A 10-Day safari through Akagera National Park and Lake Kivu

Upon landing in Kigali, the capital of “The Land of a Thousand Hills”, transfer to your accommodation for check-in and to enjoy the local hospitality, cozy rooms, and delicious food. Explore the city on a motorbike for a unique and personal experience, visiting different sites and taking in the stunning buildings and landscapes. End the day with a round of bowling at Mamba club, a popular spot for the activity. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Wake up and start the day with a walking tour of the city, visiting the Kimironko market, the Kigali convention center, and a coffee tour. Immerse yourself in the local culture at the market and enjoy a lunch break before exploring the coffee cooperatives. Take a walk in the coffee plantations and learn about the coffee-making process. Return to the lodge and enjoy a movie night.

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and reflect on the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Stop at the memorial gardens and support the survivors of the tragedy. Continue to the Rwanda Arts Museum to learn about the history and development of Rwandan art. Return to your hotel and check out for a transfer to Nyungwe National Park.

Wake up to a heavy breakfast in the misty Nyungwe National Park, a vast mountain rainforest home to chimpanzees, monkeys, and diverse vegetation. Start the day with a canopy walking trail through the stunning forest features, including a suspended bridge 70m high. Have a stopover for lunch, then embark on a chimpanzee trekking adventure into the heart of the forest to observe and take photos of the playful animals. Return to your lodge for an overnight stay and end the day with nightlife.

After breakfast, head to the forest to search for colobus monkeys. Observe their physical features and behaviors, and take photos with the stunning background. Have a lunch stopover. After lunch, visit the Gisakuru tea plantation for a tea tour. Learn about the process of growing and processing tea, and then return to the lodge for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Boat Cruise and Fishing.

Take a morning boat cruise on Lake Ihem, observing marine life such as hippos, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, and water birds. The cruise provides a stunning view of Akagera National Park and local fishing villages. Enjoy a delicious African lunch before going fishing in the same lake. Return to the lodge for the night.

Day 9:experience local culture and birding. 

Visit nearby communities to learn about local customs, such as caring for cows, brewing beer, preparing food, and celebrating seasons. Try local food and participate in cultural activities. After lunch, go on a guided birding tour in the park, home to over 400 bird species. Observe and listen to different birds with a guide, then return to the lodge for leisure.

DAY 10: LAKE KIVU AND DEPARTURE.

Explore Lake Kivu through a scenic boat ride, visiting the islands of Kibuye and Gisenyi. Admire the stunning views and diverse aquatic life while listening to the sweet sounds of the surrounding birds.

Afterwards, it’s time to return home, departing to the designated drop-off point.

Experience the local culture by visiting nearby villages of Banda and Bisesero. Banda is a cultural hub with friendly villagers and unique traditions. Bisesero is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and dramatic Genocide Memorial, also known as the Hill of Resistance.

Immerse yourself in the local customs, traditions, and dances. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and taste the local cuisine. After lunch, head to Akagera National Park to spend the remainder of the day at leisure and soak in the ambiance.

Early in the morning, enjoy breakfast before heading out on a game drive in Akagera National Park. This park is located in Eastern Rwanda and is a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions, and antelopes like water-bucks, bushbucks, and impalas. Observe the animals in their natural habitat and listen to the characteristics from your guide.

Take a lunch break at a local hotel. After lunch, go on a guided nature walk to see wildlife up close and observe insects and other creatures. In the evening, relax at your accommodation or spend the night exploring nearby bars and clubs.

Take a morning boat cruise on Lake Ihem, observing marine life such as hippos, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, and water birds. The cruise provides a stunning view of Akagera National Park and local fishing villages. Enjoy a delicious African lunch before going fishing in the same lake. Return to the lodge for the night.

Visit nearby communities to learn about local customs, such as caring for cows, brewing beer, preparing food, and celebrating seasons. Try local food and participate in cultural activities. After lunch, go on a guided birding tour in the park, home to over 400 bird species. Observe and listen to different birds with a guide, then return to the lodge for leisure.

Explore Lake Kivu through a scenic boat ride, visiting the islands of Kibuye and Gisenyi. Admire the stunning views and diverse aquatic life while listening to the sweet sounds of the surrounding birds.

Afterwards, it’s time to return home, departing to the designated drop-off point.