10 DAYS BEST OF RWANDA SAFARI - GORILLAS, CHIMPANZEES, BIG FIVE & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Trip Highlights

• Explore Kigali city and Rwanda's history
• Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial and historical museums
• Experience Big Five safari in Akagera National Park
• Lake Ihema boat cruise with hippos and crocodiles
• Night game drive searching for nocturnal animals
• Visit Rwanda's King's Palace and Ethnographic Museum
• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest
• Walk above the rainforest canopy on the famous Canopy Walkway
• Explore Kamiranzovu Swamp and birdwatching experience
• Boat cruise on Lake Kivu visiting Napoleon and Amahoro Islands
• Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Mountain gorilla trekking experience

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL

   Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative and professional driver-guide. You will receive a short briefing about your safari before transferring to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Accommodation: Onomo Hotel Meal Plan: Dinner

2. DAY 2: KIGALI CITY EXPLORATION & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

   After breakfast, begin your Kigali city exploration. Discover Rwanda's history from the pre-colonial period, colonial era, post-independence period, and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Visit: Kigali Genocide Memorial A significant historical site where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest. Kandt House Museum Visit the former residence of Richard Kandt, the first German explorer who settled in Kigali, and learn about Rwanda during the colonial period. Campaign Against Genocide Museum Learn about Rwanda's history and the efforts made to stop the genocide. End the day with a coffee experience at Question Coffee, where you will taste premium Rwandan coffee produced by women cooperatives. Accommodation: Onomo Hotel Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

3. DAY 3: TRANSFER TO AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK - GAME DRIVE & LAKE IHEMA BOAT CRUISE

   After breakfast, transfer to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, start a game drive searching for Rwanda's wildlife including: • Lions • Rhinos • Leopards • Elephants • Buffaloes • Antelopes • Giraffes • Zebras • Over 500 bird species Akagera is Rwanda's largest national park and offers beautiful savannah landscapes, wetlands, lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. After lunch at the lodge, enjoy a thrilling boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Look out for: • Hippos • Nile crocodiles • Water birds • Buffaloes Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge Meal Plan: Full Board

4. DAY 4: AKAGERA GAME DRIVE & NIGHT GAME DRIVE

   Start the day with an early morning game drive when animals are most active. Search for elephants, birds, antelopes, predators, and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, enjoy a night game drive searching for nocturnal animals including: • Leopards • Hyenas • Bush babies • Other nighttime species Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge Meal Plan: Full Board

5. DAY 5: TRANSFER TO NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK VIA CULTURAL SITES

   After breakfast, depart Akagera and transfer to Nyungwe National Park. En route visit: King's Palace Museum Discover Rwanda's traditional monarchy and royal history. Ethnographic Museum Learn about Rwanda's culture, traditions, and history. Continue to Nyungwe Forest. Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

6. DAY 6: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING & NYUNGWE CANOPY WALK

   Early morning breakfast before heading to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee trekking. Accompanied by experienced guides, enter the rainforest in search of chimpanzees and other primates. Nyungwe is home to 13 primate species and over 300 bird species. Later enjoy the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, suspended above the rainforest providing spectacular views of the forest ecosystem. Optional visit to a tea plantation. Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel Meal l Plan: Full Board

7. DAY 7: KAMIRANZOVU SWAMP BIRDWATCHING & TRANSFER TO LAKE KIVU

   Explore Kamiranzovu Swamp, one of Nyungwe's unique ecosystems. Search for rare Albertine Rift bird species including: • Ruwenzori Turaco • Grauer's Swamp Warbler • Other endemic birds After lunch, transfer to Kibuye on Lake Kivu. Enjoy spectacular views of the lake, islands, and surrounding green hills. Accommodation: Bethany Lodge Meal Plan: Full Board

8. DAY 8: LAKE KIVU BOAT CRUISE & TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

   After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Visit: Napoleon Island Famous for fruit bats and birdlife. Amahoro Island Enjoy beautiful lake scenery and learn about Lake Kivu. Later transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Accommodation: Classic Hotel Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

9. DAY 9: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING & TWIN LAKES / MUSANZE CAVE VISIT

   After breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters. Meet Park guides and begin golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are rare Albertine Rift endemic primates known for their playful behavior. In the afternoon choose between: • Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo visit OR • Musanze Cave exploration Accommodation: Classic Lodge Meal Plan: Full Board

10. DAY 10: GORILLA TREKKING & TRANSFER BACK TO KIGALI

    After breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters. Complete Park formalities and begin your once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking adventure. Trek through the beautiful Virunga forest searching for a habituated gorilla family. Once found, spend one magical hour observing these incredible primates in their natural habitat. After trekking, return for lunch before driving back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, visit souvenir shops including: • Caplaki Art Market • Kimironko Market • Inema Art Center Transfer to Kigali International Airport.