DISCOVER TRUE AFRICA'S WILDERNESS WITH SARANIA ADVENTURE SAFARIS

This rewarding Rwanda safari checks off the country’s three renowned National Parks. Commence in Kigali City and explore unmissable tourist sites- the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Art and Craft centers, and the local market. From here, you will head towards Eastern Rwanda for game drives and boat rides in Akagera National Park, to Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking, and visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village, to Lake Kivu for canoeing and Island Hopping. End the 10-day Rwanda Safari with a trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park to track the chimpanzees and enjoy the canopy walk.

Highlights

• Explore the bustling Kigali City to browse arts and crafts, and visit the genocide memorial Center, and the local market.
• Visit the Gorilla Guardian Village to learn about the traditional rural life of Rwanda from locals.
• Meet face to-face with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat- Volcanoes National Park.
• Track the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild- Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• See the big five Game (Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants, and Buffaloes) in Akagera National Park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hotel Pickup and transfer to Akagera National Park; evening game drive.

Day 2: Dawn Akagera game drive & Afternoon Boat ride on Lake Ihema.

Day 3: Akagera to Volcanoes National Park transfer.

Day 4: Volcanoes NP Mountain gorilla trekking.

Day 5: Visit Gorilla Guardian’s Village and the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center.

Day 6: Volcanoes NP Golden monkey tracking.

Day 7: Volcanoes NP to Lake Kivu for Canoeing and island hopping.

Day 8: Lake Kivu to Nyungwe National Park.

Day 9: Nyungwe Chimpanzee tracking tour and Canopy walk.

Day 10: Nyungwe NP to Kigali City; departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hotel Pickup and transfer to Akagera National Park; evening game drive

Rise and shine! Your first day of the 10-day Rwanda safari is a drive to Akagera National Park. But first, you should explore the City. This is a wonderful way to mingle with locals, browse the City’s main local market, and learn about its painful 1994 Rwandan genocide history.

Stop for a cup of coffee/tea at one of the City’s restaurants, then venture on a 3.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park. The drive is scenic, as along the way, you will pass sprawling savannah grasslands and catch glimpses into rural Rwandan life showcasing the natural splendor of the Eastern savannah plains.

Eventually, you will arrive you’re the country’s only Savannah National Park. This Protected Area covers 1122 square kilometers of sprawling savannah grasslands, Lakes, woodland, Valleys, and forest ecosystems. These are home to a diverse array of mammal species, including Zebras, Impalas, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, spotted hyenas, lions, and leopards. On arrival, check into the Lodge in/outside the Park’s gates.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Ruzizi Tented Camp or Wilderness Magashi Camp (luxury).
• Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (midrange).
• Karenge Bush Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Dawn game drive & Afternoon Boat ride on Lake Ihema

You’ve got a full day of safari fun in store as you set off at dawn in an open-topped 4X4 Safari Vehicle for the first of two adventures. The early hour makes it possible to capitalize on the fact he wildlife is more active during the cooler hours. While not as popular as other destinations in the country, Akagera is the only savannah-dominated Park and home to the legendary Big Five Game (Leopards, Lions, Rhinos, Elephants, and Buffaloes). You will most likely see some (if not all) of these incredible creatures relishing their morning drink at watering holes.

Return to the Safari Lodge for lunch, then continue for your afternoon activity- a boat ride on Lake Ihema. As you explore this water body, you will see plenty of wildlife up close, including Crocodiles, Hippos, Elephants, Cape buffaloes, and antelopes. A little while after sunset, you will retire to the Lodge in time for dinner and overnight.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Ruzizi Tented Camp or Wilderness Magashi Camp (luxury).
• Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (midrange).
• Karenge Bush Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Akagera to Volcanoes National Park transfer

Say goodbye to Akagera National Park as you meet your safari guide for the ride to Volcanoes National Park. Another of Rwanda’s unmissable safari destinations is home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. This trip will introduce you to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families, with whom you will spend time and learn more about their behavior.

