14 Day Ultimate Rwanda Safari With Gorilla Trekking

The 14 Day Ultimate Rwanda Safari With Gorilla Trekking is the most comprehensive safari experience Rwanda has to offer. This adventure takes you through the country’s most spectacular destinations, including Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, and Volcanoes National Park. Experience thrilling game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks, mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, cultural encounters, and breathtaking scenery across the Land of a Thousand Hills.

This safari is ideal for travellers seeking an in-depth exploration of Rwanda’s wildlife, primates, culture, and natural beauty while enjoying comfortable accommodations and expertly guided experiences.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a brief orientation tour of Kigali before settling in for the evening.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Iris Guest House

Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines

Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a comprehensive Kigali City Tour. Visit cultural landmarks, local markets, art centres, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and resilience.

After lunch, drive to Akagera National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy a short game drive before checking into your lodge.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge

Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Full Day Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park

Spend the entire day exploring Akagera National Park. Search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions, leopards, and rhinos across the park’s diverse habitats.

Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park before continuing your wildlife adventure.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema

Begin the day with an early morning game drive when predators are most active.

After lunch, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema. Expect sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the shoreline, and numerous bird species.

Return to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Akagera and travel through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside towards Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The journey offers spectacular views of rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages.

Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Gisakura Guest House

Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk

Rise early for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Accompanied by expert guides, search for habituated chimpanzees and other primate species.

After lunch, experience the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended high above the rainforest floor and offering magnificent forest views.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Colobus Monkey Tracking and Waterfall Hike

After breakfast, head into the forest for a colobus monkey tracking experience. Nyungwe is home to one of Africa’s largest populations of Angolan colobus monkeys.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided waterfall hike through the rainforest, discovering unique plants, birds, and smaller primates along the trail.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and drive to the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu.

Upon arrival, check into your lakeside resort and spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake.

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and stunning sunset views.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Paradise Malahide

Mid-range: Kivu Lodge

Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Lake Kivu Exploration

Spend the day enjoying Lake Kivu and its surroundings.

Take a boat ride to nearby islands, visit local fishing communities, swim in the lake, or simply relax while enjoying the scenery.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Kivu and travel north to Volcanoes National Park.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day relaxing while enjoying views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Your guide will brief you on the upcoming gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Muhabura

Mid-range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Adventure

After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your gorilla trek.

Accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers, hike through the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once found, spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat.

Return to the lodge for relaxation after this extraordinary experience.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Experience

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking.

Observe these energetic and colourful primates as they move through the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains.

In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village for cultural performances, traditional dances, local crafts, and insights into Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Twin Lakes Excursion and Community Visit

Enjoy a scenic excursion to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. The area offers some of Rwanda’s most spectacular landscapes with views of the surrounding volcanoes.

Visit local communities, interact with residents, and learn about rural life in northern Rwanda.

Return to the lodge in the evening.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Return to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali.

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy last-minute shopping or visit local craft markets before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities

Akagera National Park

• Night game drive
• Behind-the-scenes conservation tour
• Fishing on Lake Shakani
• Bird watching safari
• Guided walking safari
• Community cultural visits

Nyungwe Forest National Park

• Tea plantation experience
• Bird watching excursions
• Orchid and butterfly walks
• Additional primate tracking
• Photography tours
• Forest nature walks

Lake Kivu

• Kayaking adventure
• Coffee plantation tour
• Sunset boat cruise
• Island hopping excursions
• Sport fishing
• Lakeside cycling tours

Volcanoes National Park

• Dian Fossey Tomb hike
• Mount Bisoke hike
• Mount Karisimbi trek
• Nature walks
• Bird watching tours
• Community development project visits

Kigali

• Rwanda Art Museum
• Inema Arts Centre
• Kimironko Market tour
• Coffee tasting experience
• Local culinary tour