09 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Experience

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be personally welcomed by our professional driver-guide, ensuring a seamless start to your luxury safari holiday. A private transfer of approximately 10 minutes will take you to your elegant five-star hotel in Kigali, where you can unwind in comfort and enjoy a gourmet dinner.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Driving Time: 10 minutes

After a sumptuous breakfast, embark on a scenic journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s most ancient and biodiverse rainforests. Nestled in Rwanda’s lush south‑western highlands, Nyungwe is celebrated for its exceptional wildlife and pristine landscapes. Guests will encounter Rwanda’s only remaining chimpanzee population, alongside Colobus monkeys, nearly 300 bird species, and over 1,000 unique plant species.

Enjoy guided hikes through the rainforest’s well‑maintained trails, offering opportunities to spot rare primates and vibrant birdlife. The highlight of the day is the thrilling Canopy Walk, an exclusive experience unique in Africa, where guests enjoy breathtaking views of the forest from above.

En route, stop at the King’s Palace Museum, a beautifully crafted traditional royal residence shaped like a beehive, offering fascinating insights into Rwanda’s pre‑colonial history and culture. After a gourmet lunch at Strafford Restaurant, continue with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum, showcasing Rwanda’s rich heritage.

Driving Time: 6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your day with an early breakfast before setting out on an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in the Cyamudongo Forest, part of the renowned Nyungwe Forest National Park. Accompanied by expert guides, guests follow scenic trails through lush rainforest to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat — waking, feeding, and socializing among the treetops. This intimate encounter offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Rwanda’s most fascinating primates.

Later, embark on the iconic Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended 160 meters above a verdant ravine. Accessible via the Igishigishigi trail or the longer Imbaraga and Umuyove trails, this exhilarating bridge walk provides panoramic views of the ancient montane forest and its diverse wildlife. From colorful birdlife to towering trees, the canopy walk delivers a perspective found nowhere else in Africa.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, set out for an unforgettable adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Begin with a guided trek to the spectacular Isumo Waterfall, where cascading waters plunge through lush rainforest, creating a serene and photogenic setting. Along the way, enjoy sightings of vibrant birdlife, butterflies, and the rich flora that make Nyungwe one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests.

Later, transfer to Kibuye, a charming lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu. In the evening, embark on a private sunset cruise, gliding across the tranquil waters as the sun dips behind Rwanda’s rolling hills. The golden reflections on Lake Kivu create a magical atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and photography. This luxury experience blends adventure with serenity, offering guests a memorable finale to their Nyungwe exploration.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After a delightful breakfast, journey north to the legendary Volcanoes National Park, nestled on the jungle-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains along Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This iconic reserve is world-renowned as a sanctuary for the rare mountain gorillas, offering guests the opportunity for highly regulated treks to spend an unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Beyond gorilla trekking, the park also features scenic hiking trails, the historic tomb of Dian Fossey, the Karisoke Research Centre, and rewarding day hikes to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke.

Later, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a state-of-the-art conservation hub dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and advancing global conservation efforts. The campus brings together scientists, conservation partners, students, tourists, and local communities, offering guests a unique opportunity to engage with Rwanda’s pioneering conservation initiatives

Driving Time: 3 hrs.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After the early morning breakfast at the lodge, set off for Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park which offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.

Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home stay with the community and become part of their family

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a picturesque journey to Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. This remarkable reserve is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the country’s last refuge for savannah-adapted species.

Stretching across rolling highlands, acacia woodlands, and vast savannah plains, Akagera is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The park’s swamp-fringed lakes and wetlands of the Kagera River host hippos and crocodiles, while elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and antelope roam freely across the grasslands. Predators such as lions and leopards prowl the acacia groves, and birdwatchers will delight in spotting hundreds of species, including rare and endemic varieties.

This safari experience combines breathtaking scenery with exceptional biodiversity, offering guests an authentic immersion into Rwanda’s diverse ecosystems.

Driving Time: Approximately 6 hrs.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Begin the day with an exhilarating morning game drive in Akagera National Park, exploring the savannah in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. With a maximum of seven guests per vehicle, each traveler enjoys an outside seat for unobstructed views of the wildlife. Expect to encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and an array of antelope species roaming freely across the plains, while expert guides share insights into the park’s rich biodiversity.

In the afternoon, embark on a serene boat cruise on Lake Rwanyakazinga, aboard an eight-seater swamp cruiser. This exclusive experience offers close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and a dazzling variety of water birds, including kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles. The tranquil setting of the lake, framed by rolling hills and wetlands, provides a perfect contrast to the excitement of the morning safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive back to Kigali, passing through Rwanda’s rolling hills and vibrant countryside. En route, stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum, a profoundly moving and educational site created in partnership between the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust.

The memorial offers a transparent and deeply humbling tour, honoring the memory of over 250,000 victims laid to rest at the site. Guests gain a powerful understanding of Rwanda’s tragic past, the resilience of its people, and the nation’s remarkable journey of healing and resbuilding. This experience is both solemn and inspiring, providing meaningful context to Rwanda’s modern identity.

Later in the afternoon, continue to Kigali International Airport for your evening flight, marking the conclusion of your unforgettable luxury Rwanda safari journey.

Driving Time: 3 hrs.