Nyungwe Forest National Park
Walk among ancient trees and primates in Rwanda’s largest rainforest.
Good things come in small packages. While Rwanda may be one of the smallest nations in the world, that doesn’t stop it from packing in the beauty. This is a terrific two-week Rwanda safari that lets you in on all of the secrets of Rwanda with game drives, gorilla tracking, and plenty of exploring of the Land of a Thousand Hills’ beautiful lakes, dense forests and towering volcanoes.
Walk among ancient trees and primates in Rwanda’s largest rainforest.
Spot elephants, lions, and hippos on a classic African savanna safari adventure.
Hike to see gorillas and monkeys in a lush volcanic landscape.
The weather during these is typically characterized by warm and sunny days, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F). These periods are considered excellent for visiting Rwanda’s national parks, such as Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, as the dry conditions offer better visibility and ease of exploration. July’s rainfall is the lowest at just 11mm (0.4”), with June (19mm / 0.7”) and August (31mm / 1.2”) just a touch higher.
The rainfall and temperature remain relatively constant in Rwanda due to its position on the equator. Rainfall averages at least 77mm (3”) a month during this period, with a high in April of 154mm (6.1”). Afternoon temperatures are usually around 27°C/81°F, though they drop in popular regions like Nyungwe (21°C/70°F) and Volcanoes National Park (16°C/61°F).
In Rwanda, game viewing in Volcanoes/Nyungwe is excellent December through March and June through October. It is good in November, and fair in April and May.
Arrival in Kigali and transfer to your accommodation.
Your tour starts after breakfast, with a drive to Akagera National Park. In the afternoon, we have our first game drive, where you can see elephants, cobs, hippos, giraffes, and, with luck, lions, and leopards.
We start the day with an early morning game drive, before breakfast, while the animals are still active in the cooler hours of the day. Your Akagera safari offers a variety of wildlife and scenery. In the afternoon you will enjoy a further game drive and a boat trip, during which you will see a variety of water birds.
It is another early start today as another game drive awaits you.
At lunch time you will enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the park from the top of Mount Mutumba. Afterward, we return to Kigali for the night.
On the way to Nyungwe Forest we stop in the town of Butare (Huye) where we visit the National Museum of Rwanda which will give you an insight into the cultural heritage of this fascinating country.
In the morning you will be hiking through the forest, surrounded by spectacular biodiversity, in search of the chimpanzees. Once you track them down you will witness their engaging playfulness and human-like characteristics. Nyungwe is one of the largest forests in East Africa, harboring over 300 different species of birds, 75 species of mammals, including 13 monkey species, most of which are endemic.
Choose from one of the following activities: nature walk, bird watching, primate walk, canopy walk or waterfall trail. (One activity is included)
Today you can enjoy a warm bath in the hot springs of Bugarama, the largest natural spring in Rwanda. Enjoy your lunch during the boat trip on River Rusizi. For our overnight stay, we drive to Kibuye town.
Today is a relaxing day; the only planned activity is a drive to Gisenyi. Once we arrive you can relax at the lodge or enjoy a pleasant stroll along the shores of the beautiful Lake Kivu.
To start, we’ll drive to the home of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park.
Along the way, our journey is all about Rwandese traditional culture as we participate in activities at the Ebyuwacu Cultural Centre.
The next morning you’ll wake up to a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Gorilla tracking! You will be face to face with one of the most fascinating creatures in the world, and you will have one precious hour in their awe-inspiring company, observing as they interact, eat and play. During the hike, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful Rwandan scenery and interesting wildlife.
For Day 12, we’ll head to Lake Ruhondo. Choose from one of the following activities (included in price): Nature walk – the best way to discover the variety of plant and animal species Track the endangered Golden Monkeys – this is a rare and enjoyable experience Climb the volcanoes to experience some of the most breath-taking views within Rwanda Hike to the tomb of the renowned primatologist Dian Fossey.
It may be possible to track gorillas again today, subject to the availability of permits (+ USD 1,500).
Enjoy the scenic area with a drive around the lakes or take a nature walk. You can visit the Musangabo viewing point or the Rusumo Falls which had an important role in the history of Rwanda.
After breakfast, we will return to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to tour the city and learn about the history of Rwanda through the tales told by its capital; get acquainted with pre-colonial and colonial Rwanda, the 1994 genocide and see the new developments in this growing city.
You will be dropped off at the airport in time for your scheduled flight.
Our tailor-made trips are designed to offer you the best possible value to make your East African safari experience a memorable one. As a boutique tour operator, we are happy to personalise your trip budget and package according to your needs.
Please treat all pricing as a guide only, as customisations made to this itinerary, style of travel, and number of guests may raise or lower the overall cost. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. Single supplements may apply.
For the best, most current rates available, request a quote or speak to one of Kikooko Africa Safari’s travel experts.
Warren Anwkasa,
Founder, Kikooko Africa Safaris
All our itineraries can be adapted to suit your personal interests and preferences.
Please feel free to discuss these with us so we can personalise your tour for your maximum enjoyment.
For the most current rates for your party, request a quote or speak to one of Kikooko Africa Safari’s travel experts.
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