Intimate and evocative, the wildlife of Rwanda is incomparable. Gorilla troops are hidden in the equatorial rainforest, lions and elephants are seen crossing the savannah while chimpanzees and endangered mangabeys are nestled in the forests of the Congo Basin. This grand Rwandan safari will explore both the world-famous highlights and the unknown destinations, taking in four national parks for a truly authentic Rwandan experience.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Kigali – A Captivating Day in the Capital City
Kigali will provide a gentle introduction to Rwanda as the compact and charming capital city is easy on the eyes and far from the bustle of other big cities in East Africa. You will be greeted at Kigali International Airport and spend the day exploring this captivating little city, starting with some of its flamboyant markets. Locals will greet you as stalls spill into the alleyways, smiles, and colors create a welcoming atmosphere, and it all makes for a great introduction to the positivity and enthusiasm of the Rwandan people. From here, you will visit the National Genocide Memorial, a poignant and contemplative insight into where the country came from, just over 20 years ago, and will evoke a real admiration for the country and its people.
What's Included:
Day 2
Volcanoes National Park – Explore Rwanda’s History and Move Into the Rainforest
Day 3
Volcanoes National Park – Trek the With Gorillas
Day 4
Volcanoes National Park – Get to Know a Second Gorilla Troop
Day 5
Kibuye – Explore Rwanda’s New National Park
Day 6
Kibuye – Enjoy the Quiet Charms and the Islands of Lake Kivu
Day 7
Nyungwe Forest National Park – Visit the Monkeys
Day 8
Nyungwe Forest National Park – Trek for Chimpanzees
Day 9
Nyungwe Forest National Park – Track for Primates
Day 10
Akagera National Park – Take a Fabulous Aerial Safari
Day 11
Akagera National Park – Journey on a Game Drive
Day 12
Akagera National Park – See Rwanda’s Big Game
Day 13
Kigali – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend an hour with the world’s largest primates on an enchanting gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park
- Explore East Africa’s newest national park and find rare monkey species in the Gishwati-Mukura forests
- Game drive across the thrilling big-game savannah, coming face to face with elephants, lions, and hippos
- Go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest for an hour with some of Rwanda’s rare and endangered primates
- Discover the East African savannah from multiple perspectives with both walking and boat safaris in Akagera National Park
- Find out how every troop is different with a second gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park with an opportunity to come within seven meters of these precious giants
- Relax on the shores of Lake Kivu and spend a day paddling out to its bird and bat-filled islands
- Take walks through the fabulous equatorial rainforest for journeys that bring intimate encounters with different monkeys, mangabeys, and an incredible assortment of exotic birdlife
- Uncover the real story behind Rwanda’s history with a day in the capital city of Kigali and contemplative visits to some of the country’s memorials
Starting Price
$13,600 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.84 stars based on 64 reviews.
The trip was exhilarating and the job done by our Zicasso travel agent was second to none.
Our trip was 20 days, with multiple locations, flights, and activities. Our agent arranged things so well, we hardly had to do anything. Guides and contacts always arrived on time and led us through each location efficiently and safely.
The gorilla trek in Rwanda was amazing. On safari, we saw the Big Five by the end of day two and saw many, many unique animal encounters. We did a walking safari one day, which was also a highlight. Our agent recommended the Lewa Conservancy as a stop and this was wonderful for seeing many black and white rhinos.
I would give our travel company a 10/10 for personal care and attention. I highly recommended them for a high-quality, memorable African adventure!
Reviewed By Michael D.
We can't speak highly enough about using Zicasso's travel specialist and her company. They put together a complicated package covering three completely separate areas and were able to connect us with local guides in each place. The guides they worked with were all fabulous, as were the locations we stayed at.
At one point, the airline that was handling our trip out changed the flight due to local conditions. I learned of this first through our specialist, who was immediately on the situation and kept us apprised of the change. The company provided us with an online portal that covered every part of our trip. It was constantly updated and we always knew who the next contact was in the new area.
Throughout the process, we had constant questions and changes. Our travel company was very pleasant and accommodating of our concerns. Their work was in the middle of a larger trip. Even though they were not handling the stops before and after their portion, they were more than happy to help out with those portions and added that information to our itinerary at no cost.
In a word, they were fabulous. If you want more detail on their work and my unqualified recommendation of them, please reach out and I'm happy to provide you with more information.
Reviewed By John G.
Zicasso's travel agent is a superstar. We really didn’t know where to go and what to do in Africa, so his excellent advice was critical. We did exactly what he recommended and, as a result, our trip was just perfect. We are eternally grateful.
Reviewed By Peter D.
It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.
Reviewed By LESLIE W.
The trip was well organized and the handoffs across multiple locations were managed very smoothly, without any problems. Our Zicasso travel agent was very responsive throughout the planning process.
Reviewed By Kannan V.
"Working with Zicasso’s travel agent was wonderful. She answered every question and was available as needed."
Reviewed By JANA R.