7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari
Rwanda, famously called the Land of a Thousand Hills, conjures up images of dramatic landscapes, rare wildlife, rich culture, and inspiring resilience. Sitting in the heart of East Africa, this little and gorgeous country is filled with rolling green hills, sparkling lakes, engaging cities, and, above all, the majestic mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. A seven Days Best of Rwanda Safari is lifechanging and encapsulates the spirit of the beautiful country. It is more than a safari—it is a life-altering exploration of nature, culture, and history.
This seven-day itinerary offers a full spectrum of experiences for the traveler eager to see the best Rwanda has to offer: gorillas and golden monkeys, the wildlife species of Akagera National Park, primates of Nyungwe Forest, and the mellow waters of Lake Kivu. On the way, you will dive into culture and later trace the amazing story of human resilience at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
General Description of the 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari
Designed for those wanting to experience Rwanda in its entirety, the 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari combines encounters with primates, classic wildlife viewing, and cultural immersions, all within the span of a rewarding journey. Unlike many safaris that focus only on wildlife, this tour highlights Rwanda’s diversity—from its thriving capital Kigali to its calm rural landscapes.
The safari commences at Kigali, a metropolis telling stories of hope and rebirth. You will then head east to Akagera National Park for game drives through savannahs full of elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and hippos. You journey southward to Nyungwe Forest National Park, where you will watch the chimpanzees and that harbors one of the oldest rainforests of Africa. Next, you go westward to Lake Kivu for some relaxation and then northwest toward Volcanoes National Park for civilization’s grand finale: an in-depth gorilla tracking experience with remaining endangered mountain gorillas. Finally, the tour heads back down to Kigali, from where you will begin your new life intertwined with great memories forever.
Tour Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey tracking or hiking in Volcanoes National Park
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe—the longest suspended bridge in East Africa
Game drives and boat safari in Akagera
Relaxation and scenic views at Lake Kivu
A day tour for Kigali Genocide Memorial and sightseeing
Interactions with local communities and a variety of cultural experiences.
Accommodation
Throughout the safari, guests are accommodated in lodge properties selected to represent a variety of accommodation options, from mid-range to luxurious, all of which provide comfort and compatibility with nature. Selected lodging options include, but are not limited to:
Akagera National Park: Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Magashi Camp, and Akagera Game Lodge.
Nyungwe Forest: One & Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Guesthouse, and Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
Lake Kivu: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Paradise Malahide, and Cormoran Lodge.
Volcanoes National Park: Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Kigali: Kigali Serena Hotel, Hotel Mille Collines, and The Retreat Kigali.
Each lodge offers an authentically African feel with panoramic views, cuisine inspired by the region, and warm hospitality from the people of Rwanda.
Detailed 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving in Kigali and City Tour
Your wonderful experience will commence once your plane touches down at Kigali International Airport, from where you shall be received by your safari guide and taken for a briefing before proceeding to the hotel. Depending on what time you land, you may begin your Kigali city tour, stopping at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a local craft market, and on to the busy streets that epitomize Rwanda’s new mode of life. Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer To Akagera National Park For Afternoon Game Drive
Depart after breakfast for Akagera National Park, located in the east of Rwanda. The sights are enchanting: rolling hills with villages sprinkled about in a very traditional fashion. Reach the lodge and have lunch served before proceeding for game drive. Akagera is Rwanda’s sole savannah park and has the Big Five-Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, and Rhinos. Come sunset, you will return to the lodge for dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
Start the morning early with a drive before the sun comes up. This is when the park really comes alive: the predators are out hunting, while the herbivores peacefully graze. Giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, and numerous kinds of birds could be seen in there. A boat safari will follow, after lunch, on Lake Ihema, where crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic birds emerge into an interesting ecosystem. Such a day would give a perfect combination of thrill and laidback enjoyment. Overnight in Akagera.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Breakfast will precede a scenic drive into Nyungwe Forest National Park, far to the southwest of Rwanda. En route, stop at cultural sites and enjoy scintillating views of tea plantations cascading down hills In the evening, arrive at the lodge. Nyungwe is a biodiversity hotspot, with 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Overnight in Nyungwe.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
Wake up early for chimpanzees tracking. Together with park rangers, you will be taken right into the heart of the rainforest to watch these lively primates as they go about their affairs in the wild. Hear their calls reverberate through the woods and watch them swing from branch to branch. In the afternoon, enjoy the exhilarating canopy walk– suspended bridges high above the forest floor with marvelous views of the treetops and hills on either side. This ranks as one of the top experiences Rwanda has to offer. Overnight at Nyungwe.
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu and Leisure
Afterward, you will be driven to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s more scenic freshwater lakes. Check into your lodge by the lake upon arrival. Take the rest of the day at leisure. Boat cruises, visits to fishing villages, swimming in calm waters, or simply basking on the beach- whatever it may be, Lake Kivu presents a great interlude before the more taxing gorilla trek. Overnight stay at Lake Kivu.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park and Departure
Rise early in the morning to transfer to Volcanoes National Park for the safari highlight of gorilla trekking. After a briefing, you will be allocated a gorilla family and set off along with expert rangers into the foggy forest. Depending on the gorilla’s location, the trek could take from 2 to 6 hours; an indescribable feeling comes over you the moment you come face to face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. There, you will spend a sublime hour observing their behavior—with the behest of the silverback, the juveniles goofing around, and the mothers nursing them.
Coming back from a life-altering encounter, proceed to the lodge to have a sumptuous lunch and drive back to Kigali. Depending on your departure arrangements, you may go straight to the airport or stay another night in Kigali.
The 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari is not just a holiday; rather it is an odyssey through the landscapes, wildlife, and culture of Rwanda. From the golden savannahs of Akagera to the lush rainforests of Nyungwe, from the placid shores of Lake Kivu to the volcanic slopes of Virunga where the gorillas stay-this safari encapsulates the very spirit of Rwanda. It is a journey that contacts both nature and humanity deeply, inspiring you both for the resilience of the Rwandan people and for the beauty of their land.
Every traveler who embarks on this adventure leaves with not only photographs but also memories and emotions that will last his entire life. The 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari truly is the best way to see Land of a Thousand Hills.