13 days Best of Rwanda Wildlife and Culture
Over view
Experience the 13-Day Best of Rwanda Wildlife and Culture tour, where you can explore Rwanda in a remarkable and culturally enriching way. Discover the stunning attractions of Rwanda’s three renowned national parks and embark on the Congo Nile Trail hike, which offers breathtaking scenery and a deeper understanding of Rwandan culture.
Visit Rwanda and get to participate in exciting activities such as canopy walks in Nyungwe National Park, golden monkey treks/ Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and visits to Buhanga Eco Park, Lake Kivu, and tea farms. Engage in wonderful adventure activities, including community initiatives, as you learn about Rwanda’s history, its current state, and the progress the nation has made.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to hotel
Day 2: Explore the vibrant city of Kigali
Day 3: Visit Azizi life and Transfer to Butare
Day 4: Explore Butare and visit the Ethnographic Museum
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Visit Tea Plantation
Day 6: Transfer to Gisenyi
Day 7: Morning visit to the community projects and afternoon transfer to Musanze
Day 8: Explore the Buhanga Eco Park and afternoon Canoe Ride
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 10: Transfer to Akagera and do a night Game drive
Day 11: Game drive, afternoon, boat on Lake Ihema
Day 12: Full-day game drive in Akagera and transfer back to Kigali
Day 13: Kigali city walk and Departure
Day by Day Detailed itinerary
Today, upon arriving at the airport, you will be greeted by one of our company representatives who will welcome you to the country of a thousand hills, give you a little introduction to the 13 Days Best of Rwanda Wildlife and Culture, and then take you to your booked hotel.
Accommodation options: Haven Hotel (Standard) Chez Lando Hotel (mid-range) Kigali Serena Hotel (luxury).
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Explore the vibrant city of Kigali
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, your day will begin with a historical exploration of Kigali city. This journey will take you to notable monuments and sites from various eras, including the colonial period, post-independence, the genocide, and the post-genocide era. You will learn fascinating and significant historical facts about Rwanda along the way.
Your itinerary includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, where over 250,000 victims of the genocide are buried in mass graves. You will also visit the Belgian camp, where ten Belgian UN soldiers were killed while protecting the moderate prime minister just before the genocide began. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore both old and new Kigali.
After a day of discovery, you will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options: Quite Haven Hotel (standard) Chez Lando Hotel (Midrange) Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Visit Azizi life and Transfer to Butare
After breakfast, you will travel to Muhanga to join the locals in their hillside community and engage in their daily activities you will meet the artists where you will have the opportunity to learn how to weave traditional baskets, prepare local meals, dip candles, and create beehives. Enjoy a day filled with interactions, entertainment, dining, and unforgettable experiences.
After this, we will head to Butare, making a stop at the Royal Palace in Nyanza. Here, you will learn about the historical leadership, customs, and cultures of the Rwandan monarchs before continuing on to Butare, where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Boni Consili Hotel (middle-range hotel)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Explore Butare and visit the Ethnographic Museum
After breakfast, we will visit the Ethnographic Museum, where you will learn about the history of Rwanda’s kingdoms and explore the lifestyle of Rwandans from the colonial period to the present. You will also discover the colonial architecture that was used during that time.
Following the museum visit, we will travel for about two hours through the relaxing undulating hills and beautiful scenery to Nyungwe National Park. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a canopy walk adventure. This 70-meter suspended metal bridge offers stunning views of the Nyungwe forest, and if you’re fortunate, you might even spot one or two monkeys as you cross it. After your adventure, you can relax at your lodge while waiting for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Gisakura Visitors Centre (standard), Emeraude Kivu Resort (midrange), and Mentis Kivu Marina (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Visit Tea Plantation
After enjoying your early morning African coffee, you will leave your hotel to explore the natural forest of Nyungwe, which is home to 13 species of primates. A briefing will be provided before you embark on a chimpanzee trek, where you will have one hour to observe these magnificent animals.
