Classical Rwanda Tour

TRW101: 8 Days Private Tour of Kigali - Butare - Nyungwe Forest National Park - Karongi - Rubavu - Musanze - Volcanoes National Park - Kigali
Tour Type: Private tailor-made tour
Guide: English-speaking driver guide, experienced and knowledgeable
Vehicle: Air-conditioned car, spacious and comfortable
Accommodation: 3 to 4-star hotels, also be open to your own choice
Meals: Authentic local cuisines and western-style food for your choice
This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
From USD6489USD5840Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Kigali, Airport pick-up
Thanks for choosing our Rwanda gorilla trekking tours. After the flight arrives, our representative and the driver guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel and check in. 

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collins
Day 2 Full day city tour in Kigali
Today, the driver guide will escort you to visit Kigali to witness the development of Kigali. First, visit Gisozi Genocide Memorial site and handicraft shopping center to have a rough understanding of the local customs. After lunch, visit the Kigali Museum to learn the history of Kigali and Rwanda's pre-colonial period and the colonial rulers of Rwanda. In early evening, we'll head to Crystal View Cocktail Lounge on the 8th floor of Top Tower Hotel to overlook the whole city. Rwanda is called "The Land of a Thousand Hills" and it is charming both at day and night. 
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Drive from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park, Bird watching (218KM, 5H)
After breakfast, our driver-guide will transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, which has rich plants and animals. Home to 300 recorded species of birds, it is the bird watching paradise rarely known by people. During the journey, you can appreciate the scenic hills and mountains. On the way, first make a stop at Nyanza to visit the former Mwami's palace (King's palace) and the base of feudal kingdom. Then stopover at Butare to explore National Museums to know more about the history and culture of Rwanda. Upon arrival, check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 4 Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe National Park is one of the biggest and most well-preserved mountain rainforest in Africa. The most popular tourism project here is tracking chimpanzees. After breakfast, the driver guide will lead you to Cyamudongo or Uwinka to track chimpanzees along the trails for 4-6 hours depending on their movement. The chimpanzees here have get used to humans, as the researchers study the behaviors of them every day. The park tour guide will try best to help you find the chimpanzees and train you in how to take photos with them or react to their behaviors safely. You will be allowed to contact with them for 1 hour. At noon, go back to the hotel and have lunch. 

Afternoon, experience the only canopy walk in East Africa, taking about 1.5 hours. On the way you will pass through the beautiful habitat of wildlife, spot blue monkeys and special birds, and enjoy the bird's view of the forest. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Transfer to Karongi (140KM, 3H), Afternoon relax yourself on Lake Kivu
In the morning we'll drive to Karongi, taking about 3 hours. On the way we'll appreciate the scenic view of tea plantations, small villages and rolling hills. Upon arrival, check in the hotel and have lunch. Afternoon, the guide will accompany you to take a boat to explore Lake Kivu and visit Peace Island and hut of Napoleon. If interested, we can go for a walk to see the fishing village and explore the colonial town. If you have time, you can also take a dip in the grand fresh water lake. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karongi Lake view Retreat
Day 6 Sightseeing tour in Rubavu town (95KM, 2H), Visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village
In the morning we'll drive for 2 hours to Rubavu town to have a sightseeing tour. Have lunch in Rubavu at noon. Afternoon, drive for 1 hour to Volcanoes National Park. When passing by the town of Musanze, the guide will escort you to visit Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village to contact with local people and know their traditional life and history. You can also appreciate the unique handicrafts made by the villagers, learn Batwa hunting, and experience brewing banana beer and ceramic skills. Upon arrival, check in the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 7 Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park consists of 8 volcanoes and is home to Mountain Gorillas, one of the 10 world endangered species. In the early morning our driver guide will transfer you to Volcanoes headquarters, Kinigi, to meet the park tour guide. The park tour guide will first tell the trekking notices and divide you and other tourists into different gorilla trekking groups. At 8'o clock, leave the headquarters for the starting point of the gorilla trekking in Rwanda. While tracking in the forest, you may have to trudge through deep mud, but you will be more than excited when coming across a habituated group of gorillas. The trekking may last 2-6 hours depending on gorillas' movement. Gorillas are normally mild, and you can take photos with them and watch them eating and grooming for each other in a close distance. The interacting time with the gorillas will be one unforgettable hour.

After, go back to the starting point and meet with the driver guide, then drive back to the hotel for lunch. This afternoon, you can enjoy your leisure time around the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 Friendly Tips

Only after finishing the gorilla trekking in Rwanda, we'll go back to the hotel for lunch. Thus we suggest you have a big breakfast and bring some snacks to replenish your strength.
Day 8 Transfer back to Kigali International Airport (120KM, 2.5H)
Today the Rwanda gorilla trekking end. The driver-guide will send you to the airport for flight back to Kigali according to the flight time and see you off. 

Meals: Breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices
2024 & 2025 Special: 10% off - Book before Apr 30, 2024
Travelers2-3 travelers4-5 travelers
Jun-DecUSD8139 USD7325USD7099 USD6389
Jan-MayUSD7539 USD6785USD6489 USD5840
  • Prices are per person on twin sharing basis.
  • The prices in red reflect 10% discount.
Price Includes
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Service of English-speaking driver guide as itinerary specifices
  • Private transfer in air-conditioned vehicles as itinerary specifices
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with WI-FI in receptive areas
  • Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited
  • Chimpanzee permit, Gorilla permit, canopy walk permit
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Free bottled mineral water during the tour
Price Excludes
  • International flight into and out of Rwanda
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Rwanda visa fee
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