Rwanda's Wild Wonders: Gorillas & Chimpanzees

As soon as you land at Kigali International Airport, you’ll receive VIP meet and greet assistance with immigration, ensuring a smooth and warm arrival. 

A quick 25-minute transfer will bring us to the iconic Hôtel des Mille Collines, a luxurious retreat in the heart of the city. Once we’ve settled into our superior suites, unwind at the pool or explore the hotel’s serene surroundings before meeting for dinner. 

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal, savoring our first taste of Rwandan hospitality as we prepare for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey to the Nyungwe Forest National Park, known for its exceptional biodiversity and wide range of endemic species. The park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes. It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population. There are also 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species, and over 1000 plant species

En route, we’ll stop at the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, which houses incredible collections of Rwanda’s cultural history. Seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic, and archaeological artifacts, offering visitors rich insight into the Rwandan culture. 

After a lunch break in Butare, we’ll continue to the Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, where sweeping views of the forest, tea plantations, and distant volcanoes wait to greet us. 

After settling in, we’ll take to the treetops for a canopy walk, enjoying breathtaking views of the ancient forest from above. Suspended above the ravine amidst lush vegetation and montane forest of the Ngungwe National Park, the canopy walk offers participants an exhilarating perspective atop the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160-meter-long suspended bridge is accessible as a part of a guided hike along the Igishigishigi trail.

Dinner will be served at the lodge, where we’ll spend a peaceful night surrounded by nature.

Our day begins bright and early with breakfast, followed by a short transfer to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. 

We’ll venture into the rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, tracking the lively chimpanzees as they swing from branch to branch, calling out to each other in the treetops. Watching these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. 

After returning to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax, we’ll visit a local tea plantation. We’ll walk through the neatly lined rows of tea bushes, learning about the cultivation and processing of Rwanda’s finest tea and picking tea leaves while enjoying the beauty of the rolling green hills. 

Dinner awaits us at the lodge as we reflect on the day’s adventures.

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll leave Nyungwe Forest and travel north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the majestic mountain gorillas. The landscape shifts from rolling hills to towering volcanic peaks as we approach Musanze, the gateway to the park. 

We’ll check into Sambora Kinigi Lodge, where gorgeous lush gardens and stunning volcano views invite you to engage with the forest's sights and sounds. 

After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where we’ll learn about the ongoing efforts to protect Rwanda’s gorilla population via a private VIP talk with some of the scientists who work for the fund. 

Before dinner, we’ll enjoy a Silverback Sundowner, a special moment to soak in the beauty of the surrounding volcanic landscape.

Today starts with an early breakfast before we head to the park for a once-in-a-lifetime Golden Monkey trekking adventure. These playful primates, known for their golden coats and energetic behavior, are a joy to observe as they dart through the bamboo forests at the base of the volcanoes. 

After an easy trek, we’ll return to the lodge for lunch, then embark on the Beyond Gorilla Authentic Experience, which includes visiting local homes to get a feel for daily life in Rwanda. We’ll engage with community members, learning about their traditions and culture while enjoying traditional dances and music. 

The day will end with a gorilla doctor’s lecture, offering a deeper understanding of gorilla conservation efforts. 

We'll savor Rwanda’s exquisite flavors at dinner. 

The highlight of our journey awaits! After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading out on a magical gorilla trekking experience. 

Led by expert guides, we’ll trek through dense vegetation to find one of the gorilla families that call Volcanoes National Park home. The awe-inspiring moment when you first encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitat promises to be a life-changing experience. 

We will return to the lodge for lunch and a little relaxation before heading to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the local community. We’ll participate in traditional Rwandan activities, meet villagers, and enjoy local music and dance. 

After an action-packed once-in-a-lifetime day, we'll dine at the lodge, and chat and dream about our amazing experiences. 

Our final day begins with breakfast at the lodge before we transfer back to Kigali. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a reflective and respectful conclusion to our journey. 

Afterward, we’ll enjoy a farewell lunch at a local restaurant and if time allows spend some time shopping for handmade crafts and souvenirs at Kigali’s markets. 

