7-Day Best of Rwanda Tour

Experience Rwanda like never before on this seven-day journey that combines the excitement of wildlife encounters with the rich cultural heritage of this remarkable country. From the vibrant streets of Kigali to the serene shores of Lake Kivu, and into the lush forests of Nyungwe and the striking Virunga mountains, each day offers a new adventure and a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s unique charm.

Whether you’re trekking through misty forests to meet the majestic mountain gorillas or exploring scenic lakes and lively towns, this tour invites you to connect with the soul of Rwanda. Discover the stories, landscapes, and people that make this destination truly unforgettable. In case you’re looking for a more extensive exploration of Rwanda, our 10-Day Best of Rwanda Tour(opens in a new tab) could be the ideal option for you!

Our 7-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: Arrive Kigali International Airport
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your driver/guide and be
transferred to your hotel in Kigali.

Driving distance: 15 minutes.
Overnight at Heaven Boutique Hotel (B&B).

Day 2: Depart for Nyungwe National Park
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off on a scenic 6 ½ hour drive to Nyungwe National Park. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to explore some of Rwanda’s most significant cultural sites.

Your first stop is the National Museum at Butare, an insightful institution donated by the Belgian government in 1989. The museum was developed in collaboration with the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium and offers a fascinating look into Rwanda’s cultural heritage. Exhibits showcase ethnographic collections, traditional ceramics, and basketry, which are among the finest handicrafts of the region. Remarkably, the museum remained untouched during the 1994 civil war.

After a leisurely lunch in Butare, continue your journey to Nyungwe National Park. You’ll arrive in time for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel.

Driving distance: 6 ½ hours.
Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel (FB)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nature Walk
Begin your day with an early breakfast before setting off for an exciting chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park. Your hotel will provide a packed lunch for the journey. Nyungwe, the largest block of montane forest in East and Central Africa, is a biodiversity hotspot. The park is home to a variety of species, including the endangered chimpanzee population of around 400 individuals. While the thrill of spotting these incredible creatures is undeniable, it’s important to note that sightings aren’t guaranteed due to their unpredictable movements. However, the rangers will do everything possible to locate them, keeping in constant radio contact to monitor their whereabouts.

After your trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a nature walk through the lush forest, where you’ll visit the picturesque Kamiranzovu Waterfall. Nyungwe’s forest is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting over 200 tree species, more than 280 bird species, and over 100 types of colourful butterflies, making it a true feast for the senses. Conclude your day with dinner and an overnight stay at Nyungwe Top View Lodge.

Driving distance: approximately 50 km.
Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel (FB).

Day 4: Depart for Gisenyi and Lake Kivu
After breakfast, continue your journey to Gisenyi, Rwanda’s largest port on the shores of Lake Kivu. You’ll arrive in time to check in and enjoy lunch at your hotel.

In the afternoon, you have the option to swim in Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes, which straddles the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Spend the day exploring this vibrant port city. Your guide will be delighted to share insights as you take in the sights. You can also enjoy a boat ride to one of the islands in Lake Kivu (included) or explore the town at your leisure, soaking up the local atmosphere at the market or wandering through the leafy streets to admire the old colonial buildings. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at Kivu Lodge.

Driving distance: 3 hours.
Overnight at Kivu Lodge (FB).

Day 5: Depart for Ruhengeri
Your day begins with a departure to Ruhengeri, with a memorable stop at the Imbabazi Orphanage. Founded in 1994 by Rosamond Halsey Carr (1912-2006), the orphanage has been a sanctuary for over 400 children, although it has since closed. Roz’s remarkable life and love for Rwanda are beautifully captured in her book Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda, co-authored with her niece, Ann Howard Halsey. Roz was also honoured with the Volvo for Life Award in 2004, and a film about her life is currently in production. During your visit, you can stroll through the homestead, admiring the flowers she planted, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while watching local dancers perform traditional entertainment.

Afterward, continue your journey to the Ruhengeri area, Rwanda’s second-largest town, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Virunga volcanic mountains. You’ll arrive in time for check-in and lunch.

In the afternoon, drive to the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, located at the base of the Muhabura volcano near the Ugandan border. These lakes are surrounded by steep hills and framed by the majestic Virunga mountains. The deep blue waters, steep hills, and tall waterfalls create a stunning scene, offering fantastic photo opportunities at the viewpoint.

Driving distance: 15 minutes.
Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB).

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking
You will be up early on the morning of your Gorilla tracking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity. You’ll report for registration at the ranger station by 8 AM. After a briefing by the rangers, your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as adequate walking boots or shoes.

The rangers will guide you through the fields, up the gentle slopes of the volcanoes and into the bamboo forest. The mountain gorillas are under 24 hour monitoring for their own safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.

In part, due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 metres from the gorillas.

Once you have located the gorilla family, you will be asked to leave all your belongings to one side, and approach the gentle giants with just your camera. The guides will interpret the animals’ behaviour for you. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen feeding, playing, interacting with each other, or just sleeping! You will never forget your encounter with the gorillas. They will be quite curious to see you! You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base.

Tracking the mountain gorillas is a physically demanding experience. In the afternoon, you may want to rest, or you may wish to go on a village walk, visit the local market or visit the grave of famous primatologist Dian Fossey of “Gorillas in the Mist” fame who studied the gorillas of this area.

In the afternoon, optional activities may be a visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village to watch a cultural dance, meet a local medicine man, or even discover the house of a local king. These cultural activities are popular with visitors and offer alternative incomes to reformed poachers. Another option is to take a trip to the local brewers to understand the chemical process behind brewing local beer from bananas. Just for fun, you can even join the women in squeezing the juice out of the bananas and get a taste for yourself. Other activities you may learn about are basket weaving, an important cultural activity in Rwanda. Through your visits and the activities you participate in, you’ll help support the local community financially.

Driving distance: 15 minutes.
Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB).

Day 7: City Tour and Shopping + Depart
After breakfast, your driver will collect you for the two-hour drive to Kigali. Depending on the time of your flight, you may have a chance for a complementary city tour of one of Africa’s most well-run and friendly capital cities. Interesting optional spots to visit may include the craft market, Gisozi genocide memorial site and Kigali museum. You will have a chance to do some last-minute souvenir shopping here or at the airport before your flight back home.

A dayroom at Kigali Serena can be provided upon request.

Driving distance: 2 Hours.
Meal Plan: BB.

1. Prices are valid for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
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 travellers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavour 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, organisational 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.