Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be greeted by one of our professional safari guides who will assist with your transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you’ll receive a detailed safari briefing covering your itinerary, essential information, and travel guidelines to help you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Kigali.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, embark on a half-day city tour exploring Rwanda’s rich history and vibrant culture. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Museum, the Nyamata Genocide Church, and local markets where you can experience daily life and interact with friendly Rwandans.

Enjoy lunch in the city before departing for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. Arrive in time for an evening game drive, where you may spot elephants, antelopes, giraffes, and a stunning sunset over the plains.

Accommodation: Lodge in Akagera National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast, head out for an exciting morning game drive through Akagera National Park, located along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. This scenic savannah park is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and the recently reintroduced lions. Keep your camera ready as you explore the park’s northern sector, where sightings are most rewarding and game drives can last several hours depending on the day’s activity.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading out in the afternoon for a boat safari on Lake Ihema. Enjoy watching hippos, crocodiles, and a range of bird species along the shoreline as the sun begins to set over the water.

Accommodation: Lodge in Akagera National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, the famous sanctuary of endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and an abundance of birdlife. Located in Kinigi, Musanze, in northern Rwanda, the park lies about a two-hour drive from Kigali.

Your journey from Akagera National Park to Volcanoes will take you through Kigali city and into Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, where rolling hills and charming rural villages showcase the beauty of the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Arrive in the evening and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast, transfer from your lodge to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a detailed briefing on the day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Remember to carry a packed lunch, plenty of drinking water, and consider hiring a porter to assist you along the trails, as trekking duration can vary depending on the gorillas’ location.

Following the briefing, you’ll be assigned a gorilla family and set off with experienced rangers into the misty rainforest in search of these gentle giants. Trekking may take a few hours or most of the day, with the terrain involving forested slopes and lush vegetation. While physical fitness is helpful, sedan chairs (locally called human helicopters) are available for those needing assistance.

Once you locate the gorillas, you’ll have one magical hour to observe and photograph them — a truly unforgettable wildlife encounter. After your trek, return to the lodge to rest before heading out in the evening to visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (Ex-Poachers Village) for an engaging cultural performance and insight into traditional Rwandan life.

Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast, return to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on your next adventure — Golden Monkey tracking. These rare and playful primates are found only in the Virunga Mountains, and unlike gorilla trekking, locating them is usually quicker and less strenuous.

Enjoy watching the endangered Golden Monkeys as they leap through the bamboo forests, feeding and interacting in their natural habitat, a delightful and lively experience for wildlife enthusiasts.

Return to your lodge for an early lunch, then embark on a scenic afternoon drive back to Kigali city, where you’ll check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali
Meal Plan: Full Board

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel, reflecting on your incredible Rwanda wildlife and gorilla safari adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may take some time to unwind, enjoy the hotel amenities, or explore nearby shops for last-minute souvenirs.

Later, have lunch before your transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch