| Day 1 |
Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda’s Capital City |
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Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your dedicated Kalama Safaris representative who will assist you through immigration and customs, ensuring a seamless and stress-free arrival. Relax in the comfort of the VIP Lounge while your luggage is collected, then enjoy a smooth private transfer to the luxurious Kigali Serena Hotel for a two-night stay.
The remainder of the day is yours to unwind, rest, and shake off any jet lag. Settle into your elegant accommodations and take in the first sights and sounds of Rwanda. In the evening, savor a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel as you ease into the gentle rhythm of East Africa and prepare for the adventures ahead. |
| Day 2 |
Arrive Alkagera National Park |
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After breakfast in Kigali, drive east to Akagera National Park (approximately 2.5–3 hours). Upon arrival, check into Salt of Akagera, a beautiful luxury lodge perched on a hill with stunning panoramic views over the park and Lake Ihema, for a two-night stay. Spend the afternoon on your first game drive, where you’ll have excellent opportunities to spot lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and a rich variety of birdlife in this beautiful savanna landscape. |
| Day 3 |
Take a Boat Safari on Lake Ihema – Drive Back to Kigali |
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After an early morning game drive, take a relaxing boat safari on the scenic Lake Ihema. This peaceful cruise offers wonderful close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of colorful water birds against the beautiful backdrop of the park.
Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch. You will then drive back to Kigali (approximately 2.5–3 hours). The afternoon and evening are at your leisure to relax and unwind at the Kigali Serena Hotel. |
| Day 4 |
Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial – Journey to Volcanoes National Park |
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After breakfast, begin your day with a drive through Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali. Your first stop is the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and deeply moving site dedicated to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Here, you’ll learn about Rwanda’s history — and gain insight into the country’s extraordinary journey of healing, reconciliation, and renewal.
Following this reflective visit, you’ll depart northward on a scenic 2–3 hour drive toward Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains. En route, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The journey showcases Rwanda’s legendary “Land of a Thousand Hills,” with breathtaking views of rolling green landscapes, lush, terraced farmlands, and traditional villages nestled among the hills.
Nestled in the lush foothills of the Virunga Mountains near Volcanoes National Park, You will spend three nights the Rwanda Farm House — a charming, luxury accommodation with warm hospitality, fresh farm-to-table meals, and stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
This day offers a meaningful balance of solemn remembrance and awe-inspiring natural beauty as you transition from Kigali’s urban energy into the dramatic volcanic highlands where mountain gorillas roam. |
| Day 5 |
Trek in Volcanoes National Park – Visit a Family of Mountain Gorilla |
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Have an early start for the unforgettable highlight of your Rwanda safari — trekking to meet mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you’ll depart for the park headquarters for a detailed briefing and registration. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll embark on a guided hike (typically 2 to 6 hours) through misty bamboo forests, dense vegetation, and rugged volcanic terrain. Upon locating a habituated gorilla family, you will spend one magical hour observing these majestic, gentle gorillas at close range in their natural habitat — a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Return to the Rwanda Farm House for a delicious farm-fresh lunch, followed by for souvenir shopping and relaxing. In the evening, savor a farm-fresh dinner featuring ingredients sourced directly from the lodge’s gardens and farm, perfectly capping off an extraordinary day in the Virungas. |
| Day 6 |
Walk In the Footsteps of Dian Fossey – Visit to Karisoke |
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After breakfast, join your guide and drive to the Volcanoes National Park office for a briefing on the remarkable life and legacy of Dian Fossey, the pioneering primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas.
You will then hike to the historic Karisoke Research Center site, nestled in a beautiful meadow between the Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes. Here lie the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her beloved research gorillas. The site offers a profound and moving tribute to her conservation work and the deep bond she shared with these magnificent animals.
This moderate 3- to 4-hour trek (round trip) is highly recommended for anyone interested in gorilla conservation history and Fossey’s personal story. Operated directly by the national park, it provides a meaningful and reflective experience in one of the most important locations in primate conservation.
You will return to the lodge in the afternoon with time to rest and reflect on this inspiring chapter of Rwanda’s conservation heritage. |
| Day 7 |
Go Golden Monkey Trekking – Depart for Kigali |
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After an early breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your Golden Monkey Trekking adventure, which begins at 7:00 AM. These rare and endangered primates are found in the bamboo zones at the base of the volcanoes. The park currently has two habituated troops, each with around 80 members, available for visitors.
Golden monkeys are incredibly lively and playful, leaping acrobatically from tree to tree in a display that is as entertaining as it is beautiful. Like gorilla trekking, you’ll be in a small group (maximum 8–16 guests) and will spend one unforgettable hour with the troop once located.
After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, check out and drive back to Kigali for your flight home, to another destination, or to connect with your next Kalama Safari tour. |
