Arrival in Kigali

Your incredible 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari begins with your arrival in Kigali, Rwanda’s charming capital city. Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, a warm welcome awaits from our courteous representative, who will provide you with a trip briefing and ensure your swift transfer to your selected hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is reserved for a relaxing yet enriching Kigali city exploration.

Kigali is a clean, safe, and vibrant city that offers a fascinating blend of modernity and traditional Rwandan culture. You’ll have the chance to visit local markets teeming with colorful produce and handwoven goods. A highlight of your cultural immersion is the Caplaki Craft Co-operative, where local artisans display and sell their handcrafted creations from charming wooden huts. Whether you’re interested in wood carvings, vibrant batik fabrics, intricately beaded jewelry, or handwoven baskets, this is the ideal spot for purchasing meaningful souvenirs.

Your overnight stay will be at the tranquil Heaven Boutique Hotel, located within or near the heart of Kigali. The hotel offers a cozy and artistic ambiance and is renowned for its exceptional hospitality. Meals on this day are at your own discretion, allowing you to either sample gourmet cuisine at the hotel’s in-house restaurant or venture into Kigali’s lively dining scene for an introduction to Rwandan gastronomy.

Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari continues with a scenic transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in Rwanda’s mountainous southwest. The drive itself is a delightful visual journey, weaving through rolling green hills, tea plantations, and vibrant local villages. Expect frequent photographic stops as you traverse Rwanda’s famously scenic terrain.

Nyungwe Forest is a biodiversity hotspot and one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys, alongside over 300 species of birds and thousands of butterflies. The air becomes cooler and richer with the scent of forest moss as you ascend into Nyungwe’s elevated rainforest.

Upon arrival, check into your well-appointed accommodation at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. Nestled on a ridge that overlooks both the forest and Lake Kivu, this hotel offers panoramic views that set the tone for your immersive stay in the park. Spend the evening enjoying dinner, relaxing on your private veranda, or simply breathing in the mountain air and listening to the sounds of the forest.

This transition from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest is a critical chapter in your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari, marking the beginning of your primate tracking and rainforest experiences.

Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk

Wake up early and fuel up for what promises to be one of the most exhilarating days on your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari. Today you will venture into the depths of Nyungwe Forest on a guided trek to track one of the forest’s habituated chimpanzee families. Accompanied by professional rangers, you’ll descend into lush jungle paths alive with the calls of tropical birds and the distant cries of primates.

Chimpanzee trekking can be both thrilling and challenging. The chimpanzees are highly active, often moving swiftly through the canopy and making the encounter all the more rewarding. Once located, you’ll spend a precious hour observing their dynamic social behaviors, listening to their vocalizations, and capturing unforgettable photographs. Witnessing their expressions and familial interactions offers a powerful reminder of our shared evolutionary past.

Later in the day, you will experience the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, a 200-meter-long bridge suspended over 50 meters above the forest floor. Walking across this suspended path, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy and possibly spot primates like L’Hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, and forest birds such as the great blue turaco. This is also an excellent opportunity for botany enthusiasts to observe rare flora from above.

Retire in the evening to Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel for dinner and a night of reflection under the stars. This day of the 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari combines both action and wonder, making it a truly immersive rainforest experience.

Transfer from Nyungwe to Lake Kivu

After breakfast and a peaceful farewell to Nyungwe, your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari takes a relaxing turn as you transfer to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and Rwanda’s premier lakeside destination. The drive to Lake Kivu meanders through verdant hills and offers countless photographic moments. Upon arrival, you’ll check into the serene Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, a luxury property nestled on the shores of the lake.

Spend your afternoon unwinding by the water or choosing from a range of optional activities. The sandy beaches and palm-fringed shores create the perfect environment for leisure. You can choose to kayak across the calm waters, take a boat cruise to nearby islands or coffee plantations, or go for a guided nature walk in the nearby hills. Another option is a visit to the historic Imbabazi Orphanage, founded by American humanitarian Rosamond Carr, which stands as a testament to resilience and care post-genocide.

Lake Kivu’s relaxed atmosphere is a welcome contrast to the jungle treks and provides a chance to recharge before your next adventure. Enjoy a lakeside dinner and sunset view, and prepare for the final chapters of your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari.

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Following a leisurely breakfast at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari continues with a drive to the legendary Volcanoes National Park. This transfer takes approximately four hours and treats you to stunning views of the Virunga Mountain range, terraced farmland, and remote Rwandan villages.

Upon arrival, check into Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, a cozy mid-range property located near the park’s entrance. After check-in, you’ll receive a briefing from park authorities about the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure. This orientation includes guidance on safety protocols, trekking etiquette, and tips for maximizing your gorilla experience.

The rest of your afternoon and evening is for relaxing and preparing for the physically demanding yet emotionally rewarding day ahead. Enjoy a nourishing dinner and perhaps journal or reflect on the journey so far. Day five of the 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari sets the stage for the bucket-list gorilla experience that awaits you.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today marks the pinnacle of your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari—an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Wake early for breakfast and then travel to the Kinigi Park Headquarters. After a briefing session with your ranger guides, you’ll be assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families in the park.

Your trek will begin at the foothills of the Virungas and lead deep into the forest. Depending on the location of the gorillas, the trek could last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The journey is physically demanding but immensely rewarding. Once you find your assigned gorilla group, you’ll be allowed up to one magical hour with them. Witness the calm demeanor of the silverback, the playful antics of the juveniles, and the nurturing care of mothers—all just meters away from you.

This one hour is often described as life-changing, offering a rare glimpse into the daily lives of one of the world’s most endangered species. You are expected to keep a safe distance, maintain silence, and observe these magnificent animals with the utmost respect.

After the trek, you’ll return to Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel for a well-deserved rest. The day concludes with a hearty dinner and the unmatched satisfaction of having shared a moment with Rwanda’s most iconic residents.

Return to Kigali and Departure

The final day of your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari begins with a hearty breakfast and then a drive back to Kigali. En route, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, a deeply moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The memorial provides context, understanding, and an emotional connection to the country’s tragic past and its path toward reconciliation.

After your visit, you’ll be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight, marking the end of your journey. If your flight departs later in the evening, optional lunch arrangements and last-minute shopping can be made before your airport drop-off.

This concluding segment of your 7 Days Highlights of Rwanda Safari is both reflective and inspirational, perfectly wrapping up an expedition filled with wildlife encounters, natural wonders, and cultural insights.