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7 Day Rwanda Safari Highlights

Experience Rwanda's top wildlife and cultural highlights in comfort and style.

7 Days / 6 Nights | From $9,500

7-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Cultural Immersion

Embark on an extraordinary 7-day journey through Rwanda's most spectacular natural and cultural destinations. This extended experience takes you from the vibrant capital of Kigali to the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, the serene shores of Lake Kivu, and the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe, offering comprehensive primate encounters and deep cultural immersion.

Experience the emotional highlight of mountain gorilla trekking with extended learning opportunities, encounter rich cultural traditions at Iby'Iwacu village, relax on the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu, explore tea plantations, and track chimpanzees through dense rainforest with Nyungwe's spectacular canopy walkway experience.

Our expert guides will provide in-depth knowledge of Rwanda's conservation success stories, community development initiatives, and cultural heritage. This extended itinerary allows for a more relaxed pace with additional cultural interactions and learning opportunities beyond the standard primate experiences.

Perfect for travelers seeking a comprehensive Rwanda experience that balances intense wildlife encounters with meaningful cultural exchanges and relaxation time. This journey offers deep insights into Rwanda's remarkable transformation and conservation achievements.

Detailed 7-Day Rwanda Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Kigali Orientation & Evening Briefing

Distance / Travel time: 10–15 km / 20–45 mins

Arrival and transfer to hotel. Evening welcome briefing with your lead guide covering permits, medical considerations, recommended clothing, and a detailed itinerary handout. Optional sunset viewpoint visit.

What to expect: A gentle city introduction to Rwanda and an opportunity to purchase any last-minute supplies (gaiters, gloves, small backpacks).

Weather & Geography: Kigali: temperate, often dry between June–September; wetter in March–May and October–November.

Activity Difficulty: Low

Meals: Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Hotel Des Mille Collines

Hotel Des Mille Collines

Mid-Range • Historic hotel with city views

Kigali Serena Hotel

Kigali Serena Hotel

Luxury • Premium city accommodation

The Retreat by Heaven

The Retreat by Heaven

High-End • Ultra-luxury boutique experience

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes NP & Iby'Iwacu Cultural Experience

Distance / Travel time: 100–115 km / 2.5–3.5 hrs

Drive north to Musanze. Afternoon visit to Iby'Iwacu cultural village for Batwa storytelling, traditional medicine demonstrations, and basket weaving workshops. Evening conservation talk and optional short night walk near the lodge.

What to expect: The cultural model links heritage preservation to tourism revenue; guests meet artisans and learn how community projects are supported.

Weather & Geography: Cool mountain climate; mornings misty and evenings cold.

Activity Difficulty: Low to Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-Range • Comfortable volcano views

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Luxury • Premium gorilla trekking base

Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge

High-End • Exclusive eco-luxury experience

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking - Full Immersive Day

Early transfer and ranger briefing. Trek to a gorilla family; once located, enjoy the standard one-hour observation with your guide explaining social structure, diet and behaviors. Post-trek debrief with rangers about conservation programs and community impacts.

What to expect: Beyond the emotional experience, guests will learn about anti-poaching efforts, veterinary interventions (when needed) and how permit revenue supports local schools and health clinics.

Weather & Geography: Expect muddy slopes and dense undergrowth; temperatures cool. Altitude ~2,000–3,000 m.

Activity Difficulty: Strenuous in places (steep ascent/descent)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Gorilla View Lodge

Gorilla View Lodge

Mid-Range • Comfortable post-trekking accommodation

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Luxury • Premium mountain accommodation

Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge

High-End • Exclusive eco-luxury experience

Day 4: Volcanoes to Lake Kivu - Rest & Lakeside Activities

Distance / Travel time: 60–90 km / 1.5–3 hrs

Transfer to Lake Kivu for relaxation. Afternoon boat cruise to small islands, visit local fishing communities, or simply relax at the lodge. Photography focus on golden-hour lake panoramas and waterbirding.

What to expect: Lake Kivu's shoreline villages are picturesque and offer cultural exchange opportunities with fisher families who use traditional methods.

