Tour Overview
The 8 Days Budget Rwanda Safari Tour is an affordable journey through Rwanda’s most spectacular destinations, combining unforgettable primate encounters, scenic landscapes, and rich cultural experiences. This itinerary takes you to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park, and Kigali, offering an excellent introduction to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Your adventure begins with a tour of Kigali before travelling to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, where you’ll enjoy an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience, a guided nature walk, and the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Continue to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu to relax and soak in the beautiful lakeside scenery before heading to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
The highlight of the safari is an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure through the lush forests of the Virunga Mountains, where you’ll spend one magical hour observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural habitat. The safari concludes with a scenic drive back to Kigali, where you can enjoy some final sightseeing or souvenir shopping before your departure.
Perfect for travelers seeking an authentic yet affordable Rwanda experience, this safari combines wildlife, nature, culture, and breathtaking scenery into one unforgettable adventure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short tour of Kigali, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local craft markets, before checking in for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Nyungwe Forest National Park. En route, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye to learn about Rwanda’s history and cultural heritage. Continue through scenic tea plantations before arriving at your lodge in Nyungwe.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Wake up early for a briefing before setting off on an exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, hike through the rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees and spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Nyungwe Canopy Walk and Guided Nature Walk
After breakfast, enjoy the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended approximately 60 meters above the forest floor, offering breathtaking views of the rainforest. Later, embark on a guided nature walk to discover waterfalls, unique plant species, birds, butterflies, and other primates that call Nyungwe home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, drive to Lake Kivu via the scenic Congo Nile Trail. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the lakeshore, exploring Kibuye (Karongi), or enjoying an optional boat cruise to nearby islands.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before following the picturesque lakeside road to Gisenyi (Rubavu) and onward to Volcanoes National Park. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and relax in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Hike through the Virunga rainforest with experienced ranger guides until you locate your assigned gorilla family. Spend one remarkable hour observing these gentle giants before returning to your lodge for a well-earned rest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Return to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, depart for Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some last-minute shopping or sightseeing before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of the 8 Days Budget Rwanda Safari Tour