9 Days Luxury Rwanda Honeymoon Safari
This is a 9 Days Luxury Rwanda Honeymoon Safari which takes you, our esteemed guests, to some of the most interesting honeymoon destinations in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills.’ On this 9 Day Rwanda Honeymoon Safari, you will visit three of the most visited national parks in Rwanda which includes; Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park.
Major highlights of this 9 Days Luxury Rwanda Honeymoon Safari include;
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Iby’iwacu Community Cultural Visit in Volcanoes National Park.
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park.
Detailed Itinerary for 9 Days Luxury Rwanda Honeymoon Safari.
Please Note that this tour starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
You will be picked up by your guide from Explore Rwanda Tours upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Your guide will then drive you to Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is about a 30 minute drive from the airport. The genocide memorial grounds is where approximately 250,000 Rwandans were buried following the 1994 Genocide killings against the Tutsi people of Rwanda. The Kigali Genocide Memorial acts as an educative center and a reminder to every one of the atrocities that were committed during the genocide. It is also an initiative to spreading the message of peace and love for our fellow humans irrespective of one’s ethnicity.
You will have lunch en-route to Volcanoes National Park which is approximately 1 – 2 hours’ drive from Kigali Genocide Memorial. Check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight at Kinigi Guesthouse/ Virunga Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
This day marks the highlight of your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Have an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi by 7am. Upon your arrival in Volcanoes national park; you will be met by the park’s head ranger, who will brief you and give you guidelines to follow while tracking the gorillas and also when you are in their presence. You will then be placed into tracking groups, comprising 8 members per gorilla trekking group.
Gorilla trekking activities in Volcanoes begin at exactly 8am and you will be accompanied by armed park rangers, skilled guides and porters, in case you have luggage to carry with you. Don’t forget to carry packed lunch with you on this day, because gorilla trekking can take between 2-7 hours, trying to locate the gorillas.
Once the mountain gorillas have been located, you will get to spend only an hour with the majestic giants. Use this time well and do take as many photos as you wish; only bear in mind that your camera’s flash is disabled.
After your amazing gorilla trekking experience, you will return to the park’s headquarters for your gorilla trekking certificate and then drive back to your lodge. Later in the afternoon, you will drive to the Iby’iwacu village and get an insightful peek into the spectacular Rwandan culture. You will get to interact with the local people, see their day-to-day lifestyles and also watch dance performances from the local intore dance troupe.
While there, you will get to learn of how most of the members of the Iby’iwacu village, were once poachers, who have be rehabilitated and now take part in conservation programs in the national park. You also have an option of hiking to the Musanze caves and exploring them. You will learn about the history of these caves and their cultural significance to Rwanda’s historical past.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Cultural Tour.
This day marks the highlight of your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Have an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi by 7am. Upon your arrival in Volcanoes national park; you will be met by the park’s head ranger, who will brief you and give you guidelines to follow while tracking the gorillas and also when you are in their presence. You will then be placed into tracking groups, comprising 8 members per gorilla trekking group.
Gorilla trekking activities in Volcanoes begin at exactly 8am and you will be accompanied by armed park rangers, skilled guides and porters, in case you have luggage to carry with you. Don’t forget to carry packed lunch with you on this day, because gorilla trekking can take between 2-7 hours, trying to locate the gorillas.
Once the mountain gorillas have been located, you will get to spend only an hour with the majestic giants. Use this time well and do take as many photos as you wish; only bear in mind that your camera’s flash is disabled.
After your amazing gorilla trekking experience, you will return to the park’s headquarters for your gorilla trekking certificate and then drive back to your lodge. Later in the afternoon, you will drive to the Iby’iwacu village and get an insightful peek into the spectacular Rwandan culture. You will get to interact with the local people, see their day-to-day lifestyles and also watch dance performances from the local intore dance troupe.
While there, you will get to learn of how most of the members of the Iby’iwacu village, were once poachers, who have be rehabilitated and now take part in conservation programs in the national park. You also have an option of hiking to the Musanze caves and exploring them. You will learn about the history of these caves and their cultural significance to Rwanda’s historical past.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 3: Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite and Visit to Karisoke Research center.
Have your breakfast early morning from your lodge and then head out to Volcanoes National Park where you will embark on a hiking expedition to Dian Fossey’s Gravesite, an American primatologist and conservationist, whose scientific studies on Mountain Gorilla Groups in Volcanoes National Park has given us a better understanding of these primate species. You will have the opportunity to learn more about her life and scientific study up until her death. She was murdered on 26th December 1985 in her camp in Volcanoes National Park and was laid near her favorite gorilla ‘Digit,’ along with 20 other mountain gorillas. Aside from her grave site, you will also pay a visit to the Karisoke Research Centre which she used as a base for carrying out most of her scientific studies with the help of her staff.
