Overview
One of the reasons we love Rwanda so much… it’s small enough that you really can experience the whole country in two weeks. You’ll explore almost every one of the 1,000 hills that Rwanda is famous for as this trip takes you from Kigali to Nyungwe, via Akagera, Musanze, Lake Kivu, and more! Start with a deep dive into Rwanda’s powerful history at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, before exploring Kigali’s vibrant culture, including a visit to the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, a community hub empowering local women.
From there, you’ll head to Akagera National Park for a classic safari experience, tracking (and hopefully spotting) the Big Five while soaking in the beauty of this conservation success story. Then comes the big one… Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll trek through the forest for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas.
The adventure continues as you kayak on Lake Kivu, hike through tea plantations, track Rwanda’s noisiest natives—the chimpanzees—and dive into the rich culture with visits to traditional villages and the King’s Palace in Nyanza.
Whether it’s wildlife encounters, cultural insights, or exploring the country’s diverse landscapes (or sipping fresh milk from one of Kigali’s popular milk bars!), this trip offers a full, immersive Rwandan adventure—covering all the highlights while connecting you with the people and places that make Rwanda truly unique.
What's Included?
- Airport Transfers & Private Local Transport
- Expert Local Guides
- 13 Nights Accommodation in Hotels & Lodges
- Daily Breakfast, 3 Lunches & 3 Dinners
- Park Fees & Permits
- Safari in Akagera National Park
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
- Kayaking on Lake Kivu
- Kigali City Tour & Genocide Memorial Visit
- Nyamirambo Women’s Centre Community Tour
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Soft Drinks, Alcohol or Drinking Water
- Tips for Guides
- Personal Equipment & Clothing
- Souvenirs
Trip Highlights
- Kigali & Genocide Memorial: A powerful start that helps you understand Rwanda’s history and the resilience of its people.
- Akagera National Park: One of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories. Spot the Big Five, enjoy boat safaris, and see firsthand the results of dedicated conservation efforts.
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: A once-in-a-lifetime experience trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat—an unforgettable moment.
- Lake Kivu Kayaking & Islands: Paddle across the serene waters of Lake Kivu, visit picturesque islands, and relax at local hot springs.
- Nyungwe Canopy Walk & Chimpanzee Trekking: Explore one of Africa’s last remaining rainforests from above and trek through the jungle to encounter chimps in their natural habitat.
- Nyamirambo Women’s Centre: Meet and support local women, explore their community, and shop for handmade crafts that support literacy and empowerment initiatives.
Daily Itinerary
As you descend into Kigali, you'll understand why Rwanda is called the "Land of a Thousand Hills." Settle into your hotel and meet your guide over a welcome dinner at a local Rwandan restaurant. Get ready for the adventure ahead!
Meals Included: Dinner
Start with a visit to the Genocide Memorial—a powerful and sombre reminder of the past, before heading to Kandt House Museum. Afterwards, explore the vibrant Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, a community project that supports local women through sewing and literacy programs. Don't forget to shop for handmade crafts! All profits go back into the local community. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Akagera is one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories. Once devastated by poaching, it’s now thriving with wildlife, including the Big Five. Enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birdlife. It’s an inspiring reminder of what conservation efforts can achieve! Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Set off early for a full-day game drive in Akagera, where you’ll see lions, elephants, giraffes, and more. Thanks to dedicated conservation work, Akagera has made a remarkable comeback, and you’ll get to witness the fruits of these efforts as you explore its diverse landscapes. Keep your camera handy—there’s always something incredible around the corner. Spend the night at a bush camp! Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After one last morning game drive, head to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. In the afternoon, visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll meet former poachers who’ve turned into conservation advocates. It’s an inspiring example of how communities can transform their lives by embracing conservation. You’ll get to enjoy traditional Rwandan dancing and even try your hand at some local crafts. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
