12 Days Gorilla And Lake Kivu
The 12 days Gorilla and Lake Kivu Rwanda safari takes you to Rwanda for a city tour in Kigali, a visit to Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali Airport and transfer to a hotel in Kigali
Day 2: Kigali city tour
Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 4: Morning game drive and a boat cruise at Lake Ihema
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Kivu for an afternoon boat cruise
Day 8: Coffee tour
Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 10: Gorilla trekking and visit to Iby’iwacu cultural village
Day 11: Hike to Mount Bisoke
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali Airport
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali Airport and transfer to a hotel in Kigali
On day 1, you will be met by a guide at Kigali Airport, and the guide from Chopper Tour and Travel will transfer you to a hotel in Kigali where you will have lunch, dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodations in Kigali city
Kigali Serena Hotel
Kigali Marriott Hotel
Day 2: Kigali city tour
On day 2, you will have breakfast at the hotel, and then you will head for a city tour to the Kigali genocide memorial, Kandt house museum, and then you will go back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, you will head to a visit to the Rwanda art museum and the Kimironko market. You will then return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
On day 3, you will have breakfast and then check out of the lodge. You will then begin the journey to Akagera National Park. At Akagera National Park, you will reach and check into a lodge. You will have lunch, spend the remaining time of the day at leisure and then have dinner in the evening. You will then retire to bed.
Accommodation options in Akagera National Park
Luxury: Magashi safari camp
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget: Akagera transit lodge
Day 4: Morning game drive and a boat cruise at Lake Ihema
On day 4, you will have breakfast and then go for a game drive after a briefing. You will get the opportunity to spot all the big five animals and other wildlife species. You will then return to the lodge and have lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. You will spot animals like hippos and crocodiles. You will then head back to the lodge and relax. You will then have dinner and retire to bed.
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
On day 5, you will be transferred from Nyungwe National Park after checking out of the lodge. You will get to Nyungwe National Park, check the lodge, have lunch and relax. You will have dinner in the evening and then have your night’s rest
Accommodation options at Nyungwe National Park
Luxury: One and only Nyungwe house
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Budget: Gisakura guest house
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk
On day 6, after having breakfast, you will go for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest. You will spend 30 minutes to 4 hours looking for the chimpanzees. After spotting them, you will spend 1 hour with them. You will be able to observe the way they breastfeed, play and much more. You will then go back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a canopy walk that will take about 2 hours. You will have numerous views of the park’s attractions while you are at the suspended bridge of 70m high and 160m long. You will then go back to the lodge and relax, freshen up, have dinner and go to bed.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Kivu for an afternoon boat cruise
On day 7, after having breakfast, you will be transferred to Lake Kivu, where you will have lunch at a hotel. You will then head for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Kivu. The boat cruise will enable you to explore some of the islands on this lake, and then the guide will transfer you to a hotel where you will spend the night. At the hotel, you will be served dinner before you go to bed.
Accommodation options at Lake Kivu
Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena hotel
Midrange : Gorilla lake kivu hotel
Budget: Inzu lodge
Day 8: Coffee tour
On day 8, after having breakfast, you will go for a coffee tour at Nyamirundi Island, which is found on Lake Kivu. You will learn about coffee while on this island this which includes coffee planting, harvesting and processing. You will have lunch from there, and then the guide will transfer you back to the lodge for dinner and your night’s rest.
Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On day 9, after having breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and then be transferred to Volcanoes National Park, where you will have lunch, dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options at Volcanoes National Park
Luxury: Bisate lodge
Midrange: Le Bambou gorilla lodge
Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Day 10: Gorilla trekking and visit to Iby’iwacu cultural village
On day 10, you will have breakfast and then go for gorilla trekking after the briefing. The gorilla trek will begin early in the morning, and you will have 1 hour with the gorillas after finding them. You will then go back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you will visit Iby’iwacu cultural village. At Iby’iwacu cultural village, you will be taken through the culture and traditions of Rwanda. You will acquire all the experience from the locals that you will meet there. The guide will then transfer you to the lodge, you relax, have dinner and then retire to bed.
Day 11: Hike to Mount Bisoke
On day 11, you will have breakfast, and then you will have a briefing session at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will then begin the hike to Mount Bisoke. The hike will expose you to various sights, like wildlife species and the landscapes. You will take about 4 hours to reach Mount Bisoke’s summit. You will be able to see the neighbouring volcanoes from the summit, and then you will return to the lodge. Descending from Mount Bisoke takes about 2 hours. You will have lunch at the lodge, and then you will relax. You will have dinner in the evening, and then you retire to bed.
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali Airport
After an early morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and you will be transferred to Kigali Airport.
End of the 12 Days Gorilla And Lake Kivu Tour.
Safari Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Pick up and drop off
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Mineral-bottled water
- 4WD safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
- All activity fees
Safari Excludes
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Life insurance
- Visa fees
- Air ticket fees
