9 Days Rwanda Congo Primate, Wildlife & Adventure Safari

9 Days Rwanda Congo Primate, Wildlife & Adventure Safari – Overview

9 Days Rwanda Congo Primate, Wildlife & Adventure Safari starts from Kigali and features the scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park via Rwandan hillsides, Volcanoes National Park Mountain Gorilla Trekking & evening at Gisenyi Lake Kivu, Nyiragongo Volcano adventure hike, speed boat transfer to Bukavu, Kahuzi Biega National Park Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trek, Nyungwe Forest National Park Chimpanzee trekking & canopy walk, Akagera National Park unlimited game drive and then drive to Kigali for Gisozi genocide memorial and departure.

9 Days Rwanda Congo Primate, Wildlife & Adventure Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu
Day 3: Adventure hike to the famous Nyiragongo Volcano
Day 4: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano & transfer to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park
Day 5: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking & transfer to Nyungwe Forest NP
Day 6: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 7: Transfer to Akagera National Park. Sightseeing of Rwandan hillsides
Day 8: Unlimited game drive in Akagera National Park
Day 9: Transfer to Kigali, visit genocide site & depart

9 Days Rwanda Congo Primate, Wildlife & Adventure Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali Rwanda & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Arrive in Rwanda – Kigali International Airport, meet our representative and transfer to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 2.5hrs – 3hrs drive enjoying nice views of Rwandan hillsides.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Luxury / Upmarket: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu

Gather at Kinigi Park headquarters at 7am for registration and briefing before heading to the forest in search of Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.

Volcanoes National Park is the only gorilla habitat in Rwanda and is part of the greater Virunga massif where 604 Mountain Gorillas are known to thrive.

The gorilla trek lasts 2 – 8 hours depending on how the Gorilla family has moved but with 1 hour with the Gorillas.

Enjoy their sights as they forage and socialize. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation and beach experience.

Accommodation: Midrange / Standard: Hotel Paladis Malahide, Luxury / Upmarket: Serena Resort Lake Kivu

Day 3: Adventure Hike To The Famous Nyiragongo Volcano

Cross Congo boarder – Goma at 7:30am, go through the immigration and drive to Kibati Patrol post for briefing and the start of the adventure hike.

Nyiragongo Volcano is recorded to be the world’s largest and most violent lava lake which at one time erupted and caused serious damage including the half of Goma town.

The trek lasts 5 – 6 hours offering nice views of Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and later the red lava after the dark.

Accommodation: Mountain Shelter

Day 4: Descend From Nyiragongo Volcano & Transfer to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park

Early wake up to take sunrise photo-shoots, breakfast before embarking on the descent to the starting point. From there, you transfer to the harbor for the boat transfer to Bukavu. Enjoy the sights of Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Panorama Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Hotel Elizabeth, Luxury/ Up market: Orchids Safari Club

Day 5: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Nyungwe Forest NP

Connect to the park headquarters for briefing and eventual start of the Gorilla Trekking activity. The search for the habituated group of Eastern lowland Gorilla is a memorable one as it provides for a special encounter with these Eastern Gorilla sub species.

The trek lasts 2 – 8 hours providing for 1 hour with Gorillas – an opportunity to view them and take lasting photoshoots.

Retire from the activity and cross to Rwanda – Nyungwe Forest National Park via Ruzizi 1 for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Luxury/ Up market: One & Only Nyungwe

Day 6: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Set off from the lodge at 5:30am for the drive to Cyamudongo forest where Chimpanzee trekking takes place.

You explore them as they forage, patrol and socialize for 1 hour. The entire trek lasts between 2 – 5 hours after which you return to the starting point and return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, gather at Uwinka visitor center for an exciting canopy walk. It’s the first of its kind in East Africa stretching for 200m through lush Afro montane forest canopy with likely sights of birds and primates. The canopy walk lasts about 2 hours.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Luxury/ Up market: One & Only Nyungwe

Day 7: Transfer to Akagera National Park. Sightseeing of Rwandan Hillsides

Depart the lodge at 6:30am after breakfast and transfer to Akagera National Park about 8 hours drive. Enjoy the views of Rwandan hillsides, lunch en route and arrive in Akagera in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge, Luxury/ Up market: Ruzizi Tented Camp

Day 8: Unlimited Game Drive in Akagera National Park

The day is dedicated for a whole day game stretching from the south of Akagera to the north of same park.

The habitats are different and thus, every stretch comes with a unique landscape and henceforth the diverse wildlife sightings.

The game drive in Akagera NP offers possibilities of exploring elephants, Maasai giraffes, Leopard, Impala, Buffaloes, Water bucks, Oribi, Eland, reedbuck, Roan antelope, bushbucks, Lions, Black Rhinos among others. You will carry along the lunch for a picnic lunch in the park.