This is the day you’ve been waiting for: gorilla trekking in the misty mountains of Volcanoes National Park! After a briefing, you'll hike through the jungle to find a family of mountain gorillas. Spend an unforgettable hour observing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat—it's a truly magical experience that will stay with you forever. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Head to Lake Kivu, a stunning freshwater lake on Rwanda’s western border. The afternoon is all about relaxation—take a boat ride across the calm waters, visit some local islands, and enjoy the spectacular sunset over the lake. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the fishermen singing as they set out for their night on the water. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Head out on a scenic hike through Rwanda’s rolling hills to Bigogwe. You’ll learn about traditional cattle farming and even have a go at milking the cows. It’s a great chance to meet local farmers and experience the simple beauty of life in rural Rwanda. The views of the Virunga Volcanoes in the distance make this an unforgettable day. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Paddle across the serene waters of Lake Kivu on a kayaking adventure. Explore hidden bays, visit local fishing villages, and relax at the hot springs. It’s a peaceful day that gives you a chance to unwind and enjoy the stunning scenery. Don’t forget your swimsuit—there’s nothing like a refreshing dip in the lake after a long paddle! Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Set out on a boat ride to explore Lake Kivu’s picturesque islands. Napoleon Island is home to a colony of fruit bats, and the views from the top are breathtaking. In the afternoon, witness a unique Rwandan tradition—cows swimming! It’s a fun, local spectacle you won’t want to miss. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Experience Nyungwe Forest from above on a canopy walk through the treetops. As you stroll along the bridges, you’ll have the chance to spot primates, birds, and some of the rare flora that makes this forest so special. It’s an exhilarating way to get a bird’s-eye view of one of Africa’s last remaining rainforests. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Rise early for a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe, one of Africa’s best-preserved rainforests. As you trek through the jungle, you’ll encounter chimpanzees and other primates swinging through the trees above you. It’s an action-packed morning, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Learn about Rwanda’s royal history at the King’s Palace in Nyanza. You’ll hear fascinating stories about Rwanda’s past, including the royal cows, which are serenaded by their keepers with traditional songs. Wrap up the day with a visit to the National Museum of Rwanda for a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and history. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
It’s time to say goodbye to Rwanda, but the memories of this incredible adventure will stay with you long after you leave. Your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Meals Included: Breakfast
Where We'll Stay
We’ve taken on the tough task of staying at some of the best hotels and guesthouses around the world to hand-pick those that we think you’ll love. For this trip, you’ll experience a mix of accommodation styles, from charming city hotels to immersive bush camps and lakeside lodges.
In Kigali, you’ll enjoy comfortable stays at well-known hotels that offer modern amenities and a great base to explore the city. As we venture into the wilderness, you’ll stay in a Bush Camp, a simple yet cozy spot that puts you in the heart of Akagera National Park for an authentic safari experience.
Along Lake Kivu, expect stunning lakeside views from boutique hotels where you can unwind after days of adventure. In Nyungwe, you’ll settle into accommodations surrounded by nature, offering tranquil spots to recharge before your next adventure,
While we can’t guarantee the exact accommodations for each night, rest assured that every place we stay will be clean, welcoming, and filled with the charm of Rwanda’s unique hospitality.
Like the sound of this trip, have a question or want to check something before you book? Maybe even have a great idea to customise this itinerary? Get in touch and start your adventure!
Interactive Route Map
Check out the interactive map of this trip below. You can simply zoom in and have a look at the route.
Or, if you’re wanting to get a feel for the route or to dive into the daily details then click on any of the steps and you’ll be redirected to our Polarsteps page.
What is Polarsteps?
We’ve loaded all of our itineraries onto Polarsteps. It’s an app that can help you plan, track and relive your travels. We’ve used it to display our trips in all their glory but anyone can easily create on-the-go mementos of their adventures.
Carbon Emissions
This trip emits approximately 459 kg of carbon per person. This includes emissions from transport, accommodation, food, activities, and the operations behind the scenes to run the trip.
What does this mean?
This is roughly equivalent to driving a typical petrol car about 1,470 miles.
It’s similar to the carbon emissions from heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for about 21 days during winter.
Our Approach
We are mindful of the environmental impact of travel and are committed to supporting conservation efforts in Rwanda. By choosing this itinerary, you contribute to community projects and wildlife conservation initiatives that aim to preserve the country’s unique natural heritage. This carbon estimate helps you make informed choices about your travel footprint and consider ways to offset it responsibly.
More Information
What's the fitness level required for this trip?
We grade all of our trips to try and make it easy to understand the fitness levels required. These are broad guidelines however so you’re welcome to chat to us about any specific concerns you might have.
