Highlights of Rwanda: Kigali, Volcanoes National Park & Nyungwe - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Explore Rwanda's Capital at Leisure

Welcome to Rwanda's vibrant capital, Kigali! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax by the pool or explore the city at your own place. A good place to start is Kimironko Market, Kigali's largest market. Stroll past stalls brimming with a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables alongside aromatic spices and traditional Rwandan herbs. You'll also find a variety of handmade crafts, textiles, and clothing, providing a glimpse into Rwanda's rich artistic heritage. 

Continue to Niyo Arts Gallery to admire the diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and crafts created by talented local artists. The gallery also supports community-based projects, providing a platform for emerging artists and fostering artistic development. In the evening, find a local restaurant in the downtown core to indulge in authentic dishes like nyama choma (grilled meat served with plantains or vegetables) or Rwandan stew (made with meat, vegetables, and spices). End the night with a sweet treat of mandazi (a lightly sweetened, deep-fried pastry) before returning to your hotel.

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

Join your guide on a tour of the capital, starting at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are buried in mass graves. The on-site museum offers a look at the events leading up to the genocide, the atrocities committed, and the country's path to recovery. After perusing the powerful exhibits, personal testimonies, and photographs, travel through the colorful neighborhood of Nyamirambo and climb to the top of Mount Kigali. When you arrive at the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the city surrounded by lush green valleys and terraced farms.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trek, Visit Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village

Start your day off right with a trek to search for golden monkeys in the national park. Although this species is endangered, the park is home to two habituated troops with about 80 members. Follow your experienced guide into the mist-covered forests to search for the primates in their natural habitat. As you walk, your guide will share valuable insights about the monkeys and the conservation efforts to protect them from extinction. Once you find them, you'll be allowed to spend one hour observing them swing through the trees and interact with each other.

Day 4: Guided Hike to the Summit of Mount Bisoke

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for a full-day trek to the summit of Mount Bisoke, an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains. After you register for the hike and complete a briefing, you'll begin the trek accompanied by mountain guides and porters. Walk through the lush montane forest, gradually ascending the slopes of the volcano. Keep your eyes peeled, as you may get another chance to see golden monkeys.

After three to five hours, you'll arrive at the summit, where you can enjoy views of a crater lake nestled within the volcanic caldera. When you're ready, descend to your starting point and have lunch, then return to your lodge to rest. The on-site bar is open 24/7, so you can unwind with a wine, beer, or soft drink before dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Canopy Walk

Trade one national park for another this morning as you transfer five hours to Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe on the edge of Nyungwe Forest National Park. After checking in and freshening up, transfer to the Uwinka Visitor Center to complete a safety briefing before embarking on the canopy walk. Suspended high above the forest floor, this elevated walkway stretches 164 feet long (50 m) and 229 feet high (70 m), offering panoramic views of the verdant canopy below.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Since you're staying at Chimpanzee Lodge, you can't leave without seeing this adorable primate. Start your day with an early wake-up call and breakfast before returning to the Unwika Visitor Center by 5:30 am to complete a briefing. Then, your guide will choose one of two trails and transfer you to the starting point of your trek. As you walk, your guide will teach you more about the primates that share 98% of our DNA, pointing out signs of activity, like feeding sites and nests.

Keep an eye on the trees as you walk, as you may also spot 12 other species of primates, including silver monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons. The national park is home to an estimated 400 to 500 chimpanzees, making sightings likely, though not guaranteed. If you find them, you can stand back and watch them forage, groom, mate, and play with each other. After spending some time with these incredible creatures, trek back to your starting point and transfer to your lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Kigali, Depart

Enjoy one more breakfast in Rwanda at your lodge, then meet your driver for a five-hour transfer back to Kigali. As you leave Nyungwe's lush, mountainous terrain behind, the road gradually descends into rolling hills and fertile valleys. Enjoy views of the picturesque countryside with vibrant green fields and terraced farms, passing through small towns and villages where you can observe the local culture and daily life. When you arrive in the capital, head straight to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!