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14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari
Overview – 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari
The 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari is an unforgettable journey combining extraordinary primate encounters, breathtaking landscapes, cultural experiences and thrilling Big Five wildlife adventures across Rwanda. Your safari begins in Kigali before continuing to Volcanoes National Park, where you will enjoy an extraordinary mountain gorilla trekking experience, spending up to one hour observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural habitat, followed by exciting golden monkey trekking in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. Your journey then continues to the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu, where you will discover the scenic destinations of Rubavu and Karongi through relaxing boat cruises, island exploration and cultural experiences.
Your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues to Nyungwe Forest National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience, a spectacular canopy walkway adventure and guided rainforest exploration, including scenic waterfall trails and beautiful tea plantations. The final stage takes you to Akagera National Park, where you will enjoy thrilling Big Five wildlife game drives and a scenic boat safari on Lake Ihema, offering opportunities to observe elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, leopards, hippos and abundant birdlife. With private transportation, carefully selected accommodation and an experienced driver-guide, this comprehensive safari showcases Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage before returning to Kigali for departure.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary – 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport – Kigali City Tour and Cultural Experience
Your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where your professional English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you and assist with your luggage. After completing airport formalities, enjoy a private transfer into Kigali, Rwanda’s beautiful capital, surrounded by green hills and attractive neighbourhoods. Depending on your arrival time, begin a guided city experience exploring Rwanda’s fascinating history, cultural heritage and modern development.
Your city tour may include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will learn about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda’s journey towards reconciliation. You may also explore local craft markets or art galleries before checking in at your selected hotel. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the exciting wildlife adventures of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari.
Meal Plan: Dinner, depending on arrival time.
Day 2: Scenic Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues to Volcanoes National Park, located in northwestern Rwanda. The scenic journey takes approximately 2–3 hours, passing through beautiful rolling hills, traditional villages and green agricultural landscapes. As you approach Musanze and Kinigi, admire the magnificent Virunga Mountains, home to Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before visiting a local cultural village, where you will discover traditional Rwandan lifestyles, music, dancing and craftsmanship. This cultural experience provides an opportunity to interact with local communities and learn about their traditions and conservation initiatives. Later, transfer to your selected lodge or hotel, relax in the peaceful mountain surroundings and prepare for your upcoming gorilla trekking adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: 2–3 hours.
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Afternoon Relaxation
Today is one of the most extraordinary highlights of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari. After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for registration and the morning gorilla trekking briefing. Experienced park rangers will explain the trekking procedures, conservation regulations and safety guidelines before accompanying you through the beautiful bamboo forests and volcanic slopes.
Your mountain gorilla trekking experience takes you through lush forest vegetation in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Once located, you will spend up to one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Watch powerful silverbacks, playful youngsters and mothers caring for their infants while learning about their fascinating social behaviour.
After trekking, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, depending on your finishing time. Enjoy the spectacular Virunga scenery and peaceful mountain atmosphere before dinner and overnight. This remarkable wildlife encounter creates lasting memories of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activity: Guided Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues with an exciting golden monkey trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Following the morning briefing, enter the beautiful bamboo forests accompanied by experienced ranger guides in search of these colourful and energetic primates. Golden monkeys are known for their distinctive golden-orange fur, playful movements and fascinating social behaviour.
Once located, spend up to one hour observing the golden monkeys as they feed, interact and move through the bamboo vegetation. After trekking, return to your lodge for lunch before beginning the scenic transfer to Lake Kivu in Rubavu, also known as Gisenyi. The journey takes approximately 1½–2 hours through beautiful countryside.
Upon arrival, check in at your selected lakeside hotel and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful lake views and refreshing surroundings. Spend the evening relaxing beside the water before dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: 1½–2 hours after golden monkey trekking.
Day 5: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise
Today, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari offers an opportunity to explore the magnificent beauty of Lake Kivu. After breakfast, enjoy a guided boat cruise along the lake’s peaceful waters, admiring its picturesque shoreline, surrounding green hills and beautiful scenery. Depending on your selected excursion and boating conditions, you may explore nearby islands and enjoy wonderful opportunities for photography.
