Rwanda, commonly dubbed as land of a thousand hills offers amazing safari encounters. The small land locked country is home to the mountain gorillas and the big 5. These can be found in the parks of Volcanoes national parks and Akagera national park. Chimpanzees are found in the tropical forest of Nyungwe forest national park. This 9 Days Rwanda Safari allows you to trek both the gorilla and chimpanzees in Rwanda.
9 Days Rwanda Safari Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Kigali International Airport
Upon your arrival at Kigali international Airport, you will meet your guide from Gorilla Land safaris who will transfer you to your hotel of choice, briefing, and overnight in Kigali.
Day 2: Kigali City to – Nyungwe Forest National park
After morning breakfast; drive to the south province enroute visit to the Royal Palace at Nyanza; the drive will take you one hour and a half. Drive another hour or more to visit the National Museum known as one of the best ethnographic museums in East and Central Africa located in Huye district, lunch shall be served here. After your lunch, proceed to Nyungwe forest which extends to 1000 square kilometers, it will take you 3 hours to drive from Huye district. Nyungwe is the largest afro-montane forest in East and Central Africa and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the Ice Age. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national Park
After an early morning breakfast; transfer to the national park for chimpanzee trekking. At the headquarters attend a briefing by the park rangers before departing for the hike in search of colobus Overnight at Gisakura Guest House.
Day 4: Second primate walk in Nyungwe Forest National park
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the national park headquarters; you will be briefed by the park rangers before departing for the hike in search of chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. Overnight.
Day 5: Nyungwe Forest National – Kibuye Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you will proceed to Kibuye in Western province. It is a 5 hour drive and a good winding road runs through the 1000 hills, follows the mountain summits. Overnight.
Day 6:Kibuye Lake Kivu – Gisenyi Near Lake Kivu
After morning breakfast, you will take a speed boat trip from Kibuye to Gisenyi. Return for r lunch; drive to Ruhengeri in Kinigi which is in the north province of the country and an hour and a half drive through stunning scenery of hills and valleys of green and lush country. While in Ruhengeri town; you will have a great view of 5 wonderful volcanoes of the NP till Gorillas nest Hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7:Gisenyi Lake Kivu – Kinigi Near the Gorilla Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the National park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers before departing for the hike in search for the Great Mountain Gorillas. The excursion in a thick rain forest and the interaction with the mountain ape; gives a wonderful experience in life. After lunch you will take a scenic drive to view the twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking & Back to Kigali City
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the national park headquarters another briefing before your second gorilla trek. The park rangers before departing for the hike in search for the Great Mountain Gorillas for the second time but visit a different gorilla group. After Lunch drive back to Kigali. Overnight at Novotel Kigali.
Day 9: Kigali City Tour
After morning breakfast, you will be taken for a city tour which offers a chance to discover the city. Go around the busy town where you are able to learn about the history of the town from the colonial era to democracy, from the slums to the suburbs. Have a chance of visiting the genocide memorial site at Gisozi, that tells the history of Rwanda leading up to the Genocide in 1994 and catalogues the details of the genocide using photographs, video, written accounts and art facts.
It includes personal testimonies and a moving memorial to the children of the Rwandan genocide. It also has a section called wasted lives which reflects on the holocaust and genocide in Armenia, South-West Africa, Bosnia and Cambodia. The Kigali Genocide memorial has gained a world-wide reputation for this powerful exhibition and the craft center. After city tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. This will mark the end of your 9 Days Rwanda Safari.
