Rwanda In-Depth
Discover the breathtaking beauty and extraordinary wildlife of Rwanda on this nine-night, in-depth journey. From the vast plains teeming with game to the bustling streets and cultural landmarks of Kigali, the adventure begins with unforgettable encounters. Then, in Nyungwe National Forest, immerse yourself in history, hike in search of playful chimpanzees, and experience the forest from a unique perspective on the famous Canopy Walkway. The highlight awaits in Volcanoes National Park, where you'll meet the rare and majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This itinerary combines Rwanda’s vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and iconic wildlife for a deeply moving African adventure.
Trip Type: Adventure, Cultural, Wildlife
Day By Day
Day 1 – Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda
Upon arrival into Kigali Airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to your Kigali accommodation.
Starting Accommodation: The Retreat
Meals: Lunch
Day 2 – Kigali to Akagera National Park
Today, you’ll travel by road to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll change vehicles and continue to the camp on a shared game drive.
Akagera is rich with plains wildlife and now thrives with a healthy lion population, reintroduced in 2015 after a 20-year absence. Black rhino followed in 2017, marking another major conservation success. Magashi—the park’s only exclusive-use area—also supports a strong density of leopard, offering excellent opportunities for sightings.
Starting Accommodation: Magashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Activities at Magashi
Set out on expertly guided game drives, walks, and boating trips in search of buffalo, lion, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyena, zebra, topi, roan, eland, and the elusive leopard. Akagera is also renowned as one of the best birding areas in the world, with more than 500 species recorded here.
Explore the area in an open 4x4 vehicle, where every seat offers unobstructed views. Magashi lies within the only private-access area of Akagera, allowing for exclusive night game drives in open 4x4s. You can also enjoy boating excursions in eight-seater swamp cruisers—an exceptional way to spot water birds and a variety of aquatic wildlife around Lake Rwanyakazinga.
Starting Accommodation: Magashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Akagera National Park to Kigali
This morning enjoy a shared game drive from the camp to the northern gate where you continue to Kigali by private vehicle. Enjoy a tour of the city before continuing to your accommodation.
Get an intimate view of Kigali on a city tour offering a thoughtful introduction to the places and stories that shape both the city and the country. Begin at Mt. Kigali for panoramic views before exploring a bustling neighborhood market. You’ll also visit the Genocide Memorial, the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The memorial honors their memory and promotes education and peace-building through powerful audio-visual exhibits that recount the events of 1994.
Starting Accommodation: The Retreat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Kigali to Nyungwe National Forest
Today, you will travel by private vehicle from Kigali to Nyungwe National Forest via the Cultural Heritage Corridor. Along the way, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, featuring a reconstruction of the traditional royal residence—a beautifully crafted, beehive-shaped thatched dwelling. Once the heart of the Rwandan kingdom, Nyanza offers rich insight into the country’s royal history. You will arrive at your Nyungwe accommodation in the afternoon.
Starting Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Exploring Nyungwe National Forest
Your day begins bright and early at the park headquarters with an informative briefing on your upcoming chimpanzee trek. Then, set off into the Evergreen Forest on foot in search of chimpanzees. Once you locate them, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing their acrobatics, feeding habits, and daily interactions—an exhilarating experience that offers a rare glimpse of chimpanzees living wild and free.
Afterward, experience the rainforest from an entirely new perspective on the famous Canopy Walkway. The only one of its kind in East Africa, this breathtaking suspension bridge hangs 197 feet above the forest floor, stretching between giant trees and revealing stunning views of the flora and fauna above and below—an iconic experience not to be missed.
Starting Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Nyungwe National Forest to Volcanoes National Park
Travel by private vehicle from Nyungwe National Forest to the Virunga Volcano Range. This scenic transfer takes approximately six hours, including stops along the way.
Covering 14,826 acres in northern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park forms part of the greater Virunga Volcano Conservation Region, which includes Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park is one of only three habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga Mountains and is also home to golden monkeys, as well as a rich diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Starting Accommodation: One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Gorilla Trekking
This morning begins with a gorilla trek briefing at the park headquarters before you set off on your adventure. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is often described as “life-changing,” and for good reason. With only an estimated 880 mountain gorillas remaining in the world, encountering these gentle creatures in their natural habitat is an extraordinary experience. Trek durations vary widely—anywhere from 30 minutes to over four hours—depending on the gorilla family assigned to your group and their location in the mountains.
Starting Accommodation: One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Gorilla Trekking
Enjoy a second day of gorilla trekking. A gorilla family is led by a Silverback and includes several younger males, adult and juvenile females, and infants. In addition to providing protection to group members, Silverbacks maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. They schedule feeding trips, resting time, and travel. They also father the majority of young in the group.
Starting Accommodation: One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Depart Rwanda
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before you are transferred to Kigali Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
Package Level: Luxury |
Please note all prices listed are approximations and subject to current rate of exchange adjustments. Each itinerary can be fully customized to your interests and needs.
|
| Twin Share |
| 11/1/2025 - 12/15/2025 | $20,140 |
| 12/16/2025 - 12/21/2025 | $26,335 |
| 1/7/2026 - 2/28/2026 | $23,465 |
| 3/1/2026 - 4/30/2026 | $21,150 |
| 5/1/2026 - 5/31/2026 | $21,540 |
| 6/1/2026 - 10/31/2026 | $29,420 |
| 11/1/2026 - 12/16/2026 | $21,785 |
| 12/17/2026 - 12/31/2026 | $29,420 |
| Single Traveler |
| 11/1/2025 - 12/15/2025 | $31,105 |
| 12/16/2025 - 12/21/2025 | $38,100 |
| 1/7/2026 - 2/28/2026 | $36,215 |
| 3/1/2026 - 4/30/2026 | $30,415 |
| 5/1/2026 - 5/31/2026 | $31,000 |
| 6/1/2026 - 10/31/2026 | $42,745 |
| 11/1/2026 - 12/16/2026 | $3,135 |
| 12/17/2026 - 12/31/2026 | $42,745 |
Terms and Conditions
Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20 See our full Terms and Conditions:
www.swaindestinations.com/terms
