This comprehensive itinerary truly lives up to its name because it will take you many different places such as Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, without forgetting Nyungwe National Park too. The combination of the 3 different parks offers a perfect blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and natural wonders, making it an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and curious travelers alike.
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be met by your driver guide and depart for Akagera National Park for a half game drive and go on a sunset boatride in Lake Ihema enjoying bird watching and high probability of seeing some animals like crocodiles, hippos, and elephants either in the water or at the lakeshore. After the boatride, that you will head to Akagera Game Lodge for an overnight stay and dinner.
After breakfast, you will meet your driver guide to embark on a game drive through the Akagera National Park which is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda and home to the “Big Five”- lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. You’ll have the chance to see a diverse array of wildlife in their natural habitat and return to Kigali.
On the third day of your tour you take on the most scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park one of Africa’s oldest rainforests which is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. En route, you will stop to visit the King’s Palace Museum, Ethnographic Museum to learn about Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage and it’s kingdom days, before continuing on your drive to Nyungwe National Park and have a meal at Nziza Ecolodge.
Embark on a chimpanzee trekking adventure, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat forest. And later you will walk on the canopy bridge starting from the Uwinka Visitor Centre which is about 160 m long walkway that takes about 2 hours and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest.
This morning you will visit the Kamiranzovu Waterfalls, and later pay visit to the Gisakura Tea Estate. Learn about the tea-making process and sample the local brew. Afterwards you will take on a short drive to Karongi for an overnight stay.
The forth day of your tour will start with a hearty breakfast in the morning, then head by the water to take a boat cruise on the stunning Lake Kivu, stopping at one of the islands in Lake Kivu called Napoleon Island to explore its unique ecosystem about 1 hour hike which rewards you with a spectacular view of the lake. Later head back to spend a night at the Inn on the lake.
On the seventh day of your tour you will do a road trip for your transfer to Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas, and visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn more about preservation and conservation work of gorilla that is going on. After that, head to your lodge to relax and prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure next day.
The most exciting day of your tour is here, you will rise early, have a very good breakfast then head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a short briefing on the code of conduct of gorilla trekking, then embark on your gorilla trekking experience, one of the highlights of your Rwanda adventure because you will get to spend time with your allocated gorilla family and get to see how they interact among them. After your trek, you will have lunch then go visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village a community committed at showcasing the ways of living, traditional lifestyles and dances to tourists. Head back to your lodge for dinner and restful night.
The last day of the tour, you will do a road transfer from Musanze back to Kigali, once arrived in Kigali you will do some exploring of the city, including visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to gain an insight about the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi and other historical sites, Kimironko Local market and visit crafts shops for gifts and souvenirs shopping and later be transferred to the airport.
