Itinerary
- Day 1
Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Your hotel pickup in Kigali happens at 08:20am after breakfast. From there, head to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda's history and what the country has experienced. The drive continues to Volcanoes National Park, where you'll check out the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and see their conservation exhibits. You'll settle in at your lodge for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Explore Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Landmarks/POIs Kigali Genocide Memorial Volcanoes National Park Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund - Day 2
Volcanoes National Park to Mgahinga/Bwindi, Uganda
After breakfast, gorilla trekking is optional in Volcanoes National Park if you want to spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family in the rainforest. Later in the day, you'll cross the border into Uganda and head to either Mgahinga or Bwindi for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Gorilla trekking excursion in Volcanoes National Park - USD 1,500 per person permit (pre-purchase required)
Landmarks/POIs Volcanoes National Park Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mgahinga Gorilla Park - Day 3
Mgahinga/Bwindi
Starting from Ntebeko ranger station, you'll track golden monkeys through the bamboo forests. These primates are fun to watch, and this trek is less strenuous than gorilla trekking while still giving you good chances to see their behavior. The afternoon is free at your lodge to rest or walk around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Golden monkey tracking at Ntebeko ranger station
Landmarks/POIs Ntebeko ranger station Mgahinga Gorilla Park - Day 4
Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
An optional gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest happens early if you choose to participate and see a different gorilla family. After that, you'll transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, which has islands dotting its waters and terraced hills all around it. The setting works well for relaxing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - USD 800 per person permit (pre-purchase required)
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Lake Bunyonyi - Day 5
Lake Bunyonyi to Ishasha
This morning at Lake Bunyonyi is low-key before you head to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for tree-climbing lions that rest in fig trees. An evening game drive lets you look for elephants, antelope, and buffalo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Evening game drive in Ishasha Sector
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bunyonyi Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park - Day 6
Ishasha to Queen Elizabeth National Park
An early morning game drive in Ishasha gives you another shot at spotting lions and large herds. From there, you'll head north into Queen Elizabeth National Park, which has scenic savannah, crater lakes, and varied wildlife throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning game drive in Ishasha
- Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Landmarks/POIs Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park - Day 7
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A morning game drive takes you across Kasenyi Plains where lions and leopards are often spotted. In the afternoon, a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel lets you see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and lots of bird species from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning game drive on Kasenyi Plains
- Afternoon boat safari on Kazinga Channel
Landmarks/POIs Kasenyi Plains Kazinga Channel - Day 8
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, you'll travel to Kibale National Park, which people call the primate capital of Africa. Along the way, stop at the equator line in Kikorongo for photos. Kibale is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and other primates you can see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at equator line in Kikorongo for photos
Landmarks/POIs Queen Elizabeth National Park Equator line in Kikorongo Kibale National Park - Day 9
Kibale National Park
The morning involves time with a local community where you'll learn about their traditions and how they live. In the afternoon, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest is an option if you want to get closer to these primates and watch how they behave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Community visit to learn about local traditions and village life
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee trekking excursion in Kibale Forest - USD 300 per person permit (pre-purchase required)
Landmarks/POIs Kibale National Park Kibale Forest - Day 10
Kibale National Park to Akagera National Park
You'll leave after breakfast heading back to Rwanda and on to Akagera National Park. The landscape shifts from forests to open savannah as you travel. Akagera is Rwanda's only park with the Big Five, and you'll reach your lodge near the park entrance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kibale National Park Akagera National Park - Day 11
Akagera National Park
A full day in Akagera gives you morning and afternoon game drives to spot elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and lions. Birds are all over the park and lakes create a nice setting. You'll be back at your lodge by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Akagera National Park
- Afternoon game drive in Akagera National Park
Landmarks/POIs Akagera National Park - Day 12
Akagera National Park to Kigali
After breakfast, your driver takes you back to Kigali. If timing allows, you might grab some last-minute shopping or do a quick city tour. Later your driver heads to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight or your hotel in Kigali, finishing your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping in Kigali
- Brief city tour of Kigali
Landmarks/POIs Akagera National Park Kigali
