
Accommodation options in Akagera National Park: Magashi Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Akagera National Park Full-Day Wildlife Safari and Boat Cruise
Today is dedicated to discovering more of Akagera National Park through an extended luxury wildlife experience. After an early breakfast, you will head into the park for a morning game drive when wildlife is often active and the temperatures are pleasant. You will explore different habitats, including open savannah, woodland and wetlands, giving you opportunities to encounter a wide variety of species. Depending on animal movements and seasonal conditions, you may see giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and several species of antelope, while your guide will help identify the park’s impressive birdlife. Later, you will enjoy a relaxing boat excursion on Lake Ihema, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds from the water. The peaceful cruise provides a different perspective of Akagera and allows you to appreciate its extensive wetland ecosystem. You will return to your luxury lodge in the evening for dinner and a relaxing night surrounded by the atmosphere of the African wilderness.
Accommodation options: Magashi Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Akagera National Park to Kigali and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will leave Akagera and travel back towards Kigali, enjoying the changing scenery as you move from the savannah landscapes into Rwanda’s lush central highlands. On the way, you will have opportunities to stop at scenic viewpoints and interact with local communities, depending on your interests and the day’s schedule. Once in Kigali, you will enjoy a more immersive cultural experience designed to introduce you to Rwanda’s traditions, food, crafts and contemporary way of life. You may visit a local craft centre, art gallery or community initiative where you can meet local artisans and learn about traditional skills. You will also have time to enjoy a leisurely lunch and explore Kigali at a relaxed pace. In the evening, you will return to your luxury accommodation for a refined dinner and overnight stay. This day provides a comfortable transition before your journey towards Rwanda’s ancient rainforest and Lake Kivu.
Accommodation options in Kigali: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Today you will begin your journey towards Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most important montane rainforests. After breakfast, you will travel south through Rwanda’s spectacular countryside, passing through terraced hills, agricultural communities and tea-growing regions. You will make selected stops along the route to appreciate the scenery and learn about rural life in Rwanda. Depending on the schedule, you may visit a tea plantation and learn about tea production, from cultivation to processing, while enjoying the beautiful green landscapes surrounding the plantations. You will then continue towards the Nyungwe region, where the dense rainforest creates a dramatic contrast to the open landscapes of Akagera. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury accommodation and have time to relax in the peaceful forest environment. The evening will be ideal for enjoying the lodge facilities, taking in the surrounding scenery and preparing for your chimpanzee tracking experience.
Accommodation options near Nyungwe Forest: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Nyungwe Forest Experience
Your day begins early with breakfast before heading into Nyungwe Forest National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience. After a briefing from your park guide, you will enter the ancient rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. As you walk through the forest, you will experience the sounds and atmosphere of one of Rwanda’s most biodiverse ecosystems, with opportunities to encounter other primates, colourful birds, butterflies and unique plant species. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend time observing their natural behaviour while maintaining the required distance and following the guidance of your trackers. Your guide will explain the ecology of the forest and the importance of protecting its wildlife and habitats. After the tracking experience, you will return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent enjoying the lodge or taking part in a gentle nature experience around the forest, followed by a peaceful evening in the rainforest.
Accommodation options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu and Scenic Boat Cruise
After breakfast, you will leave the Nyungwe region and travel towards Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and one of Rwanda’s most scenic destinations. The journey takes you through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, including rolling green hills, tea plantations and rural communities. Upon arrival at Lake Kivu, you will check into your luxury lakeside accommodation and have time to enjoy lunch and the peaceful surroundings. In the afternoon, you will embark on a private or carefully arranged boat cruise across Lake Kivu, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding hills and islands. You may explore one of the lake’s islands or simply relax on the water while enjoying the spectacular scenery. The experience offers a slower and more relaxing side of your Rwanda luxury safari after several days of wildlife and forest activities. You will return to your lakeside hotel in the evening for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Accommodation options on Lake Kivu: Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Paradise Malahide.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will depart Lake Kivu and travel north towards Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The drive takes you through spectacular countryside, with the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Mountains becoming increasingly visible as you approach Musanze. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury lodge and enjoy lunch before taking part in a carefully selected cultural experience. You may visit a local community project, participate in a traditional dance performance, explore a craft initiative or learn about the relationship between local communities and gorilla conservation. Your guide will also provide a detailed briefing about the following day’s gorilla trekking experience, including what you should expect during the forest hike. The remainder of the afternoon will be reserved for relaxation at your lodge, where you can enjoy the surrounding volcanic scenery. You will have dinner and an early night in preparation for one of the most anticipated experiences of your Rwanda luxury safari.
Accommodation options near Volcanoes National Park: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today you will experience the highlight of your luxury Rwanda safari, mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you will travel to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your guided trek into the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The duration of the trek depends on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned to, as well as the terrain and movements of the animals. As you make your way through the forest, you will enjoy the unique vegetation and scenery while your experienced guide and trackers help locate the gorillas. Once you find the family, you will have a memorable opportunity to observe them as they feed, rest, interact and move through their natural environment. The experience provides a powerful insight into the importance of gorilla conservation and Rwanda’s commitment to protecting these endangered primates. After returning from the trek, you will enjoy lunch and have the afternoon to relax at your luxury lodge, followed by a special farewell dinner celebrating your Rwanda safari experience.
Accommodation options: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, you will enjoy your final morning in Rwanda before beginning your journey back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping or a brief visit to a local craft market in Kigali. Your private Verdant Safaris guide will ensure that you are transferred comfortably to Kigali International Airport in good time for your scheduled departure. As you leave Rwanda, you will carry memories of extraordinary wildlife encounters in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, peaceful moments beside Lake Kivu, cultural experiences with local communities and the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Your 10 Days Luxury Safari Tour in Rwanda officially comes to an end at the airport. Verdant Safaris looks forward to welcoming you again for another East African safari adventure.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
End of the 10 Days Luxury Safari Tour in Rwanda.
The 10 Days Luxury Safari Tour in Rwanda includes;
- Airport transfers
- Private transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Luxury and premium accommodation as specified
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Kigali city and cultural experiences
- Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
- Akagera National Park entrance fees
- Full-day and additional game drives in Akagera National Park
- Lake Ihema boat cruise
- Nyungwe Forest National Park entrance fees
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Lake Kivu boat cruise
- Cultural experiences as specified in the itinerary
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit
- Bottled drinking water during transfers and game drives
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
Excluded from the Tour
- International flights
- Rwanda visa fees, where applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks
- Laundry services
- Spa treatments and other personal hotel services
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Any services not specifically listed under the inclusions.