Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali, the Heart of Rwanda

Your adventure begins in Kigali, a city known for its lush green hills, warm hospitality, and peaceful grace. After meeting your guide, you explore select cultural and historical highlights, gaining a deep appreciation for Rwanda’s remarkable transformation and unity. Streets lined with flowering trees, vibrant markets, and café terraces reveal the calm yet dynamic rhythm of the capital. As evening sets in, your hotel welcomes you with comfort and panoramic city views, preparing you for the journey ahead.

Day 2 – Journey to Akagera National Park

Morning light drapes softly over Kigali as you begin your scenic drive east toward Akagera National Park. The landscape shifts from rolling hills to wide-open savannahs, signaling your arrival in Rwanda’s only Big Five reserve. Akagera’s lakes, grassy plains, and acacia woodlands create a mosaic of habitats where elephants roam freely, antelopes graze gracefully, and birdlife fills the sky with vibrant movement. Once at your lodge overlooking the plains or lakes, the evening unfolds with soft breezes and distant wildlife calls drifting across the park.

Day 3 – Big Five Safari in Akagera National Park

With the sun rising across the savannah, you set out for a full-day game drive exploring Akagera’s stunning diversity. Herds of buffalo move powerfully through tall grass, giraffes glide across acacia forests, and lions often appear in the early light, patrolling their territories. The search for rhinos and the elusive leopard adds thrilling anticipation to the day’s journey. The park’s glimmering lakes attract hippos, crocodiles, and countless waterbirds, creating scenes that feel untouched and alive. As evening arrives, Akagera glows beneath the golden sunset, completing a perfect day in Rwanda’s premier savannah wilderness.

Day 4 – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you begin your journey north toward Rwanda’s volcanic region — a landscape defined by dramatic peaks, terraced farms, and cool mountain air. The drive reveals the beauty of the highlands as the Virunga Volcanoes gradually rise into view like ancient guardians watching over the land. Upon arrival in Musanze, your lodge offers sweeping views of the volcanic chain and a tranquil, refreshing atmosphere. The afternoon invites rest, gentle cultural visits, or quiet contemplation as mist settles softly over the slopes.

Day 5 – Gorilla Trekking in the Virunga Highlands

The morning begins with a sense of anticipation as you make your way to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters. After a briefing from expert rangers, your trek starts through farmland, bamboo forests, and dense volcanic vegetation. The forest stirs with life — the rustle of leaves, distant bird calls, and the whispers of mountain winds. Trackers guide you carefully until the moment of magic arrives: you stand before a mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat.

A silverback may sit quietly in regal calm, while juveniles play nearby with boundless curiosity. Mothers cradle their infants with tenderness, filling the forest with an atmosphere of peace and connection. The hour you spend with them is deeply emotional — a moment of pure wonder that remains with you long after you leave the forest.

After your descent, you return to your lodge for a warm meal and a gentle afternoon in the highlands, surrounded by the serene beauty of the volcanoes.

Day 6 – Twin Lakes, Cultural Encounters, and Transfer to Kigali

The morning unfolds with views of the Virunga peaks glowing beneath the early sun. Today offers a relaxed exploration of the region, including a scenic visit to the Twin Lakes — Ruhondo and Burera — where calm waters reflect the mountains in quiet perfection. You may also visit local communities to experience Rwanda’s vibrant traditions, music, dance, and rural life. By mid-afternoon, you begin the journey back to Kigali, watching the green hills roll past your windows in smooth, graceful waves. Evening settles over the capital as you return for a restful night.

Day 7 – Kigali City Moments and Departure

Your final morning in Kigali is peaceful and reflective. After breakfast, you may enjoy a last visit to craft shops, cultural galleries, or a quiet hilltop viewpoint. The city’s calm energy offers a perfect closing chapter to your week-long adventure. As your guide transfers you to the airport, the memories of Rwanda’s rolling hills, its warm people, its forests alive with primates, and its savannahs rich with wildlife travel with you, forming a lasting connection with the Land of a Thousand Hills.