You’ll find more information about these levels here and you can find the difficulty rating for this specific trip at the top of the page.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes, it is. We run adventurous trips and it’s mandatory that you have suitable travel insurance in place to cover overseas medical treatment as well as evacuation or repatriation.
We can’t recommend which provider you use but the main things we’d encourage you to look out for is that you’re fully covered for the activities you’re taking part in (i.e., covers you up to the altitude you’ll be trekking at) and that it covers cancellation in the event that illness or other circumstances prevent you from travelling.
How much should I tip in Rwanda?
Tips are not included in any of our trips. They are entirely discretionary but in most cases are expected by the teams that will be looking after you. We know it can be daunting to work out exactly what to give so whilst this guideline hopefully helps, please remember that it’s a completely personal choice and you should feel free to tip more or less based on the quality of service that you receive.
Trekking Guide: $10-20 USD per day
Porters or Support Staff: $5 USD per day
Drivers: $10 USD per day
Again, tipping is not compulsory and please only do so if the service you’ve received warrants it. It’s hugely appreciated and a way for the teams looking after you to supplement their income.
How do I find out which hotels, meals and activities are included?
Unfortunately we can’t provide an exhaustive list of everything included in the ‘What’s Included’ section of this page as we include a whole bunch of stuff on our trips!
If it’s in the itinerary and we’ve not explicitly said that it’s an optional activity, then yes – it’s almost certainly included. If you’re not sure, please ask.
The meals that are included are all listed on the daily itinerary.
For the accommodation, we’ve got a shortlist of properties that we use. You can get a sense of the types of accommodation we use higher up the page in the ‘Where We’ll Stay’ section. We cannot guarantee any specific properties for your trip as it’s based on availability. If you are wanting to specifically request a property then please get in touch as we’re able to customise our trips.
Which airport do I need to fly into and out of for my trip to Rwanda?
Kigali International Airport (KGL) is the only airport for trips starting and finishing in Rwanda.
What are your payment terms and is my booking financially protected?
Yes, absolutely. Here’s a link to where you can read more about how we are an ABTOT member and have an ATOL licence and what this means for your financial protection when booking a trip with us.
Deposits vary from destination to destination and from trip to trip. Generally speaking we require a deposit of 25%. This amount may be higher for certain trips where more services that usual need to be booked and paid for in advance (such as gorilla permits in Rwanda). Deposits are non-refundable.
Balance payments are required up to 70 days prior to travel.
If you need to cancel your booking, the following fees will apply based on the time before your scheduled departure:
- Immediate loss of deposit (25% of total cost) upon cancellation.
- 50% of the total cost if cancelled after the balance is paid and up to 45 days before departure.
- 75% of the total cost if cancelled 30 to 45 days before departure.
- 100% of the total cost if cancelled within 30 days of departure.
These fees compensate for expenses and bookings made on your behalf in anticipation of your trip.
Can I customise this trip in any way?
- adding in extra days or cutting out a day here or there;
- squeezing in other destinations or removing them;
- starting or finishing the trip in a different place;
- staying in a hotel or guesthouse that we don’t list as an option.
What if someone under the minimum age wants to travel?
It might not be an issue. Some destinations such as Rwanda have firm rules in place about how old people should be in order to visit the gorillas. In other destinations it’s more of a guideline.
Please do contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
What information will I receive after I book?
After you book, we’ll get to work confirming that the dates you’ve selected are completely available.
There are extremely rare circumstances that may mean we’re unable to confirm your booking. These circumstances are limited to events beyond our control or not being able to secure the services that you wanted to book.
In the extremely rare event that we’re unable to confirm your booking you will be offered an alternative itinerary or a full refund without any fees. Please do not book any non-changeable travel plans until you receive the confirmation from us. This will be within 72 hours.
A detailed Trip Dossier will then be sent to you after you make your booking. It’ll contain all the information you might need to help you pack and get prepared for your trip, including information on visas, vaccinations, packing and training.
We encourage you to refer to the UK Government’s official travel advisory service when planning your trips. You can find the FCDO advice here.
And when you travel, we work closely with local experts to put together the best itineraries. We’ve worked with them exhaustively to provide safe adventures at great value. They know their destination better than we ever could so you’ll be in good hands! You can read a bit more about why we will only ever have locally-led trips here.
Book Now
Whether you’d like more information about this itinerary or to customise it to exactly what you want to do, drop us a line and let us know your plans!
