10-Day Best of Rwanda Mid-Range Tour

Experience the magic of Rwanda on a 10-day journey that includes exhilarating wildlife encounters with captivating cultural experiences. Your adventure begins in the vibrant city of Kigali, where you’ll be warmly welcomed before setting out on a scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park. Here, explore the lush rainforest, home to diverse primate species, including the playful golden monkeys and the elusive chimpanzees. Each day reveals new wonders, from thrilling canopy walks and serene boat rides on Lake Kivu to exploring the picturesque twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo.

The highlight of your trip awaits with a heart-pounding gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. Stand in awe as you come face-to-face with these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Throughout your journey, engage with Rwanda’s vibrant culture through visits to traditional villages, local markets, and historical sites. Wrap up your adventure with a tour of Kigali, discovering the city’s charm and history before heading home. This tour promises an ideal blend of excitement, relaxation, and cultural discovery, making it the perfect choice for an extraordinary Rwandan experience.

Our 10-day itinerary for this Rwanda tour is an example and fully customisable. Contact us(opens in a new tab) directly if you are interested in a personalised Rwanda Safari or other East Africa tour packages(opens in a new tab).

All of our tours can be personalised. For most safari itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid-range or budget versions upon request. To find out more, contact us directly(opens in a new tab).

Prices indicated are per person (p/p).

Additional Pricing

Optional:

• Visit the Batwa: $80 per person
• Waterfall hike: $100 per person

Day 1: Arrival – Kigali International Airport

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure, preparing for the adventure ahead. Accommodation for the night is at Lemigo Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, depart for Nyungwe National Park, a journey of approximately six and a half hours. Along the way, visit the National Museum at Butare and the ancient King’s Palace at Nyanza, both offering deep insight into Rwanda’s rich heritage and culture. Following lunch in Butare, continue to Nyungwe, arriving at Nyungwe Top View Hotel for dinner and overnight on a full board basis.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nature Walk

Begin the day with an early breakfast and transfer to the park for chimpanzee trekking. Nyungwe National Park is East Africa’s largest montane forest, home to Rwanda’s endangered chimpanzee population. The trek may last several hours, and while wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, the expert rangers will track the chimps to provide the best possible experience. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch before setting out on a guided nature walk to Kamiranzovu Waterfall, where you can enjoy the park’s rich biodiversity, including over 200 tree species, 280 bird species, and vibrant butterflies. Overnight remains at Nyungwe Top View Hotel on a full board basis.

Day 4: Colobus Monkey Trekking and Canopy Walk

After breakfast, return to Nyungwe National Park for Colobus Monkey trekking. The Ruwenzori Colobus is a distinctive primate with black fur and striking white whiskers, shoulders, and tail tip. Following the morning trek, enjoy the canopy walk, 50 meters above the forest floor and 150 meters long, providing an unparalleled perspective of the forest and the arboreal wildlife inhabiting its upper layers. Return to Nyungwe Top View Hotel for dinner and overnight on a full board basis.

Day 5: Nyungwe to Kibuye (Lake Kivu)

Depart Nyungwe after breakfast and drive approximately three hours to Kibuye on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most scenic inland lakes. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at Moriah Hills Resort, followed by a boat trip to Amahoro Island, also known as One Bar Island, home to a colony of fruit bats. The island’s volcanic scenery and deeply incised creeks provide excellent photography opportunities. Dinner and overnight are at Moriah Hills Resort on a full board basis.

Day 6: Kibuye to Gisenyi

After breakfast, continue the scenic journey to Gisenyi, Rwanda’s largest port on Lake Kivu. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at your hotel and take time to swim in the lake, explore the town, visit local markets, or enjoy a boat ride to one of the nearby islands. Dinner and overnight are at Paradise Malahide Hotel on a full board basis.

Day 7: Gisenyi to Ruhengeri

Depart Gisenyi after breakfast and visit the Imbabazi Orphanage, founded by Rosamond Carr, where you can enjoy local entertainment and learn about the orphanage’s history. Continue to Ruhengeri, set against the backdrop of the Virunga volcanoes. After lunch, explore the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo at the base of Muhabura Volcano, taking in the spectacular scenery and capturing perfect photographs. Overnight is at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 8: Gorilla Tracking

Rise early for breakfast and transfer to the ranger station for registration and a briefing before beginning your gorilla trek. The trek may take between three to six hours, traversing fields, gentle slopes, and bamboo forest. Under the guidance of experienced rangers, you will observe a habituated gorilla family up close for one hour. This encounter is unforgettable, offering insight into gorilla behavior and social structures. In the afternoon, rest at the lodge or enjoy optional village walks, market visits, or a visit to the grave of Dian Fossey. Overnight remains at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking and Intercultural Exchange

After breakfast, head into Volcanoes National Park for Golden Monkey trekking, observing these habituated primates as they leap through bamboo groves. In the afternoon, engage with local communities at Iby’iwacu Cultural Village or participate in basket weaving, traditional dance, or banana beer brewing demonstrations, contributing directly to local livelihoods. Return to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for dinner and overnight on a full board basis.

Day 10: Kigali City Tour and Departure

Following breakfast, transfer to Kigali for a two-hour drive. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a guided city tour, including the craft markets, Kigali Genocide Memorial, and Kigali Museum. This is an opportunity for last-minute souvenir shopping before your departure, marking the conclusion of an immersive and unforgettable journey through Rwanda.

1. Prices are valid for 2026 & 2027.
2. The itinerary mentioned for this tour is an example which can be tailored to your wishes.
3. The Gorilla Tracking included in this safari depends on the availability of gorilla trekking permits at the time of booking. These permits are strictly limited and sold out in advance, especially during peak seasons of Christmas and school holidays. We therefore strongly recommend booking early.
4. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this programme. For most itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid-range or budget versions of this safari upon request.
5. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.
6. By booking this safari, the client accepts Manya Africa Tours Terms and Conditions(opens in a new tab) of business.