9-Day Rwanda Wildlife and Culture Tour with Gorilla Trekking

After VIP meet-and-greet assistance at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide will take you to Akagera National Park. You will enjoy a half-day game drive before heading to Lake Ihema for a sunset boat tour, perfect for birdwatching and spotting animals like crocodiles, hippos, and elephants, either in the water or along the lakeshore. After the boat tour, you will head to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.

After breakfast, you will meet your driver-guide for a full-day game drive in Akagera National Park, Central Africa's largest protected wetland. The park is home to the "Big Five": lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. You will spot a diverse array of wildlife in their natural habitat during this activity, which takes about 6 hours. Later, you will be transferred back to Kigali for an overnight stay at Hotel des Mille Collines or similar.

Embark on a scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa's oldest rainforests, rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. On the way, you will stop at the King's Palace and the Ethnographic Museum to learn about Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and royalty. Continue to Nyungwe National Park and overnight at nearby accommodation, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or similar.

Embark on a chimpanzee trekking experience and observe these fascinating primates in their natural forest habitat. Afterward, you will enjoy a walk on the iconic 70-metre-high canopy walkway starting from the Uwinka Visitor Centre. This walkway takes about 2 hours to complete and offers perfect panoramic views of the forest. Accommodation: Munazi Eco Lodge in Nyungwe or similar.

Early in the morning, explore Kamiranzovu Waterfall in Nyungwe National Park, followed by a visit to Gisakura Tea Plantation Estate. Here, you will learn about the tea-making process and sample the local brew. Afterward, you will embark on a scenic drive to Karongi for an overnight stay at Inn on the Lake Boutique Hotel.

Today after breakfast, embark on a boat tour on Lake Kivu and visit Napoleon Island, witnessing the unusual ecology present there. You will have a one-hour hike that will reward you with breathtaking views of the islands and the lake. Accommodation: Inn on the Lake Boutique Hotel.

Day 7 starts with a scenic transfer to Volcanoes National Park, home to the majestic mountain gorillas. Once you arrive, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn more about conservation and preservation efforts to protect gorillas. Thereafter, head to your accommodation near the park, Ingagi Park Lodge or similar.

The most exciting day of your tour has arrived. After an early rise and breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a brief orientation on the gorilla trekking code of conduct. Embark on your gorilla trekking experience, where you get to spend one hour with them after locating them. Later, after lunch, visit Iby'iwacu Cultural Village, a community dedicated to showcasing Rwanda's traditional culture. Overnight at Ingagi Park Lodge or similar.

On the last day of your tour, experience golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Similar to gorillas, once located, you will spend enough time with these primates observing them in their natural habitat. After this amazing experience, embark on a scenic road trip back to Kigali, where you will shop for souvenirs and gifts to take home. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.