8 Days Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera Safari
8 Days Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera Safari
8 Days Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera Safari : This is an 8 days exclusive Rwanda safari that will give you the opportunity to explore the top three national parks in the country- Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. Some of the main highlights of this safari include wildlife viewing in Akagera national park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park and Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park.
Summary 8 Days Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera Safari.
Day 1: Pickup & Transfer to Nyungwe National Park.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk.
Day 3: Colobus Monkey Trekking & Visit Gisakura Tea Estate.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Day 6: Transfer to Akagera National Park.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise.
Day 8: Transfer Back to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary for 8 Days Nyungwe, Volcanoes & Akagera Safari.
Day 1: Pickup & Transfer to Nyungwe National Park.
Arrival & Transfer to Nyungwe: In the morning, you will be picked by the driver from your hotel in Kigali and drive southwards to Nyungwe forest National Park. You will have a stopover in Butare, where you will visit the national museum of Rwanda, the king’s palace in Nyanza with lunch enroute. Upon your arrival in Nyungwe, drive to your lodge check-in and get refreshed.
Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget), Nyungwe Hill Top View (Mid-range), Nyungwe One & Only (Luxury).
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk.
Chimpanzee Trekking: Have an early breakfast and then head to the Park’s headquarters in Uwinka where you will be briefed by the park’s head ranger and placed in trekking groups of 8 members per group. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park begins at exactly 8am, so endeavor to keep time and make sure you are at the Uwinka center by 7am.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to approximately 80 habituated chimpanzees. While tracking chimps in the forest, you might as well spot other primate species such as; the black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, golden monkey and other monkey species. You will have your packed lunch after your chimp trekking activity or return to your lodge for lunch.
Canopy Walk: After lunch, proceed to Uwinka visitor center at the park which will be your starting point for the canopy walk. The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is the most exciting and adventurous activity in Nyungwe National Park. This activity is not for the faint of hearts as it involves walking along the canopy walkway, which stretches 160 meters long and extends 70 meters above the forest ground. The Canopy walkway in Nyungwe national park gives visitors a chance to explore the national park from above, as visitors along the canopy walkway can get a panoramic view of the forest canopy. In addition to this, visitors also have an opportunity to see wildlife in the park such as; monkeys, chimpanzees, butterflies and different bird species.
Later drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Colobus Monkey Tracking & Visit Gisakura Tea Estate.
Colobus Monkey Tracking: Start your day with breakfast at your lodge, check out and meet up with your guide. You will then drive to Uwinka visitor center where you will begin your tracking from. After a short briefing from your guide, you begin your hike to track the beautiful Black & White colobus monkeys in Nyungwe forest. Tracking can take between 2 to 4 hours depending on how fast you can locate the monkeys. You will be given an entire hour to spend with the colobus monkeys once you have spotted a group. After your primate tracking activity, you can choose to either have your packed lunch or simply head back to the resturants at Uwinka for lunch.
Visit Gisakura Tea Estate: Later in the evening, you will head out to Gisakura Tea estate. Here, you will be taken through the process of tea growing, harvesting, processing and packaging. You will even get to taste the delicious taste of the final product.
Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Transfer to Volcanoes: After having your breakfast, meet up with your guide/driver and transfer to Volcanoes National Park will take about 3-4 hours of driving. The national park is located in the northeastern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri district. The park is the only safe haven for the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Upon your arrival in the park check into your lodge and have lunch.
Iby’ iwacu Community Tour: After your lunch break, you will drive to Iby’ iwacu community village which is located just outside the park. The Iby’iwacu village community is located just a few kilometers outside the national park. The community members are reformed poachers who have been integrated into the conservation projects in the national park. Get to mingle with the locals, watch cultural dance performances and even listen to interesting folk tales from the elders of the community.
Head back to your lodge for dinner and accommodation at Muhabura Lodge (Budget)/ Le Bambou (Mid-range)/ Five Volcanoes (Luxury)
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking: Have breakfast early in the morning from your lodge. It is also recommended that you ask the chef to prepare for you packed lunch which you will take with you to the pack. Transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi where your gorilla trekking experience will begin. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts at 8am after a briefing from the head ranger at the park. You are therefore advised to arrive at the park by 7am in the morning. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes lasts between two to eight hours with an hour to spend with the gorillas once you have located a gorilla group. You will be given time to rest and have your lunch in case you packed some. Later return back to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking certificate and reconnect with your guide.
Driver back to your lodge where you will have dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Akagera National Park.
Transfer to Akagera: Start your day with delightful breakfast at your lodge. Today you will be driving to Akagera national park which is the only savannah national park in Rwanda. It is also the only park where you stand a chance to see all the Big Five animals during your Rwanda Safari. You will have a stopover at Lake Kivu for a short boat ride in one of the traditional canoes, and later have lunch before proceeding with your journey to the park.
Upon your arrival at the park, check into your lodge and later have dinner. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge/ Rusizi Tented Camp
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise.
Morning Game Drive: Have your breakfast early in the morning and head out for a morning game drive in the southern circuit of the national park. Get to explore the beautiful savanna and landscape in the park. You will also have the opportunity to see wildlife animals in the park like; elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, and waterbucks to mention but a few.
Afternoon Boat Cruise: You will return back to your lodge for lunch, rest for a short while and later embark on an evening boat cruise on Lake Ihema. While on your boat cruise, you will get to see the splendid wildlife at the park like; Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and some water birds like; the marabou stork, herons and the African fish eagle. After your boat cruise, you can opt to go guided nature walk and explore the marvelous flora and fauna species that Akagera National Park has to offer.
Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer Back to Kigali.
Transfer Back to Kigali: After having your breakfast, you will meet up with your guide and drive back to Kigali where your guide/driver will drop you off at any hotel of your choice or directly at the airport in time to check-in and board your flight back home. End of Trip.