Following your boat experience, discover the cultural heritage of communities surrounding Lake Kivu. Visit a local fishing village or traditional market to learn about regional livelihoods, fishing practices and everyday life along the lakeshore. These experiences provide interesting insights into Rwanda’s western communities.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, enjoying a leisurely beach walk or admiring the magnificent lake views. As evening approaches, enjoy the beautiful sunset across Lake Kivu before dinner and another comfortable overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activities: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise, Cultural Experiences and Lakeside Relaxation.
Day 6: Scenic Journey Along Lake Kivu from Rubavu to Karongi – Afternoon Relaxation
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues southwards along the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu towards Karongi, formerly known as Kibuye. This scenic journey takes you through Rwanda’s spectacular western countryside, featuring rolling green hills, traditional villages, agricultural plantations and impressive views of the lake.
Along the way, your driver-guide will arrange suitable stops to appreciate the scenery, capture photographs and enjoy refreshments. The journey offers an opportunity to discover more of Rwanda’s rural landscapes while travelling between two of Lake Kivu’s most attractive holiday destinations.
Upon arrival in Karongi, check in at your selected lakeside hotel and enjoy lunch overlooking the peaceful waters. Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing, exploring the waterfront or admiring the surrounding islands and green hills. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a beautiful lakeside sunset.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: 4–6 hours, depending on road conditions and stops.
Day 7: Lake Kivu Island Exploration – Scenic Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues with a morning exploration of the beautiful Karongi section of Lake Kivu. Depending on the confirmed boat schedule, enjoy a short guided excursion to selected nearby islands, where you can appreciate the lake’s spectacular scenery, peaceful surroundings and beautiful natural landscapes.
Following your lake experience, begin the scenic journey towards Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The transfer takes you through picturesque countryside, traditional villages, rolling hills and beautiful tea-growing landscapes. As you approach Nyungwe, the scenery gradually changes to densely forested mountains and mist-covered valleys.
Upon arrival, check in at your selected lodge or hotel and spend the evening relaxing in the peaceful rainforest surroundings. Enjoy dinner and prepare for your upcoming chimpanzee trekking adventure, another major highlight of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: Allow approximately 4–6 hours or longer, depending on your route, island excursion and accommodation location.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest – Afternoon Tea Plantation Experience
Today, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari features an extraordinary chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park. After an early breakfast or packed breakfast, transfer to the designated trekking briefing point, where experienced park rangers will explain the forest regulations before accompanying you into the rainforest.
Follow beautiful forest trails while listening for the distinctive calls of chimpanzees moving through the treetops. Once located, you may spend up to one hour observing these fascinating primates as they feed, groom, communicate and interact in their natural habitat. Your ranger guide will explain their behaviour and the conservation efforts protecting Nyungwe’s remarkable biodiversity.
After trekking, enjoy lunch and relaxation before visiting the beautiful tea plantations surrounding Nyungwe, depending on your trekking finishing time. Learn about Rwanda’s tea-growing traditions while admiring the magnificent scenery. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activities: Chimpanzee Trekking and Tea Plantation Experience.
Day 9: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk – Guided Rainforest and Waterfall Experience
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues with a spectacular Nyungwe canopy walkway experience. Accompanied by an experienced forest guide, follow the beautiful Igishigishigi Trail through lush vegetation before reaching the suspended canopy walkway. Enjoy breathtaking views over the rainforest, surrounding valleys and magnificent treetops while discovering the unique biodiversity of this ancient ecosystem.
Following your canopy experience, enjoy lunch before continuing with a guided rainforest and waterfall adventure. Depending on your fitness level, weather and confirmed activity schedule, you may explore the beautiful Isumo Waterfall Trail, which passes through dense forest vegetation and scenic landscapes before reaching an impressive waterfall.
During your guided forest walk, appreciate the beautiful plants, birdlife and refreshing rainforest atmosphere. Afterwards, return to your selected lodge for dinner and relaxation following another memorable day of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activities: Nyungwe Canopy Walk and Guided Waterfall Hike.
Day 10: Scenic Transfer from Nyungwe Forest to Kigali
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues with a scenic transfer from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful southwestern countryside, passing expansive tea plantations, agricultural landscapes, traditional villages and picturesque hills.
Along the way, stop in Huye for a cultural experience that may include visiting the Ethnographic Museum. Discover Rwanda’s traditional lifestyles, historical artefacts, craftsmanship and cultural heritage before enjoying lunch and continuing towards the capital.