Weather & Geography: Warmer and breezy; 20–28°C

Activity Difficulty: Low

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Inn on the Lake

Inn on the Lake

Mid-Range • Lakeside comfort

Cleo Kivu

Cleo Kivu

High-End • Premium lakeside retreat

Day 5: Lake Kivu to Nyungwe - Scenic Transfer & Tea Estate Visit

Distance / Travel time: 120–160 km / 3–4 hrs

Morning at leisure, then transfer to Nyungwe with stop at a tea plantation for a guided tour explaining tea plucking and processing. Evening rest at the lodge with optional night walk to see nocturnal species.

What to expect: Tea estates are visually striking and important to Rwanda's export economy; visiting provides insight into rural livelihoods.

Weather & Geography: Humidity rises as you enter montane rainforest zones

Activity Difficulty: Low to Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Mid-Range • Scenic forest accommodation

One&Only Nyungwe House

One&Only Nyungwe House

High-End • Premium rainforest retreat

Day 6: Nyungwe - Canopy Walk & Chimpanzee Trekking

Early after your breakfast you will head for chimps tracking led by experienced trackers, followed by pre-dawn canopy walk immersed in the upper forest strata for birding and forest perspective.

What to expect: Nyungwe's primate community is rich — expect to see chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys and a dazzling array of birds. The canopy walk offers photographic angles and a sense of scale of the rainforest.

Weather & Geography: Humid, often wet; sturdy waterproof footwear recommended

Activity Difficulty: Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Accommodation Options

Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Mid-Range • Scenic forest accommodation

One&Only Nyungwe House

One&Only Nyungwe House

High-End • Premium rainforest retreat

Day 7: Nyungwe - Return to Kigali

Distance / Travel time: Nyungwe to Kigali ~4–5 hrs

Returning head back to Kigali for flight back home. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your comprehensive 7-day Rwanda experience.

End of Tour

Your unforgettable 7-day Rwanda gorilla and cultural immersion concludes, filled with memories of incredible primate encounters, deep cultural insights, and breathtaking landscapes across this remarkable country.

Price Inclusions & Exclusions

check_circle What's Included

  • All park entrance fees as specified
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee permits (one per person)
  • Accommodation as specified by category (High-End, Luxury, Mid-Range)
  • All meals as listed in each day of the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide, local park guides and trackers during treks
  • All ground transport in a comfortable, safari-equipped 4x4 vehicle with fuel and driver
  • Bottled water during drives and guided activities
  • Lake Kivu boat cruise and tea plantation visit
  • Iby'Iwacu cultural village experience
  • Nyungwe Forest canopy walk
  • Pre-departure documentation and permit handling support

cancel What's Not Included

  • International flights to/from Rwanda
  • Rwanda entry visa (payable on arrival for many nationalities or eVisa)
  • Travel, medical and evacuation insurance (mandatory for trekking)
  • Personal items, laundry, telephone calls and alcoholic beverages unless specified
  • Tips/gratuities for guides, lodge staff, porters and drivers (suggest 10–15% depending on service)
  • Any optional activities not explicitly included in the itinerary
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary

Detailed Pricing - 7-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Cultural Experience

All-inclusive package prices per person (including permits)

Accommodation Level Price Per Person Gorilla Permit Included
Mid-Range $6,800 Yes ($1,500 value)
Luxury $9,500 Yes ($1,500 value)
High-End $12,800 Yes ($1,500 value)
Mid-Range $6,200 Yes ($1,500 value)
Luxury $8,800 Yes ($1,500 value)
High-End $11,900 Yes ($1,500 value)

Experience Highlights

Gorilla Trekking

Full day immersive experience with conservation learning

Cultural Immersion

Iby'Iwacu village, tea plantation, and local communities

Lake Kivu Relaxation

Boat cruise and lakeside activities included

High Season: June - September & December - February (Best trekking conditions, cooler temperatures)
Low Season: March - May & October - November (Lush landscapes, fewer visitors, occasional showers)

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