Rwanda’s Gorillas & Lakes

7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

Safari Overview

This six-day itinerary introduces you to some of the most beautiful areas in Rwanda and allows you to be privy to one of the world’s most profound wildlife encounters.

Start your adventure at a luxurious hotel set along one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards. Kigali Serena Hotel’s relaxed and welcoming atmosphere will provide a wonderful introduction to Rwanda, before you head out for a guided city tour of the capital city. Here, you’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant place of remembrance and learning.

Next stop is Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, located in the foothills of one of the volcanic mountains that make up the Virunga Massif and a ten-minute drive to the main entrance of the Volcanoes National Park. Home to about half of the mountain gorillas left on Earth, Volcanoes is a sanctuary in which you’re able to spend time with these critically endangered primates. This gorilla safari in Rwanda gives you the rare privilege of observing the everyday interactions of these vulnerable gorillas – arguably one of Africa’s most soul-stirring wildlife experiences.

Crown your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking trip with some fabulous R&R at a luxurious hotel situated on the shores of Lake Kivu. A destination of astonishing beauty where the sparkling waters of Africa’s sixth largest lake meet pristine beaches flanked by swaying palm trees.

Highlights

Guided city tour of Kigali
Spend time with endangered gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Stay at a luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Kivu
Activities like boat cruises, kayaking and mountain biking
Comfortable road transfers through Rwanda’s picturesque landscapes

Day to Day Itinerary

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
Single supplements may apply.
Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.

Price from

$1850

Per Person Sharing

Plan Your Next Adventure!

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After landing at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide who will transfer you to Kigali Serena Hotel. Located in a secure neighbourhood just a five-minute walk from the city centre, Serena’s design seamlessly blends contemporary five-star comfort with rich Rwandan heritage, art and culture. Spend the day at leisure to prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure.

After breakfast the next morning, you’ll embark on a guided city tour of Kigali and visit the Genocide Memorial for a sense of Rwanda’s turbulent history, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You will then be transferred north, making your way through beautiful, terraced hillsides as you gradually ascend the base of the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes. You’ll arrive at and check in to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, located in the foothills of a volcanic mountain and a short drive from the main entrance of Volcanoes National Park.

The next morning, you’ll be guided by an experienced gorilla tracker through the Volcanoes National Park’s towering trees and weaving vines to experience a soul-stirring, face-to-face encounter with one of mankind’s closest living relatives. You’ll spend an enchanting hour with a gorilla family, quietly observing their social dynamics as they go about their daily business. Young gorillas rough and tumble like wrestlers, maternal females gather in grooming groups, while the patriarchal silverback keeps a protective eye on the surroundings.

Back at the lodge, you’ll enjoy a delicious late lunch while reflecting on your magical wildlife experience. Africa’s great apes survive in what remains of their natural habitat, in the last protected stretches of the continent’s central rainforests and gorilla parks. Spending time with gorillas in the wild is not only a rare privilege, but by far the most transformative and up-close wildlife experience on the planet.

The next morning, you may have the option to go on another gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. After your excursion you’ll enjoy lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, freshen up and take a very scenic drive to Gisenyi, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Kivu. One of the biggest freshwater lakes in Rwanda, Lake Kivu lies in the Albertine Rift (part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley) and has a secluded inland beach lined with undulating palm trees, harboured by green terraced hills.

Check into Lake Kivu Serena Hotel where you’ll be greeted by a bright lobby that opens onto a private beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Lake Kivu Serena will embrace you with unparalleled warmth, hospitality and a level of relaxation that might make tempt you to stay in Rwanda. Spend your time exploring the area on guided tours, mountain biking trails, boat rides, jet skiing and kayaking excursions on the lake, or taking a short drive to rejuvenating volcanic hot springs. Friendly and attentive service will complement the delicious cuisine offered by the hotel in a variety of settings – from Kiyaga Restaurant with its gorgeous lake views to beachfront cocktails and snacks at Ziwani Café.

After breakfast on your last day, you will be transferred back to Kigali International Airport for your flight to your next destination.