10 Days Best of Rwanda Safari
10 Days Best of Rwanda Safari : Craving for the best of Rwanda? Do you want to visit all the top safari destinations in this tiny country? This 10 Days Best of Rwanda safari was crafted to give you the best of Rwanda in 10 days.
10 Days Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Rwanda Gorillas in the Mist tour
- Chimpanzee
- Golden monkeys
- History and culture of Rwandese
- Capital city of Rwanda
- Genocide memorial at Gisozi (depicting Rwanda’s dark recent history)
- King’s palace in Nyanza (reminiscent of the old Rwanda before colonialism)
- The National Museum in Butare
- Ross Carr’s Flower Farm and orphanage
Day 1: Welcome to Rwanda
A representative of Achieve Global Safaris shall be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight to transfer to Hotel des Mille Collines. This hotel is famous for featuring in the tragic movie Hotel Rwanda that was based on the true events of the Genocide. Which in case you have not ever heard of is a must see and you can request for a copy Warning! Rated 16 for there will be Violence.
Depending on the time of arrival, an optional city tour to explore Kigali and visit to the Genocide memorial can be arranged. You may also be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer.
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Akagera National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, you will then proceed toAkagera National Park. Akagera National Park is located in the west north of Rwanda near the Tanzania boarder and it covers 1122 km² of savannah west of the Kagera River, in the north-east of Rwanda. The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 different species of birds. Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, while you might stumble across a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a lion.
Giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park. You will have lunch at Rusizi Tented Camp where after you will go for a long game drive in Akagera National park. You will then return to your accommodation for relaxation which is the ultimate bush experience.
Accommodation: Rusizi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 3: Boat safari and back to Kigali
Early morning Breakfast and then you head for a boat safari on the Ihema River to spot the many water birds like Cormorans, Fish eagles and kingfishers. After you will head back to your accommodation, have lunch then you will drive to the Bugesera district, south of Kigali, through a beautiful country-side not often visited by tourists. In the small town Nyamata you will visit a Genocide memorial church.
You shall then head back for Kigali where you shall visit the Genocide Memorial in the city center to learn more about this tragedy in case you missed this on your first day
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
Today, you will set off towards the famous Nyungwe N.P. which is an untouched Rainforest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from Colobus monkeys, Mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is semi heaven for birders. With a little over 300 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, making it one of the most important – and still little known – bird-watching destinations in Africa.
You will have a stopover for lunch on your budget and then be on your way. Afternoon Canopy walk which takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats and you’ll have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy. In the evening, you will settle into your private cottage at Nyungwe forest lodge. This luxury lodge is one of the best in Rwanda. The spacious cottages with nice view will make you feel right at home.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking
Early morning breakfast, you will then proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. This exciting up-close encounter with human’s closest relative will forever live with you. After the chimp tracking you can relax at the lodge or choose an optional activity that you can enjoy. Like take a hike on one of the trails, learn more about the park at the information center, or immerse yourself in the culture.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Waterfall hike, Optional activity
If you missed it earlier, you can choose to go for Canopy Walk or stay at your lodge, relax off by gong off for a swim. In the afternoon you will go for the Waterfall hike. This hike runs for about 3 and 6 hours round trip, depending upon how frequently you stop to sightsee and whether you choose to drive a little further or walk from the offices. The first part of the trail is basically following the road to the vehicle park and before delving into the forest.
You will have to cross various streams before making a steep descent to the base of the small, refreshing waterfall. Monkeys are frequently seen along the way and the steep slopes provide excellent views into the canopy.After the trail, you return back to Nyungwe Forest Lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Lake Kivu
Breakfast and then enjoy the beautiful services and scenery at your lodge. After lunch you will travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu where you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the late afternoon, you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. This activity is at your own cost. You can later retire to your accommodation for the night in the semi-luxury Cormoran Lodge located on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 8: Volcanoes National Park
Today, after breakfast you shall drive northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. Here you will see the Rwanda’s Musanze caves which date back 65 million years and lay with in the volcanic region where lava flow layers long ago created the Albertine Rift Valley. The caves offer easy hiking 2 kilometers in distance and have brilliant views of cascading lights from the surface, unique rock formations, and a colony of bats. You will have lunch in this town at your own cost then be on your way to Volcanoes
Not far from Ruhengeri, on your way to Volcanoes you find the magnificent twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Closer to the gorilla’s home, Lakes Burera and Ruhondo are real gems you must not miss.The twin lakes area is very scenic, with steep and intensively farmed hills surrounding the pristine dark blue waters. They offer magnificent views over the whole of the Virunga Volcanoes. You will then arrive to you lodge for tonight is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking
Early morning rise from the lodge, you drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office. The head ranger of the will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From the office your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track the Gorillas of one of the habituated groupswho can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Prepare for an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours! Once located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Departure
Today after a relaxed breakfast you will be transferred by your driver/guide back to Kigali in time to catch your flight back home. Sadly, this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda.
