7 Days Rwanda & Lake Bunyonyi Safari
This 7 Days safari entails Kigali city tour, golden monkeys trekking, double gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a boat cruise at Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy a city tour in Kigali the capital and gateway to the Republic of Rwanda, have a close encounter with the endangered golden monkeys in Volcanoes National park, go double gorilla trekking in Volcanoes Park Rwanda ending with a boat cruise at Lake Bunyonyi which is the second deepest Lake in Africa. Double gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an opportunity to meet and interact with two different gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park on a single trip. The major destinations on this 7 Days safari are Kigali city, Volcanoes National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi. We shall start and end in Kigali
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival & transfer to the hotel
Day 2: City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National park
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & visit the Guardian Village
Day 4: 1st gorilla trekking
Day 5: 2nd Gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 6: Explore Lake Bunyonyi
Day 7: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & transfer to the hotel
This day is generally for arrival. The driver guide from our company will meet you at the airport, welcome you from Kigali International airport and brief you about the trip. He/she will then transfer you to your hotel in Kigali for an overnight stay. You can do any optional activity in Rwanda if you have time!
Day 2: City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National park
Have a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and go for a city tour in Kigali. Explore all corners of this beautiful small city to visit different destination such as the genocide memorial Centre, Rwanda Arts Museum, Inema Arts Centre, Kigali Convention Centre, Kimironko Market, Camp Kigali Memorial, Nyamirambo Women’s center, Nyamata Church, Caplaki Craft Village and Kadt House museum among others. Have lunch in the city and thereafter dive north westwards to Volcanoes National Park home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The 3 hours drive from Kigali to Volcanoes Park offers you great views of the beautiful countryside with rolling hills, tea plantations, farms and local homesteads.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & visit the Guardian Village
After morning breakfast, you will transfer to the park head quarters for guidelines on golden monkey trekking. Thereafter, hike up into the forest to meet these playful and lively primates. Volcanoes National Park is the only place to see golden monkeys in the whole of Rwanda. Spend an hour with these creatures and enjoy their company. Interestingly, the treks to see golden monkeys are less strenuous compared to gorilla trekking. The allowed time of encounter is strictly an hour fro the time you locate them. In the evening, your driver guide will take you to visit the guardian gorilla village formerly the Iby’iwacu cultural Centre here you will meet and interact with local people of Rwanda. This cultural tour is the best way to learn the unique traditions, norms and customs of Banyarwanda and what makes them different from other people across the world. Enjoy and be part of traditional dances and dongs performed at the scene as form of entertainment welcoming and introducing you to Rwanda!
Day 4: 1st Gorilla trekking
You will do your first gorilla trekking experience today! Wake up very early, have heavy breakfast and transfer to Kinigi Park head quarters of Volcanoes National Park. After registration and pre trekking briefing, transfer to the starting point of your gorilla trek and embark on the adventure. You can either choose a shirt, medium or long gorilla trek based on your fitness and hiking abilities. Hiking up and down hill through bamboo forests to look for gorillas can last for between 2-6 hours with 99% if not a 100% guarantee of meeting these endangered primates. The armed park ranger guide will lead you through the jungle ensuring you are safe and within your group. On your trek to meet gorillas, you may encounter other wild animals such as golden monkeys, African buffalos, forest elephants, colobus monkeys and several birds, which live in this bamboo forest. You ill spend an hour with gorillas after meeting them. Spend the rest of the day chilling at your lodge preparing for the next day’s second trek.
Day 5: 2nd Gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Like on the previous day, today starts with an early rise up and transfer to Kinigi Park headquarters for your second gorilla trekking adventure. You will be assigned a different gorilla family from the one you trekked yesterday! At 8:00am start a hike up and down hill to meet the endangered gorillas. This experience will be totally different from the one of yesterday since gorilla families differ in character, size and location. You will spend an hour in the presence of gorillas to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. In the evening, leave Volcanoes Park headed to Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda. The easiest Rwanda Uganda land border to Lake Bunyonyi is Katuna/Gatuna in Kabale district.
Day 6: Explore Lake Bunyonyi
You will spend this entire day exploring the hidden gem of Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest Lake. Take a boat cruise to visit the different islands such as Akampene, Bushara, Bugara, Bucuraniko and the punishment island where pregnant girls of Bakiga were taken and left to die. The islands entail homesteads, gardens and farms of local people whom you will encounter busy with in their day today activities (digging, harvesting and grazing). More so, enjoy other activities done at Lake Bunyonyi such as swimming in the shallow waters, Zip lining, and visiting local communities. If you are a birder, Lake Bunyonyi is home to over 200 bird species some of which are rare found anywhere else in the world. Some o the birds to see at Lake Bunyonyi include Whit tailed monad, Grey crowned cranes, African harrier hawk, Herons, Egrets, Slender billed baglafecth and African Kingfisher among others.
Day 7: Departure
After enjoying a relaxed sunrise breakfast on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, pack your bags for a transfer back to Kigali for your departure flight. In you way to Rwanda, enjoy a drive through the thick morning white fog that covers Lake Bunyonyi and Kigezi highlands
End of the safari
Safari Cost Inclusions
- 2 Mountain Gorilla permits
- Golden monkey permit
- Boat Cruise
- Fulltime English speaking guide
- Accommodation & Meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Miscellaneous
- All activities involved in the itinerary
Safari cost exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Additional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Visa fees
- Tips & porter’s fee