8 Day Rwanda Small Group Tour

Day Overview

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your African Star Tours driver-guide. Enjoy a smooth transfer to your hotel in Kigali, where you can relax and recover from your journey. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to unwind or enjoy optional activities depending on your arrival time.

Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, set out to explore Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital. Highlights include a city tour and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, offering powerful insight into the country’s history and resilience. After lunch, depart Kigali and travel north through scenic countryside to Volcanoes National Park, arriving in time for dinner and an overnight stay near the park.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Experience

Today begins early with a transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on a guided mountain gorilla trek. Hike through lush rainforest and bamboo slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family, spending a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, visit the Red Rocks Cultural Centre for an enriching cultural experience featuring traditional music, dance, and community-based initiatives. Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking, Twin Lakes & Gisenyi

After breakfast, enjoy golden monkey tracking in the Volcanoes region, trekking through bamboo forests to observe these playful primates. Later, relax on a scenic boat ride on the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Continue your journey to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu, where you can enjoy lakeside views, fresh breezes, and optional leisure activities. Overnight in Gisenyi.

Day 5: Gisenyi to Nyungwe Forest (Rusizi District)

Depart Gisenyi after breakfast and travel south along the scenic Lake Kivu route toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey offers beautiful landscapes and rural views. Arrive in the Rusizi District in the afternoon, check in to your lodge, and spend the rest of the day at leisure surrounded by nature.

Day 6: Canopy Walk & Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe

Start early with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, guided by expert trackers through dense rainforest to observe chimpanzees and other primates. After the trek, enjoy the thrilling canopy walk along the Igishigishigi Trail, crossing a suspended bridge high above the forest floor with sweeping views of the diverse ecosystem. Overnight in the Rusizi District.

Day 7: Nyungwe to Kigali via Butare Museum

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive back to Kigali through Rwanda’s rolling hills and countryside. En route, visit the Rwanda Ethnographic Museum in Butare (Huye) to learn about the country’s culture, traditions, and history. Continue to Kigali, arriving later in the day for your final overnight.

Day 8: Departure

At the agreed time, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. Bid farewell to Rwanda with lasting memories of its wildlife, landscapes, culture, and warm hospitality.