The Best of Rwanda Adventure Safari
Destination
Rwanda
Travel Period
January – March, June – December
Duration
12 days | 11 nights
Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills” and its capital city is no exception; Kigali is a region of rolling hills, valleys, ridges, and steep slopes. It enjoys a temperate tropical highland climate, a bit cooler than typical due to its high elevation of 1,540 m (5,140 ft). Average daily temperatures range between 15 and 27C (59 and 81F) and don’t fluctuate much throughout the year. Farmland comprises over 60% of the land within the city’s boundaries, mostly in outer areas surrounding the urban center and, like the rest of the country, most of the agriculture is small subsistence farming.
As in all of Rwanda, the last Saturday of each month in Kigali is a morning of mandatory community service called umuganda. One person per household between the ages of 18 and 65 is expected to carry out community tasks such as cleaning streets or building homes for vulnerable people. Most normal services close down during umuganda, and public transportation is limited. Rwandese take great pride in this national service and in the ritual of coming together to support one another, and their commitment shows.
Local people are in general very friendly and often willing to share the country’s history of genocide with visitors. The Kigali Genocide Museum is well done and worth a visit for those looking to understand the events leading up to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
There is also a flourishing local art scene with many new galleries opening up.
Hemingways Retreat Kigali is Rwanda’s first eco-conscious luxury boutique hotel, located in the leafy Kiyovu neighborhood and offering just 20 individually styled rooms, suites, and villas for ultimate privacy, blending handcrafted Rwandan design with modern sophistication. Guests can enjoy world-class dining at Fusion Restaurant, a curated wine lounge, and a tranquil wellness spa offering eco-conscious treatments, alongside a solar-heated saltwater pool and an open-air gym. Rooted in sustainability and community, it provides a serene base to explore Kigali while offering an atmosphere of quiet elegance and authentic connection.
Superior King Suite
The Superior King Suite is a 60 m² sanctuary designed for up to two guests, offering a king bed or twin beds, a separate living area, and private front and rear patios. Blending indoor comfort with outdoor charm, it features indoor and outdoor rain showers, with select suites including bathtubs. Locally sourced textiles, earth-toned décor, and handcrafted furnishings create an elegant, restorative atmosphere, complemented by modern amenities such as air conditioning, wifi, and interconnecting options.
Hemingways Retreat Kigali offers a range of enriching experiences that celebrate Rwanda’s culture, history, and natural beauty. Guests can explore contemporary Rwandan art through curated exhibitions, learn cocktail-making with local botanicals, or take guided city tours highlighting Kigali’s landmarks, markets, and memorials.
Deeper cultural encounters include visits to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial with opportunities for dialogue and reflection. For an unforgettable adventure, guests can embark on gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, complete with expert-led hikes and scenic helicopter transfers. Each experience is designed to connect travelers with the essence of Kigali and Rwanda.
Day 2 – Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions. The largest one documents the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and gives an outline of Rwandan society before colonisation, the horrors of the genocide, as well as stories of survival and rescue. There is also a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. Outside, visitors can walk around the mass graves, visit the wall of names, and find a quiet place in the gardens of reflection.
The Memorial hosts a range of remembrance events and activities throughout the year, many of which occur during the annual commemoration period, from April 7 to July 4, in honor of the three months that the Genocide against the Tutsi lasted.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a guided experience. Visitors can choose between a guided tour by one of the staff witnesses or purchase the KGM digital guide and follow an audio-visual tour of the memorial.
A tour of the entire memorial takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
Nyamirambo Walking Tour
Through a handful of options, the Nyamirambo Women’s Center offers tourists a uniquely personal insight into the culture, history, and daily life of our community. All of the tour guides either grew up in Nyamirambo or live here now, so the tours truly are a welcome into our home. The profits from the tours go back into the Center and are used to pay our seamstresses a fair wage and fund our community engagement initiatives, which include free literacy classes; a library with afternoon programming for children; and periodical sewing courses, English classes, and workshops on women’s rights, health, and nutrition
Nyungwe National Park spans 1,019 km2 (428 mi2) in the heart of the Albertine Rift and harbours exceptional levels of biodiversity, including 25% of Africa’s primate species and more than 1,000 plant, 96 mammal, and 300 bird species. Tucked away in the midst of working tea plantations, Nyungwe is also a vital water catchment area, providing most of Rwanda’s fresh water. In 2020, Nyungwe National Park signed a management agreement with African Parks, signaling an historic step towards securing one of Africa’s most important Afromontane rainforests.
