8 Days Rwanda gorilla Safari is an extraordinary trip that will show you chimps, gorilla trek and enjoy unforgettable game viewing in Akagera national park. The trip will take you around Cultural heritage place with visit to all national parks places of Rwanda. These include parts of Akagera National Park for a wonderful Savannah game viewing safari with many lakes that hosts hippos. visit Nyungwe Forest National Park which is a primates’ haven of Rwanda and finally explore the home of endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park.
Safari Highlights for 8 days Rwanda Gorilla Safari.
- Kigali city tour
- Game drive in Akagera Park
- Boat cruise on Lake ihema
- Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes NP
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
- Nature walk to the waterfall
Trip Itinerary of 8 Days Rwanda gorilla Safari:
Day 1: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park
You will be picked from the Airport on arrival or In the morning after breakfast by our experienced tour driver/ guide. You will begin with Kigali city tour where you will visit the Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, Kaplaki craft market and other local market , visit Hotel Rwanda, you will then be driven to Akagera national park , the largest Savannah park of Rwanda that shares borders with Tanzania, famous for variety of game such as Elephants, Zebras, Roan Antelopes, Impalas, water bucks, warthogs, leopards, Elands, Hippos, giraffes among others where you will do sun set boat cruise around the island on Lake Ihema thereafter return and head to the lodge have dinner and overnight stay at; RUSIIZI TENTED CAMP/ AKAGERA GAME LODGE
Day 2 : Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Kigali
On this day, after morning breakfast together with your packed lunch, you will go for game drive in search of Zebras, giraffes, impalas, Elephants baboons, topi, leopards on rare occasions, Elands Roan antelopes and lions that were recently introduced, you will continue game viewing up to the northern part of the park where you will exit through the northern gate as you go to Kigali for your overnight stay at; KIGALI SERENA HOTEL / HOTEL DES MILLE COLLINES/ FIVE TO FIVE HOTEL
Day 3 : Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Visit Historical Sites
After your breakfast in the morning, you will be driven to Nyungwe forest national park with en route visit to Nyanza king’s palace, Butare national museum, Murambi genocide memorial thereafter continue and enter the forest to Gisakura area where you will have your accommodation. The forest is huge one of the largest remaining of the African tropical rain forests that hosts around 13 primate species, this will include chimpanzee, Angola colobus monkey, owl faced monkey l’horst monkey red tailed monkey among others plus a lots of bird species with high concentration of Albertine rift endemic bird species. You will check in to the lodge have dinner and overnight stay at; ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE/ NYUNGWE HILL TOP VIEW HOTEL/ GISAKURA GUEST HOUSE
Day 4 : Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in afternoon
A relatively early morning start, after your breakfast drive to the ranger station ready for chimp tracking. Here you will be briefed then set and drive to the forest approximate 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to the starting point where walking will start, start you trek as you look out chimps together with the park ranger, When you return, you will have lunch and drive to Uwinka to start your canopy walk that will last 1-2 hours. This is the time you will walk on swinging bridge across the forest as you get the chance to see birds monkeys of different types as well as scenery then after return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at; ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE/ NYUNGWE HILL TOP VIEW HOTEL/ GISAKURA GUEST HOUSE
Day 5: Nature walk & Transfer to Kibuye-Lake Kivu,
On this day, you will go for Nature walk in the forest up to the waterfall, alternatively do colobus monkey tracking. On return, you will have lunch and set off to Kibuye on Lake Kivu. The journey will reward you the best a scenic view of lake, arriving in good time to relax at the lodge balcony as you enjoy the beauty of the lake view. Dinner and overnight stay at COMORAN LODGE/ MORIAH HILL LODGE/ BETHANY HOTEL.
Day 6: Optional Boat ride & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After your relaxed breakfast, at 9 am, you will take a boat ride on Lake Kivu visit hot spring gas plant, coffee processing and farms and later you will check out and drive to Volcanoes national park where you will spend your night. All the lodges here are located outside the park in Kinigi and Musanze town respectively. This will be in preparation for your Exciting experience with the Gorillas the next day. Check in to your lodge for overnight stay at; INGAGI PARK VIEW LODGE/ MOUNTAIN GORILLA VIEW LODGE/ DAVINCI GORILLA LODGE
Day 7 : Gorilla Trekking Adventure & Cultural Tour
Early in the morning after your breakfast, you will report at the park office well prepared for your gorilla trekking experience. Attend the briefing by the ranger guide about the DO’S and DON’TS of gorilla tracking. You will then enter the forest for your gorilla tracking adventure, which may take 3-6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in their natural habitat. You will stay with the gorillas for a maximum of one hour once you encounter them. In the evening, you will go to the cultural experience in the Gorilla guardian village where you will meet the Banyarwanda community members who will welcome you with a poem and perform traditional dances and Dramma taking you through their culture. Your will then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at; INGAGI PARK VIEW LODGE/ MOUNTAIN GORILLA VIEW LODGE/ DAVINCI GORILLA LODGE
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Kigali, Departure.
Wake up and take your breakfast, then drive to the park office ready for golden monkey tracking. This is a type of monkey that is declared endangered and on found in the Virunga ranges in this specific area. The tracking will take 3-4 hours then you will be brought back. After lunch you transfer to Kigali, for shopping later proceed to the Airport for your departure flight back home.
End of 8 days Rwanda gorilla Safari.
The above 8 days Rwanda gorilla Safari itinerary includes the following;
- Ground Transport in a 4WD Comfortable safari vehicle with fuel
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Gorilla tracking permit Rwanda
- Golden Monkey tracking fees
- Boat cruise fees
- Park entrance fees
- Service of Professional English speaking guide/ driver
- Accommodation for 7 nights 8 days
- All meals included during the tour
- Government taxes
- Drinking water while on the tour
The cost of above 8 days Rwanda gorilla Safari however excludes;
- Visa fees for Rwanda
- Domestic and International flights
- Personal travel / medical insurance
- Optional activities if any
- Applicable government taxes, imposed after the date of quotation
- Tips and other personal expenses like laundry, drinks of your nature like alcohol etc