Known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda supports impressive diversity and endemism which is conserved by its national parks, including Volcanoes and Akagera national parks. This itinerary encompasses a bucket list gorilla trek in the legendary Virunga Mountains to the north of the country as well as a rewarding and productive exploration of the “little piece of heaven” that is the savanna and wetland wonderland of Akagera in the country’s north east.
With over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, Rwanda offers guests some of the best primate tracking on the planet – set against the backdrop of its endless green hills and soaring mountainsides. Rwanda is superb for primates in general, including the fun-loving Sykes monkey, the Golden monkey and the boisterous chimpanzee in the Nyungwe Forest. Despite a turbulent past, Rwanda is a safe and friendly destination – testament to the resilience of its people. If you are seeking a deeply enriching safari, Rwanda offers an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else.
A few of the many incredible things you'll see and experience while on this journey.
Day 1: Arrival - Kigali, Rwanda
From Kigali you will start your journey to Magashi Lodge in Akagera National Park, travelling cross country through rural Rwanda. From the park gate your safari begins as you game drive towards the lodge in a remote, private part of the reserve. Situated in the productive and phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park, Magashi Lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga.
Days 2 -4: Magashi, Akagera National Park
Magashi offers life-changing experiences that are strongly rooted in a shared core purpose: to help conserve Rwanda’s last protected savannah ecosystem and threatened species like the East African subspecies of black rhino and rare shoebill stork. View Akagera's bird and wildlife specials from expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips. Become a Citizen Scientist and participate in Akagera's predator identikits and movement studies!
Day 5: Travel day - Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
An exciting helicopter ride flight over Rwanda's scenic terrain will take you back to Kigali before continuing the journey onwards to Parc National des Volcanes. The Virunga Massif features volcanoes and swathes of rainforest, with Lake Kivu nearby. It is home to some 604 mountain gorillas, amongst a host of other rainforest species including the Golden Monkey.
Days 6-8: Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park
Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby. The number one activity to do here is to trek Mountain Gorillas and spend time with these fascinating larger than life apes in the wild - it's the ultimate bucket list experience!
Days 6-8: Activities in and around Volcanoes National Park
In and around the lodge, enjoy guided birding and nature walks, visit the nursery and partake in indigenous tree planting, visit the community beehive project that is support by the lodge, and hearing explanations from Bisate's guides on biodiversity on the property. Go in search of golden monkeys, which are endemic to the area and live in groups of up to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest (included), or take the spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and the ruins of her Karisoke Research Centre, set in the saddle of Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes at an elevation of some 3 000 metres (extra cost).
Day 9: Departure - Kigali, Rwanda
After 8 magical nighst exploring the wonders of Rwanda's wilderness, it will be time to head home. Transfer back to Kigali and for those interested, chose to stop over at the Genocide Museum, which commemorates and details events leading up to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. From Kigali, connect with international flights home.
Support Akagera National Park, a frontier reserve that has had a pheneomenal impact on reducing poaching through ecotourism. Learn about Bisante's fascinating biodiversity.
We've carefully selected local projects that are doing amazing work for conservation in the area. You can add a visit on to your itinerary which will automatically include a direct donation to their work. Note: Some of these projects may already be included in your itinerary!
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