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Open sided 4X4
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2-20
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To be provided for during trip
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Kigali
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Game drives, Hiking
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English, French, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish
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To be provided for during trip
This expedition offers a deep and engaging experience of Rwanda. Key attractions feature exciting wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park, a serene boat excursion, and informative guided tours of Kigali, including a stop at the Genocide Memorial. Additionally, you will explore lively local markets, observe elusive golden monkeys, participate in captivating cultural activities, hike Mount Bisoke in Volcanoes National Park, and unwind by the peaceful banks of Lake Kivu.
Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your personal driver-guide and assisted through customs with fast-track support. Transfer to your Hotel, a modern city hotel ideal for a comfortable start. After check-in, settle in and relax. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing session covering cultural etiquette, safety guidance, and highlights of the trip.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: Rwanda 2000 Hotel (Mid-range hotel located in Kigali)
Meals & Drinks:
Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Depart Kigali at 5:00 AM for a wildlife experience in Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. Stop for a light breakfast at Bashana Restaurant in Kayonza. Arrive mid-morning at the park gates for a short briefing by rangers, then begin your game drive en route to lake ihema jetty where you will start a guided boatride at 09:00 am. Once done in about an hour, rejoin your driver guide and proceed on a game drive across savannah, woodland, and lake habitats. Expect sightings of elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas, buffalo, and, with luck, lions or rhinos. Enjoy lunch at Lake Mihindi, where hippos, water birds, and stunning lake views offer a peaceful mid-day pause. Continue exploring Akagera’s southern sector in the afternoon, then transfer to your lodge for check in. Dinner will follow and an overnight stay.
Main Destination: Akagera National Park
Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (Luxury lodge located inside Akagera NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Breakfast at the lodge and check out.
Have a leisurely game drive to the North with lunch stop at lake mihindi.
exit in the late afternoon and proceed to Kigali. Arrive in the evening and check in at your city hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay as you rest ready for your next adventure.
Main Destination: Akagera National Park
Accommodation: Rwanda 2000 Hotel (Mid-range hotel located in Kigali)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, winding through lush hills and local villages. Upon arrival, you'll be briefed on golden monkey trekking before heading into the bamboo forest. As you walk the soft trails, watch for the energetic golden monkeys—known for their reddish-gold fur—leaping through trees and interacting in family groups. After the trek, return to the lodge for a well-earned lunch. In the afternoon, visit Gorilla Guardians Village, where former poachers now share Rwandan culture through music, dance, and hands-on experiences like grinding grain or using a bow and arrow. This visit offers a meaningful look at conservation and tradition. As the sun sets over the misty Virunga Mountains, enjoy dinner and a peaceful evening at the lodge.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After an early breakfast, head to park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Guides will assign you to a gorilla family based on fitness and preference. The trek winds through dense jungle, over streams and varied terrain, with your guide pointing out wildlife signs, birds, and medicinal plants.
For one hour, observe their daily life—playful young ones, nurturing mothers, and the powerful silverback watching over the group.
Return to the lodge for lunch and time to rest. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Explore interactive exhibits and learn about cutting-edge conservation work and Fossey’s enduring legacy.
Enjoy dinner and another peaceful overnight stay at Da Vinci Lodge.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Lake Kivu in Rubavu. Arrive at your lakeside hotel and check into your room, with views overlooking the water. Relax and have some rest. Lunch will follow. This afternoon, Enjoy a traditional boat ride on Lake Kivu in a handcrafted wooden boat. Learn about local fishing traditions and enjoy panoramic views of misty hills and volcanic peaks. Its also and opportunity to see some birds. Return to the hotel, for leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Lake Kivu
Accommodation: Paradise Kivu (Mid-range hotel located at Lake Kivu)
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Have a leisurely breakfast. Check out and settle any extras before starting your 3-hour drive back to Kigali. Stop at Pfunda Tea Plantation to observe tea cultivation and harvesting. You will learn the whole crop to cup process that takes about 2 hours. Continue to Kigali with lunch stop at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Later, arrive at the Airport. Bid farewell to your driver guide and check in for your outbound air transfer.
Main Destination: Kigali International Airport (Kigali)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Preparation is key! For the 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition, ensure you have your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, apply for your visa in advance (or check if you’re eligible for visa-on-arrival), and pack neutral-colored clothing. Remember that plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, so use reusable dry bags for your gear.
Even on our budget-conscious tours, safety and visibility are priorities. The 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition uses a 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser or a customized safari van with a pop-up roof. This ensures you can navigate the rugged terrain of the parks and have an unobstructed view for photography during game drives.
This expedition is a primate-lover’s dream. The 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition typically includes trekking for Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, and the endemic Golden Monkeys. You may also spot L’Hoest’s monkeys, Colobus monkeys, and olive baboons along the forest trails.
Is Akagera National Park included in the 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition? Yes! To ensure a well-rounded wildlife experience, the 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition includes 1–2 days in Akagera National Park. Here, you will swap the forest for the savannah to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras, as well as hippos during a boat safari on Lake Ihema.
Absolutely not. While the 7-Day Rwanda Affordable Wildlife & Primate Expedition reduces costs by using budget-friendly accommodations, we never compromise on safety. You will be transported in a well-maintained 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide, and all treks are led by highly trained Rwanda Development Board (RDB) rangers who prioritize your security and the well-being of the animals.
