7 Day Rwanda Safari Tour - Akagera Game Drives and Golden Monkey Trekking

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your Hope Tours Africa guide greets you with a warm Rwandan welcome. Transfer to Urban by CityBlue, a stylish hotel in the heart of Kigali, offering panoramic views of the city’s rolling hills. Check in and unwind, soaking in the vibrant energy of Rwanda’s capital as you enjoy dinner at the hotel. Settle in for a restful night, anticipation building for the adventures ahead.

• Accommodation: Urban by CityBlue (meal plan: bed and breakfast)

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and sunset boat cruise

After breakfast at Urban by CityBlue, depart Kigali in your vehicle, tracing a scenic 2.5-hour route through Rwanda’s countryside to Akagera National Park. Arrive by midday at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, where the savannah stretches out in golden hues. Check in, then set off on an afternoon game drive, spotting zebras, giraffes, and antelopes as the sun dips low. As evening falls, embark on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema, gliding past hippos and crocodiles, their silhouettes glowing in the fading light. Fish eagles soar overhead as the sky blazes with color. Return to the lodge, the evening alive with distant wildlife calls, and enjoy a hearty dinner before settling in for the night.

• Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (meal plan: bed, breakfast and dinner)

Day 3: Full-day game drive in Akagera National Park

Rise with the sun for breakfast, then embark on a full-day game drive through Akagera’s diverse landscapes. Roam from open savannahs to wooded hills, eyes peeled for the Big Five—lions basking in the shade, elephants lumbering through dust, rhinos grazing quietly, leopards lurking in the shadows, and buffalo roaming in herds. Pause near Lake Ihema, where hippos wallow and crocodiles bask, their stillness a stark contrast to the park’s vibrant pulse. Continue your game drive, soaking in more wildlife sightings across the park’s varied terrain. Return to Mantis Akagera Game Lodge as dusk settles, enjoying a delicious dinner while unwinding with the savannah’s serenity as your backdrop for another restful night.

• Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (meal plan: bed, breakfast and dinner)

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Greet the morning with breakfast at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, then board your vehicle for a 5-hour drive northwest to Volcanoes National Park. The scenery shifts from savannah to Rwanda’s iconic hills—terraced fields glowing green, villages with red-roofed homes, and the Virunga volcanoes rising on the horizon. Arrive at Da Vinci Lodge by early afternoon, a cozy haven nestled amid bamboo groves and volcanic slopes. Check in, the crisp mountain air carrying whispers of gorillas as mist curls around the peaks. Spend the afternoon relaxing on your balcony or strolling the lodge grounds, the serene stillness fueling your excitement for tomorrow’s adventure as you settle in for the night.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Lodge (meal plan: bed and breakfast)

Day 5: Bisoke hike in Volcanoes National Park

Rise early for breakfast, the mountain air invigorating as light brushes the volcanic peaks. Drive to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing, then set off on a 5-7 hour round-trip hike to Mount Bisoke. Trek through dense forests and muddy trails, your guide pointing out flora and fauna as you ascend. Reach the summit, where a stunning crater lake awaits, its emerald waters reflecting the sky. Take in panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains, the exertion fading as you soak in the beauty. Descend back to the base, legs weary but spirit soaring, and return to Da Vinci Lodge by mid-afternoon. Refresh with a light meal, then spend the evening relaxing, the day’s achievement settling in as you rest for tomorrow’s trek.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Lodge (meal plan: bed and breakfast)

Day 6: Golden monkey trekking and transfer to Lake Kivu (Rubavu, Gisenyi)

Greet the morning with breakfast, mist hugging the volcanoes as you prepare for your trek. Head to the park headquarters for a briefing, then trek 2-4 hours through bamboo forests to find the golden monkeys. Their golden fur gleams as they leap and chatter with childlike joy. Spend an hour enchanted by their playful antics, a lively contrast to yesterday’s hike. Return to Da Vinci Lodge by midday, pack up after a refreshment, and board your vehicle for a 3-hour drive to Lake Kivu in Rubavu (Gisenyi). Arrive by mid-afternoon, checking into a lakeside retreat. Relax on the shores, the lake’s calm waters reflecting the sunset as you unwind from the week’s adventures, the gentle lapping of waves lulling you into a restful night.

• Accommodation: Lakeside Retreat in Rubavu (Gisenyi) (meal plan: bed and breakfast)

Day 7: Return to Kigali for departure

Savor breakfast by Lake Kivu, the morning sun glinting off the water as you reflect on your journey. Depart Rubavu (Gisenyi) in your vehicle for a 3-hour drive back to Kigali, passing Rwanda’s rolling hills and vibrant villages one last time. Arrive in Kigali by midday, with time for a quick stop at a local market or cafe if your flight allows. Your guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, or at a hotel of your choice if you’re extending your stay, leaving you with memories of Rwanda’s wildlife, landscapes, and warm hospitality.

• End of the tour