12 days Rwanda safari- the best of Rwanda adventures.
12 days Rwanda safari- the best of Rwanda adventures, Rwanda is a small country incredibly endowed with diverse habitats and wildlife, amazing landscapes, and friendly people with a rich culture. You can spend many days in Rwanda and experience so much. Since the country is small, you spend less time on the road to get to places but more time experiencing the beautiful destinations. This 12 days Rwanda safari- the best of Rwanda adventures , will take you around Rwanda to see and experience the best of whatever Rwanda has to offer. As you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the countryside visit the different national parks for different activities. Start with adventurous game drives in Akagera National Park, a Kigali city tour, and Visit the Volcanoes National Park for gorilla and golden monkey trekking plus culture. Enjoy a cool time at Lake Kivu with island hopping and night fishing with the local fishermen. Wind your trip with Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking, canopy walking, waterfall hiking, or culture.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking adventure, this once-in-a-lifetime journey provides unforgettable experiences and cherished memories. Join Active African Vacations for your lifetime adventure in the magical gorilla trekking country Rwanda for your 12 days Rwanda safari- the best of Rwanda adventures.
Tour plan and detailed itinerary of 12 days Rwanda safari- the best of Rwanda adventures.
Day 1:Arrival and transfer to Akagera
Welcome to Rwanda the “land of a thousand hills.” Our guide/ representative staff will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to one of the best eateries in the city for breakfast and simple relaxation. After lunch, you will set off for Akagera National Park. On arrival, check into the accommodation, dinner, and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 2:Full day game drive
Today you will have a full-day game drive starting from the southern areas of the park to explore the varied landscape and beautiful scenery while increasing on the number of animals sighted.
After lunch, cross to the other sector of the park for more wildlife viewing. Return to the hotel before sunset. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 3:Transfer to Kigali – Kigali city tour
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to Kigali city. you can have a stopover at any of the towns along the way like Rwamagana or Kayonza for interaction with the locals. Arrive in Kigali, and check into the hotel for lunch. After lunch drive through the fast-growing neighborhoods of Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site to commemorate the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, and see the amazing artisan work by these women. You can purchase some of their products as souvenirs. Accommodation at Mille Collines Hotel.
Day 4:Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – boat trip on the Twin Lakes
Before setting off for Musanze ,you can briefly visit one or two places in town that you missed the previous day say, the Inema Arts Center or a coffee shop for a study about coffee processing and taste a cup. Later travel to volcanoes national park through the scenic rolling hills of the countryside. Check in for lunch and then go for a cruise on the twin lakes.
Along the trip, you will be able to view the rugged hills, birds, insects, and plants. The boat cruise can also lead you to access various Islands. After boat ride of 2-3 hours, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at Five Volcanoes Hotel
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking and Ellen DeGeneres
You will have an early breakfast, pick your lunchbox and transfer to the park office by 7am for briefing about the gorillas and the rules to follow while tracking the gorillas. At about 8am you shall head to the starting point for the trek on the slopes of the Virungas particularly in Volcanoes National Park to find the gentle giant apes. After one hour with the gorillas, you start your hike out of the park to meet your driver guide who will transfer you to the lodge for lunch.
Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn more about gorilla conservation and the efforts of Dian Fossey towards mountain gorilla protection. You can donate to support the continued gorilla protection efforts. Return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight at Five Volcanoes Hotel
Day 6: Golden Monkey tracking and Ib’yiwachu cultural center visit.
Another day yet in Volcanoes National Park, you will report to the park office at 7 am for before going to the park for the golden monkey trekking adventure in the park. Golden monkeys are not as popular as the gorillas but offer a delightful escapade. The monkeys live in the bamboo forests at the base of the Virunga mountains. They are very active and attractive, so good for photography. Just like gorilla trekking, you are only allowed 1 hour with the golden monkeys. After this experience, you will find your driver guide to transfer you to the next activity.
In the afternoon, visit the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center currently known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. Learn about Rwandan history and culture from the former gorilla poachers who reformed and now advocate for gorilla protection. Try out bow and arrow shooting, craftwork traditional herbal medicine, dressing like a king or queen, and the interesting Intore dance.
Overnight at Five Volcanoes Hotel
Day 7: Transfer to Gisenyi -afternoon boat cruise
After having breakfast, drive northwest to Rubavu at the shores of Lake Kivu. On arrival, check into the accommodation for lunch, and in the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the lake. In the late evening hours after sunset, enjoy the local fishermen cast their nets in their local methods of fishing. Dinner and overnight at Lake View Apartments and Hotel.
Day 8: Island hopping
After an early morning breakfast, get on a boat ride to visit different islands on Lake Kivu. Possible islands to visit are Napoleon Island, Amahoro Island or Monkey Island. Get to interact with the locals through short nature walks, visit the large coffee plantations as well as enjoying the panoramic views of the lake. After the day’s of exploration and adventure return to the lake shore accommodation for dinner and night stay at Lake View Apartments and Hotel.
Day 9 : Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Have your breakfast in the early morning and embark on a four-hour drive to Nyungwe National Park with a stopover at Nyanza Kings Palace and Butare Museum. At these cultural centers, a local guide will share more information about Rwandan tradition and cultural heritage. On arrival , check into the accommodation for an overnight stay at Nyungwe Hilltop view hotel.
Day 10: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
You will get up so early for breakfast and go for the Chimpanzee tracking excursion. You will meet the park guides for a briefing about the chimps and the park rules and then drive to the start of the trek and set off into the jungle to meet the chimps another group of endangered primates that share 98% of human DNA. After watching the chimps for one hour return to the hotel for lunch and relax.
In the evening, take a canopy walk that lasts for approximately 2 hours with a guide. After the walk, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Nyungwe Hilltop view hotel.
Day 11: Waterfall hike
There are many waterfall hikes in Nyungwe National Park. For this trip, you will choose to hike to any that suits your fitness. The Isumo and Kamiranzovu trails are 10 km long and take 4-5 hours to cover. All trails are scenic and offer high opportunities for birding activities. after the hike return to the hotel for relaxation. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Hilltop View Hotel.
Day 12:Transfer to Kigali and departure
Wake up at your leisure, have breakfast, check out of the accommodation and travel back to Kigali to prepare for your flight back home.
