8 Days Rwanda Tour Holiday: Gorillas, Chimps, Hiking & Kigali City
8 Days Rwanda Tour: Overview
Discover Rwanda in 8 Days: Gorillas, Chimps, Musanze Caves & Kigali City
Embark on a breathtaking 8 days Rwanda tour vacation, an ideal journey for those seeking active exploration and diverse experiences. This 8 days tour in Rwanda offers a mix of thrilling activities, including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, volcano hiking, Musanze caves exploration, and a tour of Kigali city, complete with a visit to the poignant Genocide Memorial.
Your journey begins in Kigali with a guided city tour, unveiling Rwanda’s colonial past and recent history at the genocide memorial, a profoundly moving experience. From there, venture to Volcanoes National Park, home to about 300 of the world’s 1,063 mountain gorillas.
Enjoy a spectacular 2-day hike on Mount Karisimbi (4,507 m) and partake in a popular Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure. Afterward, relax at the scenic Lake Kivu before heading to Nyungwe Forest for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking trek.
This 8-day Rwanda tour can be booked as is or customized to your preferences.
8 Days in Rwanda Tour: Prime Activities
- Climb Karisimbi Volcano, 4,507 meters
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Explore Musanze Caves
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest
- Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial & tour Kigali city
- Relax along the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu
- Drive through Rwanda’s scenic landscapes
8 Days Rwanda Tour: Featured Destinations
- Day 1 & 2: Kigali
- Day 3: Musanze (Ruhengeri)
- Day 4 & 5: Volcanoes National Park
- Day 6: Lake Kivu – Gisenyi
- Day 7: Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 8: Transfer back to Kigali
8 Days Rwanda Tour: Highlights
Day 1: Arrive in Rwanda via Kigali International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Nestled among scenic hills, Kigali is known for its clean, green, and safe environment. The city offers a variety of restaurants and attractions, including the Kigali Genocide Center, local markets, art galleries, and craft shops.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali/Radisson Blu/Hotel Mille Collines
- Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meals: Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Airport pickup
- Hotel transfer
Day 2: Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial & Tour Kigali City
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This site, constructed on the burial site of 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide, offers a deeply moving and educational experience. Afterward, tour the city, exploring local markets, art galleries, and craft centers.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Hotel des Mille Collines/Serena Hotel Kigali/Radisson Blu
- Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
- Kigali city tour
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Explore Musanze Caves
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, explore the ancient Musanze caves, formed by basalt lava flows millions of years ago. The caves feature 31 entrances and extend 2 km underground.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Bisate Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: 116 km / 2-3 hours
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Musanze cave tour
Day 4 & 5: Two-Day Mount Karisimbi Hike (4,507m)
Spend two days hiking Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest volcano. The trek, which passes through diverse vegetation zones, includes an overnight camp at 3,700m. On the second day, reach the summit for breathtaking views, then descend back to your lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Virunga Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Track rare golden monkeys
- Dian Fossey hike
- Mount Bisoke hike
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi Beach)
Today, embark on an unforgettable gorilla trek. After a morning briefing, trek through the jungle to find mountain gorillas. Spend an hour observing these majestic creatures before transferring to Lake Kivu for a relaxing afternoon.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: Serena Resort Lake Kivu
- Midrange: Paradise Kivu Resort/Cormoran Lodge Kibuye
- Budget: Hotel Paradis Malahide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: Approx. 110 km / 2 hours
Activities & Services:
- Gorilla trekking
- Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 7: Drive to Nyungwe National Park via The Congo Nile Divide
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest, passing tea and coffee plantations and panoramic views along the Congo Nile Divide trail. Check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: Approx. 294 km / 7-8 hours
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Nyungwe
Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe, Return to Kigali
Begin with an early breakfast and transfer to the park for a thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventure. Spend the morning trekking through the forest, observing these fascinating creatures. Afterward, enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Kigali, concluding your 8 days Rwanda safari.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities & Services:
- Chimpanzee tracking
Optional Activities:
- Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
- Tea plantation visit
