8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda Detailed itinerary Safari

Day 1 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Tour the Gisozi genocide memorial & drive to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, you embark on the tour to the Gisozi genocide memorial. The tour allows you to explore the living museum of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The museum features writings, audio presentations in various sections of the gallery that would avail you with the general picture of what actually transpired during the horrific genocide. You retreat from the activity and embark on the drive to Akagera National Park 135km about 2 ½ hours’ drive arriving in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

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

Day 2 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake morning game drive & boat cruise along Lake Ihema in the afternoon

Following an early morning breakfast, you head to the rolling savannah plains of Akagera National Park for wild game viewing. The drive features offers you sights of various wild game including; Masaai Giraffes, the elephants, the Buffaloes, the Impala, bushbucks, waterbucks, roan antelope, reedbuck, leopards among other species. The stretch to the northern landscapes of Mutumba hills offers you impressive views of the area and the overlooking Tanzanian plains. Retreat from the 3 – 4 hour encounter and return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, embark on the thrilling boat cruise on Lake Ihema to explore a range of aquatic Species including the Nile Crocodiles and Hippos. Lake Ihema stands as the second largest in Rwanda after Lake Kivu and its expanse waters offer an extensive recreational encounter. The papyrus that fringe the lake offers a rich habitat for birds. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

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

Day 3 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Tour the National Institute of Rwandan Museums & the Nyanza Palace in Butare en route

Following an early breakfast, you embark on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park which is 268km about 6 hours’ driving through impressive southern province landscapes with impressive hills with local settlements before making a stop in Butare to explore the Ethnographic Museum with a count of 100,000 artifacts that feature the history, culture and heritage in Rwanda. You continue on the tour to visit the Nyanza Royal Palace to explore the ancient palace notable for having been a home to the two Rwandan Kings – King Musinga and his successor King Rudahigwa. The site features an impressive architectural hut and the traditional Inyambo cows. You proceed to arrive in Nyungwe forest in the evening 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 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake Chimpanzee Trekking in the morning & Nyungwe Canopy Walk in the afternoon

Following a cup of tea at your lodge, gather at the Nyungwe Forest park headquarters to attend to the briefing at 8am about chimpanzee trekking experience. 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 5 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake colobus Monkey tracking in the morning and an afternoon community tour in the afternoon

After breakfast, embark on the colobus monkey tracking the largest grouping of colobus monkeys in Africa close to 400 monkeys. It is an exciting encounter to view these Black and white Species spread all over trees and most of them with their young ones that tend be white while still young. The encounter lasts 2 – 5 hours after which you settle for lunch and relax a little. In the afternoon, you embark on the visit to the local communities to explore the Rwandan traditions including dance performances and local farms. Retire for overnight.

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

Day 6 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Drive to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi). Drive 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 7 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Undertake a recreational boat cruise on Lake Kivu and drive to Volcanoes National Park in the afternoon

You have a day exploration on the shores of Lake Kivu where you undertake the boat cruise on the gigantic Lake Kivu – the largest in Rwanda for amazing scenic views including the Islands of Congo at a distance. You retreat from the activity, relax at the beaches and then embark on the 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 8 of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda: Do gorilla tracking and transfer back to Kigali

Connect to headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park at Kinigi to attend to briefing at 8am. If you arrive earlier, you catch up with the impressive Kinyarwanda performances and a free cup of coffee served at the site. After the gorilla family allocation and briefing, you head to the mist in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Trek through impressive landscapes with the Volcanic soils which may not be all that firm and can be slippery. The park also features lush flora and bird species. The one hour moment with the gorillas is also remarkable. It is an exciting adventure to come into a direct contact with the mountain gorillas. The entire trek is not predictable but can range from 2 – 8 hours. You retire from the activity and embark on the transfer to Kigali 116km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive driving through impressive hill sides of Rwanda arriving in the evening to mark the end of the safari.

End of the 8 Days Gorilla self Drive Safari in Rwanda