8-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari
This 8-day journey through Rwanda combines three of the country’s signature experiences: the rainforest trails of Nyungwe National Park, the volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park, and the calm waters of Lake Kivu. Along the way, you’ll spend time with local communities and take part in three unforgettable wildlife encounters — chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, and golden monkey trekking — before your departure flight home.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Your safari begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration, you’ll be greeted by your guide, who will welcome you to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” From there, you’ll be driven to your hotel, where a short briefing will walk you through the days ahead. The evening closes with dinner and your first overnight stay in Rwanda.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Mille Collines Hotel
- Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
- High-end: Hemingways Kigali Retreat
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: On to Nyungwe, with a Stop at the King’s Palace Museum
Following breakfast, you’ll set off toward Nyungwe National Park. The drive is broken up by a visit to the King’s Palace Museum, an excellent introduction to Rwanda’s royal history and cultural traditions. A roadside lunch keeps you fueled before you continue on, arriving at your Nyungwe hotel in the afternoon with time to unwind ahead of dinner.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay
- Mid-luxury: Munazi Eco Lodge
- High-end: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and a Canopy Walk
Start the day early with a strong cup of Rwandan coffee before heading into Nyungwe Forest — home to 13 primate species — for your chimpanzee trekking briefing. Once the trek begins, you’ll have up to an hour with the chimpanzees once they’re located. After lunch, head back into the forest for the canopy walk, a suspended-bridge experience with sweeping views over the forest canopy. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest after an eventful day.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay
- Mid-luxury: Munazi Eco Lodge
- High-end: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Tea Country and Lake Kivu
After breakfast, visit the Gisakura Tea Plantation to learn how tea is grown, harvested, and processed using traditional methods. From there, continue to Lake Kivu, where a scenic boat trip takes you past several small islands and gives you a feel for the lake’s calm beauty. Following lunch, transfer to your hotel for an afternoon of relaxation before dinner.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Cormoran Lodge
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- High-end: Cleo Lake Kivu
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and the Dian Fossey Campus
Check out after breakfast and begin the drive to Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about the conservation, research, and habituation work behind mountain gorilla protection. Afterward, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, resting up for the next day’s gorilla trek.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa
- High-end: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast, transfer to park headquarters, where your ranger will brief you on trekking etiquette before you head into the forest. Depending on the gorillas’ movements and your group’s pace, the trek can last anywhere from two to six hours. Once you find them, you’ll spend up to an hour observing the gorillas at close range — one of Rwanda’s defining experiences. Afterward, walk back out and transfer to your lodge for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax, or you can opt for a cultural visit to the Iby’wachu Cultural Village to learn more about Rwandan traditions. Dinner and overnight stay follow at your lodge.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa
- High-end: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Golden Monkey Trekking and a Return Visit to the Fossey Campus
After breakfast, your guide picks you up for the drive to park headquarters for a briefing ahead of golden monkey trekking. The trek follows a similar format to gorilla trekking but tends to be less physically demanding, making for a lighter, playful encounter with these primates. Afterward, stop again at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus to learn more about ongoing gorilla conservation efforts. Return to the lodge for lunch and time to freshen up before the drive back to Kigali for dinner and your final overnight stay.
Where you might stay:
- Midrange: Mille Collines Hotel
- Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
- High-end: Hemingways Kigali Retreat
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Kigali City Tour and Departure
Your final day begins with breakfast, followed by a tour of Kigali. Stops include the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, where you’ll learn about the work of local women’s cooperatives, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers a sobering and important look at Rwanda’s history in 1994. After lunch, you’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your evening flight home, bringing this 8-day adventure to a close.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Pricing
From $5,598per person
What’s Included
- Transport throughout in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as outlined in the itinerary
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- One golden monkey trekking permit per person
- One chimpanzee trekking permit per person
- Nyungwe canopy walk
- Tea plantation visit
- Museum entries
- Lake Kivu boat trip and island visits
- Visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus
- Kigali city tour
- English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- One litre of bottled water per person, per day
- A soft drink included with each meal
- All activities listed in the itinerary
What’s Not Included
- International airfare
- Alcoholic and other drinks not specified above
- Visa fees
- Laundry services
- Phone charges
- Tips for guides and local hosts
- Porter fees during treks
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal shopping and incidentals
About our Safaris
At Adventure Gorilla Safaris, we believe this once-in-a-lifetime experience should be within reach for every traveler — not just those seeking luxury travel. While gorilla trekking permits carry a significant cost, we design budget-friendly packages that make your dream safari attainable, without ever compromising on quality or comfort.
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