Duration
12-Day
Accra, Rwanda
12-Day Rwandan Safari Adventure
Overview
This tour takes you to the "land of a thousand hills," Rwanda. Over 12 days, you will explore Rwanda's beauty through its culture, nature, and wildlife and discover all the wonders this incredible country has to offer. The tour will start and end in Kigali.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Kigali to Kigali (Day 11-12)
Via Volcanoes NP (Gorillas), Ruhengeri (City), Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
Country & park
Rwanda
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
15 years
Activities
game drives, chimpanzee trekking, nature hikes/walks & canoe/mokoro safaris
Accommodation
Lebanon Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Kigali – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Breakfast & Lunch Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$4,015 USD
$3,685 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older. Children under 16 receive a discount.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Rwanda
Start
Kigali (Day 1)
Day 2
Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)
Day 3-4
Ruhengeri (City)
Day 5
Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
Day 6
Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
Day 7
Kibuye (Lake Kivu)
Day 8-10
Nyungwe NP (Chimps)
End
Kigali (Day 11-12)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses guest houses and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
15
Minimum age of 15 years
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives, chimpanzee trekking, nature hikes/walks & canoe/mokoro safaris
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle & open-sided 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: open-sided 4x4 vehicle, boat & normal 4x4 vehicle
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Lebanon Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Kigali – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Migano Hotel & Cafe - Musanze
Mid-range hotel less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Migano Hotel & Cafe - Musanze
Mid-range hotel in Ruhengeri (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
Hotel Muhabura
Budget hotel in Ruhengeri (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5-6
Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa
Mid-range hotel in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
Bethany Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Kibuye (Lake Kivu) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Mid-range guest house just outside Kibale NP (Chimps) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 9-10
EAR Ken Barham Guest House Budget guest house less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) – All Meals Included
Budget guest house less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 11
Lebanon Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Kigali – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 12
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Kigali
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet our hospitable driver-guide who will brief you about today’s activities. If you arrive in the morning, you will go on a tour of Kigali and visit the Genocide Memorial before retiring to your hotel. Mid-range hotel located in Kigali All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Kigali Stay: Lebanon Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Kigali Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, you will drive about two hours to meet Volcano National Park’s guides for a briefing. The briefing is scheduled to start at 7:30 am, and at 8:00 am you will begin driving toward Buhanga Eco-Park. Here you will learn about the former Rwandan kings’ lifestyles inside the sacred forest where they performed initiations. Afterwards, you will return to the red rocks for lunch before learning more about Rwanda’s culture. You will see how wine is traditionally brewed and enjoy traditional dancers. You will be surprised by their speed and skill in peeling bananas. You will also join them in these activities, which will be a great experience. After this, you will be transferred to your hotel. Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Migano Hotel & Cafe - Musanze Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Musanze
At 10:00 am, you will meet with a Volcano National Park’s guide for a briefing about your upcoming activity. After the briefing, you will start your journey. As you prepare to walk through a dark area, you will be provided with a flashlight and a protective helmet. During your walk, you will have the chance to see some bats in the cave, which will enhance your experience. Later in the afternoon, you will continue with a Musanze city tour and visit the local market to potentially buy some souvenirs before returning to your hotel. Mid-range hotel located in Ruhengeri (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Musanze (City) Stay: Migano Hotel & Cafe - Musanze Mid-range hotel located in Ruhengeri (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Musanze
After breakfast, you will go canoeing on the Mukungwa River, a deep river that passes near Musanze city at the foot of the five volcanoes. Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride on the Twin Lakes, exploring the islands, taking pictures while boating, and learning about the background of the volcanoes (since the lakes were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions). Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Musanze (City) Stay: Hotel Muhabura Budget hotel located in Ruhengeri (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Musanze - Rubavu
After breakfast, you will drive to Rubavu, a two-hour journey from Musanze. You will arrive in Rubavu in the morning around 10:00 am and have a city tour for a few hours. Visit Mount Rubavu, which offers a panoramic view of Goma city on clear days and take some pictures from the top of the mountain. Later, you will be taken to your hotel for lunch, and the remaining time will be spent at your leisure. Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Rubavu (Lake Kivu) Stay: Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Rubavu
After breakfast, you will visit the one-stop immigration center at the Congo-Rwanda border to observe the busy comings and goings before returning to your hotel in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a meditation moment at the Rubavu hot springs. Take off your shoes and step into the natural hot springs for your health. The hot sand beach will draw out the tiredness from the previous hike. Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) Stay: Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Rubavu - Karongi
After breakfast, you will start driving along the Lake Kivu belt to Karongi. The route is fully panoramic, passing through thousands of hills covered with green tea plantations and colored by the village trails above the peaceful lake shores. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be welcomed like a king with cold juice and freshly grilled fish for lunch. You will then board a local boat to explore the splendor of Rwanda. As you pass through islands and islets, you will pay a visit to three of them: Napoleon Island, Blue Monkey Island, and Peace Island. On the islands, you will have a chance to see the monkeys that inhabit them. Afterward, you will ride back to Amahoro Island (Peace Island) and stop at the open peninsula for a local beer. After this experience, you will retire at your hotel near the shore. Mid-range hotel located in Kibuye (Lake Kivu) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Karongi (Lake Kivu) Stay: Bethany Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Kibuye (Lake Kivu) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
