7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Breakfast at your Kigali hotel or a kind greeting upon arrival at Kigali International Airport kicks off the first day of your seven-day Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari. Following the briefing, you go on a picturesque journey south to Rwanda’s southwest, where you will find Nyungwe Forest National Park. 
 
Before reaching your lodge, the trip takes about six hours and passes through Rwanda’s stunning countryside. After checking in, unwind and take in the peaceful forest surroundings. 

Options for Overnight Accommodations: 
Nyungwe Forest Lodge is luxurious.  
Nyungwe Top View Hotel in the middle 
Gisakura Guesthouse on a budget

Following an early breakfast, you are given a training on the rules governing chimpanzee trekking at the Cyamudongo or Uwinka Reception Center. You venture into the jungle with a knowledgeable park guide by your side, following established paths used by chimpanzees.  
The hike takes between two to four hours, and after the chimpanzees are found, visitors can spend an hour with them in person. The trip is very gratifying because you might see other monkeys, a variety of bird species, and lush forest greenery along the way. 

Come back to the lodge to relax and refuel after the hike. Enjoy the famous Nyungwe jungle canopy walk later in the afternoon. This two-hour excursion provides amazing views from above the jungle. Observing primates, birds, and the verdant treetops of Nyungwe is made possible by this hanging walkway. 

Options for Overnight Accommodations: 
 
Nyungwe Forest Lodge is luxurious. 
Nyungwe Top View Hotel in the middle 
Gisakura Guesthouse on a budget 

Before boarding your 4×4 safari vehicle and driving toward Lake Kivu, get up early for breakfast. Savor noteworthy stops at notable historical and cultural sites along the way, like the Murambi Genocide Memorial Center and the King’s Palace Museum.  
 
Arrive in Lake Kivu early enough to relax and unwind, then spend the evening admiring the serene atmosphere and lovely surroundings by the lake.  
Choices for Accommodations for the Night:  
Luxurious: Lake Kivu’s Serena Hotel  
Deluxe at Palme Gardens Resort  
The budget of Paradise Malahide 

Take a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu after breakfast at the lodging of your choice. Explore Lake Kivu, the biggest freshwater lake in Rwanda, as you glide across its serene waters amid picturesque shores and undulating hills. 
Nyamirundi Island, famous for its coffee plantations, is visited as part of the expedition. This place offers a genuine cultural and practical experience while teaching you about coffee cultivation, processing, and preparation. 
After the boat trip, head back to your hotel to unwind and spend the rest of the day there. Then, have dinner and spend the night at the lodge. 
Options for Overnight Accommodations: 
Luxurious: Serena Hotel on Lake Kivu Palme Gardens Resort, Deluxe 
Paradise Malahide’s budget.

Before leaving Lake Kivu for the breathtakingly beautiful trip to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, have an early breakfast. The trip offers expansive vistas of the country’s undulating hills and volcanic scenery as it winds through Rwanda’s charming countryside. 
For a genuine cultural experience, arrive early and visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. There, you will interact with locals and discover traditional Rwandan dances, rituals, and lifestyles. 
After that, travel to your lodge to unwind before the primate experience the following day. 
Options for Overnight Accommodations: 
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge 
In the middle: Le Bambou Lodge and La Palme Hotel 
Budget: Hotel Muhabura 

Following breakfast, you and your driver-guide may walk or take a 4WD vehicle to the Kinigi Park Headquarters. A training on the regulations and safety precautions to be taken during mountain gorilla trekking, which normally takes place between 7:30 and 8:00 AM, is given to you upon arrival. 
You depart in small groups into the wilderness around 8:00 AM. Thirteen habituated mountain gorilla families reside in Volcanoes National Park; one family is assigned to each group of up to eight tourists, who are escorted by a knowledgeable park guide. Once the gorillas have been found, you are allowed to see these gentle giants in their native habitat for an hour during a highly controlled face-to-face interaction. 

After the hike, head back to your accommodation to unwind and rejuvenate. Enjoy a picturesque excursion to the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera later in the afternoon. These lakes are well-known for their serene surroundings and breathtaking views. 
The same lodge as the previous night will be used for both dinner and the overnight stay. 

Options for Overnight Accommodations: 
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is luxurious.  
In the middle: Le Bambou Lodge and La Palme Hotel 
Budget: Hotel Muhabura 

After enjoying an early breakfast at the lodge you reserved in advance, meet your driver-guide to begin the return trip to Kigali. Take a guided city tour when you arrive, stopping at important locations including the National Museum and the Kigali (Gisozi) Genocide Memorial Centre, among others. 
After the city tour, have lunch at a restaurant of your choosing. Depending on your travel itinerary, continue to your hotel for rest or transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight out.