12 days Rwanda Congo safari is an 11 nights/12day Rwanda Congo tour  (primates trekking) and wildlife viewing adventure trip. This 12 days Rwanda Congo safari tour is one of the comprehensive packages in these two destinations exploring Rwanda in detail and picking the best of Congo namely; the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Nyiragongo Volcano. The Safari starts and ends in Kigali offering other impressive wildlife sights in Akagera National Park which is the only savannah habitat in Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe forest, cultural and historical tour to Butare Museum and Gisozi genocide, and Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

A freely relaxing day at Gisenyi in the sandy beaches of Rwanda’s Lake Kivu. It features a blend of primate, wildlife, and Adventure.

12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS.

• Day 1: Explore the Gisozi genocide memorial & drive to Akagera Park.
• Day 2: Morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema. 
• Day 3: Nyungwe National Park, Visit the National Museum of Butare
  
• Day 4: Morning Chimpanzee trekking & Nyungwe Canopy walk.
• Day 5: Drive to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park
• Day 6: Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
• Day 7: Cross back to Rwanda & transfer to Gisenyi &ake Kivu
• Day 8: Recreation & Relaxation at Gisenyi. Full day at leisure
• Day 9: Virunga National Park and do Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
• Day 10: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano to Volcanoes Park
• Day 11: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes  and afternoon at leisure
• Day 12: Drive back to Kigali

12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY.

Day 1 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Explore Gisozi genocide memorial & drive to Akagera National Park

Following breakfast at your place of stay in Kigali, you undertake a historical tour to the Gisozi genocide memorial tour – the major Genocide memorial site in Kigali to explore deeply the ethnic horror that befell Rwanda in 1994 where over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus perished. The Museum features a collection of writings, human remains, and audio presentations detailing the Genocide account. Retreat from the encounter, settle for lunch after which you transfer to Akagera National Park 135km about 2 ½ hour’s drive exploring amazing views of the Eastern landscapes of Rwanda

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp, Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel

Day 2 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon

This is dedicated to the rich wild game viewing encounter in Akagera National Park – the only savannah protected area in Rwanda thus supporting a myriad of savannah dwelling species. The 3 – 4 hours drive offers possibilities of viewing lions, the Buffalos, elephants, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, elands, leopards, Impalas, Maasai Giraffe, and Zebras among others. The afternoon is set for a thrilling boat ride on Lake Ihema which is one of the chain of lakes that form the Akagera wetland system – the largest protected wetland system in Central Africa offering likely sights of Shoebill, Hippos, Papyrus gonoleks, and Nile crocodiles.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp, Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel

Day 3 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Explore the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare

Following breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda’s southwest driving 403km about 8 hours’ drive. A stop will be made in Butare for lunch and a cultural tour to the National Museum of Rwanda with over 100,000 artifacts detailing the culture, heritage, and history of Rwanda. Continue on the transfer to Nyungwe forest for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyugwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse

Day 4 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Morning Chimpanzee trekking & Nyungwe Canopy walk in the afternoon

You are up for an early breakfast commencing the drive as early as 5 am connecting to Kyamudongo Forest. You settle for briefing at 8 am and set off to the forest on foot in search of the remarkable Chimpanzees. Traverse the ancient moist forest known to have survived the last ice age and now featuring 13 primate species, 1068 plant species, 85 mammal species, 32 Amphibian Species, 275 bird species, and 38 Reptile species making it ecologically diverse. The Chimpanzee trek lasts 2 – 5 hours with the actual viewing limited to one hour for conservation purposes. It is a great deal to explore the chimps forage, socialize, make pant hooting calls among other exciting behaviors. You settle for lunch after which you connect to Uwinka visitor Centre for the adventurous Nyungwe canopy walk. The walk takes a maximum of 2 hours offering a memorable sight of the forest canopy and some creatures that thrive in it like birds, butterflies, and primates

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyugwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse

Day 5 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Drive to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park

Following breakfast, set off for the drive to the Democratic Republic of Congo crossing the border post at Cyangungu and eventually arriving in Bukavu – the largest town in the South Kivu Province. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon

Day 6 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Undertake Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Following breakfast, set off for an adventurous hike in the equatorial jungle of Kahuzi-Biega National Park looking for Eastern Lowland Gorillas – one of the mighty Great Apes. Varying from the Mountain Gorillas, the Eastern lowland gorillas are relatively larger in size and like to thrive in bigger groups. The trek to the Eastern lowland gorillas normally lasts 1 – 4 hours. In the afternoon, you take a sightseeing experience around Tshibati falls. Retire for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon

Day 7 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Cross back to Rwanda & transfer to Gisenyi. Sightseeing along Lake Kivu

After breakfast, drive back to Rwanda where you will join the Congo Nile divide trail exploring the magnificent sceneries of Lake Kivu. The lunch stop can be made in Kibuye and proceed to arrive in Gisenyi in the afternoon for an evening chill on the lake shores.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide

Day 8 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Recreation & Relaxation at Gisenyi. Full day at leisure

This is a free day. However, you can engage in optional activities like Boat cruise, Windsurfing, Catamaran, cycling among others. The Beach sport, sunbathing and swimming are free to your encounter.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide

Day 9 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Tour: Drive to Congo’s Virunga National Park and do Nyiragongo Volcano climbing

Set off very early in the morning to Congo’s Virunga National Park to catch up with the hike to the famous Nyiragongo Volcano. You congregate at Kibati Patrol Post from which you will set off for the hike to the Volcano in the company of the Virunga park staff. Nyiragongo Volcano featuring the World’s largest lava lake which is also the most violent is preferably exciting to explore where there are no signs of an impending eruption. The hike takes 4 – 6 hours and the accommodation is on the crater rim overlooking the lava lake better viewed at night

Accommodation: Mountain Shelter

Day 10 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Trip: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano & transfer to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

You descend down the Mountain back to Kibati from where you will connect back to Gisenyi before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park for dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 11 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Undertake Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and spend the afternoon at leisure

Standing as the only Rwanda Gorilla Safari destination, Volcanoes National Park is part of the greater Virunga landscape and has 10 habituated gorilla families that are always available for tracking daily. At 8 am, the briefing at Kinigi commences under the control of Rwanda Development Board Park staff but prior arrival presents a golden opportunity to view the traditional Intore dancers while enjoying a warm cup of Rwandan Coffee. After gorilla family allocation, you set off to the respective trail head embarking on the hike to the Gorilla Highlands traversing the steep slopes, slippery surfaces, dense jungle and jump over rocks in search of the Mountain Gorillas known to be critically endangered the world over. The direct Mountain Gorilla Viewing is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation and this a perfect time to see them forage, socialize, young ones play among others with unlimited photo opportunities and in-depth information from the guides. In the afternoon, you can opt to visit the Musanze Caves whose formation date back to 65million years ago out of the Mount Bisoke and Sabyinyo lava flow and apparently marked with 31 cave entrances. Settle for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme, Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel

Day 12 of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Safari: Drive back to Kigali

Following breakfast, transfer back to Kigali 116km about 3 hours’ drive exploring the impressive sights of Rwandan hillsides. The drop off to Kigali International Airport for flight departure can be arranged.

End of the 12 Days Rwanda Congo Adventure.

Getting there

Safari package includes

Airport transfers Transportation by safari van Accommodation and meals as per itinerary Gorilla permits, one per person to be paid in advance Driver allowances En-route lunches Visit the equator and igongo cultural Centre.

The package excludes

personal nature expenses of excludes: laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, porter fee while trekking, Air fare, Visa, drinks, personal insurance, personal shopping bills and cigarettes.