Thirteen primate species are found in Nyungwe forest, including very occasional sightings of the golden monkeys as well as colobus monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabeys, Ruwenzori colobus Monkeys, L’ Hoest’s monkey, Owl faced monkeys, Mona monkey and blue monkeys. There is also a 90m (295 ft) long canopy walk which is the first tree top forest canopy walk in the whole of East Africa and the third in all Africa, as well as 13 hiking trails through 130 km (80 mi) of parkland.
In southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border, One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park. The park itself covers approximately 1020 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps and bogs, and is one of the last mountain rainforest habitats on the planet.
Ngungwe Forest National Park is home to over 13 different species of primate and 20% of all the apes in Africa. The lush and diverse habitat is famously home to a large population of chimpanzees and endangered monkeys; including the owl faced monkey and the golden monkey, of which sightings are reported, but unverified.
Canopy Treehouse
Your Canopy Treehouse celebrates Rwanda’s natural beauty, from its immersive tree-grazing balcony to its chic African design and thoughtful furnishings. Generous spaces and beautiful interiors make this bedroom amongst the trees a serene hub for exciting ecological adventures and wildlife encounters. Sleeping two, with the choice of a king-sized bed or two twin beds, this signature bedroom is secluded within lush treetops and opens out to a large, private balcony.
From thrilling outdoor pursuits in the National Park, to unique cultural insights and wellness experiences, One&Only Nyungwe House curates the most inspiring things to do in Rwanda. Activities within the National Park include primate tracking (including chimpanzees), mountain biking, bird watching, and a canopy walk.
Day 5 – Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest starts off from three reception centers, Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura, where the tourists meet the park rangers. Tourists are expected to be at the reception as early as 4:30 am and by 5 am, you drive to the starting point of the trek into the forest. Since the chimps nest each and every night, there are trackers who go ahead of the trekking group to find them and communicate with the ranger guides.
The tourists spend one hour with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National park, and get to observe them closely going about their own lives.
Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in high-altitude cloud forests.
Sharing a 1.2km border with the Park, our lodge and villa are the only offerings in such close proximity to the natural habitat of the ‘gentle giants of the forest’ and the Park’s headquarters, where treks commence, is less than 10 minutes away.
Taking its cue from Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage, as well as the conservation of these majestic animals, Singita Volcanoes National Park provides a nurturing environment from where to appreciate life-changing encounters with the gorillas.
The creative inspiration provided by the gorillas translates to an authentically African experience that is layered in textures, tones and décor elements that reflect their strength as well as their gentle nature.
Raising the bar on sustainable eco-tourism, Singita Volcanoes National Park honours Rwanda’s people and its fertile land by touching the land lightly, while contributing significantly to conservation, community partnerships and reforestation efforts.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge is set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows with magnificent views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes. Designed around local materials, the buildings have been crafted using volcanic rock, river stone, handmade ceramic tiles and oven-red clay bricks made by surrounding communities – connecting the structure to the landscape and its culture. These influences, interpreted in a contemporary style come together in a current, authentic and entirely unique architectural layout that is sensitive to its context and enjoys the privilege of remarkable views.
Mountain bamboo, ferns, giant lobelias and forest trees provide a natural backdrop that over time will engulf the buildings and reclaim them back into the forest. Dramatic stone walls rise out of the volcanic boulders, and from these the architecture is suspended. A combination of green-roofed, stonewalled, organic cabin-like structures set alongside light verandas offers a dynamic play on shape and texture.
The interiors have been carefully curated with a focus on handcrafted details. By layering texture and color and introducing detail through artisanal and handmade pieces like woven panels, handmade tiles, and clay feature pots, the space is both reflective and interactive. All elements combine to create a rare and richly textured experience that is true to this extraordinary place.
One-Bedroom Suite
These suites feature indoor and outdoor showers, an indoor bath, a sitting/rest area, covered veranda, dressing room, mini bar, an in-room massage area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a heated plunge pool.
Spending time tracking and sitting with mountain gorillas is the ultimate wildlife experience and the reason why most people visit Rwanda on holiday. The location of Kwitonda Lodge puts gorilla trekking within easy reach, and daily hikes to observe gorilla groups in their natural habitat in the Volcanoes National Park are led by expert guides. Gorilla trekking permits need to be secured in advance. Daily trek groups allow for eight people per gorilla family per day, and the age limit for trekking is 15.
