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 you to the iconic Hôtel des Mille Collines, a luxe retreat in the heart of the city. Once you've settled into one of our superior suites, unwind at the pool or explore the hotel’s serene surroundings before meeting the group for dinner. 

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal at the chic Nyurah and savor our first taste of Rwandan hospitality as we prepare for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, we’ll start the 5-hour journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, known for its exceptional biodiversity and a wide range of endemic species. It's 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 Azizi Life in Byimana, a stunning craft store that sells a variety of locally made products. Take some time to sip a freshly brewed coffee while browsing the crafts and learning more about Rwandan culture. 

We’ll continue on to the last stretch of driving before we reach Munazi Eco Lodge, where sweeping views of the forest, tea plantations, and distant volcanoes greet us as we approach. 

After settling in, we'll meet in the lodge's airy dining room for lunch. The afternoon offers a fabulous introduction to this ancient forest as we take to the treetops for a canopy walk, soaking in breathtaking views from above. Suspended above the ravine amidst lush vegetation and montane greenery of the Ngungwe Forest National Park, we'll make our way across the 160-meter-long suspended bridge as 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 the sounds of nature as we toast to our first night in the forest.

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

Then, we'll head into the rainforest, tracking the lively chimpanzees as they swing from branch to branch, calling out to one another 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. Walking through the neatly lined rows of tea bushes, we'll learn about the cultivation and processing of Rwanda’s finest tea and pick 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. It's about a 5-hour drive, but the landscape shifts from rolling hills to towering volcanic peaks as we approach Musanze, making it all worth it.

We’ll check into Virunga Inn Resort, where gorgeous, lush gardens and stunning volcano views invite us to take a mindful moment and appreciate the forest's sights and sounds. 

This afternoon brings us up close and personal with the wonderful women of Mutima w'urugo cooperative. Translated as "The Heart of the Home," this women-led project preserves traditional weaving practices and other creative endeavors while empowering local communities. We'll learn more about how they've balanced tradition and sustainability, and you can even purchase a colorful woven piece of art or a sewn bag to take home!

Back at the lodge, we’ll sip a Silverback Sundowner before dinner, savoring a special moment as we bask 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 darting through the bamboo forests at the base of the volcanoes. 

After our trek, we’ll return to the lodge for lunch before heading out for a meaningful cultural experience that offers a more personal glimpse into daily life in Rwanda. Visiting local homes and spending time with community members, we’ll have the opportunity to connect through conversation, shared stories, music, and traditional dance while learning about the customs, resilience, and traditions that shape life here. 

The day will end with a lecture by a gorilla doctor, offering insight into local gorilla conservation efforts and the people making it all happen. 

We'll savor Rwanda’s exquisite flavors at dinner in their airy dining room, toasting to the adventures we've shared so far and those to come.

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, chatting about our amazing experiences and all of the bucket-list primates we've seen over the past few days. 

Our final day begins with breakfast at the lodge before we transfer back to Kigali. En route, we’ll spend time 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 through a private VIP talk with some of the scientists. 

Afterward, we’ll enjoy a farewell lunch at a local restaurant and shop for handmade crafts and souvenirs at Kigali’s markets. 

As the afternoon winds down, we’ll transfer to the airport for departing flights, concluding this unforgettable journey through Rwanda. We'll arrive at the airport around 3 pm, so we recommend booking onward travel after 6:30 pm to allow adequate time to clear security and customs.

If you're joining us on the extension to Akagera National Park, we'll say our goodbyes before boarding a private safari vehicle to transfer about 2 hours to the park's south gate. Onward!

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 encompasses the rolling highland woodlands, swamp-fringed lakes, and wetlands along the Kagera River. 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 Akagera National Park, elevated above the savannah, and offers 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 wide 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 wake-up call, just in time for an optional Hot Air 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. It offers excellent opportunities to spot a wide range of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, and the park’s growing lion population. 

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

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 culture after venturing 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, arriving in Kigali by late afternoon. Our drop-off at Kigali International Airport marks the end of our unforgettable four-day safari adventure. We recommend booking onward flights no earlier than 7 pm to allow adequate time to clear customs and security.