8 days highlights of rwanda

8 Days
hiking icon Activity Level: 3
2-10 People

Trip overview

This 8 days tour gives you an opportunity to explore the oldest rainforest in Africa and experience what it has to offer from chimpanzee trekking, beautiful waterfalls to a dazzling canopy walk. It also takes you to the volcanoes National Park to meet the rare mountain gorilla in their natural habitat and later unwind on the picturesque twin lakes.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your local guide and escorted from the Kigali International Airport to your hotel. Enjoy a light dinner this evening.

Day 2: Day 2: The Essence of Kigali

Venture to where the first modern building was built and laid the foundations for Rwanda’s capital city. Explore nyamirambo neighbourhood for an authentic taste of Kigali life. Keeping the authenticity intact, you will go for a traditional cooking class and see how Rwandan cuisine is created and appreciated by the locals.

Delve into Rwanda’s turbulent history, especially the tragic 1994 genocide by Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi; the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi before the Campaign Against Genocide Museum. Overnight stay at the Hotel

Day 3: Culture Corridor

After breakfast, you will drive to the King’s palace Museum former royal capital of Rwanda to visit a replica of the king’s and look into the Rwandan monarchical system and its abolition in the early 1960s due to colonialism. Continue to Huye and visit the excellent Ethnographic Museum which houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections.  Later proceed to Nyungwe National Park for an overnight stay at the lodge

Day 4: Day 4 Chimpanzee Trekking And Igishigishi Trail

Set off early to start your trek in search of chimpanzees in the picturesque surroundings of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Once located spend one hour with your distant cousins.

Afternoon proceed with a short hike that will amaze you with majestic views of the Canopy Walkway and dazzling wildflowers. The views from up here are stunning, and the adrenaline will no doubt be rushing through as you walk 60m above the forest floor. Overnight stay at the lodge

Day 5: Bigugu Trail And Tea Picking Experience

The day’s hike is 13.2 kilometers and about 6 hours on an elevation between 2950 to 2367 meters. Hiking to the top of mount Bigugu, you will be embraced with the most outstanding 360 degrees overview of the entire park from above. Participate in a unique, hands-on tea picking experience as well as enjoy the breathtaking scenery by walking in beautiful tea plantations. Overnight stay at the lodge

Day 6: Twin Lakes

After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to the park headquarters in Kinigi where you will be briefed on gorilla trekking etiquette. You’ll then be separated in a group of 8 people and a gorilla family to trek will be assigned to the group. Accompanied by a guide and rangers, you will hike into the forest in search of the gorillas.

When you come to face to face with the largest living primate, no fence, just a few meters away from you, you will be allowed one hour watching them feed, resting, glooming and young ones swinging in trees. Afternoon head to Gorilla Guardians for an enchanting cultural experience, You will enjoy cultural dances and drumming, try your hand at a bow and arrow, watch a local prepare herbal mixture and step into the traditional dwelling of the local king.

Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking And Gorilla Guardians

After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to the park headquarters in Kinigi where you will be briefed on gorilla trekking etiquettes. You’ll then be separated in a group of 8 people and a gorilla family to trek will be assigned to the group. Accompanied by a guide and rangers, you will hike into the forest in search of the gorillas.

When you come to face to face with the largest living primate , no fence, just a few meters away from you, you will be allowed one hour watching them feed, resting, glooming and young ones swinging in trees. Afternoon head to Gorilla Guardians for enchanting cultural experience, You will enjoy cultural dances and drumming, try your hand at a bow and arrow, watch a local prepare herbal mixture and step into the traditional dwelling of the local king.

What to wear and carry: 

  • Wear long trousers, long sleeve and hiking waterproof boats (to minimize the impact on wildlife, it is recommended to wear shades of green or brown). Carry gloves, a rain jacket, and a camera.
  • Minimum age for mountain gorilla trekking is 15

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, you will drive to Kigali and visit craft shops to take home some souvenirs and later transfer to the airport for your flight.

It will cost $2830 per person sharing without a gorilla permit of $1500 and the total cost with a permit 4330$ per person

What's Included?

Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room in a selected hotel

Meals on full board (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)

English speaking local guide

Transport as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise

Entrance fees for mentioned visits

Daily drinking water

Responsible Travel Africa T-shirt and bottle