Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Rwanda – Kigali – Akagera National Park – Volcanoes National Park – Lake Kivu
100% customisable for you
Your trip to Rwanda begins today, so pack your bags and head to the airport this evening in plenty of time for your flight to the capital. Breeze through security and relax in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Kigali, which takes just under nine hours and lands the following morning.
When you land in the capital this morning, you’ll be met by our local representative, who can assist you with entry formalities into the country and help collect your luggage. You’ll then be privately transferred to your hotel, located just south of the capital, where you’ll be staying for one night. Settle in and freshen up after your long journey, before heading straight back out to start exploring.
Hit the ground running with a tour of the city in the company of a local; they’ll give you a backstage tour of the capital, opening doors that are usually closed and introducing you to locally loved spots. The outing will be shaped to your interests and you’ll have the opportunity to pick up some useful travel tips for your trip.
We’ve left the rest of the day free for you to continue exploring at leisure (or put your feet up – we wouldn’t blame you). If you’ve got energy to spare, it’s well worth visiting the genocide memorials outside of Kigali with a guide.
Today, you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to Akagera National Park. The journey takes just under three hours, so sit back and enjoy the views, which gradually grow wilder as you leave the capital behind.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is in a comfortable hotel in the south of the park. Refuel with lunch in the restaurant then set out for a private boat safari on the calm waters of Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second-largest lake. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot large groups of hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, and elephants and buffaloes coming to the water to drink.
Back at your hotel this evening, tuck into another delicious meal at the restaurant and then cosy up by the fire, trading stories of the day’s wildlife sightings.
Go where the wild things are today on a private safari in Akagera. Thanks to the park’s varied landscapes, which encompass savannahs, wetlands and mountains, the biodiversity is excellent here. With luck, you’ll be able to spot buffalos, topis, elephants, Burchell's zebras and plenty of bird species from curious African graylings to long-legged shoebills. You’ll also have the chance to learn about conservation efforts in the park, including the reintroduction of several species such as Maasai giraffes, lions and black rhinos.
Head back to your hotel for some R&R and a bite to eat, and when the sun goes down, set out on a second safari – this time by night. Animals such as leopards and porcupines are mainly active after dark, meaning you’ll have a better chance of glimpsing them on this outing. If the sky is clear, you’ll also be treated to superb stars.
Check out of your hotel this morning and meet your driver, who will take you to Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest of the country. The journey takes around five hours, but you’ll be treated to scenic views over rugged hills, farmer’s fields and fruit and vegetable plantations.
When you arrive, drop off your bags at your lodge, near the entrance to the park, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. Once you’ve freshened up, stretch your legs with a visit to the Dian Fossey Museum, located just outside the park. Named after the renowned primatologist, the museum offers an insight into the country’s gorilla conservation with excellent exhibits and interactive activities.
Today you’ll be ticking off an experience many travellers dream about – meeting mountain gorillas. Accompanied by an expert ranger who knows all about their movements and habits, trek deep into the park, spotting other wildlife en route to finding a gorilla family.
When your guide locates a group, you’ll have the opportunity to watch these magnificent creatures go about their routine, with little ones performing somersaults under the watchful eye of their parents, and elders munching on leaves and fruit.
This evening, let this unforgettable experience sink in as you dissect every moment over a delicious dinner at your lodge.
Meet your private driver again this morning for a three-and-a-half-hour journey south to Kibuye, a city on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu, which is a popular holiday spot among Rwandans.
When you arrive, check in for the final two nights of your trip in a lakeside hotel. After yesterday’s excitement, we’ve left the rest of the day free for you to enjoy at leisure. Find a shady spot in the garden for a cocktail, dip into your holiday read or simply sit on your balcony enjoying the views over the lake.
Most of today is yours to spend as you wish – after an action-packed trip so far, it’s time to slow the pace right down before you head home tomorrow.
Come evening, there’s another after-dark experience on the agenda: night fishing on Lake Kivu. Step aboard a traditional wooden boat, joining local fishermen as they head out to catch isambaza, a type of freshwater sardine you’ve likely come across in Kigali’s food markets.
After paddling into deeper waters, singing to synchronise their strokes, the fishermen set the nets, using lamplight to draw the fish into the traps. Sit back and take it all in: the nighttime quiet, the atmospheric view of light reflected in the water and the beauty of watching this tranquil tradition unfold. A memorable way to spend your last night in Rwanda.
Alas, the time has come to head home. Your driver will collect you from your hotel and transport you three hours back to Kigali. If you want to stretch your legs along the way, we can arrange for you to stop for lunch at a craft centre that serves excellent coffee.
After some last-minute souvenir shopping, continue to the airport. We’ve arranged priority passage through police and customs formalities, and then you’ll have time to relax in the lounge before your direct flight home. The journey takes around nine-and-a-half hours, landing the following day, so try to squeeze in some shut eye or, if you’re too alert after all the excitement, re-live the best moments of your trip as you scroll back through your camera roll.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