Karongi - Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, you will drive about 2.5 hours to reach Nyungwe and begin walking at the bottom of the dark rainforest beneath the old, giant trees, with flying monkeys and paradise birds all around you. After about 25 minutes of walking in the forest, you will face the challenge of the day: stepping onto a 200 m bridge suspended between two hills. Hanging 70m above the forest, this gently shaking bridge will be the moment to test your balance and resilience. From here, you will enjoy an incredible endless view of Lake Kivu and the vast green forest, a true photography highlight. Afterward, you will have lunch at your hotel, and later in the afternoon, you will visit the Kitabi tea plantation. Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Nyungwe National Park (Chimps) Stay: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Nyungwe National Park
After an early breakfast, you will check in at Uwinka reception before starting your trek in the untouched rainforest of Rwanda. Chimpanzees, our close cousins who share about 80% of our DNA, will be the highlight of this experience. You will spend one hour with them, taking photos to capture lasting memories. The trek will take up to two hours, after which you will return to your hotel for lunch. Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Nyungwe National Park (Chimps) Stay: EAR Ken Barham Guest House Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10
Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, you will check in for a briefing at the Uwinka reception area and then start a one-hour walk to the waterfall around 8:00 am. Along the way, you may spot some wildlife, such as the endemic birds of the Albertine Rift Valley or reptiles, though sightings are not guaranteed. At the waterfall, you’ll enjoy its relaxing atmosphere for about an hour and take photos for your memories. Afterwards, walk back to the starting point and transfer to your hotel for lunch. Your remaining time today will be reserved for rest, reading, or personal exploration. Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Nyungwe National Park (Chimps) Stay: EAR Ken Barham Guest House Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 11
Nyungwe National Park - Kigali
After lunch, you will drive about two hours to Nyanza, where Rwanda takes its roots. You will arrive around 10:00 am and begin a walk through the museum, once home to the famous Rwandan kings. You will have the opportunity to enter the kings' palace and learn about the royal lifestyle and the authority of pre-colonial Rwanda. The famous longhorn Rwandan cows are also in the palace backyard. Their permanent keepers, who spend long days singing and interacting with them, offer a unique insight into the close bond between humans and animals. Around 1:00 pm, you will visit the Ethnographic Museum in Butare, renowned for having one of the best ethnological and archaeological collections in the region. Here, you will explore and learn about the archaeological heritage of Rwanda’s ancestors. Around 3:00 pm, you will drive back to Kigali. Mid-range hotel located in Kigali All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Kigali Stay: Lebanon Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Kigali Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 12
Kigali
After breakfast, you will proceed on a Kigali city tour before being transferred to Kigali International Airport. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Kigali Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
Chimp permits(One per person, non-resident)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Kigali
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Kigali Airport (KGL - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Empirical Tour and Travel
5.0 operator rating
33 reviews
Empirical Tour and Travel is a sustainable and responsible tour company that offers unforgettable travel experiences in Dr. Congo and the East African Region. We cater to travelers who are interested in safaris, gorilla trekking, cultural tours, sightseeing tours and hiking adventures.
Office In
Rwanda
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 2018)
Member Of
Rwanda Tours & Travel Association
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Burundi, Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Efficient, kind-hearted, sensitive to customers wishes and needs and always smiling.
My wife and I travelled with Eraste to DRC, Burundi and Rwanda for 13 days during August,2023.Pre tour communication with him was great and any issues quickly answered.He took care of all transport, accommodation ,visas and tickets (including Gorilla permits) without fuss which made our trip so enjoyable.Already we have recommended Eraste and Empirical Tour and travel, to traveler friends of ours as ours was an unforgettable experience.
Jim and Marcia Bowater · New Zealand
Unforgettable trip with ETT
Exciting and full of impressions and adventures trip through 3 countries. A great experience of meeting gorillas and chimpanzees, but also an amazing experience from a boat on the Nile. Photos with crocodiles and hippos near the waterfalls will remain in our memory for the rest of our lives. Thank you Erast for taking care of us and for the wonderful time together on the island near the volcano in DRC. Good luck.
Ania i Szymon · Poland
Eraste is a really nice guy who does all he can to give one a memorable trip.
I very much enjoyed my visit to see the Red Monkeys at Musanze even if there were so many people at the same venue going off to see the Gorillas. The Diane Fossey centre is well worth the time for a visit. The Genocide museum in Kigali although it is harrowing it should not be missed. The highlight of my whole trip was going into the Congo to see the Gorillas, for me it was a life time memory. The boat trip on the slow boat to Goma in the Congo was a really enjoyable day too, not much to see in the town except the wooden bicycles. Burundi was a good experience too as not many make the effort to visit as such many locals are please to meet and chat.
Richard W B · New Zealand
8-day game safari
I did an 8-day game safari tour with Empirical Tour and Travel across the amazing land of Rwanda. As a white female solo traveller I was very pleased with the way this travel agency handled all the little details of my travel. Accommodations were nice and transportations between destinations were smooth. Eraste and Joseph made me feel safe and comfortable the whole journey. With their travel plan I was able to experience Rwanda as a local, which added priceless value for this trip!
Elina · Finland
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older. Children under 16 receive a discount.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Lebanon Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Kigali – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Kigali
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Empirical Tour and Travel, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
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