8 Days Rwanda Wildlife & Birding Safari

This  8 Days Rwanda Wildlife and Birding safari  takes you to  explore Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. Highlights include game drives, a boat ride, city tours, chimpanzee tracking, and gorilla trekking.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our Travel representative. After a safari briefing in Kigali, you’ll head to Akagera National Park, known for its wetland, woodland, and savannah. After lunch, embark on an evening game drive to spot giraffes, buffalo, elephants, and various bird species like the shoebill stork along the Akagera River shorelines. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Ride

Start the day with a morning game drive to spot early risers and any animals missed previously. Return to the lodge for lunch, then enjoy a boat ride on the Akagera River and nearby lakes, where you’ll see water-loving birds and animals along the shorelines.

Day 3: Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, go on a final game drive before heading to Mt. Mutumba for a picnic lunch. Enjoy the scenic views before transferring to Kigali. In Kigali, take a short city tour, visiting the Genocide Memorial sites and local markets. 

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park. En route, visit Butare town, the National Museum, National University, and Botanical Gardens. Stop in Nyanza to visit the Old King Mwami’s palace. Nyungwe Forest, located on 970 square kilometers of land at a high elevation, has a unique climate and biodiversity. Participate in an evening forest walk upon arrival. Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge or Gisakura Guest House.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. The trek to find chimpanzees can take 3-10 hours and offers opportunities to see other primates like the silver monkey, owl-faced monkey, Ruwenzori colobus, L’hoest’s monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey. Return for dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge or Gisakura Guest House.

Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Ruhengeri town and then to Volcanoes National Park. Stop in Gisenyi for a scenic view of Lake Kivu and lunch. Arrive at the park in the evening. Overnight at Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, or Hotel Muhabura.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, head to the ORTPN Offices for a briefing and gorilla tracking. Start your trek, anticipating the exciting encounter with gorillas. Spend an hour with the gorillas before trekking back. In the afternoon, visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Overnight at Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, or Hotel Muhabura.

Day 8: Transfer Back to Kigali

After breakfast, take a short tour around Ruhengeri before transferring back to Kigali. Arrive in time for lunch. Drop-off will be at your hotel in Kigali or at the airport for your flight home.