The scenic journey to the Volcanoes will take around 6-7 hours, and you will undeniably be tired when you arrive. After checking in, feel free to unwind on the Lodge terrace, drink in hand, as you relish the breathtaking views, and let the calls of animals lull you into a sense of perfect tranquility.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Bisate Lodge (luxury).
• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Volcanoes NP Mountain gorilla trekking

The highlight of this safari destination is the endangered mountain gorillas you will get up close to. This morning, you will move to the Park Headquarters for registration and briefing on the guidelines to be followed while searching and spending time with the Giant Apes. You will come across various animals and birds in their natural habitat, notably vervet monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Olive baboons, and lots of bird species. Two to six hours into the trek, you will meet the allocated gorilla family, and spend one hour watching and taking photos as individual gorillas go about their daily routines- playing, eating, resting, and grooming each other.

After returning to the Lodge for lunch, you will set out for a Village tour/Craft shopping.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Bisate Lodge (luxury).
• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Visit Gorilla Guardian’s Village and the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center

Today, you will have a chance to visit the local community, for a chance to learn about Rwandan traditional customs and rural ways of life. You will enjoy a guided tour to learn about traditional dances and songs, meet the traditional healer, take part in the preparation and savoring of local foods, and listen to local stories and legends from the village elders. Return for lunch at the Lodge.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center, a center for mountain gorilla conservation and scientific research, but most importantly honors Dian Fossey’s legacy. It was opened in 2022 close to Volcanoes National Park. You will have a self-guided tour, although there’s an option of Behind the Scenes tours, or the Silverback sundowner.

Afterward, return to the Lodge.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Bisate Lodge (luxury).
• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Volcanoes NP Golden monkey tracking

Volcanoes National Park is also a popular destination with primate enthusiasts hopping for a moment with one of the two habituated golden monkey troops. The treks to see troops are particularly popular. Starting from Kinigi Park Headquarters with registration and briefing on the dos and don’ts, you will hike deep into the bamboo forest with a guide. Once located, you’re allowed one hour to observe and take photos before returning to the Lodge.

The afternoon will be spent at leisure.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Bisate Lodge (luxury).
• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Volcanoes NP to Lake Kivu for Canoeing and island hopping

Trade the wildlife encounters for an enlightening journey to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi), stopping in Kibuye for lunch. Check in to your Hotel and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

In the afternoon, head out into the water to explore the Lake by canoe. Relish jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape, spot various local wildlife and bird species, and see traditional fishing canoes/boats out for the day. You will return to the Lodge to relax for the remainder of the day.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (luxury).
• Cormoran Lodge (midrange).
• INZU Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Lake Kivu to Nyungwe National Park

Have breakfast and pack your bags, before checking out of the Lodge. Hop on the 4X4 Safari Vehicle and go through the hilly western Province to reach Nyungwe Forest National Park in the Southwestern Province. Settle into your accommodation then break for lunch.

Overnight accommodation at;

• One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury).
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange).
• Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Nyungwe Chimpanzee tracking tour and Canopy walk

Have packed breakfast and leave the Lodge for the chimp trekking briefing point. Depending on where you’re staying and which chimpanzee community you will be tracking (you will know before the trekking date), you will leave the Lodge at 4:00 am or 4:30 am. Start hiking deep into the Forest with an armed Ranger guide to find the community of Great Apes. When located, you are allowed to spend one hour watching and taking photos.

Return to the Lodge for lunch and go for the canopy walk in the afternoon. This provides another insight into Nyungwe’s natural beauty, with lots of birds, primates, and tree species to look out for.

Overnight accommodation at;

• One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury).
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange).
• Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Nyungwe NP to Kigali City; departure

Have breakfast, and transfer to Kigali City, arriving in time for check-in for your international flight. Safe travels!

Our 10-day Rwanda Safari package includes;

• Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit/s.
• Chimpanzee permit/s.
• Entry fees for all sites- National Parks, Museums, and Art and Craft centers.
• Canopy walk fees.
• Golden monkey tracking permit/s.
• Visits to Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
• Ellen DeGeneres Center tours.
• 9 nights’ accommodation in some of the best Safari Lodges/Camps.
• Services of a professional safari guide.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Ground transport in our customized 4X4 Safari vehicle.
• Bottled water throughout the safari.

Our 10-day Rwanda Safari package excludes;

• Domestic and International flights.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Extra Hotel fees pre- or post-safari.
• Rwandan Visa.
• Tips to Park Rangers/trackers/Ranger guides, the safari guide, Lodge/Hotel staff, and others.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Extra charges resulting from canceled flights, conflicts, and disease outbreaks among others.
• Other personal expenses such as drinks, souvenir shopping, telephone and internet expenses, cigarettes, and laundry fees.