Have lunch at your lodge and relax for the afternoon. Alternatively, you can opt to pay a visit to the splendid and beautiful twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in the evening. Enjoy the scenic beauty at the lakes and the surrounding hills. The scenery at twin lakes makes an excellent spot for both water and birding activities. You can also take a boat excursion on the lakes and get to explore the lush green hills and wildlife at the lakes and their surroundings.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Have an early breakfast at your lodge and later proceed with your transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is located in the far western province of Rwanda. The drive from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park is quite a long one via road, taking about 5½ to 7 hours and covering a distance of approximately 265 kilometers. If you are not up for the long road trip, there are air transfers offered by Akagera Aviation Company. You can charter a helicopter to fly you to Nyungwe National Park, which will take at most 45 minutes and offer stunning aerial views of both national parks.
Visitors staying at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge in Volcanoes National Park have a bigger advantage, as the lodge offers its guests helicopter transfers (at an additional fee) to its sister lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House, in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Once you arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park, check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Nyungwe One & Only Guesthouse.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyugwe Forest National Park.
This day marks one of the highlights of your 9 day Rwanda Honeymoon Safari. Have an early breakfast and then head to the Park’s headquarters in Uwinka where you will be briefed by the park’s head ranger and placed in trekking groups of 8 members per group. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park begins at exactly 8am, so endeavor to keep time and make sure you are at the Uwinka center by 7am.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to approximately 80 habituated chimpanzees. While tracking chimps in the forest, you might as well spot other primate species such as; the black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, golden monkey and other monkey species. You will have your packed lunch after your chimp trekking activity or return to your hotel for lunch and good rest. Later in the evening, you can opt to go on a cultural encounter to one of the nearby villages. While there, you will get to learn more about the Rwandan culture, interact with the local people, get to see their daily lifestyles and even enjoy performances from the local dance groups.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 6: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk.
Wake up early in the morning, have your breakfast and head back to the park’s headquarters at Uwinka Centre. This is where you will being your hiking trip, which will lead you to the Canopy Walkway. The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is the most exciting and adventurous activity in Nyungwe National Park. This activity is not for the faint of hearts as it involves walking along the canopy walkway, which stretches 160 meters long and extends 70 meters above the forest ground. The Canopy walkway in Nyungwe national park gives visitors a chance to explore the national park from above, as visitors along the canopy walkway can get a panoramic view of the forest canopy. In addition to this, visitors also have an opportunity to see wildlife in the park such as; monkeys, chimpanzees, butterflies and different bird species.
Later in the evening, you can head to Gisakura Tea estate. Here, you will be taken through the process of tea growing, harvesting, processing and packaging. You will even get to taste the delicious taste of the final product.
Return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Transfer to Akagera National Park.
Have an early morning breakfast and proceed with your transfer to the only savannah national park in Rwanda, Akagera National Park. It is located in the eastern part of Rwanda. This national park is Rwanda’s only haven for viewing Savannah wildlife life in the country. The national park spans over an area of 1,122 square kilometers and is situated in Kayonza district in Rwanda.
Akagera national park was first established in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government and is one of the oldest national parks on the African Continent. The park derives its name from River Kagera which flows through the national park and on-wards into Uganda. Most Akagera national park is dominated by swamps, marshland, savannah grasslands, woodland, forests, lakes and rivers. The national park has a total of 10 lakes that are located in different areas within the park, with the most popular ones being; Lakes Ihema, Shakani, and Rwanyakazinga among others.
The national park has over 8,000 large wildlife animals including elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos. Travelers visiting the national park can view a variety of wildlife like; the Burchell’s zebra, giraffes, antelopes, impala, topi, Sitatunga, jackals, and hyenas among others.
Upon your arrival in the park, check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation at Ruzizi Tented Camp/Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Evening Boat Cruise.
Have your breakfast early in the morning and head out for a morning game drive. Get to explore the beautiful savanna and landscape in the park. You will also have the opportunity to see wildlife animals in the park like; elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos, waterbucks to mention but a few. You will return back to your lodge for lunch, rest for a short while and later embark on an evening boat cruise on Lake Ihema. While on your boat cruise, you will get to see the splendid wildlife at the park like; Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and some water birds like; the marabou stork, herons and the African fish eagle. After your boat cruise, you can opt to go guided nature walk and explore the marvelous flora and fauna species that Akagera National Park has to offer.
Return back to your lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 9: Transfer Back to Kigali.
Unfortunately, this is your last day with us and we hope you enjoyed most of your tour. Take your breakfast at leisure and then drive back to Kigali City. You then proceed with a tour of Kigali City, depending on when your flight back home departs. While on your Kigali city tour, you can visit places like the Kigali genocide memorial center, camp Kigali, house of Richard Kandt, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Caplaki craft village and Kimironko market; where you can grab yourself and your loved ones back home some souvenirs. Your guide will then drive you back to your hotel of straight to Kigali International Airport in time for you to check in and board your flight back home. End of Tour.