8 Days Best of Rwanda Tour Primates and Savanna Animals
This 8 days best of Rwanda tour takes you through three major national parks. You will see mountain gorillas, track active chimpanzees, and look for savanna animals. We handle all the road travel, park entry fees, and lodging arrangements. The Rwanda Development Board reports that the country is one of the safest places to travel in Africa. This trip shows you the diverse animal species in a short amount of time.
Safari Highlights
Track mountain gorillas in the dense forests of Volcanoes National Park
Walk on the high canopy suspension bridge in Nyungwe Forest
Search for lions, rhinos, and elephants in Akagera National Park
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about local history
Day 1 Arrival in Kigali and City Tour
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Kigali. You will start with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This site honors the victims of 1994 and explains the history of the country. After the visit, your driver will take you to your hotel to rest. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Kigali Serena Hotel. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Hotel des Mille Collines. For budget lodging, you will stay at Step Town Motel.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and Boat Ride
You leave Kigali in the morning and drive east to Akagera National Park. The drive takes about two and a half hours on paved roads. In the afternoon, you will take a boat ride on Lake Ihema. You will see large hippos and crocodiles resting near the water. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Magashi Camp. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Akagera Game Lodge. For budget lodging, you will stay at the Dereva Hotel
Day 3 Full Day Animal Viewing in Akagera
You will spend the whole day driving through the park in a safari car. African Parks manages this area to protect the animals and their habitat. You will search for lions, leopards, rhinos, and herds of elephants. The park features open grass plains and large swamp areas.
Day 4: Drive to Nyungwe Forest and Canopy Walk
You wake up early for a long drive to the southern part of the country. The trip to Nyungwe Forest takes about six hours. You will stop for lunch in a town along the way. In the afternoon, you will walk on the canopy bridge. This metal walkway hangs high above the forest floor. For luxury lodging, you will stay at One and Only Nyungwe House. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Gisakura Guest House.
Day 5 Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Musanze
You start very early in the morning to track chimpanzees. You will walk through the thick forest with park rangers. The chimpanzees move fast through the trees, making loud noises. After lunch, you will drive north to the town of Musanze. This drive takes about five hours. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Bisate Lodge. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 6 Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
This morning, you will track the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The Rwanda Development Board issues the permits for 1500 dollars to fund park protection. You will walk through muddy paths and thick bushes on the mountain slopes. Once you find the gorilla family, you get one hour to watch them eat, play, and rest
Day 7 Golden Monkeys and Cultural Visit
You return to the park in the morning to find golden monkeys. These small monkeys live in the bamboo trees at the bottom of the mountains. In the afternoon, you will visit the Iby Iwacu cultural village. You will watch traditional dances and see how local people build their homes. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Bisate Lodge. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 8 Return Journey to Kigali
breakfast at your lodge before driving back to Kigali. The road trip takes about two and a half hours. You can buy crafts at local markets before your driver takes you to the airport. The trip ends when you reach the departure gate.
What is Included and Excluded
Included
One mountain gorilla permit per person
One chimpanzee permit per person
All park entry fees
A private car with a local driver
All lodging and daily meals
Drinking water in the car
Excluded
Airline tickets to and from the country
Personal travel insurance
Tips for the driver and hotel staff
Alcoholic drinks at the lodges
Souvenirs and personal items
What to Pack for Your Trip
Strong hiking boots for mud
A good rain jacket
Long pants and long-sleeve shirts
Bug spray for the forest
A warm sweater for cold mornings
Gardening gloves to hold onto bushes
