10-Day Wildlife and Birding Tour in Rwanda
A 10-day Rwanda circuit combining Albertine Rift birding, Akagera wildlife, primate trekking and wetland birding near Kigali.
About this tour
Rwanda is located slightly south of the Equator, in the heart of Africa. It is possible to discover diverse wildlife and exceptional landscapes in the space of 10 to 15 days. The Akagera savannah park is home to the Big 5 of Africa while the Volcanoes National Park is home to Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. Nyungwe NP, being one of the oldest tropical forests in Africa, is endowed with rich biodiversity, notably Chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primates, including the L’Hoest Monkey, endemic to the Albertine Rift; it is also home to more than 300 species of birds, 29 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, including the Red-collared Mountain Babbler which is quasi-endemic to Nyungwe. Here is a map showing national parks of Rwanda.
The route follows the detailed daily program below. Timing may be adjusted for weather, park access, bird activity and guest needs, and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Up on arrival, you meet our driver and transfer to hotel for dinner and accommodation at Chez Lando Hotel
At 5:00 we are driving to Akagera National Park, with a brief coffee/tea stop, for morning safaris and game drive which goes until lunch time. After lunch, drive to Ihema Lake for sun set boat from 4:30 until 6:00; accommodation at Ruzizi-tented Lodge.
After breakfast, we go for another day for birding and safaris towards the north of the park. Afternoon transfer to the lodge for night game drive as well as overstay; accommodation at Karenge Bush Camp.
We have an early morning safari and after a breakfast at 9am, we go for morning birding and game drive as we exit towards Musanze. Afternoon, we drive to Musanze Town where we reach at dinner time; accommodation at Fatima Hotel.
Depart from hotel after breakfast to rich the park head quarter at 7:00 when we have briefing on gorilla trekking and be allocated to the group of Gorillas (alternatively those who are not trekking go for birding in Buhanga eco-park). After Lunch, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus to learn the legacy and hard work of Dian Fossey to protect the endangered Mountain Gorilla; accommodation at Fatima hotel.
We go to the park HQ for briefing on visiting the endangered primate, Golden Monkey; trekking goes until lunch time. After lunch, we drive to Gisenyi; a town around Lake Kivu/Kibuye; accommodation at Moriah Hotel
After breakfast, we have a boat cruise on Lake Kivu to see birds at the islands and beauty of the lake. Ater lunch, we drive to Nyungwe NP and we have zipline and canopy walk until 5pm when we drive to the lodge for dinner; accommodation at Chimpanzee Lodge.
With packed breakfast, we leave the lodge at 5:30am for chimpanzee trekking.; the trekking goes until lunch. At 3pm, we go for a walk to Ndambarae waterfall; accommodation at Chimpanzee Lodge.
After breakfast, we drive to Kigali with a stop at Maraba coffee, to experience a whole process of coffee from plantation to cup. After lunch, we visit King Palace Museum then transfer to Kigali for dinner and overnight at Chez Lando Hotel
Morning city tour where you can visit Kigali Genocide Memorial until lunch time; we can also visit Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park or wetlands in Bugesera for a morning birding. Have lunch, then souvenir shopping before we drive to the airport for the evening flight; END
Locations & map
- Kigali - Kigali City Rwanda
- Akagera National Park - Eastern Province Rwanda
- Volcanoes National Park - Northern Province Rwanda
- Lake Kivu - Western Province Rwanda
- Nyungwe National Park - Southern and Western Provinces Rwanda
- Bugesera wetlands - Eastern Province Rwanda
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Available year-round; dates on request
Included
- Full-board accommodation, meals include carbonated drink or tea/coffee
- Private safari car vehicle with a driver speaking French/English and fuel for this itinerary
- All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary (plus guide)
- All government taxes and bank charges
Not included
- International flights
- Visas (free to members of Commonwealth, OIF and African Union)
- Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services, souvenirs and any activity not mentioned in the itinerary
Transport & stays
- Private safari vehicle with driver-guide Road transport and fuel for the confirmed route are included; boat, park and trekking activities follow the agreed daily program. | Meet: Kigali International Airport; final flight and pickup details are confirmed after inquiry. | Pickup: Airport pickup is arranged according to the confirmed arrival details.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
How are dates and availability confirmed?
Send preferred dates, group size and interests through BirdWatch.info. Current availability and the final operating plan are confirmed in the proposal.
Can the balance between birding, wildlife and primate activities be adjusted?
The final program can be discussed according to guest priorities, permits, season and local conditions.