11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda Detailed itinerary Safari

Day 1 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Arrive in Rwanda (Kigali International Airport) and transfer to the lodge

Following your long flight, arrive at Kigali International Airport which is the main gateway if you are travelling by Air. You are welcomed by the company representative who will transfer you to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Hotel des Milles Collins, Midrange / Standard: Hotel Chez Lando, Budget / Basic: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 2 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Nyungwe National Park. Explore the National Institute of Rwandan Museums en route in Huye (Butare)

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park 268km about 6 hours’ drive passing through the lush countryside landscapes of southern Rwanda before making a stop in Butare to visit the Ethnographic Museum which is the largest Museum in Rwanda with over 100,000 artifacts that bring out the history and traditions of Rwanda in detail. After this encounter, you embark on the tour to the Nyanza palace which is a Royal home to the two Kings of Rwanda namely King Musinga and his successor King Rudahigwa. The impressively build Kinyarwanda hut whose architecture dates back to the times of these Kings. There are also the traditional Inyambo Cows with their beautiful horns and can make a considerable parade. Retreat from the activities in Butare and embark on the transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Wild Camping

Day 3 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake morning Chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe canopy walk in the afternoon

After breakfast, connect to the Park headquarters for briefing at 8am local time before heading to the forest in search of common Chimpanzees. The forest of Nyungwe is considered as the largest montane forest in the region and is a rich habitat to 310 Species of birds, over 75 mammal Species, 13 Species of Primates of which common Chimpanzees are among along with counts of butterflies, impressive trees and beautiful orchids. The chimp trek tend to last 2 – 5 hours inclusive of one hour direct encounter with the chimps as you see them munch fruit, roll themselves on tree branches, socialize, patrol, copulate among other interesting aspects that will lure you to make full utilization of your Camera space. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation an lunch. In the afternoon, you connect at Uwinka Visitor Center to embark on the afternoon Nyungwe canopy walk. The two hour walk on top of the forest canopy offers you impressive views of the forest and the species that thrive in it including primates and birds. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Wild Camping

Day 4 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Gisenyi via Kibuye driving along the Congo Nile divide trail

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Kivu 294km about 7 – 8 hours’ drive driving along the Congo Nile divide with magical sceneries of the water catchment area for these two prominent rivers arising from the heart of Africa. The views of Lake Kivu and the resort towns of Cyangungu and Kibuye before arriving in Gisenyi make the drive very rewarding. Relax on the shores of Lake Kivu on the scenic Gisenyi beaches before retiring for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu, Budget / Basic: Paladise Malahide, Wild Camping

Day 5 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Recreational encounter on Lake Kivu. Engage in either; wind surfing, boat cruise, cycling among others. Drive to Ruhengeri – Volcanoes National Park in the evening

You have a day exploration on the shores of Lake Kivu where you can engage in a number of recreation activities including the boat cruise, the swimming in the Bilharzia free waters of Lake Kivu or engaging in water sports like kayaking, wind surfing and catamaran. In the evening, you transfer to Volcanoes National Park 110km about 2 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Hotel La Palme, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel, Camping

Day 6 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake gorilla trekking and have an evening relaxation at the lodge

After our breakfast, start your Rwanda gorilla tracking safari by driving to the headquarters for briefing by park officials at 8am and after enter into the jungle to search for the shy mountain endangered gorillas in Rwanda. Requirements like firm walking shoes, hut, insect repellent, sun screen, rain gears, packed lunch and bottled water are a must plus other tools that one may need once in the tropical rain forest. The gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes is beyond gorilla alone. The sights of the Volcanic Mountains that stretch from Congo through Rwanda to Uganda, the verdant green vegetation that shelter their slopes, the counts of birds along with fauna like duikers and buffaloes combine to generate lasting safari memories. The gorilla trekking activity tends to last from 2 to 8 hours or more depending on the day’s gorilla movement. The one hour of direct encounter with the gorillas brings you closer to these ancient apes, look into their eyes, their gigantic structure that makes them most powerful of all apes and see them forage and play before retreating to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Hotel La Palme, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel, Camping

Day 7 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake golden Monkey tracking and have an evening relaxation at the lodge

After briefing, embark on the golden monkey tracking. The encounter starts at 7am at the Kinigi Park headquarters where you head to the forest in unlimited numbers in search of these endangered Species. You take about 4 hours on the golden monkey tracking experience inclusive of one hour encounter with them where you see them roll themselves on the Bamboo stems and present themselves with no much shyness as it has been reduced through habituation and enjoy the sights of their silver patch. Retreat from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Hotel La Palme, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel, Camping

Day 8 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Kigali City & tour the Gisozi genocide memorial

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kigali City 116km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive with impressive views of the scenic Rwandan hills en route. Upon arrival, you tour the Kigali genocide memorial to explore of what actually transpired during the 1994 genocide that hit Rwanda. The writings and audio presentations in the museum offer you a themed interpretation of the collected items. Retreat from the tour and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Hotel des Milles Collins, Midrange / Standard: Hotel Chez Lando, Budget / Basic: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 9 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda:  Tour the Nyamata genocide memorial and drive to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, embark on the tour to the genocide memorial at Nyamata for further exploration into the genocide mystery. Nyamata was a church and local thought that by gathering in the church, they would survive the militias. Unfortunately, they did not survive as they were attacked and killed in the church itself. Their remains still exist and the church is a living museum of the event. From Nyamata, you proceed on the drive to Akagera National Park driving along the impressive sights of Rwamagana where the traditional Inyambo cows can be explored. Arrive in Akagera National Park in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp, Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel, Wild Camping

Day 10 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake a game drive / wild game viewing in the morning and boat cruise afternoon at Lake Ihema

After a morning cup of coffee, embark on the thrilling game drive encounter in the savannah landscapes of Akagera National Park. The Akagera National Park features a range of wild game including elephants, masaai giraffes, buffaloes, Impala, water bucks, bushbucks, Oribi, eland, reedbuck, roan antelope, lions, leopards among other wild game are present in the park and might be encountered on the game drive. You retreat from 3 – 4 hour encounter and get to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you connect to Lake Ihema for an afternoon boat cruise. Lake Ihema is the second largest lake in Rwanda inhabited by Hippos and Nile crocodile and counts of birds. Thus the boat cruise on this lake presents a memorable encounter on the Rwanda safari. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Midrange / Standard:  Akagera Game Lodge, Budget / Basic:  Dereva Hotel, Wild Camping

Day 11 of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Kigali & departure

After breakfast, embark on the transfer back to Kigali and catch up with your flight departure.

End of the 11 Days Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Self Drive Safari in Rwanda