Upon arrival in Kigali, check in at your selected hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing. You may enjoy the hotel’s facilities or explore nearby attractions before dinner and overnight. This comfortable stop provides an opportunity to rest before continuing your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari towards Akagera National Park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: 5–6 hours, excluding extended cultural stops.
Day 11: Scenic Transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park – Afternoon Wildlife Game Drive
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s spectacular savannah wildlife destination and home to Africa’s famous Big Five. The scenic journey takes approximately 2½–3 hours to the southern park entrance, passing through beautiful rolling hills, traditional villages and agricultural landscapes.
Upon arrival, continue to your selected lodge or hotel while admiring Akagera’s beautiful grasslands, acacia woodlands, wetlands and freshwater lakes. After lunch and relaxation, embark on your first guided wildlife game drive through the park’s magnificent savannah landscapes.
Accompanied by your experienced safari guide, search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other remarkable wildlife species. Depending on animal movements, you may also encounter lions or other predators. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight surrounded by the peaceful African wilderness.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Approximate Transfer Time: 2½–3 hours to the park entrance, plus the transfer to your lodge.
Day 12: Full-Day Big Five Wildlife Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Today is dedicated to exploring the remarkable wildlife habitats of Akagera National Park during your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari. After an early breakfast, depart for an extended guided game drive through the park’s beautiful savannah plains, woodlands, rolling hills and scenic valleys.
Accompanied by your professional safari guide, search for Africa’s celebrated Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinoceroses. Although sightings of all five species cannot be guaranteed, Akagera provides exciting opportunities to encounter giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, topis, warthogs and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a packed lunch or a suitable lunch break during your wildlife adventure, allowing more time to explore different habitats. Your guide will explain the animals’ behaviour, natural environments and the conservation efforts protecting the park. As the afternoon progresses, enjoy beautiful landscapes and rewarding wildlife photography before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activity: Full-Day Big Five Wildlife Game Drive.
Day 13: Morning Wildlife Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
After breakfast, your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari continues with another exciting wildlife experience in Akagera National Park. Begin the morning with a guided game drive through the beautiful savannah landscapes, searching for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators.
Your experienced guide will help you identify wildlife species and explain their fascinating behaviour as you explore the park’s grasslands and woodland habitats. After your morning adventure, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before enjoying a guided afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema.
During your cruise, you may observe hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles along the shoreline, elephants visiting the lake and an impressive variety of waterbirds. The beautiful lake scenery provides wonderful opportunities for photography and peaceful wildlife observation. Return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay in Akagera National Park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Safari Activities: Morning Wildlife Game Drive and Lake Ihema Boat Safari.
Day 14: Morning Wildlife Experience – Transfer to Kigali International Airport for Departure
On the final morning of your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari, enjoy breakfast while admiring the beautiful surroundings of Akagera National Park. Depending on your international flight schedule and lodge location, you may enjoy a short morning wildlife drive before preparing for departure.
After your wildlife experience, return to your lodge to collect your luggage and begin the scenic journey towards Kigali. Travel through eastern Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, passing traditional communities, green hills and picturesque agricultural landscapes.
Upon arrival in Kigali, your professional driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport in time for your scheduled departure flight. Your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari concludes with unforgettable memories of mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey encounters, chimpanzee adventures, spectacular rainforest landscapes, Lake Kivu relaxation and thrilling Big Five wildlife experiences.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
Approximate Transfer Time: 3–4 hours or longer, depending on your location within Akagera.
Book your 14 Days Grand Rwanda Discovery Safari
Included/Exclude
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person (USD 1,500).
- One golden monkey trekking permit per person in Volcanoes National Park.
- One chimpanzee trekking permit per person in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Accommodation for 13 nights in selected hotels and lodges.
- Meals as specified in the safari itinerary.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Airport pickup and drop-off, including all scheduled ground transfers.
- Guided Kigali city tour and cultural experiences.
- Guided Nyungwe Forest canopy walk and waterfall hike.
- Guided tea plantation experience in Nyungwe.
- Guided Lake Kivu boat cruises, island exploration and cultural experiences.
- Guided Big Five wildlife game drives in Akagera National Park.
- Guided boat safari on Lake Ihema.
- Applicable national park entrance and activity fees.
- International flights.
- Visa fees.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities.
