11 Days Rwanda Classic Safari
Our 11 Days Rwanda classic safari takes you on a remarkable adventure as you explore Kigali city in Rwanda, trek chimpanzees and view the canopy walkway in Nyungwe forest national park, tour coffee farms at Lake Kivu, spend quality time with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park and enjoy game drives in Akagera National Park.
Highlights for 11 Days Rwanda Classic Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Kigali City Tour
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu- Boat Cruise
Day 6: Morning Coffee Tour at Kinunu Washing Station
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Visit Musanze Caves
Day 8: Gorilla Trek and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village
Day 9: Transfer to Akagera National Park- Game Drive
Day 10: Full Day Northern Game Drive
Day 11: Transfer to Back to Kigali City.
Detailed Itinerary for 11 Days Rwanda Classic Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Our driver guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport. You will embark on a short tour of Kigali city where you will be visiting any of the following places such as Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Kimironko Market, Caplaki Craft Village and Nyamirambo Women’s center. Dinner and overnight stay at your selected hotel.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour
After breakfast, you will meet up with your driver guide at your hotel lobby. If you didn’t get to visit Kigali city the previous day, you will be able to do so today. Interesting places to visit in Kigali include; Azizi Life, Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Kimironko market, and Caplaki craft village among others. Later drive back to your hotel in the evening to refresh and have dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
In the morning, you will be picked by the driver from your hotel in Kigali and drive southwards to Nyungwe forest National park. You will have a stopover in Butare, where you will visit the national museum of Rwanda, the king’s palace in Nyanza with lunch enroute. After lunch, you will drive to your hotel and spend the rest of evening relaxing at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your selected hotel or lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing before entering the forest, searching for the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are the easy to spot, as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimp tracking usually takes about 3 hours. You will then return to your accommodation for lunch.
After lunch, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk at Uwinka; a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you. Before night fall, you will return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay same as previous night.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu- Boat Cruise
Breakfast will be served at your lodge/hotel in the morning. After, meet up with your driver guide and drive to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi with lunch enroute. Upon your arrival in Gisenyi, you will check-into your hotel and rest. Later in the afternoon, you will head out for a boat cruise on Lake Kivu where you will have an opportunity to view a variety of bird species around the lake area and also interact with the famous singing fishermen of the lake. Later return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 6: Morning Coffee Tour at Kinunu Washing Station
After having breakfast in the morning, you will drive to Kinunu Washing Station for a coffee tour. You will learn how coffee in Rwanda is grown, harvested and processed for final consumption both internationally and domestically. Wind up your tour with a tasty cup of coffee and you can as well buy some as a show of support to the local community.
Later return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Visit Musanze Caves
Following breakfast at your lodge, you will drive to Volcanoes National Park where upon your arrival in the park, you will visit Musanze caves which is one of the oldest cave networks in Rwanda. The caves play both a historical and cultural significance to the local people. You will have lunch at your lodge and relax for the rest of your afternoon. Optional activities to do during your free time include visiting Dian Fossey Center, Elene DeGeneres Campus, Buhanga Eco Park for a guided nature walk etc. Dinner and overnight stay your lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla Trek and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village
Early in the morning after breakfast and transfer to Volcanoes national park, leaving Kigali by 4am. Arrive at the park headquarters at 7am for briefing from the RDB officials, set off for the gorilla trekking. This experience of gorilla trekking is a once in a life time adventure. The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search of the Gorillas.
You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures whose company you will cherish for 1 hour. The activity in Rwanda can take 3-5 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas.
After your gorilla trek experience, you have lunch and later visit Ibyi’wacu Village for a cultural experience. You will the visit the former King’s palace and watch interesting dance and singing performances from the local dance troupe. Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to Akagera National Park- Game Drive
Wake up in time to have breakfast at your lodge. You will then check out in time and embark on your journey to Akagera National Park with a stop for lunch enroute to the park. Upon your arrival in Akagera National Park, you will embark on a game drive in the park where you will get to see a variety including lions, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, zebras and so many more.
Retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 10: Full Day Northern Game Drive
After your breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and head out for a full day game drive in the northern sector of the park which is rich in wildlife. Look out for wildlife such as lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and many more. Have lunch and dinner at your lodge.
Day 11: Transfer to Back to Kigali City.
Breakfast will be served at your lodge in morning and then check out of your lodge. Proceed and exit the park heading back to Kigali city, with a stopover for lunch enroute. Upon your arrival in Kigali, your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali international airport or a hotel as you will advise.
End of 11 Days Rwanda Classic Safari
