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Normal 4x4, Open sided 4x4, Boats
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2-20
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To be provided
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Kigali
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Game drives, Hiking, Canoeing
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English, French, Chinese,
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To be provided
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Rwanda, often referred to as the ‘land of a thousand hills.’ Over the span of 12 days, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this incredible country. Experience the vibrant culture, explore the stunning landscapes, and encounter the diverse wildlife that Rwanda has to offer. Throughout your adventure, you will uncover the numerous wonders and marvels that make this nation truly remarkable. Your exciting expedition will both begin and end in the bustling capital city of Kigali, providing a perfect starting and finishing point for your exploration.
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet our hospitable driver-guide who will brief you about today’s activities. If you arrive in the morning, you will go on a tour of Kigali and visit the Genocide Memorial before retiring to your hotel.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: Lebanon Hotel (Mid-range hotel located in Kigali)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After an early breakfast, you will drive about two hours to meet Volcano National Park’s guides for a briefing. The briefing is scheduled to start at 7:30 am, and at 8:00 am you will begin driving toward Buhanga Eco-Park. Here you will learn about the former Rwandan kings’ lifestyles inside the sacred forest where they performed initiations. Afterwards, you will return to the red rocks for lunch before learning more about Rwanda’s culture. You will see how wine is traditionally brewed and enjoy traditional dancers. You will be surprised by their speed and skill in peeling bananas. You will also join them in these activities, which will be a great experience. After this, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Migano Hotel & Cafe – Musanze (Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
At 10:00 am, you will meet with a Volcano National Park’s guide for a briefing about your upcoming activity. After the briefing, you will start your journey. As you prepare to walk through a dark area, you will be provided with a flashlight and a protective helmet. During your walk, you will have the chance to see some bats in the cave, which will enhance your experience.
Later in the afternoon, you will continue with a Musanze city tour and visit the local market to potentially buy some souvenirs before returning to your hotel.
Main Destination: Musanze
Accommodation: Migano Hotel & Cafe – Musanze (Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will go canoeing on the Mukungwa River, a deep river that passes near Musanze city at the foot of the five volcanoes.
Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride on the Twin Lakes, exploring the islands, taking pictures while boating, and learning about the background of the volcanoes (since the lakes were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions).
Main Destination: Musanze
Accommodation: Hotel Muhabura (Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will drive to Rubavu, a two-hour journey from Musanze. You will arrive in Rubavu in the morning around 10:00 am and have a city tour for a few hours. Visit Mount Rubavu, which offers a panoramic view of Goma city on clear days and take some pictures from the top of the mountain.
Later, you will be taken to your hotel for lunch, and the remaining time will be spent at your leisure.
Main Destination: Rubavu (Lake Kivu)
Accommodation: Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa (Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will visit the one-stop immigration center at the Congo-Rwanda border to observe the busy comings and goings before returning to your hotel in time for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a meditation moment at the Rubavu hot springs. Take off your shoes and step into the natural hot springs for your health. The hot sand beach will draw out the tiredness from the previous hike.
Main Destination: Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
Accommodation: Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa (Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will start driving along the Lake Kivu belt to Karongi. The route is fully panoramic, passing through thousands of hills covered with green tea plantations and colored by the village trails above the peaceful lake shores.
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be welcomed like a king with cold juice and freshly grilled fish for lunch. You will then board a local boat to explore the splendor of Rwanda. As you pass through islands and islets, you will pay a visit to three of them: Napoleon Island, Blue Monkey Island, and Peace Island. On the islands, you will have a chance to see the monkeys that inhabit them.
Afterward, you will ride back to Amahoro Island (Peace Island) and stop at the open peninsula for a local beer.
After this experience, you will retire at your hotel near the shore.
Main Destination: Karongi (Lake Kivu)
Accommodation: Bethany Hotel (Mid-range hotel located in Kibuye)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will drive about 2.5 hours to reach Nyungwe and begin walking at the bottom of the dark rainforest beneath the old, giant trees, with flying monkeys and paradise birds all around you. After about 25 minutes of walking in the forest, you will face the challenge of the day: stepping onto a 200 m bridge suspended between two hills. Hanging 70m above the forest, this gently shaking bridge will be the moment to test your balance and resilience. From here, you will enjoy an incredible endless view of Lake Kivu and the vast green forest, a true photography highlight.
Afterward, you will have lunch at your hotel, and later in the afternoon, you will visit the Kitabi tea plantation.
Main Destination: Nyungwe National Park
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After an early breakfast, you will check in at Uwinka reception before starting your trek in the untouched rainforest of Rwanda. Chimpanzees, our close cousins who share about 80% of our DNA, will be the highlight of this experience. You will spend one hour with them, taking photos to capture lasting memories. The trek will take up to two hours, after which you will return to your hotel for lunch.
Main Destination: Nyungwe National Park
Accommodation: EAR Ken Barham Guest House (Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After lunch, you will drive about two hours to Nyanza, where Rwanda takes its roots. You will arrive around 10:00 am and begin a walk through the museum, once home to the famous Rwandan kings. You will have the opportunity to enter the kings' palace and learn about the royal lifestyle and the authority of pre-colonial Rwanda. The famous longhorn Rwandan cows are also in the palace backyard. Their permanent keepers, who spend long days singing and interacting with them, offer a unique insight into the close bond between humans and animals.
Around 1:00 pm, you will visit the Ethnographic Museum in Butare, renowned for having one of the best ethnological and archaeological collections in the region. Here, you will explore and learn about the archaeological heritage of Rwanda’s ancestors. Around 3:00 pm, you will drive back to Kigali.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: Lebanon Hotel (Midrange hotel located in Kigali)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Non alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, you will proceed on a Kigali city tour before being transferred to Kigali International Airport.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Non alcoholic drinks
This is our most comprehensive “slow travel” itinerary. The 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure is designed to immerse you in the country’s three distinct landscapes: the volcanic peaks of the north, the Mediterranean-style shores of Lake Kivu in the west, and the ancient montane rainforest of Nyungwe in the south.
Ruhengeri is the heartbeat of Rwandan culture. During your 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure, these days are perfect for visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, touring the Twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo), or exploring the Musanze Caves with a local guide.
While both are on Lake Kivu, they offer different vibes. Gisenyi (Days 5–6) is a vibrant border town with sandy beaches and hot springs. Kibuye (Day 7) is arguably the most beautiful spot on the lake, characterized by steep forested hills and quiet, emerald-green bays. Both are essential stops on the 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure.
You will travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide. One of the highlights of the 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure is the drive along the Congo Nile Trail between Gisenyi and Kibuye, which offers some of the most spectacular rift valley views in Africa.
This tour has a “Moderate” activity rating. While the gorilla and chimp treks require hiking on uneven terrain, the 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure builds in plenty of recovery time at Lake Kivu. This makes it an ideal choice for travelers who want adventure without feeling constantly rushed.
Because you are traveling across different altitudes, you need a versatile wardrobe. For your 12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure, pack sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved trekking gear for the forests, swimwear for Lake Kivu, and a warm fleece for the chilly mornings in Volcanoes National Park.
