The 9 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari

The 9 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari avails you with a chance to explore the Rwandan heritage and tourist sites comprehensively.

The Safari commences and ends in Kigali while you traverse through the wildlife safari destination of Akagera National Park with its numerous populations of both big and small mammals, such as elephants, Masai Giraffe, Buffaloes, Lions, Roan antelopes, Topis and the aquatics in Lake Ihema including Nile crocodiles and Hippos. The Safari also features heritage tours in Butare, the breath taking Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest which is among the largest montane and the most well protected natural forest in east and central Africa, recreational beach encounter at Lake Kivu, a boat cruise and gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and Dian Fossey hike in Volcanoes National Park. The safari also includes the tour to the Gisozi genocide memorial site to have a more recent picture of the 1994 genocide killings in the ill-fated Rwanda.

Day 1: Visit Gisozi genocide memorial & transfer to Akagera National Park

Upon arrival at the Kigali International Airport, you will meet our professional driver-guide. He or she will brief you about your 9 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari. Immediately, you will visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre. Here, you will learn about emotional history of Rwanda. You will see the remains and the names of thousands of people who lost their lives during the 1994 bloody Rwanda Genocide.

You will continue through rolling hills, trading centers and lush savannah vegetation until you reach Akagera National Park. This is the home to the big five animals in Rwanda. You will have lunch en route.

Upon arrival, check in to your earlier booked lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema

The 2^nd day of your 9 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari starts with a lip-smirking breakfast. You will then embark on a morning game drive in the Akagera National Park. The park is home to multiple animal species including the big five namely; lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. The park is also home to multiple bird species some of which are Rift Valley endemics while others are migratory.

Return to your lodge for some relaxation and lunch.

In the afternoon, you will take on a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Here, you will get an opportunity to see aquatic species such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Get a chance to interact with the local members of the community.

In the evening, you will return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Visit the Nyanza palace en’route in Butare

After a delicious morning breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National park –the home to chimpanzees.

You will drive through several hills, confirming that indeed, Rwanda is a “land of a thousand hills”

Along the way, you will visit the Nyanza Palace and dive into the cultural life of Rwandese. Continue with an en route lunch and proceed to Nyungwe National Park.

Upon arrival, check in to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in the morning and afternoon Nyungwe Canopy walk

This is one of the highlights of your 9 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari. The days starts with a delicious morning breakfast at your lodge. Later on, go to the briefing point for chimpanzee rules and regulations. You will start the tracking of these human-like creatures. Upon encountering with the chimpanzees, you will spend an hour in their places. This is the right moment for you to take a memorable picture of your safari. Ensure to follow the chimpanzee tracking rules and regulations.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

In the afternoon, you will go for a canopy walk in Nyungwe forest. This is a walk on top of the forest. The canopy walk comes with exceptional views of the forest dwellers. You will see several primate and bird species.

Later on, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and spend the night over.

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)

On the 5^th day of your 9 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari, you will have a morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and head northwards. Drive through lush green vegetation until your eyes are welcomed by spectacular views of Lake Kivu.

Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, have lunch and spend the evening relaxing. Later on, you will have dinner and spend the night over.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Morning relaxation at the lake and transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the evening

This is a day to relax and take a break! It will start with a morning breakfast at your lodge. Take a walk on the lake shores while enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding areas. Lake Kivu is one of the best places to be in Africa and the world at large. Enjoy the sun rise as well as the traversing winds at the Lake.

Have lunch and check out of the lodge and embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park – the home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Upon arrival, check in to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Mountain gorilla trekking & relax at the lodge

After an early morning breakfast, you will go for a gorilla trekking safari. This is the long-awaited day on your 9 days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari. After breakfast, you will go for a briefing at the park headquarters.

After the briefing, you will enter the forests of Volcanoes National Park which is part of the Virunga Massif for gorilla trekking. The activity takes 2 to 6 hours inclusive of a full hour spent in the presence of the gorillas upon encountering them. You will enjoy views of several forest dwellers such as golden monkeys. You will also learn about gorilla conservation efforts in Rwanda.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.  In the evening, you will have a lip-smirking dinner and spend the night over.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8: Golden monkey tracking and Musanze caves tour in the afternoon

After a morning breakfast, you will go for golden monkey tracking. This is more like gorilla tracking but it is an opportunity for you to explore the park at length. It is on this day that you will see what you might have missed the previous day. This is the right moment for bird lovers as they enjoy the singing birds that dwell in the forest.

Return to your lodge for lunch before visiting the Musanze caves in the afternoon.

The caves consist of complex and numerous tunnels, many of which are home to thousands of bats. The bats can be seen hanging on the cave walls that have been darkened by smoke that has been partly trapped by the numerous cobwebs for thousands of years.

In the evening, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Hike the Dian Fossey Grave & transfer back to Kigali

After a morning breakfast, you will embark on the Dian Fossey hike. Here you will see the grave of the gorilla lover – the late Dian Fossey. You will learn of the gorilla history in Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga massif at large.

Return to your lodge for lunch before embarking on the return to Kigali for departure.

After the meal, you will bid farewell to Volcanoes National Park and drive back to Kigali city. Your driver will drop you at a hotel of your choice in Kigali or at the Kigali International Airport for an outbound flight.

This marks the end of your amazing 9 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch