Overview

Experience Rwanda in unparalleled comfort on this 9-Day Luxury Flying Safari, an exclusive journey designed to showcase the country’s breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and world-class hospitality. By combining scenic domestic flights with luxury ground transfers, this itinerary minimizes long road journeys, allowing you to spend more time enjoying Rwanda’s remarkable attractions.

Explore all three of Rwanda’s iconic national parks—Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park—while staying at some of the country’s finest luxury lodges. Encounter endangered mountain gorillas, playful golden monkeys, and wild chimpanzees in their natural habitats, enjoy thrilling game drives in search of the Big Five, and discover Rwanda’s rich birdlife across diverse ecosystems.

Throughout the journey, indulge in exceptional service, elegant accommodations, gourmet cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients, and breathtaking aerial views of the Land of a Thousand Hills. Perfect for discerning travelers seeking adventure without compromising on comfort, this luxury flying safari offers an unforgettable blend of wildlife, culture, and relaxation in one of Africa’s most captivating destinations.

Summarized Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to hotel
  • Day 2 and 3: Fly to Akagera National Park
  • Day 4: Fly to Nyungwe National Park
  • Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk at Nyungwe National Park
  • Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 7: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 8: Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 9: Departure

Detailed 9-Day Luxury Flying Rwanda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to Rwanda

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional representative and transferred to your luxury hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided tour of Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and safest capitals. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s remarkable history and resilience before exploring local craft markets and experiencing the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Later, check in to your hotel, relax, and enjoy a gourmet dinner as you prepare for your luxury safari adventure.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Accommodation Options:

  • Luxury: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, The Retreat by Heaven
Days 2–3: Scenic Flight to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for a short scenic flight to Akagera National Park. During the approximately 15-minute flight, enjoy spectacular aerial views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, lakes, and countryside before landing in the country’s only savannah national park.

Spend the next two days exploring Akagera’s diverse ecosystems on thrilling game drives in search of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros—as well as giraffes, zebras, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species.

One of the highlights is a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you’ll encounter large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants along the shoreline, and an impressive variety of water birds.

Return to your luxury lodge each evening to relax while enjoying exceptional hospitality and breathtaking wilderness surroundings.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Wilderness Magashi Camp
Day 4: Fly to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, board your scheduled domestic flight via Kigali to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most pristine montane rainforests. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and transfer you to your luxury lodge nestled within a working tea plantation overlooking the forest.

Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings, spectacular scenery, and world-class hospitality.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe Canopy Walk

Following an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on an exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, hike through the lush rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while encountering other primates, colorful birds, and unique plant life.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend one unforgettable hour observing their fascinating social behavior, playful interactions, and energetic movements through the forest canopy.

After lunch at the lodge, return to the forest for the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Suspended approximately 70 meters above the forest floor, this thrilling walkway offers breathtaking panoramic views of the rainforest and excellent opportunities to spot wildlife from above.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

Day 6: Scenic Flight to Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy breakfast before taking a scenic domestic flight to Volcanoes National Park. During the flight, admire spectacular aerial views of Lake Kivu, the Virunga Volcanoes, and Rwanda’s rolling landscapes.

Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to one of Rwanda’s most exclusive luxury lodges, where you can relax while enjoying magnificent views of the volcanic peaks and surrounding rainforest.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Bisate Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration and a briefing by park rangers before beginning your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.

Accompanied by expert guides, trek through bamboo forests and lush mountain vegetation in search of one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. Depending on their location, the trek may last between 2 and 6 hours.

Once the gorillas are found, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, play, and interact naturally in their forest home—an experience widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife encounters.

After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Bisate Lodge
Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking – Gorilla Guardians Village – Fly to Kigali

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for a guided golden monkey trekking experience. These lively and endangered primates inhabit the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains and are renowned for their playful nature and striking golden-orange fur.

After spending an hour observing the monkeys, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village), where you’ll experience Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage through traditional dances, music, storytelling, local crafts, and interactive community activities.

Following lunch, transfer to the airstrip for your scenic flight back to Kigali. Upon arrival, check in to your luxury hotel for your final evening in Rwanda.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
Day 9: Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Depending on your flight schedule, your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Depart Rwanda with unforgettable memories of its spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and exceptional luxury hospitality.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

End of 9-Day Luxury Flying Rwanda Safari