14 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Tour

14 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Tour : In a period of two weeks, track chimpanzees in Nyungwe, gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and explore much more on this 14 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Tour.

14 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Tour Trip Summary

• Day 01: Arrival in Rwanda
• Day 02: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
• Day 03: Transfer to Kigali
• Day 04: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 05: Chimpanzee Tracking
• Day 06: Forest walks in Nyungwe
• Day 07: Transfer to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu
• Day 08: Transfer to Gisenyi
• Day 09: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 10: Gorilla Trekking
• Day 11: Golden Monkey Trekking
• Day 12: Dian Fossey Walk
• Day 13: Hiking Mountain Mt Karisimbi
• Day 14: Reach the Summit and descend back

Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda

On arrival at Rwanda International Airport, you will be welcomed the company tour guide who will drive you to Kigali. After this you will head to Akagera National Park which is composed of wetland, woodland and savannah with the lowest point of Rwanda. Upon arrival, have lunch and after Indulge in an evening game drive to search for animals like Giraffe, Buffalo, Elephant and a lot of bird species like the shoe bill stork which can be seen easily on the shorelines on River Akagera. Camp at Akagera Game Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise

After taking a cup of coffee, will set off for the morning game drive for early risers and other primates. After lunch in the afternoon, a boat cruise on the waters of River Akagera and the nearby lakes will follow. This will expose you to water loving birds and animal species that come along the shorelines to take water. Camp at Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, indulge in a last game drive and then proceed to Mt Mutumba (1825M) for Picnic lunch. The mountain has magnificent scenic view of the park. After this, you will transfer to Kigali for a short city tour around the Genocide Memorial sites and local markets. Dinner an overnight stay at Kigali Serena Hotel for Luxury/Golf Hills Residence for mid range/Okapi Hotel or Step Town Hotel for Budget

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will drive southwest to Nyungwe forest National Park. En route visit the Butare town which is the country’s 2nd capital after Kigali. Here visit the National Museum, National University and the Botanical gardens. Proceed and have another stopover in Nyanza for a visit to the Old King Mwami’s palace. Nyungwe forest is on a high elevation and simply placed on a 970 square kilometers land and it is very apparent that it creates its own climate from its own biodiversity. Upon arrival in Nyungwe, participate in the evening forest walk. Dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Gisakura guest House.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking

After a morning breakfast, you will head to the Park headquarters for chimp trek briefing. After this you will then go for chimp trek in the forest. The time taken to encounter the Chimps is unpredictable but usually takes between 3- 10 hours. Along the way, you will encounter other primates species found in this Park such as the Silver monkey, Owl faced monkey, Ruwenzori colobus, L’hoests monkey, and the Grey cheeked Mangabey and so many others. Return for dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Gisakura guest House

Day 6: Forest walks in Nyungwe

After breakfast, you will set out for a forest walk in Nyungwe to search for the Colobus Monkeys. En route, you will encounter different bird species together with different flora and fauna. Return to the Lodge for lunch, relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Gisakura guest House

Day 7: Transfer to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will drive to Bugarama hot water springs via Cyamudongo natural forest. This is basically the largest water spring in the country. If planned, you can take a warm bath in the hot waters. After this, visit the River Rusizi for a day trip with lunch en route. After transfer to Kibuye town for dinner and overnight stay at Moriah Hills Hotel or Kibuye Guest House

Day 8: Transfer to Gisenyi

After your morning breakfast, you will take your time to tour around Kibuye and then later transfer to Gisenyi by either speed boat ride or by vehicle ride. You will either way enjoy your journey since you will pass through picturesque areas hence making it enjoyable. Dinner and over night at Kivu Serena Hotel/Hotel Malahide

Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, set out for the short nature walk along the shores of Lake Kivu with in Gisenyi. Later transfer to Volcanoes National Park after lunch in Gisenyi town. Reach Parc Des Volcans in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura

Day 10: Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, you will set out of your lodge with your packed lunch to the ORTPN Offices for briefing and gorilla tracking escorts and Rangers. You will then start your trek of the Gorillas. Once you come across the bamboo forest logs and also your first perception of the sound the breaking of bamboo indicating that the gorillas are nearer. Prepare yourself for the enjoyful encounter with the Gorillas and wonderful experience. Stay with the gorillas for 1 hour and then and trek back to your lodge or lunch and in the afternoon, visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura

Day 11: Golden Monkey Trekking

After a morning breakfast, you will again assemble at the ORTPN Offices for another briefing from the rangers as you prepare you for Golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are very rare and so in Rwanda are only found here. Return back to the Lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon touring Ruhengeri town. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura

Day 12: Dian Fossey Walk

After breakfast, you will take a trek to the grave of the late famous gorilla researcher called Dian Fossey. This is a shorter trek and can take almost 3 hours. While on this trek, you will get information from the Ranger guides concerning her assassination and the impacts of her research in relation to gorilla conservation. Dinner and overnight stay Virunga Volcanoes Lodge / Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Kinigi guest house/Hotel Muhabura

Day 13: Hiking Mountain Mt Karisimbi

After breakfast, you will assemble at the ORTPN Offices for registration, briefing and allocation of Ranger Guides who will escort you through 2 days trek on the Mt. Karisimbi. Mountain Karisimbi derives its name from a Rwandese word that means “white shell” in English, because of its often white-capped summit. This is the 5th highest snowcapped mountain in Africa. The first days hike takes about 6 hours and you will start via the Bisoke side, then later the first stopping place which is at an altitude of 3,700m. You will pitch your tent here and have dinner and overnight half way up of Mt. Karisimbi. Dinner and overnight stay here at the campsite

Day 14: Reach the Summit and descend back

Early morning wake up and ascend to the very top of this wonderful Volcano. It will take almost 4 hours to reach the Summit which is snow capped for photographs and great scenic views. After the access to the top, descend back to the bottom where you will meet your Guide waiting for you to transfer you back to Kigali.

End of the 14 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Tour.