Following the trek, you will stop for lunch and then visit the Gisakura tea plantation. Here, you will experience a crop-to-cup journey, exploring the tea fields and interacting with farmers to learn about how tea is grown and harvested. You will even have the opportunity to participate in the harvesting process. Next, you will tour the processing factory to see the final stages of tea production before enjoying a freshly brewed cup. Later, you will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Mantis Kivu (Luxury), Nyungwe Hill top (Mid-range), Ear Ken Barham Guest House (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Transfer to Gisenyi
After breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic journey via the old Congo-Nile path on the way to Gisenyi. You will be able to discover the beauty and unique attractions along the path, including coffee excursions and local lifestyles. In the afternoon, you will go fishing with local fishermen in traditional boats. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation options: Paradis Malahide Hotel (standard), Kivu Paradise (midrange hotel), and Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (luxury hotel).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Morning visit to the community projects and afternoon transfer to Musanze
After breakfast, you will visit the Atelier de Poupée, a community project for women that specializes in crafting art materials. During your time there, you will interact with the artisans and learn how to weave and create beautiful crafts, such as baskets and beads. This experience will also provide insight into their traditional lifestyle. Afterward, you will drive to the Madam Rose Carr House Museum. Later, you will travel to Musanze, located near Volcanoes National Park, for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation options: La Palme Hotel (standard), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (middle range), and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This morning, you will drive from Gisenyi to Musanze. Upon your arrival, you will visit the Buhanga Eco Park, a sacred forest where the former Rwandan kings held initiation and ritual ceremonies. You will have the opportunity to take a nature walk through this park and see the locations where these rituals took place.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon canoe ride on the twin lakes, which offer stunning views of the chain of volcanoes and excellent bird-watching opportunities. In the evening, you will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: La Palme Hotel (standard), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (middle range), and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After eating a hearty breakfast this morning, your driver guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. After that, you will venture into the jungle forest to begin with the gorilla trek in the company of the ranger guide. the trek lasts from 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. once you have found them, you will be allowed 1 hour to spend with the primate as you watch them, go about their daily activities. After lunch at the lodge, go to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in the afternoon to learn more about Rwandan culture and take in the traditional performances that will liven up your day.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Midrange), and La Palme Hotel (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Akagera and do a night Game drive
Following a leisurely breakfast in the morning, we will travel over undulating hills to Akagera National Park. Once you are at the park, unwind at your lodge and wait for the nocturnal game drive in the evening which offers a great opportunity to spot nocturnal mammals which are not seen often during the day. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodations options: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury) and Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Transit Lodge (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Game drive, afternoon, boat on Lake Ihema
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing about your game drive. Once there, you will have the opportunity to see various wildlife species, including the Big Five, as well as antelopes, giraffes, monkeys, zebras, and more. As lunchtime approaches, you will return to the resort.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ihema where you will have the chance to see crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and other animals coming to the lake to drink. You can also spot a variety of birds while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the serene wilderness. After your adventure, return to the lodge for the night and dinner.
Accommodation options: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury) and Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange), Akagera Transit Lodge (Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Full-day game drive in Akagera and transfer back to Kigali
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing on your game drive. From there, you will embark on your safari, heading north where there is a high concentration of wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of animals, including the African Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinoceroses, and, on a good day, leopards. In Akagera National Park, you may also encounter zebras, warthogs, various species of antelope such as impalas and elands, as well as primates like baboons and monkeys, along with a wide range of bird species. Eventually, you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing to Kigali where you will check in to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Quite Haven Hotel (Budget), midrange Chez Lando Hotel(mid-range) Serena Hotel Kigali (luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13: Kigali city walk and Departure
After enjoying a relaxing morning breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight. If your flight is scheduled for the afternoon, we will start with a city tour, visiting the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre and exploring the suburbs of Kigali to experience Rwandan life before your departure.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
End of Tour
13 Days Best of Rwanda Wildlife and Culture includes and excludes
Package includes
- Car and fuel
- Accommodation and meals
- Service of an English-speaking safari/driver guide
- Chimpanzee permits
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Canopy Walk permits per person
- Buhanga Eco Park Visit
- Game Drives
- Park fees
- Museum visits
- Boat trips as mentioned
- Boat Trips
- All other activities included in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water for drinking on safari
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Package excludes
- Optional activity: Golden monkey: 100$
- Visas
- Travel insurance cover
- International flight
- Porters
- All other Items of a personal nature including; telephone, laundry, and alcoholic beverages among others.