7-Day Ultimate Guardians of the Wild Rwanda & Uganda

Arrival In Kigali, Karibu Rwanda & Kigali City tour

Day 1Arrival In Kigali, Karibu Rwanda & Kigali City tour Arrival In Kigali, Karibu Rwanda & Kigali City tour Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide from Nyumbu Beyond Journeys. After a short briefing on your upcoming adventure through Rwanda and Uganda, you will be transferred to your hotel, the iconic Hotel des Mille Collines, a landmark of Kigali’s rich history and hospitality. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and a leisurely afternoon to settle in. Later, we embark on a guided Kigali City Tour, exploring the capital’s vibrant streets, cultural highlights, and key landmarks. A moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers a chance to reflect on Rwanda’s resilience and transformation, while other sites provide insight into the city’s history and modern growth. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the journey ahead. Main Destination: Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali, Rwanda) Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines Luxury hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda) +6 Photos +5 Photos Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Akagera National Park, Guided game drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema

Day 2Transfer to Akagera National Park, Guided game drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema Transfer to Akagera National Park, Guided game drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema After breakfast at your hotel, meet your safari guide and begin your scenic drive eastwards to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. On arrival, enter the park and enjoy a leisurely guided game drive, exploring the sweeping savannah plains, acacia woodlands, and rolling hills. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, antelopes, zebras, and, with some luck, lions and leopards. In the late afternoon, head to Lake Ihema for a tranquil sunset boat cruise. Glide across the water as hippos and crocodiles bask along the shores, while flocks of water birds paint the skies. The golden light of dusk over the lake creates a perfect close to your first safari day. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the wilderness of Akagera. Main Destination: Akagera National Park (Rwanda) Best Time To Visit June to September and mid-December to mid-February (It is drier and wildlife is easier to spot) High Season June to September (The park is busiest at weekends) Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot) Wildlife in Akagera NP GiraffeCommon BuffaloAbundant ZebraAbundant HippoAbundant White RhinoOccasional LionOccasional Show more ElephantOccasional Black RhinoRare LeopardRare HyenaRare CheetahNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lod

Hot Air Balloon Safari & Guided Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Day 3Hot Air Balloon Safari & Guided Game Drive in Akagera National Park Hot Air Balloon Safari & Guided Game Drive in Akagera National Park Rise early this morning for an unforgettable hot air balloon safari over Akagera National Park. As the sun rises, soar silently above the vast savannah, witnessing herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and antelope from a breathtaking aerial perspective. The golden hues of dawn over the park’s rolling landscapes and lakes create an incredible photographic opportunity and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. After your balloon safari, enjoy a hearty bush breakfast before continuing the adventure with a guided game drive through the park. Explore different habitats in search of predators such as lions, hyenas, and leopards, as well as the rich diversity of plains game and birdlife that thrive in this unique ecosystem. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay in the heart of Akagera. Main Destination: Akagera National Park (Rwanda) Accommodation: Karenge Bush Camp Mid-range tented camp located inside Akagera NP (Rwanda) +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Akagera National Park – Scenic Transfer via Game Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Day 4Akagera National Park – Scenic Transfer via Game Drive to Volcanoes National Park Akagera National Park – Scenic Transfer via Game Drive to Volcanoes National Park After an early breakfast, embark on a final morning game drive, watching as the savannah awakens with grazing herds, soaring raptors, and perhaps one last sighting of predators on the move. Exit the park and begin your scenic transfer northwest across Rwanda’s legendary hills. Along the journey, enjoy a stop at a local coffee plantation to learn about Rwanda’s world-class coffee. Take part in the hands-on experience of harvesting, roasting. Continue the drive toward Musanze, where you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, a vibrant community project showcasing Rwanda’s traditions, music, dance, and storytelling. This encounter offers a chance to connect with local people, gain insight into Rwanda’s heritage, and contribute to community conservation efforts. Arrive in Musanze by late afternoon and settle into your lodge on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, where you will receive a briefing and prepare for the unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure tomorrow. Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier) High Season June to September (Permits are scarce) Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot) Wildlife in Volcanoes NP GorillaCommon ChimpanzeeNone ElephantRare BuffaloRare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone Show more Gi

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Visit the Dian Fossey DeGeneres Gorilla Fund

Day 5Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Visit the Dian Fossey DeGeneres Gorilla Fund Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Visit the Dian Fossey DeGeneres Gorilla Fund This morning, rise early and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers on gorilla trekking etiquette and the families you may encounter. With your ranger guide, venture into the misty forested slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes in search of a mountain gorilla family. The trek can take from 2–6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas, but the reward is extraordinary—standing face to face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watching their interactions, from playful juveniles to the commanding presence of a silverback, is one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth. After your trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Here, you’ll gain deeper insight into gorilla conservation, research, and community engagement efforts inspired by Dian Fossey’s legacy. Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi Lodge Luxury lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 6Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest After an early breakfast, head once again to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before setting out on a trek to encounter the endangered Golden Monkeys. These playful and brightly-colored primates are found only in the Virunga Mountains, making this a truly unique wildlife experience. Watch them leap gracefully through the bamboo forests, feeding and socializing in lively troops. After the trek, return to your lodge for an early lunch before beginning your scenic cross-border transfer into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The journey takes you through breathtaking landscapes of terraced hills and rural villages, offering a glimpse into the heart of Africa’s Great Lakes region. Arrive at your Bwindi lodge in the late afternoon and take the rest of the day at leisure—relaxing, enjoying the serene rainforest surroundings, and preparing for the next day’s gorilla adventure. Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas, Uganda) without fences +13 Photos +12 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable & Transfer to Kigali

Day 7Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable & Transfer to Kigali Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable & Transfer to Kigali Wake up early for a hearty breakfast before heading to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking procedures and park etiquette. Accompanied by experienced rangers, set out on a trek through the dense rainforest, navigating steep slopes and lush vegetation in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. The trek may be demanding, but the reward is profound—an intimate hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch as they forage, groom one another, and play, all under the watchful gaze of a mighty silverback. After your trek, return to the lodge for a quick freshen-up and lunch before beginning your scenic transfer back to Kigali, Rwanda. Arrive in Kigali later in the evening and transfer directly to Kigali International Airport to connect with your outbound flight, marking the conclusion of your 7-day Uganda–Rwanda Safari filled with wildlife, culture, and unforgettable memories. Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest) High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce) Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall) Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP GorillaCommon ChimpanzeeRare ElephantRare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone