7 Days Rwanda Experiential Safari

Arrival in Kigali ➝ Transfer to Akagera National Park & Sunset Boat Cruise

Your Rwandan safari begins with a warm welcome at Kigali International Airport, where a Otter African Safaris guide greets you. After a short briefing on the week’s journey, you embark on a scenic drive to Akagera National Park, located along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. The journey takes about three hours, offering picturesque views of rolling hills, rural communities, and cultivated fields that paint a vivid picture of Rwanda’s countryside.

Upon arrival at the park, you check into Akagera Jungle Lodge, your base for two nights. Nestled near the park’s entrance, the lodge offers sweeping views of the savannah and lake system. After settling in, you enjoy lunch and some time to relax, perhaps taking in the sounds of birds that populate the lodge surroundings.

In the late afternoon, you head to Lake Ihema for a sunset boat cruise. This is the park’s crown jewel activity, offering a completely different perspective of wildlife. Hippos grunt and bob in the water, crocodiles bask on the shores, and elephants often wander down for an evening drink. The skies become filled with water birds—African fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers—creating a symphony of sights and sounds. As the sun sets, the golden light reflects off the water, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.

You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, the sounds of the wild ushering you into your first night in Rwanda.

• Accommodation: Akagera Jungle Lodge
• Meal Plan: Half Board

Game Drives and Nature Walks in Akagera National Park

The second day begins with an early breakfast before setting off on a game drive through the vast savannah plains of Akagera National Park. The park covers over 1,200 square kilometers, a mixture of rolling grasslands, woodlands, lakes, and swamps. Guided by experts, you venture into areas where lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos roam—the Big Five that make Akagera a gem of East African safaris.

The game drive offers sightings of giraffes browsing on acacia trees, zebras grazing in herds, and antelopes such as impalas, elands, and waterbucks dotting the plains. Bird enthusiasts are rewarded with sightings of some of Akagera’s 500+ bird species, including the shoebill stork, crowned cranes, and papyrus gonoleks. Each moment offers photographic opportunities, and the diverse habitats ensure that the morning is rich with wildlife encounters.

After returning to the lodge for lunch and relaxation, the afternoon offers a chance for a guided nature walk. Unlike game drives, the walk allows you to connect deeply with the landscape, focusing on the smaller details of the ecosystem. Your guide interprets animal tracks, introduces medicinal plants, and explains how the local community coexists with the park. The walk also provides opportunities for close encounters with smaller mammals and birdlife that are often missed during drives.

Dinner is served at the lodge, with a chance to share stories of the day’s adventures under a starlit African sky. The day showcases Akagera’s richness while setting the stage for the contrasting landscapes awaiting in northern Rwanda.

• Accommodation: Akagera Jungle Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park via Kigali

After breakfast, you bid farewell to Akagera and begin the drive back through Rwanda’s rolling hills toward Kigali City. Along the way, the landscape changes from open savannah to terraced hillsides, reflecting Rwanda’s remarkable agricultural practices.

Upon arrival in Kigali, you pause for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, sampling Rwandan specialties such as brochettes (grilled skewers), fresh vegetables, and tropical fruits. If time permits, you may visit a local market or craft shop to glimpse Kigali’s vibrant urban culture before continuing your journey northward.

The road to Volcanoes National Park is among the most scenic in Rwanda. As you ascend toward the Musanze district, the magnificent Virunga volcanic range emerges. Peaks such as Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke dominate the skyline, their slopes covered with thick rainforest. The drive itself becomes part of the safari experience, offering glimpses of traditional villages and panoramic views of Rwanda’s famed hills.

By afternoon, you arrive at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, located near the park headquarters. The lodge’s cozy cottages, warm hospitality, and breathtaking views of the Virunga peaks make it an ideal base for primate trekking. You have time to relax, enjoy a hot shower, or take in the views with a cup of Rwandan coffee. Dinner is served with both local and international dishes, fueling you for the gorilla trekking adventure awaiting the next morning.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Mountain Gorilla Trekking ➝ Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu

Day four begins with an early breakfast before heading to the Kinigi Park Headquarters for the highly anticipated mountain gorilla trekking experience. After a briefing by park rangers on trekking guidelines and gorilla behavior, groups are assigned to specific gorilla families.

