Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali and Immersion into Rwanda’s Capital

Your safari begins in Kigali, a clean, vibrant city draped across a series of emerald hills. After a warm welcome from your guide, you take a gentle tour through select highlights of the capital. Kigali’s streets are lined with blooming trees, bustling markets, artisan shops, and viewpoints that stretch across the city’s rolling landscape. This first day offers a balanced introduction to Rwanda’s history, creativity, and modern-day spirit. As evening settles, your hotel provides calm and comfort, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2 – Scenic Journey to Nyungwe National Park

Morning sunlight softens the hills as you depart for Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda’s southern highlands. The drive is an experience in itself — winding roads reveal endless green terraces, tea plantations shimmering beneath the sun, and valleys filled with quiet rural life. As you ascend into the forest zone, the air becomes cool and refreshing. By afternoon, you arrive in Nyungwe, a vast ancient rainforest home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, countless birds, and towering fig trees. Your lodge is tucked into the forested slopes, offering sweeping views and a serene evening filled with the sounds of the jungle.

Day 3 – Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

The day begins before dawn as soft mist drifts through the forest canopy. After an early breakfast, you set out in search of Nyungwe’s iconic chimpanzee communities. The trail leads you through thick vegetation, moss-draped trees, and lively forest soundscapes. Rangers guide you with expert intuition, reading the calls and movements of the chimps as they travel through the canopy.

When the moment arrives, you meet the chimps — energetic, expressive, and full of personality. Their calls echo across the forest, their movements swift and spirited as they leap between branches. Observing them up close reveals striking similarities between humans and our closest wild relatives, creating an encounter filled with both excitement and emotion. After the trek, you return to the lodge for a restful afternoon surrounded by the deep serenity of Nyungwe.

Day 4 – Canopy Walk and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Morning in Nyungwe offers one of Africa’s most breathtaking experiences — a walk along the suspended canopy bridge high above the forest floor. From this aerial perspective, the rainforest stretches endlessly beneath your feet, its layers shimmering with light, birdsong, and the movement of monkeys in the treetops. It is a moment of pure wonder, offering a rare view into the rainforest’s secret world.

Afterwards, your journey continues north as you drive toward Volcanoes National Park. The scenery unfolds beautifully: lakes reflecting blue skies, terraced hills rising in sculpted patterns, and the silhouettes of the Virunga Volcanoes growing larger with each passing mile. By late afternoon, you arrive at your mountain lodge, where cool breezes and dramatic views prepare you for your upcoming gorilla trek.

Day 5 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Dawn breaks over the volcanoes with golden light and drifting mist. After a hearty breakfast, you join other trekkers at the park headquarters for a briefing led by experienced rangers. The trek begins through farmland before leading into the lush volcanic forest — a world of bamboo, ferns, giant lobelias, and ancient trees.

Trackers guide you upward until the moment you’ve been waiting for arrives. You encounter a mountain gorilla family, peaceful and majestic in the quiet forest. A silverback may sit calmly with regal presence, mothers cradle their infants with tenderness, and juveniles play with joyful curiosity. The forest seems to breathe around you as silence and wonder fill the air. The hour you spend with them is deeply emotional and unforgettable — a moment travelers carry for life.

After your descent, you return to your lodge for a gentle afternoon surrounded by views of the volcanoes.

Day 6 – Cultural Experiences and Return to Kigali

This morning begins with a relaxed cultural immersion around Musanze. You may visit a traditional village, a dance and drumming group, or a local cooperative that showcases Rwanda’s creativity and community spirit. These encounters offer a deeper appreciation of the people who live in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains and the traditions carried through generations.

By mid-day, you begin your drive back to Kigali, passing once again through the iconic rolling hills that give Rwanda its famous name. Evening settles softly in the capital, offering time to unwind or enjoy a final hilltop sunset.

Day 7 – Kigali City Reflections and Departure

Your final morning is peaceful and reflective. After breakfast, you may visit a craft market, cultural gallery, or one of Kigali’s scenic viewpoints before preparing for departure. As you head to the airport, the memories of chimps calling through Nyungwe, gorillas resting in the volcanic forest, and the warm smiles of Rwanda’s people travel with you, forming a profound and lasting love for the Land of a Thousand Hills.