This 9 Days Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes Park Safari takes you on an explosive and classic tour to Rwanda as you explore her beautiful national parks. Grab this chance to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park. You will also get to explore the beautiful Lake Kivu during this 9 Days Rwanda Safari.
Highlights for 9 Days Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes Park Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Kigali City Tour
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu- Boat Cruise
Day 6: Morning Coffee Tour at Kinunu Washing Station
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Visit Musanze Caves
Day 8: Gorilla Trek and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village
Day 9: Golden Monkey Trek and Transfer to Back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 9 Days Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes Park Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Our driver guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport. You will embark on a short tour of Kigali city where you will be visiting any of the following places such as Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Kimironko Market, Caplaki Craft Village and Nyamirambo Women’s center. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour
After breakfast, you will meet up with your driver guide at your hotel lobby. If you didn’t get to visit Kigali city the previous day, you will be able to do so today. Interesting places to visit in Kigali include; Azizi Life, Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Kimironko market, and Caplaki craft village among others. Later drive back to your hotel in the evening to refresh and have dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
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. After lunch, you will drive to your hotel and spend the rest of evening relaxing at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing before entering the forest, searching for the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are the easy to spot, as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimp tracking usually takes about 3 hours. You will then return to your accommodation for lunch.
After lunch, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk at Uwinka; a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you. Before night fall, you will return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay same as previous night.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu- Boat Cruise
Breakfast will be served at your lodge/hotel in the morning. After, meet up with your driver guide and drive to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi with lunch enroute. Upon your arrival in Gisenyi, you will check-into your hotel and rest. Later in the afternoon, you will head out for a boat cruise on Lake Kivu where you will have an opportunity to view a variety of bird species around the lake area and also interact with the famous singing fishermen of the lake. Later return back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 6: Morning Coffee Tour at Kinunu Washing Station
After having breakfast in the morning, you will drive to Kinunu Washing Station for a coffee tour. You will learn how coffee in Rwanda is grown, harvested and processed for final consumption both internationally and domestically. Wind up your tour with a tasty cup of coffee and you can as well buy some as a show of support to the local community.
Later return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park- Visit Musanze Caves
Following breakfast at your lodge, you will drive to Volcanoes National Park where upon your arrival in the park, you will visit Musanze caves which is one of the oldest cave networks in Rwanda. The caves play both a historical and cultural significance to the local people. You will have lunch at your lodge and relax for the rest of your afternoon. Optional activities to do during your free time include visiting Dian Fossey Center, Elene DeGeneres Campus, Buhanga Eco Park for a guided nature walk etc. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla Trek and Visit Ibyi’wacu Village
Early in the morning after breakfast and transfer to Volcanoes national park, leaving Kigali by 4am. Arrive at the park headquarters at 7am for briefing from the RDB officials, set off for the gorilla trekking. This experience of gorilla trekking is a once in a life time adventure. The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search of the Gorillas.
You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures whose company you will cherish for 1 hour. The activity in Rwanda can take 3-5 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas.
After your gorilla trek experience, you have lunch and later visit Ibyi’wacu Village for a cultural experience. You will the visit the former King’s palace and watch interesting dance and singing performances from the local dance troupe. Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge/hotel.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Trek and Transfer to Back to Kigali
Wake up in time to have breakfast at your lodge. You will then head to the park’s briefing point. After your briefing, you will be placed in a trekking group and start your hike into the forest in search for golden monkeys. Once you have located a group of golden monkeys, you will be given an hour to spend with these playful primates. Head back to base where you will meet your driver guide and then have lunch before proceeding to Kigali where you will be dropped off at the airport as you will advise.
End of 9 Days Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes Park Safari
