On arrival at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. The transfer takes approximately 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

After breakfast, travel south through Rwanda’s rolling hills to Nyungwe National Park. En route, visit the National Museum in Butare (Huye), which presents Rwanda’s cultural heritage through ethnographic collections, traditional ceramics, and fine basketry.

Enjoy lunch in Butare before continuing to Nyungwe, arriving in time for dinner and a relaxed evening at your lodge.

Begin early with breakfast before heading into Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Nyungwe is one of East and Central Africa’s most important montane rainforests, home to a rich variety of wildlife, including a significant chimpanzee population.

Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed because the primates move freely through the forest, but experienced rangers use radio communication to help locate them. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk to Kamiranzovu Waterfall. Nyungwe is a haven for nature lovers, with more than 200 tree species, over 280 bird species, and more than 100 butterfly species.

After breakfast, drive to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and a scenic border lake shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Check in and enjoy lunch at your hotel.

Spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional activities include a boat trip to one of the lake’s islands, a swim, or a relaxed exploration of Gisenyi’s markets, leafy streets, and historic colonial-era buildings.

Depart after breakfast for Ruhengeri (Musanze), stopping at the Imbabazi homestead. Founded by Rosamond Halsey Carr in 1994, the site offers insight into Rwanda’s recent history and the enduring connection between local communities and conservation.

Continue to Ruhengeri, set beneath the dramatic Virunga volcanic mountains, and check in for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo near the Ugandan border. Surrounded by steep hills, waterfalls, and volcanic peaks, they offer excellent photography and peaceful views.

Today is the highlight of your safari: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for registration and a ranger briefing before setting out with your guide.

Trekking can take between three and six hours, depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family. Wear sturdy walking shoes and carry water, as the trails can be steep and muddy. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them as they feed, rest, play, and interact.

To protect these endangered animals, visitors must keep a minimum distance of 7 metres, avoid flash photography, and follow all ranger instructions.

In the afternoon, choose to rest or take part in an optional community experience. Popular options include a visit to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you can enjoy traditional dance, learn about Rwandan traditions, and support community-led tourism. You may also visit a local banana-brewing cooperative, try basket weaving, or explore the local market.

After breakfast, travel back to Kigali, a journey of about two hours. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a guided city tour with optional visits to the craft market, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and local museums. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a place of remembrance and learning dedicated to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.kgm+1

Take time for last-minute souvenir shopping before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. A day room at Kigali Serena Hotel can be arranged on request.