Included Extras
- Drinking water in the car
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda
Small in size but wonderfully big on experiences, Rwanda brings together lush forests, peaceful lakes, remarkable wildlife and powerful stories in one unforgettable private journey.
Your adventure begins in Kigali, where a visit to the Genocide Memorial offers a moving and meaningful introduction to the country. From here, travel south to the ancient greenery of Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to one of the trip’s standout encounters: tracking chimpanzees through the forest. For an added burst of adventure, an optional canopy hike offers a completely different perspective on this beautiful landscape.
The pace slows beside Lake Kivu, with two nights at Kibuye and a full day to relax or arrange optional activities locally. Continue north towards the misty slopes of Volcanoes National Park, stopping to visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The following day is left open for optional experiences, including gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking or the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike.
The journey finishes in Akagera National Park, where Rwanda’s rolling hills give way to open savannah, lakes and classic safari scenery. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, a full day of wildlife viewing and a final morning boat safari before returning to Kigali.
Travelling privately in an extended 4x4 Landcruiser with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver/guide from Days 2 to 10, this thoughtfully paced journey combines comfortable lodges, tented safari accommodation and some of Rwanda’s most memorable experiences. It is a beautiful introduction to a country that stays with you long after the road home.
Welcome to Rwanda. On arrival at Kigali Airport, you will be met by the accommodation team and transferred to Mille Collines. Settle into your Classic Room and enjoy a relaxed first evening before your private guided journey begins the following morning. No meals are listed for the arrival day.
Meet your Matoke Tours driver/guide at 08h30 and begin your first guided day with a visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. This important and deeply moving experience offers time for reflection before you leave the capital behind and travel towards the lush landscapes of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Check in at Munanzi Lodge and settle into your Executive Cottage for the evening.
This morning takes you beneath the forest canopy for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience. Follow the sounds and signs of the forest as you search for these lively primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park. In the afternoon, you can choose to join an optional canopy hike, offering a fresh perspective from above the forest floor. Return to Munanzi Lodge for a second night in your Executive Cottage.
Leave the greenery of Nyungwe Forest National Park behind and travel towards Lake Kivu / Kibuye. On arrival, check in at Comoran Lodge and ease into the slower rhythm of Rwanda’s lakeside. With breakfast, lunch and dinner included, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and enjoy your new surroundings.
Today is all about taking things easy beside Lake Kivu. Spend the day at Lake Kivu / Kibuye, relaxing at your own pace or arranging optional activities once you arrive. The available activities and costs are not specified in the supplier proposal and should be booked locally. Return to Comoran Lodge for another comfortable evening.
Travel north from Lake Kivu / Kibuye towards the dramatic landscapes of Volcanoes National Park. During the day, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and learn more about the work connected to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Continue to Five Volcanoes Hotel, where you will stay in a Standard Room for the next two nights.
Today has been kept open for you to choose your own Volcanoes National Park experience. Optional activities listed include gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking and the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike. These experiences are not included in the base tour rate and must be booked separately. Alternatively, enjoy a slower day at your accommodation before the safari portion of your journey begins.
Leave Volcanoes National Park and travel across Rwanda to Akagera National Park. Here, forested mountain scenery gives way to a classic safari setting. Head out on an included afternoon game drive before checking in at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Your Standard Tent offers a wonderfully relaxed base for the final wildlife-filled days of the journey.
A full day of classic safari adventure awaits in Akagera National Park. Set out with your driver/guide and spend the day exploring the park on an included game drive, with time to enjoy its landscapes and search for wildlife along the way. Afterwards, return to Ruzizi Tented Lodge for your second night in a Standard Tent.
Start your final morning with a boat safari, enjoying one last wildlife experience before leaving Akagera National Park. After the safari, have lunch with your guide and begin the drive back to Kigali. Your 10-day Rwanda journey concludes with drop-off at Kigali Airport by the Matoke driver/guide. The airport drop-off time is TBC.
No Fixed Departure Dates
No. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is an optional activity on Day 7 and is not included in the base tour rate. The listed cost is USD 1,500 per person, plus a USD 200 handling fee. Gorilla tracking permits cannot be reserved and can only be purchased after the booking and down-payment have been received. Permit availability should therefore be checked and secured as early as possible.
The tour includes the activities listed in the itinerary, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial visit, chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda, the visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, game drives in Akagera National Park and the morning boat safari on Day 10. Accommodation, transport, listed meals and drinking water in the vehicle are also included.
The optional Canopy Hike on Day 3 costs USD 60 per person. Day 7 options include Gorilla Tracking at USD 1,500 plus a USD 200 handling fee, the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike at USD 100 and Golden Monkey Tracking at USD 100 per person. Optional activities at Lake Kivu / Kibuye can be booked on the ground, with costs TBC.
The rate excludes international air fares, visas, personal medical and travel insurance, tips and gratuities, optional activities and personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and souvenirs. A porter during gorilla tracking, described as someone who carries your daypack, is also excluded.
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