On this 10 days Rwanda highlights safari, you will visit the best highlights of Rwanda. Rwanda is an excellent place to experience in East Africa. Trek mountain gorillas, meet the friendly local Rwandans, and take in some wonderful lakeside views.
You will be involved in different activities such as chimpanzee, Rwanda gorilla trekking, canopy walk, boat ride, waterfall hiking among others. During these activities you will spot a number of animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, colobus monkeys buffalos, elephants, different bird species among other others.
Detailed 10 Days Best Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali Airport, visit craft market and transfer to a hotel
Our driver guide will be at Kigali International Airport to pick you up from your flight on this first day of your 10 Days Rwanda Highlights Safari. Upon your arrival, you will be warmly welcomed and depending on your arrival time you may visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst sculpture, musical instruments, weaving, pottery, batik, carvings, leather and fabrics on offer.
You may take part in learning handcrafts and after proceed to your booked hotel in the city of Rwanda for your night stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After your breakfast on this day, you will transfer to the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with wildlife including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, Mangabeys, blue monkeys and our cousins the chimpanzees.
Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders, with over 310 recorded species of bird, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little known bird-watching destinations in Africa.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
After a very early morning start, you shall proceed to the head for briefing which will take 30minutes where by the park ranger guide will tell you r he does and don’ts while chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Trek in trails of either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections.
This amazing up-close experience with human’s closest relative you will be unforged. You will be given an hour to spent with these cousins as you take memorable moment photos. After the chimpanzee trekking you can have leisure at the lodge or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.
Day 4: Canopy walk & waterfall hike
On this day after your breakfast, you will head for the only East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above the forest 50 meters from the ground. Lasting about 2hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats and you’ll have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.
In the afternoon you will go for the Waterfall hike. This hike takes between 3-5hours depending upon how frequently you stop to sightsee and whether you choose to drive a little further or walk from the head offices.
You will cross different streams before descending to the base of the small, refreshing waterfall. Primates are often seen along the way and the steep slopes provide excellent views into the canopy.
Day 5: Lake Kivu
You will travel to Kibuye after a relaxed breakfast on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. You will also visit the Ndaba Falls and also take a walk around Kibuye town as you observe the different activities taking place. In the afternoon you can rent a boat and visit a few islands, including the famous Napoleon island.
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On this day after your leisure breakfast, you shall have a road trip northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga volcano ranges. This beautiful area represents the access to gorilla trekking adventures in Africa.
Volcanoes national park is a home of one of the remaining endangered mountain Gorillas and it allows gorilla trekking. It also harbors different bird species including the Albertine endemics. Reach and check in the lodge for your accommodation
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Ha e a cup of cup of coffee/tea, drive into the park about 30 minutes to the park headquarters offices. The head ranger/warden of the park will brief you about gorilla trekking rules and regulations and divide you into groups of 8 people based on interest and fitness. You will track the Gorillas of one of the habituated groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Trekking time of these apes depend on the movement of the family trekked but its normally 2-8 hours.
Once located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas as you are recording memorable videos. You will trek back to the lodge for your lunch and leisure.
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park and game drive (Optional hot air balloon safari)
After a relaxed breakfast, you transfer to Akagera National Park. This park covers 2500 km² of Savannah west of the Kagera River, in the north-east of Rwanda. This park has various types of wildlife and is a habitat to over 450 different species of birds.
Herds of elephants and buffaloes emerge from the woodland to quench their thirst at the lake, while you might come across a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a lion, Giraffe, zebra, rhino, antelope and so much more.
You will have lunch and in the afternoon head out for a long game drive in the national park to spot these animals in their natural environment. The game drive takes between 3-4 hours and after check in in the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Boat safari and drive to Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center
On this morning, you head for a boat safari along Lake Ihema after breakfast to view the many water birds like Cormorants, Fish eagles and kingfishers. It is then time to head back to Kigali. You will drive to the Bugesera district after a hot lunch which is in the south of Kigali through a beautiful country-side not often visited by tourists.
In the small town Nyamata you will visit a genocide memorial church. You shall then head back for Kigali where you shall visit the Genocide Memorial in the city center to learn more about this tragedy and the history of Rwanda politics.
Day 10: Departure via Kigali international Airport
After a relaxed breakfast on this last day, you will be transferred by your driver guide to Kigali International airport in time to catch your flight back home, bringing this 10 days Rwanda safari to an end.
End of 10 Days Rwanda Highlights Safari.
