8 Days Rwanda Safari – Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife and Chimpanzee Trek Rwanda
8 days Rwanda safari overview
8 days Rwanda safari involves game drives for Rwanda wildlife viewing, gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP and primates watching – chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest before cultural encounter.
8 days Rwanda safari offers you a chance to visit 3 of the 4 National Parks that make Rwanda one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the East African region. The tour package includes a wildlife safari to Akagera National Park for you to enjoy sight of the big five game-Akagera is interestingly, Rwanda’s only savanna park; Volcanoes National Park where a portion of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas live and Nyungwe Forest National Park for a complete chimpanzee tracking experience.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the farther Southern section of Rwanda, 6 hours’ drive away from Kigali capital and extends for about 1000sq.kms, sheltering important wildlife species including 13 primate species, 310 species of birds. The 8 days Rwanda safari takes 7 nights but it all begins and ends in Kigali capital.
Brief itinerary for the 8 days Rwanda safari
- Day 1 of the 8 days Rwanda safari, hotel transfer from Kigali Airport-Rwanda
- Day 2: Travel to Akagera National Park, Eastern Rwanda on second day
- Day 3 of the 8 days Depart from Akagera National Park for Nyungwe N/P-Rwanda
- Day 4 of the 8 days Rwanda safari: Chimpanzee tracking-Nyungwe Forest
- Day 5 of 8 days, transfer to Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda
- Day 6 of 8 days Rwanda safari trip: Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu cultural village
- Day 7: Leave early Volcanoes N/Park for Lake Kivu-Rwanda.
- Day 8: End of 8 days safari in Rwanda
Detailed itinerary of the 8 days Rwanda safari
Day 1 of the 8 days Rwanda safari, hotel transfer from Kigali Airport-Rwanda
Once you have landed into Kigali International Airport of Rwanda, meet your Rwanda tour leader who takes you through briefing on general 8 days Rwanda safari. After, go check into your pre-booked accommodation-budget, mid-range or luxury in Kigali Capital for refreshments, overnight stay.
Where to stayin Kigali City
Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali or Mille Collines Hotel
Midrange: Garr Hotel
Day 2: Travel to Akagera National Park, Eastern Rwanda on second day
Have an early morning breakfast, after, vacate your accommodation in Kigali for a 2-3 hours’ drive to Akagera National Park, Eastern Rwanda-the land of a thousand hills. Akagera is one of the extensive savanna parks in East Africa and the only one in Rwanda, occupying up to 1122sq.kms of land. The park protects diversity of species but essentially, all the big five game-leopards, lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos; the distinct roan antelopes, zebras, bush bucks, birds, Masai giraffes, water bucks etc.
Check into the accommodation upon your arrival, relax and set off for mid morning game drive to look out for Akagera’s big five game. Drive back after spending 2-3 hours on a game viewing and settle for lunch, later in the afternoon, undertake a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Rest in the evening, enjoy the refreshing drinks, and retire for the night at your accommodation or camp.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park
Luxury: Magashi Luxury Tented Camp or Rusizi Tented Camp of Akagera
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Basic: Dereva Hotel/camping options suitable for budget visitors
Day 3 of the 8 days Depart from Akagera National Park for Nyungwe N/P-Rwanda
On day 3 of the 8 days Rwanda safari, expect to have a hefty breakfast and you will be picked up by your trip leader for transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Have an en-route stop visit at Huye for lunch breakfast and proceed, arrive early in the Southern section of Rwanda to check at the accommodation in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Lodges in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Day 4 of the 8 days Rwanda safari: Chimpanzee tracking-Nyungwe Forest
Begin your day 4 of the 8 days Rwanda safari with a heavy breakfast, after, visit Uwinka reception to meet the park official for briefing about the chimpanzee trekking rules. Set off to search for a habituated chimp community in Nyungwe Forest via Uwinka area and this will be for 2-4 hours and it includes one hour of close encounter.
Retreat from Nyungwe Forest National Park-Rwanda, enjoy a delicious lunch and leave the accommodation for an afternoon canopy walk 2 hours. This is a rewarding experience offering excellent views of primates, birds.
Where to stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Day 5 of 8 days, transfer to Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda
Leave Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southern side of Rwanda, drive to Volcanoes National Park Musanze Area. Spectacular view of the rolling hills and Lake Kivu scenic views shouldn’t be missed and on arrival, check into the accommodation for overnight stay.
Where to stay Volcanoes
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Bisate Safari Lodge-Musanze
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Safari Lodge/Hotel La Palme
Basic: Hotel Muhabura or Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 6 of 8 days Rwanda safari trip: Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu cultural village
Enjoy your 6th day of 8 days Rwanda safari starting with breakfast and carry some breakfast. Join other visitors for briefing on gorilla trekking the main highlight of the 8 days Rwanda safari holiday. Leave Kinigi visitor centre after briefing for actual trek at 8:00am and you will have 2-6 hours trekking via the park’s bamboo looking for mountain gorillas.
Strictly one hour is guaranteed for every participant to spend a face to face encounter with mountain gorillas in the wild. Get back to the lodge after a magical view, receive your gorilla certificate and connect to Iby’Iwacu Village for cultural safari.
Lodges in Volcanoes National Park
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Bisate Safari Lodge-Musanze
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Safari Lodge/Hotel La Palme
Basic: Hotel Muhabura or Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 7: Leave early Volcanoes N/Park for Lake Kivu-Rwanda.
Have a hefty breakfast, after, vacate Volcanoes N/Park for Lake Kivu a shared fresh lake between Rwanda and Congo. Enjoy the magnificent views of the lake, visit the hot springs or island while on a boat ride before returning to retire for the night.
Where to stay
Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena
Midrange: Inzonzi Lodge
Basic: Paradise Malahide
Day 8: End of 8 days safari in Rwanda
After being offered and enjoyed early morning cup of tea or coffee, you will leave Lake Kivu for Kigali. Meet other travelers at the airport and later, depart back home.
End of the 8 days safari holiday in Rwanda
8 days Rwanda Safari inclusions
- Gorilla permits
- Permits for chimpanzee trekking
- Game drives
- Park entry fees while on Rwanda safari
- A bottled water on a safari in Rwanda
- Boat cruise via Lake Ihema
- Driver guide services through out the tour, ground travel 4WD vehicle
- Any valuable Government tax
8 days Rwanda Safari exclusions
- Insurance
- Extra accommodation outside the travel plan of 8 days
- Laundry services offered to you
- Telephone calls
- Tips
- Beverages
- Airfares
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