Day 1: Morning Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast at around 10:00 AM, your professional driver-guide will pick you up from your Kigali hotel for a scenic drive to Akagera National Park. Enjoy the picturesque countryside, with optional stopovers for photography and brief insights into Rwanda’s landscape and local culture. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the region’s wildlife and history.
Upon arrival, check in to your Akagera safari lodge and take some time to relax before heading out for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This tranquil evening experience offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of aquatic birds along the lake’s lush shores — the perfect start to your Rwanda wildlife adventure.
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park & Return to Kigali
Your final day begins early with a hearty breakfast before setting out on an exciting full-day game drive in Akagera National Park. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes — from open savannah and acacia woodlands to rolling hills and shimmering lakes — as you search for Africa’s legendary Big Five: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard.
Keep your camera ready for sightings of antelopes, topi, impalas, waterbucks, and baboons, along with Akagera’s impressive birdlife. The park is home to over 500 bird species, making it one of Rwanda’s top bird-watching destinations.
After an unforgettable wildlife experience, you’ll enjoy a leisurely drive back to Kigali, arriving in the evening — marking the end of your 2-Day Akagera Safari Adventure.
Day 3: Drive to Musanze & visit Iby'iwacu Cultural Cente
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, depart Kigali for a scenic drive to Musanze, Rwanda’s cultural heart. After lunch, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village in Kinigi to experience Rwanda’s vibrant traditions.
Enjoy the famous Intore Dance, once performed by Rwanda’s royal warriors, known for their powerful jumps and rhythmic movements. Dressed in traditional attire with sisal headdresses and ankle bells, the dancers showcase courage, unity, and celebration. After this enriching cultural experience, return to your hotel in Musanze for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 AM and drive you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration and a short briefing about the gorilla trekking adventure. You will then proceed to the trekking start point at the base of the Virunga Mountains, accompanied by experienced park rangers and armed guides for safety. The trek through the thick forest takes between 2 to 6 hours, depending on your fitness level and the location of your assigned gorilla family. Once you find them, you will spend an unforgettable hour watching the mountain gorillas feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat — a truly emotional and rare experience. After the trek, your driver-guide will be waiting to take you back to Gisenyi for relaxation and an evening by the scenic shores of Lake Kivu.
Day 5: Day Tour to Napoleon Island and Lake Kivu Hot Springs
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, visit the hot springs before taking a scenic boat ride to Napoleon Island in Kibuye. Known locally as Nyamunini Island, it rises over 100 meters above Lake Kivu, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and shoreline.
The island’s unique shape resembles Napoleon’s iconic hat, inspiring its name. While exploring, you may spot palm-nut vultures, fish eagles, hammerkops, and kingfishers. Napoleon Island is also home to a thriving colony of over 40,000 straw-colored fruit bats, an impressive sight for nature lovers.
After your visit, return to your hotel in Kibuye for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk Experience
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, depart your hotel and drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to Africa’s oldest montane rainforest. After lunch, embark on an exciting Canopy Walk adventure, one of Rwanda’s most thrilling nature experiences.
The walk begins along the 2.1 km Igishigishi Trail, leading to a 160-meter-long suspended bridge high above the forest canopy. From this breathtaking height, enjoy panoramic views of lush green treetops and the vibrant birdlife below.
The short hike is moderately easy and suitable even for first-time hikers, though it includes a few gentle climbs. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, a rain jacket, snacks, water, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
After the walk, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest & Return to Kigali
Start your day early at 5:00 AM, leaving your lodge with a packed lunch and heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on Nyungwe Forest and its primates.
Set out on an exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure, venturing into the tropical rainforest in search of these elusive primates. Along the way, you may also encounter red-tailed monkeys, vervets, colobus monkeys, and mangabeys, adding to the richness of your wildlife experience.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before departing for Kigali, concluding your unforgettable primate adventure.
