Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
National Parks and Wildlife Watching Discover Rwanda
Rwanda – Kigali – Nyungwe Forest – Kibuye – Volcanoes National Park
Begin in Kigali, the country’s capital, where you’ll catch a glimpse into daily life on a tour with a local guide. Then, after a quick stop at the King’s Palace Museum to learn about the history of Rwanda’s monarchy, it’s time to delve into your first national park: Nyungwe Forest.
From this point onwards, it’s wildlife galore: think spotting endemic birds from above the forest’s canopy and tracking the park’s native chimpanzee community. Continue to Kibuye for an overnight stay – complete with a sunset cruise on Lake Kivu for good measure – before heading onto Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll learn all about gorilla conservation and have the chance to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Finally, round off your trip with another quick visit to Kigali, where you’ll venture to local markets for fresh fruit and stylish souvenirs tailor-made by local seamstresses. After all that jungle exploring, we wouldn’t blame you for going a little wild in the aisles…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Head to the airport, speed through security and pick up a wildlife magazine to browse in the lounge: your Rwandan adventure begins today. Flights to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, take around eight-and-a-half hours, so pull on your eye mask and try to catch some shut-eye as you spend the night on board.
When you arrive the next morning, you’ll be met, assisted through customs and privately transferred to the Kiyovu district, where you’ll be staying for the night. Check in, drop your bags and tuck into a tasty breakfast before heading straight back out to explore.
To help you find your bearings, we’ve arranged a private tour of the city with a local. Your guide will tailor the tour to your interests, so fill them in on what you’d like to see and enjoy a leisurely wander through the city, learning about daily life and picking up some insider tips and tricks.
Later, head back to your hotel for a few hours of relaxation before enjoying a tasty dinner at the restaurant – there’s plenty more excitement to come tomorrow.
After a tasty breakfast this morning, grab your bags and meet your friendly driver-guide, who’ll be accompanying you throughout the trip. Then, jump in the car and begin the journey to Nyungwe Forest, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa.
Along the way, stop in the historic town of Nyanza, set just south of Kigali. While you’re here, pay a visit to the King’s Palace Museum, a series of papyrus and thatch huts once home to King Mutara III Rudahigwa and his family. You might also have the chance to spot a herd of long-horned Inyambo cows, descended from the king’s herd, who played an important role during royal ceremonies.
Later, arrive at your hotel set on the edge of Nyungwe Forest National Park and spend the rest of the day settling into your lush new surroundings. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, a dip in the pool or simply soak in the spectacular forest views.
Set in southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a scenic mix of lush rainforest and rugged mountains, home to an incredible range of flora and fauna. Rise bright and early this morning and meet your private guide to head up to the Canopy Walkway, a 230ft-high bridge suspended above the treetops. As you wander over the bridge, soak up the valley scenery, keeping your eyes peeled for the primates and birds that hide in the treetops.
After a tasty breakfast and a few hours at leisure, dive into even more wildlife watching as you venture out to spot some of the park’s chimpanzees. Nyungwe might be known for its monkeys, including owl-faced and colobus monkeys, but chimpanzees are the real stars of the show, so follow in the footsteps of an expert ranger to (hopefully) spot some of these majestic primates.
This morning, wave goodbye to Nyungwe Forest as you meet your private driver and set the sat nav for Kibuye, a two-hour drive north. When you arrive, check into your hotel for the night and spend some time settling in, perhaps with a tasty lunch on the terrace or a dip in the pool.
Come evening, enjoy a serene cruise across Lake Kivu, a vast lake backdropped by the Virunga mountains. Along the way, pass native fishermen sailing home and endemic birds swooping along the banks before stopping for an aperitif on a secluded island, watching the sun set over the sparkling water. Cheers to that…
After one last breakfast overlooking the lake, it’s back in the car for the three-and-a-half-hour private transfer to Volcanoes National Park. When you arrive, check in for two nights in a beautiful lodge overlooking the park, then spend a few hours unpacking and settling into your new home away from home.
This afternoon, head out with a knowledgeable ranger to learn all about the park. Set across a dramatic chain of volcanoes rising up to a whopping 15,000ft above sea level, Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s most iconic protected areas, made famous by primatologist Dian Fossey’s pioneering gorilla conservation work. During your time with the ranger, they’ll fill you in on the history of the park, along with ongoing efforts to protect its beloved gorillas.
Yesterday was all about learning about the park’s gorillas; today’s about coming up close and personal with them. After a fuelling breakfast, head out with an expert guide to hike through the jungle, tracking these gentle giants. Mountain gorillas tend to stay on the move in order to find food, but don’t worry: your rangers are familiar with their habits and routes, so with any luck, you’ll come across a family of gorillas tucking into their midday snack.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing before enjoying a delicious sundowner overlooking the mountains, toasting to an incredible week in the jungle.
It’s sadly time to begin your journey home. Bid a fond farewell to Volcanoes National Park and hop in the car for the two-hour-and-45-minute private transfer back to Kigali, where you can drop your bags in a room for the day and head out for a final afternoon of exploring.
After a tasty lunch, meet a local guide for a tour of the Kimironko market, one of the liveliest in the capital. Stroll along rows of stalls piled high with fresh fruits, artisan crafts and colourful fabrics, pausing to chat to the local seamstresses, who specialise in making tailor-made outfits in less than an hour. Talk about a perfect souvenir…
Come evening, collect your bags for the private transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. You’ll be in the air for ten hours and will touch down the next morning, ready to craft an epic holiday photo album.
Why visit Rwanda with Original Travel ?
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.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Rwanda
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
