









5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure
Tour Overview of 5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure
The 5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure is a perfect combination of Rwanda’s stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences. This journey takes you from the lush rainforests of Nyungwe National Park, famous for chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walkway, to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, and onward to the volcanic highlands of Musanze for a cultural immersion.
You’ll explore one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to primates, birds, and breathtaking waterfalls, then relax on Lake Kivu’s scenic beaches before heading to the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park for an authentic Rwandan cultural experience. Designed for travelers who love nature, adventure, and culture, this 5-day safari captures the best of Rwanda’s natural and human heritage — all while surrounded by the beauty of the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Book this 5 Days Nyungwe Safari & Lake Kivu Adventure
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Your adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital. After breakfast, meet your professional driver-guide from Rwanda Safaris Gorilla Trekking for a briefing on the safari. Begin your scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park, located in the southwestern part of the country. Along the way, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye (Butare) to learn about Rwanda’s royal history and rich traditions. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing your journey through rolling hills and tea plantations. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, check in, and relax as you prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe House / Gisakura Guest House
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walkway Experience
Rise early for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure. With your ranger guide, enter the misty rainforest in search of one of Nyungwe’s habituated chimp families. Listen to their loud calls echoing through the canopy and enjoy the thrill of watching them play, groom, and feed in their natural environment.
After lunch, experience the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, a 160-meter bridge suspended high above the forest floor. This walk offers breathtaking views of the treetops, waterfalls, and diverse bird species. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight rest.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe House / Gisakura Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Scenic Drive & Relaxation
After breakfast, check out and drive north toward Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most scenic freshwater lakes. The journey winds through tea-covered hills and charming Rwandan villages, offering numerous photo opportunities. Arrive in Kibuye or Gisenyi (depending on your lodge choice) in time for lunch and check-in at your lakeside accommodation.
Spend your afternoon enjoying a peaceful boat ride on Lake Kivu, visiting nearby islands like Napoleon Island or relaxing along the sandy shores. Watch the sunset over the calm waters, or enjoy an optional evening swim before dinner.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Cormoran Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Cultural Experience
After breakfast, depart Lake Kivu and take a scenic drive toward Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, participate in a Rwandan cultural experience at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll meet local communities, enjoy traditional dances, learn about ancient hunting techniques, and take part in drumming sessions. This experience provides insight into Rwanda’s pre-colonial lifestyle and its living heritage.
Return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the volcanic landscape.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Drive Back to Kigali – Gift Shopping & Drop-Off
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge, then depart for Kigali with scenic views of Rwanda’s countryside along the way. On arrival, enjoy gift shopping at local craft markets for souvenirs such as handmade baskets, jewelry, and coffee. Depending on your schedule, you may also take a short Kigali City Walk before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included in 5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Canopy walkway fees
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Cultural village experience
- Museum and historical site visits en route
- Bottled drinking water throughout the tour
Excluded in 5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, tips, souvenirs)
- Porter or guide gratuities
End of Tour
Your 5 Days Nyungwe Safari and Lake Kivu Adventure ends with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s rainforests, wildlife, and cultural hospitality. From chimpanzees swinging through the canopy to sunsets over Lake Kivu and local cultural rhythms in Musanze, this journey perfectly captures Rwanda’s harmony between nature, people, and tradition.
Starting from US $ 3,000 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises. Prices for children are fixed as $ 150 per child.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 3700 |
| 2 | – | $ 3200 |
| 3 | – | $ 2800 |
| 4 | – | $ 2500 |
| 5 | – | $ 2300 |
| 6 | – | $ 2100 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 2000 |
Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).Posted on Shillano Tour & Travel AgencyVerified Akagera National Park Wildness Safari An unforgettable day in Akagera! The 1-day safari from Kigali, trip was perfectly organized. My guide/driver was incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, sharing lots of insights about Rwanda, Akagera National Park, and wildlife conservation. The 4x4 vehicle was comfortable, and drinking water was always available at no extra cost. Around midday we had a tasty included lunch – I chose a delicious cheeseburger with sides and homemade iced tea. We spent about 6 hours in the park and saw a wide range of animals: lions, elephant, hippos, baboons, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, various antelopes (impala, bushbuck), and many birds like fish eagles and guineafowl. We even spotted a crocodile resting in the water. Only rhino and leopard were missing from the Big Five – not surprising at the end of the rainy season (early June), with dense greenery. A fantastic day full of unforgettable moments – highly recommended!Posted on Ali KVerified Amazing day in the national park We had an amazing day with Kim driving around the national park. We managed to see 3 out of the big five and many more majestic species. Kim is a knowledgeable and friendly guide and knows the park like the back of his hand. More importantly, he knows how to safely approach the animals and read their behaviour to keep a safe distance and avoid contact.The breakfast and lunch places were also great and had delicious food.The park itself is magnificent and the Rwandan people and government have done an amazing job creating a safe haven for these animals, especially the endangered species.Posted on Angela GVerified Gental giants ❤️ Fabulous experience and our driver John, was amazing! Punctual, friendly and knowledgeable. Our park rangers Theo and Christofe were fantastic! Highly recommend 👍🏼Posted on Bruno RoboredoVerified Magical day!! It was a magical day!!!We managed to see 3 of the Big Five. There was rain, sunshine… and excellent tips and fun facts from our guide, Kim! Super attentive, patient, and friendly throughout the entire trip.Posted on Paulton HVerified A memorable experience. The tour was very well organized from pick-up to drop off at hotel. All that was promised was delivered to high satisfaction. The tour leader Kim is a local who has excellent knowledge of Kigali and Rwanda's rich and at various times turbulent history. It was an experience where we got to know to the full the city and its people. Hence a memorable experience, good value for money and highly recommended.Posted on david cVerified An experience never to forget - humbling to be with the gorillas in their home. Absolutely fantastic experience - a once in a lifetime. Our guide was very knowledgeable and our trip to and from was very enjoyable. The organisation at the national park was excellent and our experience with the guide, porters and trackers was first rate. And the gorillas - simply majestic and so engaging. Humbled to be in their presence.Posted on MFechnerVerified Just amazing!! What an experience!! Big shout out to John, our driver - he was fantastic!! Gave us lots of insights on the drive from Kigali, stopped for photos, and ensured we had everything we needed. The tour itself was brilliant - what an adventure!! Volcano National Park is beautiful, and the hiking made easier with porters if you wanted them. Trackers found the family of gorillas, and we got to spend a great amount of time with them. Six babies made it super fun. I couldn't believe how close we were. We even learned how to let the gorillas know we were friendly. A must do when in Rwanda.Posted on globalsoulVerified Once in a lifetime experience to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas and learn from them! Amazing trek to visit a mountain gorilla family including the silverback, blackbacks, mother, nursing two-month old, and teenagers through the misty enshrouded forest and volcanoes. An experience of a lifetime! We even got a bonus and encountered a group of golden monkeys. Guide, trackers and porters all exemplary professional and friendly. My driver Shadady was a fantastic host and companion keeping me safe on the 5 hours return driver to Volcano National Park and all the excursions to the treks. A+Posted on Sandrine GVerified Rwanda Home of Big five Animals/ Akagera national park. Good safari Tour with Universal, animals were spotted very closer and guide John provided the necessary insights for animals behaviors/ Life style, we sow faux in big five which is not bad at all, Food was delicious too with lake view behind us.The list of animals viewed is too long: Elephants, buffalos, hypos, crocodile, giraffe, Lion, zebras, impala, Birds,.........Thank you John and your company to make this Tour enjoyable and funny. i highly recommend it to Anny one.Thank youSandrine.
