Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Rwanda’s capital. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure and prepare for the journey ahead.

After breakfast, travel south to Nyungwe National Park, with a scenic drive of approximately six and a half hours. En route, visit the National Museum in Butare and the historic King’s Palace in Nyanza, both offering valuable insight into Rwanda’s royal history and cultural traditions.

After lunch in Butare, continue to Nyungwe and settle into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Begin with an early breakfast before transferring to the park for chimpanzee trekking. Accompanied by knowledgeable rangers, you will follow forest trails in search of Nyungwe’s chimpanzees; treks can last several hours, and sightings depend on the movements of the animals on the day.

After lunch at the lodge, enjoy a guided nature walk to Kamiranzovu Waterfall. The forest is home to more than 200 tree species, around 280 bird species, colorful butterflies, and a wide range of primates.

Return to Nyungwe after breakfast for colobus monkey trekking. Look out for the Ruwenzori colobus, a striking black-and-white primate recognized by its long white whiskers, shoulders, and tail tip.

Later, experience the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 150-meter suspended walkway positioned about 50 meters above the forest floor. It offers a different perspective of the rainforest and its wildlife, especially the birds and primates that live in the treetops.

After breakfast, drive approximately three hours to Kibuye on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu. Enjoy lunch at Moriah Hills Resort before taking a boat trip to Amahoro Island, also known as One Bar Island, where a colony of fruit bats can be seen.

The island’s volcanic landscapes and sheltered creeks make it a rewarding destination for photography and quiet exploration.

Continue along Lake Kivu to Gisenyi, Rwanda’s largest lakeside port town. After lunch at your hotel, spend the afternoon at your own pace: swim in the lake, stroll through town, browse local markets, or take an optional boat ride to a nearby island.

Depart Gisenyi after breakfast and visit the Imbabazi Orphanage, founded by Rosamond Carr. Learn about its history and enjoy local entertainment during your visit.

Continue to Ruhengeri, set beneath the Virunga volcanoes. After lunch, explore the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo at the base of Mount Muhabura, where dramatic scenery and peaceful villages create excellent photographic opportunities.

Rise early for breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a pre-trek briefing. With ranger guides, trek through farmland, gentle slopes, and bamboo forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Treks generally take between three and six hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.

Once found, spend a memorable hour observing the family as they feed, rest, and interact. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or choose an optional village walk, market visit, or trip to the Dian Fossey grave site.

After breakfast, head into Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. Watch these lively, habituated primates as they move through the bamboo forests of the Virunga foothills.

In the afternoon, connect with local communities at Iby’iwacu Cultural Village or take part in activities such as basket weaving, traditional dance, or banana beer brewing. These experiences support local livelihoods and offer a genuine insight into Rwandan daily life.

After breakfast, transfer back to Kigali, approximately a two-hour drive. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a guided city tour that may include craft markets, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and the Kigali Museum.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a place of remembrance and learning dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully. Enjoy some final souvenir shopping before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your departure.