Experience the remarkable diversity of Rwanda on this 10 Days Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Tour with Verdant Safaris. This carefully designed Rwanda safari combines spectacular wildlife, primate experiences, cultural encounters, scenic landscapes and some of the country’s most important historical attractions. From exploring Kigali and the ancient royal heritage of Nyanza to chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, relaxing beside Lake Kivu, trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and enjoying a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park, you will discover the many sides of the Land of a Thousand Hills. Throughout the journey, you will have opportunities to interact with local communities, learn about Rwandan traditions and enjoy the country’s beautiful countryside.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Kigali City Tour
Your 10 Days Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Tour begins with your arrival at Kigali International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your Verdant Safaris guide. After completing the arrival formalities, you will transfer to your hotel and have some time to refresh before beginning your Kigali city tour. You will explore some of Kigali’s notable attractions, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can learn about Rwanda’s history and its remarkable journey towards reconciliation and unity. Depending on your arrival time, you may also visit local markets, art galleries and craft centres to experience contemporary Rwandan culture. You will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Kigali’s rolling hills and clean, well-organised streets. The evening will be spent at your hotel, where you can relax and prepare for the next stage of your Rwanda cultural tour.
Accommodation options in Kigali: Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Kigali to Nyanza and Huye Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will leave Kigali and travel south towards Nyanza, an important destination for understanding Rwanda’s traditional heritage. You will visit the King’s Palace Museum, where you can learn about Rwanda’s former monarchy, traditional royal customs and the country’s pre-colonial history. You will also have an opportunity to see the traditional royal residence and learn about the famous Inyambo cattle, which historically played an important role in Rwandan royal culture. Your journey will continue towards Huye, formerly known as Butare, a city recognised for its academic, cultural and historical importance. You may visit the Ethnographic Museum, one of the country’s most important museums, to discover traditional Rwandan clothing, tools, crafts and cultural practices. You will then continue towards Nyungwe Forest, enjoying beautiful views of Rwanda’s green hills and rural communities along the way.
Accommodation options near Nyungwe Forest: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Today you will enjoy one of the highlights of this Rwanda wildlife safari, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. After an early breakfast, you will travel to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the ancient rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. As you walk through the forest, you will encounter a rich variety of vegetation, birds, butterflies and other primates. The chimpanzees are highly active and you may hear their calls echoing through the forest before getting a chance to observe them in their natural environment. Your experienced guide will explain the behaviour and ecology of the chimpanzees as well as the importance of conserving Nyungwe’s rainforest ecosystem. After the tracking experience, you will return to your accommodation to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of one of Rwanda’s most spectacular natural areas.
Accommodation options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Nyungwe Forest Nature and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will spend another fascinating day exploring the natural and cultural attractions surrounding Nyungwe Forest. You may take part in a guided forest walk, birdwatching experience or nature excursion depending on your interests and the available activities. Nyungwe is home to a remarkable variety of primates and bird species, making it an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts. You will also have the opportunity to interact with communities living around the forest and learn how local people benefit from conservation and tourism initiatives. A cultural experience may include learning about traditional crafts, farming practices, local foods and everyday life in rural Rwanda. The day provides a more relaxed opportunity to appreciate the relationship between Rwanda’s natural environment and its communities. In the evening, you will return to your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the forest.
Accommodation options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu and Boat Cruise
Today you will leave the Nyungwe Forest region and travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s spectacular countryside, with opportunities to see terraced hills, tea plantations, villages and scenic viewpoints along the route. Upon arrival at Lake Kivu, you will check into your accommodation and have some time to relax. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, offering beautiful views across the water and towards the surrounding hills. You may visit one of the small islands on the lake or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery from the boat. The experience gives you an opportunity to appreciate Rwanda’s natural beauty away from the forests and wildlife parks. You will spend the evening beside the lake, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere before continuing to Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation options in Lake Kivu: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Paradise Malahide.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will depart Lake Kivu and travel north towards Musanze and Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. The journey takes you through scenic countryside and fertile agricultural areas, with the Virunga volcanic mountains gradually appearing on the horizon. Upon arrival in the Musanze area, you will settle into your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will take part in a cultural experience in the local community, where you can learn more about Rwandan traditions, music, dance and rural life. You may also visit a local village or community tourism initiative to gain a deeper understanding of how tourism supports conservation and livelihoods around Volcanoes National Park. Your guide will also brief you about the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure, including what to expect during the forest hike. You will have dinner and an early rest in preparation for your gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is dedicated to the unforgettable Rwanda gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, you will travel to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Rwanda Development Board guides before beginning your trek into the misty forests of the Virunga Mountains. The duration of the trek varies depending on the location of the gorilla family assigned to you, and your guide will lead you through the forest while explaining the surrounding ecosystem. Once you locate the gorillas, you will have a memorable opportunity to observe their natural behaviour and appreciate the importance of mountain gorilla conservation. The experience is one of the most sought-after wildlife adventures in Africa and provides an extraordinary connection with Rwanda’s protected mountain forests. After the trek, you will return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the experience. The remainder of the evening will be free for you to enjoy the surroundings and recover from the day’s adventure.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking and Rwandan Cultural Tour
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore more of the Volcanoes National Park area with a golden monkey tracking experience. These striking primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are found in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. You will enter the forest with your guide and search for a habituated troop while learning about the behaviour and conservation of these fascinating monkeys. After the forest experience, you will participate in a cultural activity in the Musanze area. Depending on your interests, this may include a visit to a community tourism project, traditional dance performance, craft workshop or local farming community. The experience gives you a chance to interact with local people and learn about customs that continue to shape Rwandan society. You will return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Akagera National Park Wildlife Safari
After an early breakfast, you will depart Volcanoes National Park and travel towards eastern Rwanda for your Akagera National Park safari. The changing landscape provides an interesting contrast to the volcanic scenery of northern Rwanda as you travel towards the savannah plains and wetlands of Akagera. Upon arrival, you will enter the park for a game drive, searching for some of Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife. Depending on the season and location of the animals, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and a variety of bird species. Akagera is also home to lions and other predators, making it an important destination for a Rwanda wildlife safari. You will continue to your lodge after the game drive, where you can relax and enjoy views of the park’s beautiful landscapes. The evening provides a final opportunity to appreciate Rwanda’s wildlife and natural environment before your departure the following day.
Accommodation options in Akagera: Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, you will enjoy your final morning in Rwanda before beginning the journey back to Kigali. Depending on your flight departure time, there may be an opportunity for a short final stop in Kigali for shopping, souvenirs or a visit to a local craft market. You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport in time for your scheduled flight. Your 10 Days Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Tour with Verdant Safaris comes to an end as you depart Rwanda with memories of its wildlife, forests, lakes, culture and welcoming communities. We hope the experiences from this journey will inspire you to return and explore more of East Africa with Verdant Safaris.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Included in the Tour
- Airport transfers in Rwanda
- Private transportation in a comfortable safari vehicle
- Services of an experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Kigali city tour
- Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
- King’s Palace Museum visit
- Ethnographic Museum visit
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest
- Nyungwe Forest nature and community experience
- Lake Kivu boat cruise
- Cultural experiences in Rwanda
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- Akagera National Park entrance fees
- Akagera National Park game drive
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- 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 and other premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the tour
- Any other services not specifically listed under inclusions.