This is not a journey that can be booked off the shelf. Rwanda rewards patience, planning and access, and this carefully curated experience has been purpose built to deliver rare wildlife encounters, exceptional lodges and a depth of connection that goes far beyond conventional travel.
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Itinerary
The Journey at a Glance: A carefully balanced exploration of Rwanda's most compelling landscapes, beginning in the refined calm of Kigali, continuing to the volcanic forests of the Virungas and concluding with a classic safari experience in the open savannah of Akagera National Park.
Day One: Arrival in Kigali
Arrive into Kigali International Airport where you will be met airside for a VIP meet and greet, including fast-track assistance with visas and luggage. Meet your private guide and transfer to your hotel. During the drive, you will receive an introduction to Rwandas history, culture and the journey ahead.
Kigali sits high in the hills and enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. Known for its cleanliness, safety and quiet confidence, it offers a gentle and refined introduction to the country. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day Two: Kigali City Introduction & Transfer to Volcanoes Park
After breakfast, enjoy a short privately guided introduction to Kigali. Depending on your interests, this may include a visit to the Genocide Memorial for historical context, time in a contemporary Rwandan art gallery or a stop at a local artisan coffee house. Your guide will tailor the morning to suit your pace and preferences.
After lunch, depart Kigali on a private transfer north towards Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes approximately three hours and passes through rolling hills, coffee plantations and rural villages.
Volcanoes National Park is one of Africas most important conservation areas, home to five of the Virunga volcanoes and roughly half of the worlds remaining mountain gorilla population. Its misty bamboo forests and volcanic slopes create a dramatic and deeply atmospheric setting.
Arrive at your lodge and settle into your suite. Later, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, an interactive conservation and education centre dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas and their habitat. The day concludes with a private boat cruise on the Twin Lakes, enjoying sundowner drinks as the light fades across the volcanic landscape.
Day Three: Mountain Gorilla Encounter
An early start this morning as you transfer to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park for a briefing with your ranger. Gorilla trekking groups are strictly limited, with a maximum of eight guests per gorilla family per day. You will be offered a porter to assist on the trail, drawn from the local community and registered by the Rwanda Wildlife Authority.
Once the gorilla family is located, you are permitted a full hour in their presence. Observing these remarkable animals at close quarters is a profoundly moving experience and one that remains with visitors long after they leave Rwanda.
Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Time to rest, reflect and take in the dramatic volcanic scenery from the privacy of your suite.
Day Four: Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, meet your driver and begin the journey east across Rwanda towards Akagera National Park, close to the Ugandan border. The drive takes approximately six to seven hours and showcases the diversity of Rwandas landscapes. Scenic stops are made along the way for a light lunch and freshly brewed Rwandan coffee.
Arrive at Magashi Camp, set within a private access area of Akagera National Park. If time allows, head out on an afternoon game drive before returning to camp for dinner.
Day Five: Safari Experience in Akagera National Park
Wake early for a morning game drive when the park is at its most active. Akagera offers a classic East African safari experience, with open savannah, lakes and rolling hills providing habitat for lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and both black and white rhino.
Once depleted, the park has been carefully restored and is now home again to a full complement of apex predators and their prey. The remainder of the day may be spent enjoying further game drives or additional activities such as birding, boating or catch and release fishing.
However you choose to spend your time, Magashi offers a fitting and memorable conclusion to your Rwandan adventure.
Day Six: Return to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, check out and begin your private transfer back to Kigali. The journey takes approximately four hours. If time permits, enjoy some last minute shopping or a relaxed lunch in the city before continuing to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. An evening departure is recommended.
Gorilla trekking permits and wildlife activities are strictly controlled to protect Rwandas fragile ecosystems. All visits are arranged in advance and subject to availability and conservation regulations. In the rare event that a specific activity or access point becomes unavailable, a suitable alternative of equal standing will be arranged. With careful planning and advance notice, this is highly unlikely.
This itinerary has been designed for travellers who value access, authenticity and meaningful encounters. It is not mass tourism and it is not available off the shelf. This is Rwanda at its most considered, most intimate and most unforgettable.
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