The trek leads through farmland and into dense rainforest, where bamboo groves, moss-covered trees, and mist-shrouded slopes create an enchanting atmosphere. Guided by expert trackers, you follow signs of gorilla activity—fresh dung, broken vegetation, and nests. Eventually, the moment arrives: a close encounter with a gorilla family. You watch in awe as the silverback exerts his presence, mothers nurture their young, and juveniles tumble in playful displays. Spending an hour with these gentle giants is a profoundly moving and life-changing experience.

After trekking, you return to the lodge for lunch and rest before transferring to Gisenyi, a charming town on the shores of Lake Kivu. In the late afternoon, you embark on a sunset boat cruise across the lake. Local fishermen paddle in traditional dugout canoes, singing rhythmic chants as the setting sun paints the horizon with golden hues. The tranquil waters, surrounded by rolling hills, provide the perfect contrast to the morning’s trek.

Dinner and overnight are at Paradis Marahide Hotel, where the lakeside setting ensures a peaceful evening.

• Accommodation: Paradis Marahide Hotel
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Lake Kivu Exploration ➝ Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, the morning is dedicated to exploring the beauty of Lake Kivu. You may take a leisurely lakeside walk, visit hot springs, or interact with local fishing communities to learn about their daily lives. For those who prefer relaxation, the calm waters and sandy shores provide the perfect setting to unwind after the intensity of gorilla trekking.

Late morning, you begin the scenic drive southward toward Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s largest and oldest rainforests. The road follows the Congo Nile Trail, passing through coffee and tea plantations, verdant valleys, and small hillside communities. This drive not only highlights Rwanda’s natural beauty but also its cultural richness, as you witness everyday life in the countryside.

By afternoon, you arrive at Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge, perched high above the forest with sweeping vistas. The lodge’s elevated position creates a sense of serenity, with misty forest views stretching to the horizon. After check-in, you may choose to relax on your private balcony or take a gentle stroll around the lodge grounds.

Dinner is served in the lodge’s dining area, where the cool mountain air and forest sounds provide a magical atmosphere. The day’s journey transitions you from Rwanda’s savannah and volcanic peaks into the lush heart of its rainforests.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Chimpanzee Tracking ➝ Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day six begins before sunrise with breakfast and transfer into Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking. The rainforest is alive with sounds—birdsong, rustling leaves, and distant chimpanzee calls. Guided by trackers, you venture along trails searching for these energetic primates. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees are fast-moving and noisy, often calling and drumming tree roots to communicate. When you encounter them, the experience is exhilarating. Watching them groom, forage, and interact reveals striking similarities to human behavior, highlighting our shared evolutionary bond.

After this adventure, you return to the lodge for lunch and rest before experiencing the famous canopy walk in the afternoon. Suspended 70 meters above the forest floor, the walkway stretches over 200 meters, offering breathtaking views across the treetops. From here, you may spot monkeys leaping between branches, colorful birds soaring at eye level, and endless green stretching to distant hills. The canopy walk combines thrill with wonder, offering an unforgettable perspective of Nyungwe’s ecosystem.

The evening is spent at the lodge, where dinner is accompanied by stories of the day’s encounters. This is one of the most immersive days of the safari, combining the thrill of chimpanzee tracking with the serenity and perspective of the canopy walk.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Return to Kigali ➝ City Tour ➝ Departure

After breakfast, you begin the journey back to Kigali, a scenic drive that winds through Rwanda’s hills, tea plantations, and picturesque valleys. Upon arrival, you embark on a short city tour. Depending on your flight schedule, highlights may include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving tribute to Rwanda’s past and its journey of reconciliation. You may also explore artisan markets, cultural centers, or local craft shops, where woven baskets, traditional fabrics, and handmade jewelry showcase Rwanda’s creativity.

Lunch is enjoyed in Kigali before the final transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. Though the safari has lasted just seven days, it has encompassed the full range of Rwanda’s beauty—savannah safaris, primate adventures, cultural immersion, and lakeside relaxation.

Otter African Safaris ensures that you leave not just with photographs, but with meaningful memories, profound wildlife encounters, and a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s remarkable landscapes and people.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Half Board