Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali Land at Kigali International Airport, clear immigration, and meet your driver-guide, who will be with you for the entirety of the trip. Transfer to your hotel in central Kigali and settle in after your flight. Depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a short orientation drive through the city. Stay: Marriott Hotel Kigali (upscale) or Onomo Hotel Kigali (mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast only

Day 2 — Road Transfer to Musanze / Volcanoes National Park After breakfast, depart Kigali by road for the roughly 2.5 to 3-hour drive north to Musanze, gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The route climbs steadily through Rwanda’s famous terraced hillsides, with the volcanic peaks of the Virunga range coming into view as you approach. Your driver-guide will stop along the way for photos and, time permitting, a visit to a local market or coffee cooperative. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, with the afternoon free to relax and take in the mountain scenery. Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 — Gorilla Trekking An early breakfast is followed by a briefing at park headquarters, then the trek begins toward the trailheads. Tracking mountain gorillas through Volcanoes National Park’s forest can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours; the park has 12 habituated gorilla families. Once you reach a group, you’ll spend an hour observing them in their natural routine — an encounter many travelers describe as the highlight of their trip. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 — Golden Monkey Trekking Another early start takes you to park headquarters for briefing, then to the trailheads for a roughly 4-hour trek in search of golden monkeys. These lively, curious primates spend their days bounding through the bamboo, and you’ll get an hour to watch them up close. Return to the lodge for lunch and free time in the afternoon. Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 — Road Transfer to Gisenyi Depart after breakfast for the approximately 2.5 to 3-hour drive west to Gisenyi, on the shore of Lake Kivu — one of Africa’s Great Lakes, sitting along the DRC–Rwanda border within the Albertine Rift. The road winds through further hill country before descending toward the lake, with sweeping views opening up along the way. You’ll have the chance to visit the border crossing itself, where Gisenyi meets the Congolese town of Goma. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at your hotel. Stay: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (upscale) or Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel (mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 — Full Day in Gisenyi A day dedicated to Lake Kivu, with no driving required. Choose from kayaking, windsurfing, sport fishing, hiking, or biking along the shoreline, followed by a relaxed beach afternoon. This is a good day to rest before the longer overland journey ahead. Stay: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 — Road Transfer to Nyungwe National Park via the Congo-Nile Trail This is the longest driving day of the trip, covering roughly 5 to 6 hours south along the Congo-Nile Trail, one of Rwanda’s most scenic routes. The road hugs the shoreline of Lake Kivu for much of the journey before climbing into the highlands that lead to Nyungwe. Your driver-guide will plan stops for lunch, tea and coffee plantations, and viewpoints over the lake, breaking up the drive and adding texture to the day. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon in time for dinner. Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House (upscale) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 — Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Set out with a packed breakfast for a park headquarters briefing before heading into the forest, where you’ll spot various bird species alongside the chimps. You’ll spend an hour observing the chimpanzees before heading back to the lodge to rest and eat lunch. In the afternoon, a second briefing precedes East Africa’s only forest canopy walkway — a striking way to experience the treetops from above. Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 — Colobus Monkey Trek After breakfast and a briefing, trek in search of Angolan colobus monkeys — striking black-and-white Old World monkeys found across Africa. Nyungwe is home to the continent’s largest colobus troop, roughly 400 individuals strong, and you’ll watch them move through the canopy. This trek is gentler than the chimpanzee trek. Return for lunch and a free afternoon at the lodge to relax before the final leg of the journey. Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 — Road Transfer to Kigali / Departure After breakfast and check-out, begin the final overland journey back to Kigali, a drive of approximately 5 to 6 hours. Your driver-guide will plan the timing around your international departure flight, with a stop en route if time allows. Arrive at Kigali International Airport to connect with your onward flight. Meals: Breakfast only

What’s Included

• Rwanda gorilla trekking permits ($1,500 per person)
• 9 nights’ accommodation with meals as specified
• All activities listed in the itinerary
• National park entrance fees
• All road transfers by private 4×4 safari vehicle with a dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout the trip (Kigali–Musanze, Musanze–Gisenyi, Gisenyi–Nyungwe, Nyungwe–Kigali)
• Golden monkey trekking
• Visit to the Rwanda–DRC border
• Lake Kivu water activities
• Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
• Colobus monkey trekking
• Government taxes

What’s Not Included

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities
• Gratuities
• Beverages
• Personal expenses