As the afternoon winds down, we’ll transfer to the airport for our departing flight, bringing this unforgettable journey through Rwanda to a close.

Our adventure begins after a leisurely lunch in Kigali, where we’ll board a private safari vehicle for a scenic drive to Akagera National Park. The journey takes us east through Rwanda’s rolling hills until we reach the park’s South Gate by late afternoon. Bordering Tanzania in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is central Africa's largest protected wetland and the country's last refuge for savannah-adapted species. Stretching across a vast expanse of low-lying mountains and savannah plains, the park takes in the rolling highlands woodlands, swamp-fringed lakes, and wetlands of the Kagera River along the way. Crocodiles and hippos wallow in the park's watery basins, predators prowl through its acacia groves, and elephant, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, and other animals roam across its grassy plains. Bursting with a rich biodiversity, the park features a variety of rare species, scores of mammals, and hundreds of bird species.

Upon arrival, we’ll check into Mantis Akagera Game Lodge. The lodge stands on a hill at the southern tip of the Akagera National Park elevated above the savannah with exceptional views of Lake Ihema. 

We’ll have time to settle into our rooms, each equipped with comfortable furnishings, private bathrooms, and serene views. 

As the day winds down, we’ll enjoy dinner at the Inzovu Restaurant, where the sounds of the wildlife and the shimmering sunset on the water set the tone for the days ahead.

Wake to the peaceful sounds of the bush and enjoy a hearty breakfast with the morning sun sparkling over the lake. 

Our first adventure of the day is the Behind the Scenes Experience, an exclusive look into the conservation efforts and daily operations at Akagera. Led by experts, we’ll learn about the park’s management, anti-poaching efforts, and how the park protects its diverse wildlife, from large predators like lions. 

After an insightful morning, we’ll return to the lodge for a leisurely lunch before our afternoon activity: the Sunset Boat Safari on Lake Ihema. This boat ride offers a unique perspective of the park, allowing us to drift along the lake’s edge as we observe hippos wallowing in the shallows, crocodiles basking on the banks, and a rich variety of birdlife, including African fish eagles and cormorants. As the sun sets over the horizon, the golden light reflecting off the water provides the perfect end to our day. 

We’ll return to the lodge for dinner, where we can exchange stories of the day’s adventures around the campfire before retreating to our rooms. 

We’ll start this exciting day with an early rise, just in time for an optional Balloon Safari (see our Add On section below to sign up). It's an experience that you don't want to miss.

After coffee and pastries, we’ll ascend over Akagera’s savannahs and wetlands, watching the sunrise from above as the mist lifts off the plains. 

From our vantage point, we’ll see herds of elephants, buffalo, and possibly lions moving across the landscape and enjoy stunning views of the park’s lakes and rivers. After landing, we’ll celebrate with a traditional champagne toast and bush breakfast. 

For those who prefer to stay grounded, the morning brings a chance to relax at the lodge before the entire group sets out on a game drive through the park’s northern region. 

This area is home to diverse ecosystems, from open savannahs to dense woodlands, and offers excellent opportunities to spot a wide range of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, and the park’s growing population of lions. 

We’ll pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot where we can stretch our legs and enjoy the surrounding nature. We will head back to the lodge in the afternoon. 

As the evening settles in, we’ll enjoy dinner under the stars, accompanied by the distant sounds of the African bush.

Our final day begins with another chance to explore the park with a morning game drive. We will also visit a local village and learn about the local culture. We’ll venture through Akagera’s northern plains, searching for wildlife in the soft morning light. The early hours are prime time for spotting predators like lions and hyenas, as well as large herds of elephants and buffalo roaming the savannah. 

Before returning to Kigali, we’ll stop for lunch at The Social Restaurant in the Epic Hotel, a perfect spot to reflect on our incredible journey through Akagera. 

Afterward, we’ll continue our drive through Rwanda’s picturesque landscapes, expecting to arrive in Kigali by late afternoon. Our drop off at Kigali International Airport marks the end of our unforgettable 4-day safari adventure.