There are several activities available to guests staying at Singita Volcanoes National Park. These range from pursuits within Volcanoes National Park, to spending time around the lodge or discovering the neighbouring communities or town. Guests can experience these activities at their convenience with their driver-guides. Vehicles are always available.
Day 6 – Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Learn all about the gorillas we’ve studied for more than five decades and the current conservation efforts to ensure their future. Special features include a replica of Dian Fossey’s forest cabin and original artifacts from her work and life, a 360-degree theater featuring amazing footage of the gorillas, and a virtual reality experience.
Day 7 – Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys are known to have unique characters and are a rare species that are endangered at the moment and they are currently found in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. They are easily recognized due to the yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies. The Golden monkeys are also known as ‘the Old world monkey’ and the only way to separate these primates from others is by their noses. There is a unique character about the golden monkeys and that is most of the monkeys have their nostrils pointing to the sides but if you look closely at the golden monkeys, their nostrils face upwards.
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda mostly takes place in the Volcanoes which is found in the Virunga Mountains and it has only one session per day which starts in the morning. Those who are willing to take part in the golden monkey trekking are advised to report at the headquarters by 7:00 am for a mini briefing about the trek before it starts and it is only fifteen minutes away from the Park.
Day 8 – Gorilla Trekking
The Virunga Mountains straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and are home to around 480 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world’s entire population — the rest live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
In Volcanoes National Park, which encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, twelve gorilla groups are now habituated for tourism and offer one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural experiences. To be in the presence of these gentle giants at such close quarters is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Although the immense size of the silverbacks might be overwhelming, these 400-pound creatures are actually extremely accommodating to human presence amongst their family. The guides might even teach you a few words in ‘Gorilla’ so you can greet them and show that you are, in fact, friendly!
The day of the trek usually begins with an early start at your hotel and then a drive to park headquarters at Kinigi. Here, park officials assign you to a gorilla family and you meet your gorilla guides. After being briefed on protocols, you head over to the specific starting point, where teams of porters are available for hire. Remember, you are trekking for around 2,500m and so any help is welcome.
Groups are limited to eight guests. The initial trek is usually through rural Rwanda’s open fields of potatoes and pyrethrum, until you reach the rough wall boundary of the park itself. From here, your guide will be in communication with the trackers and you will begin the hike through the forest to meet the gorillas. Your permit allows you one hour with the gorilla family, after which you say goodbye to your trackers and hike back down to meet your awaiting vehicle.
Akagera National Park overlooks beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga and comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains. This is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, some very large crocodiles as well as the rare sitatunga and more than 520 bird species.
Teeming with plains game, Akagera now also boasts a healthy population of lion, which were reintroduced into the park in 2015 after a 20-year absence, as well as black rhino which were reintroduced in 2017. The only exclusive-use area in Akagera also harbours a good density of leopard.
Overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Rwanyakazinga, and the Mutumba Mountains to the west, Magashi Peninsula is situated in a private concession within Akagera National Park – Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and Rwanda’s only refuge for savannah species. This area offers exceptional game-viewing opportunities in landscapes varying from open plains and woodlands to swamps, lakes, and rolling grassy hills.
This exclusive eight-bed camp focuses on privacy, luxury, and conservation. The Villa and Suites each have their own plunge pool. Skybeds in every room allow for a unique outdoor sleep-out.
The camp’s central main area includes dining and lounge spaces, as well as a gym.
Meals are designed with sustainability in mind, offering healthy, flavorful recipes that tread lightly on the Earth. The menu features Rwanda’s indigenous ingredients, local dishes, and fresh produce.
Suite
Magashi Peninsula features two spacious twin/double Suites designed for privacy and luxury. Positioned 200 meters apart for seclusion, each Suite combines Rwandan-inspired design with modern comforts, including star beds for stargazing under the open skies. Elevated to provide sweeping views, the Suites offer guests front-row access to resident wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, and other animals that roam freely across the Magashi Peninsula.
Magashi is the only private access area in Akagera, which means you have miles of wilderness to yourself. Game drives are personal affairs, and the knowledgeable and passionate guides are wonderful storytellers who read the land like a book. Learn the story of how Akagera, together with the NGO, African Parks, worked to reintroduce wildlife such as lions and black rhinos to the area. Guests can also enjoy nature walks, boating, night drives, and catch-and-release fishing.
Akagera supports a large diversity and density of wildlife. The park is home to leopard and lion, white rhinos, eastern black rhinos, buffalo, Masai giraffe, zebra, and interesting antelope such as topi, roan antelope, the elusive sitatunga, and oribi, alongside 520 bird species.
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