7 Days Rwanda safari
The 7 Days Rwanda safari will include most of Rwanda’s safari destinations such as Akagera National Park for a game drive and viewing, Nyungwe forest national for chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk, Volcanoes national park for a one-time experience gorilla trekking, and a moment of relaxation at the cool breeze of Lake Kivu. This tour will start and end in Kigali city.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali airport and transfer to Akagera national park
Upon arrival at Kigali airport, you will meet with your safari guide who will give you a general brief about the 7 days safari. Afterwards you transfer to Akagera national park, about 3 hours from the city center. Akagera national park is Rwanda’s only savannah park protecting big five mammals including the re-introduced black rhinos and lions. You reach early evening for relax, diner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation options; Akagera game lodge/ Ruzizi tented camp/ Akagera Rhino lodge/Karenge Bushcamp.
Day 2: Game drive & viewing, afternoon boat cruise
Wake up very early to a cup of refreshing coffee and head out for a 6:00 am morning game drive, where you are likely to spot predators from catching their prey these include lions and leopards. You will also be able to see giraffes, antelopes, elands, topi, and bushbucks. Return to the lodge for a late break and lunch, later in the afternoon go for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to get up close to the crocodiles, hippos, and waterbird species including pelican, African fish eagles, malachite kingfishers among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options; Akagera game lodge/ Ruzizi tented camp/ Akagera Rhino lodge/Karenge Bushcamp.
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
After breakfast, you transfer to Nyungwe forest national park southwest parts of Rwanda about 6 hours’ drive. En route, you will make a stopover in Butare to visit the museum and in Nyanza at the traditional Kings’ palace. Settle for lunch and afterward, continue to reach your destination. 7 Days Rwanda safari, Nyungwe forest national park is a block montane forest that offers great scenic views of Lake Kivu, Lake Tanganyika, other than that, it is known for its numerous primate species, 75 different mammal species, and a variety of birdlife. You will reach in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation options; One&Only Nyungwe house/ Gisakura lodge/ Nyungwe Nzinza Eco lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk
After breakfast, you will head to the Uwinka visitor center for briefing before chimpanzee tracking which starts at 07:30 am you will enter the forest in the company of the ranger guides to search for the chimpanzees where they were last seen and when they are located enjoy a full hour with them. Return for lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will go for a canopy walk between 50-60 meters above the ground, the highest forest bridge in east Africa. It’s an amazing experience to photography the Nyungwe landscape, spot birds, and primates. Return to your lodge for diner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options; One&Only Nyungwe house/ Gisakura lodge/ Nyungwe Nzinza Eco lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Embark on the drive to Lake Kivu. When you arrive early afternoon, you can enjoy relaxing at beaches, water sports like swimming, canoeing, and jet boats, or take a boat cruise exploring many islands and enjoying scenic views. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation options; Lake Kivu Serena hotel/ Kivu lodge/ Paradise Malahide.
Day 6: Transfer to volcanoes national park
After breakfast travel north driving through the rolling green hills of Rwanda. Volcanoes national park is a popular destination for a Gorilla tracking experience with over 1o habituated gorilla families that fore range on the slopes of the volcano ranges within the park. It is also known for the endangered Golden monkeys with luck you may spot one while trekking to see the gorillas. You will have a stopover en-route for refreshment and proceed to the park, check-in at the lodge for dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation options; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/ Gorilla Mountain view lodge/ Virunga lodge.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking and transfer to Kigali
On this day, you will wake up for early morning breakfast at 7:00 am and drive to Kinigi park quarters for mountain gorilla briefing about dos and don’ts. Gorilla tracking is a memorable experience, which may involve trekking for long hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved but it is worth when you finally find the gorillas, you will spend one full hour with the gorillas while taking photographs, observing them while feeding, playing and some mating. Return to the starting point and transfer back to Kigali. Drop off at the hotel or airport for departure. End 7 Days Rwanda safari
