12-Day Rwanda Safari & Beyond (Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera)

You will be met and greeted by the Dial-Us Tours and Travel guide at Entebbe International Airport. He or she will brief you on your safari before transferring you to your hotel for your overnight stay in Kampala. Relax at your hotel as you prepare for the journey.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Kampala

After a very early breakfast, check out and board for a beautiful drive from Kampala to Kigali — driving through the western region of Uganda via the Rwera wetlands in Masaka, the terraced hills of Kabale, and passing via the Katuna border point. Arrive in Kigali in the evening hours and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali

After an early morning breakfast, drive into the Nyungwe Forest. On the way, visit the Nyanza King's Palace, the National Museum of Butare, and the Murambi Genocide Memorial. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound features the tastefully decorated modern palace built by King Mutura in 1934. Dinner and overnight at the Nyungwe Resort near Nyungwe Forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Resort

After breakfast, enter the Nyungwe Forest to track the Nyungwe Colobus monkey. A walk into the forest with knowledgeable guides well versed in botany, ornithology and interspecies relationships will be a whole new learning experience. Return to the guesthouse for lunch and overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Resort

Early in the morning, head to Kibuye via Gisakura — a five-hour journey. Along the way, enjoy the thousands of beautiful green hills that make up Rwanda, as well as views of Lake Kivu. Overnight at Betania Guest House, Kibuye.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Betania Guest House, Kibuye

Today transfer to Gisenyi by speed boat or vehicle (the choice is yours). Along the way, explore the wonderful views of the different islands along Lake Kivu and some of the Congolese hills. Overnight at the hotel in Gisenyi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Gisenyi

Have breakfast at the Kivu Serena Beach while relaxing and swimming at Kivu Serena Beach. In the afternoon, drive to Musanze town — the base for visiting mountain gorillas. Enjoy a visit to the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village and learn more about Rwanda's history including the religions and social ways of the people. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Musanze

After an early morning breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. Arrive at the main office at 7:00 am for a short briefing and then enter the dense forest looking for our closest relative — the gorilla. Spend time with them, learning their behaviours and characters. Return to the start point for coffee before going back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the Safari Hotel in Musanze.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Safari Hotel, Musanze

Today visit the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Arrive at the main office at 7:00 am for a short briefing before your trek. View different tree species and butterflies in the forest. Return to hotel for lunch then visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Overnight at the hotel in Musanze.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Musanze

After breakfast, transfer to Akagera National Park via Kigali for an afternoon game drive to see the Big Five — Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos and Hippos. Have lunch and head for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon, enjoying bird life along the lake. Overnight at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge at Akagera NP

Head for an early morning game drive in the park — see the Kagera River and the genocide park. Akagera is the only savannah park in Rwanda and home to lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, kobs, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks and recently reintroduced black rhinos from South Africa — making it an official Big Five park. It is also home to numerous bird species across woodland, swamps, lakes and savannah habitats. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kigali Town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali

After breakfast, and depending on your departure flight, you may take a complimentary visit to the Ntarama Church — the site where more than 5,000 Christians including Bishops were killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This memorial is located 30 km south of Kigali in the Bugasera region and is a reminder of the horrifying violence that took place. Learn more about the Unity and Reconciliation Commission. This marks the end of the 12-day safari.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Airport transfer / Departure