9-DAY RWANDA NATIONAL PARKS SAFARI

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Your professional guide will pick you up from your preferred location in Kampala or Entebbe early in the morning. Begin your scenic drive southwestward towards Kigali, Rwanda. Along the way, enjoy a brief stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and a chance to witness the iconic water experiment that demonstrates the Earth's hemispheres. Continue your journey through the picturesque landscapes of southwestern Uganda and into Rwanda, often referred to as the "Land of a Thousand Hills." You’ll arrive in Kigali by late afternoon. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge or hotel, unwind and refresh after the long journey. Enjoy dinner at the lodge and settle in for an overnight stay in the vibrant city of Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali City Tour

After breakfast, embark on a guided Kigali city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and craft centers. Return to your lodge by midday for lunch and enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

Day 3: Kigali to Akagera – Boat Cruise

After breakfast, travel from Kigali to Akagera National Park, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. In the late afternoon, enjoy a scenic sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and various water birds against a stunning sunset backdrop. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay inside the park.

Day 4: Akagera Game Drive – Return to Kigali

After an early breakfast, set out on a morning game drive through Akagera National Park. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, and possibly leopards. After lunch at the lodge or a picnic in the park, begin your transfer back to Kigali. Arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 5: Kigali to Nyungwe via King's Palace & Canopy Walk

After breakfast, depart Kigali for Nyungwe Forest National Park. En route, stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza to explore Rwanda’s royal heritage. Proceed to Nyungwe for the thrilling canopy walk in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a forest lodge.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Lake Kivu

Start early with a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest. Spot these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. After lunch, transfer to Lake Kivu, arriving in time to enjoy beach activities such as swimming, kayaking, or local coffee experiences. Dinner and overnight by the lake.

Day 7: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise – Transfer to Volcanoes

After breakfast, take a boat cruise on Lake Kivu to explore the 8 scenic islands and observe wildlife including water birds like kingfishers, herons, cormorants, and species such as otters and swimming cows. Try kayaking or swimming if you wish. After lunch, transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Dinner and overnight near the park.

Day 8: Ellen DeGeneres Campus & Cultural Village

Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about conservation efforts and mountain gorilla research. In the afternoon, experience traditional Rwandan culture at the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking & Departure

After an early breakfast, proceed to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers. You'll then be assigned a gorilla family and begin your guided trek through the misty rainforest. The trek may take between 1 to 4 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is extraordinary — an unforgettable hour spent observing these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat. After the trek, return for lunch and a chance to relax. In the afternoon, if you selected Kigali as your exit airport, you will be transported there in time for your flight. Otherwise, we will arrange your scenic return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, based on your individual travel schedule — marking the end of your incredible safari experience.