7 Days Rwanda Golden Monkeys, Big 5 & Big Cats Safari

Day 1 Transfer to Akagera national park - Boat trip on Lake Ihema

After breakfast, you will transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park via Kigali. On arrival at the park, we shall proceed to our accommodation. 

We order lunch and later take a boat trip on Lake Ihema to watch Hippos and crocodiles in the water or by the shores. 

Lodge: Akagera Game Lodge

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Day 2 Full Day Game Drives in AKagera National Park

Enjoy early morning breakfast and start your game drives in an open-roofed vehicle. A full-day game drive here offers you an opportunity to spot a variety of game including elephants, buffalos, hippos, lions, Masai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard, and bushbuck, etc. Proceed for an evening game drive after lunch. Return to your lodge for dinner. 

Lodge: Akagera Game Lodge

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Day 3 Transfer to Volcanoes National Park - visit the Iby’lwacu cultural village

After breakfast, we will drive to Volcanoes National Park. In the evening, you will visit the Iby’lwacu cultural village to experience the culture of the Rwandan people.

Lodge: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

 

Day 4 Trek to Dian Fossey Tomb (Grave)

The hike aims to give tourists a learning experience about the works of the famous American primatologist and conservationist, Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to research about the mountain gorillas. She set up a research camp in the valley between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke hence the name ‘Karisoke’. Her works to protect the mountains gorillas and their habitat would lead her into conflict with negative forces including poachers and she was eventually killed. She was buried among the gorillas near her Karisoke Research Center. 

The hike is done in the morning. You report to the park office in Kinigi at 7am to the meet the ranger guides for briefing and at about 8am drive for about 30 minutes to the base of the Mount Bisoke where the trekking starts just outside the park at the car parking. A walking stick will be provided at the starting point, free of charge, and porters will found here that you can hire to carry your bags and provide some support along the hike.

Lodge: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

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Day 5 Golden Monkey Trekking - visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus

After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for your first experience of the endangered species in Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey Trek is normally an easy trek that takes 1-2 hours. 

You will later visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, which is a center for gorilla conservation and scientific research.

Lodge: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

 

Day 6 Transfer to Lake Kivu - boat ride on Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will check out and go for a boat trip on Lake Kivu for the hot springs experience. 

Hotel: Paradise Malahide

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Day 7 Transfer to Kigali - Kigali City TourYou will be picked up from your hotel by your driver and transferred to Kigali for a City tour.

The Kigali City tour will introduce you to the capital of the land of Thousand Hills, Rwanda, and will do so by visiting museums, markets, and city sightings.

• Drive to the Kigali Genocide Memorial

• Visit Inema Arts Center. 

• Drive to Kimironko Market and experience local shopping for fruits, vegetables, clothes and handcrafts.

• Make a visit to Umusambi Village for Cranes and different bird species viewing.

• Drive to Camp Kigali Memorial & Kandt House.

• End your Visit with Nyamirambo Women Center then later transfer to Kigali International Airport or Hotel of your choice