Rwanda · 8 days · 7 nights

Forest, Gorillas & Lake

Nyungwe → Lake Kivu → Volcanoes

Forest, Gorillas & Lake links Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes over 8 days — a route with few changes of camp, so you spend more time watching wildlife than travelling. It suits travellers who would like forest trekking alongside savannah game viewing, with the pacing adjusted in your proposal.

A note from your safari desk

This is how we would run the route for a first visit, not a fixed package. We hold two things firm — the pace of the days and the driving times — and stay flexible on camps until we know what matters to your party. Send us your dates and we will come back with a version written for you, with the trade-offs explained plainly.

Take Me There Safaris · Safari desk, Nairobi

What this journey is about

Nyungwe
Chimpanzee trekking or a forest walk with a guide, depending on permits and interest.
Lake Kivu
Time by the lake: swimming, kayaking or a boat trip to a coffee island.
Volcanoes
Gorilla trekking day with park rangers, on a permit booked well in advance.

The route

Stop 1
Nyungwe
Stop 2
Lake Kivu
Stop 3
Volcanoes

Route order as travelled. This is a schematic of the sequence, not a scale map — driving times are given in the itinerary.

The route on a map

3 stops · drag and zoom to explore

Loading map…

01Nyungwe
02Lake Kivu
03Volcanoes

Pins mark the regions in travelling order, not exact camps or lodges. Driving times are given in the day-by-day plan above.

Day by day

8 days · 7 nights, totalling exactly the advertised nights

Day01Arrive and settle into Nyungwe ForestNyungwe · overnight Nyungwe Forest
You are met on arrival and driven to your first camp. Depending on your flight time, there is a first evening drive or simply time to settle in. Chimpanzee trekking or a forest walk with a guide, depending on permits and interest.
Transfers
Met at Kigali (KGL), then a transfer of approximately 4–5 hours by road from Kigali or 2 hours from Lake Kivu.
Meals
Dinner
Overnight
Nyungwe Forest
Pace
Light — settle in, with one short drive if your flight allows
From the safari desk: Send us your flight number before you travel. If you land after 15:00 we move any first drive to the following morning rather than rush you into the park tired.
Day02Nyungwe — full dayNyungwe · overnight Nyungwe Forest
The canopy walkway and a second guided forest trail.
Transfers
No long transfer today; game viewing from camp.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Nyungwe Forest
Pace
Two game drives with a long midday rest
From the safari desk: We go out at first light and again from about 16:00, when the light and the movement are at their best. The middle of the day belongs to you: the pool, a long lunch and your notes.
Day03On to Lake KivuLake Kivu · overnight Lake Kivu
After breakfast you travel on to Lake Kivu. The afternoon is kept light: Time by the lake: swimming, kayaking or a boat trip to a coffee island.
Transfers
approximately 2 hours by road from Volcanoes or Nyungwe.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Lake Kivu
Pace
Half a day in the vehicle, then an afternoon drive
From the safari desk: Where the road allows it we plan the drive to arrive before lunch, so the afternoon is a proper game drive rather than a rushed arrival at dusk.
Day04Lake Kivu — full dayLake Kivu · overnight Lake Kivu
A relaxed day with an optional walk along the shoreline villages.
Transfers
No long transfer today; game viewing from camp.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Lake Kivu
Pace
Two game drives with a long midday rest
From the safari desk: We go out at first light and again from about 16:00, when the light and the movement are at their best. The middle of the day belongs to you: the pool, a long lunch and your notes.
Day05On to Volcanoes National ParkVolcanoes · overnight Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast you travel on to Volcanoes. The afternoon is kept light: Gorilla trekking day with park rangers, on a permit booked well in advance.
Transfers
approximately 2.5–3 hours by road from Kigali.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Volcanoes National Park
Pace
Half a day in the vehicle, then an afternoon drive
From the safari desk: Where the road allows it we plan the drive to arrive before lunch, so the afternoon is a proper game drive rather than a rushed arrival at dusk.
Day06Volcanoes — full dayVolcanoes · overnight Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking or a second gorilla permit, subject to availability.
Transfers
No long transfer today; game viewing from camp.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Volcanoes National Park
Pace
Two game drives with a long midday rest
From the safari desk: We go out at first light and again from about 16:00, when the light and the movement are at their best. The middle of the day belongs to you: the pool, a long lunch and your notes.
Day07Volcanoes — full dayVolcanoes · overnight Volcanoes National Park
A cultural morning at a community initiative, then time at the lodge.
Transfers
No long transfer today; game viewing from camp.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight
Volcanoes National Park
Pace
Two game drives with a long midday rest
From the safari desk: We go out at first light and again from about 16:00, when the light and the movement are at their best. The middle of the day belongs to you: the pool, a long lunch and your notes.
Day08DepartureVolcanoes National Park · onward travel
Your guide sees you to the airport in good time for check-in. If your international flight leaves late in the day, a day room or an extra night can be arranged.
Transfers
A final morning at camp, then a transfer of approximately 2.5–3 hours by road from Kigali to Kigali for your onward flight.
Meals
Breakfast
Overnight
Onward travel
Pace
Morning only, then onward travel
From the safari desk: We confirm your transfer time the evening before against the live flight schedule, and build in a buffer for road conditions. Late departures can keep a day room.

Transfer times are estimates and depend on road and weather conditions. Flight connections on arrival day are checked before we confirm the first night; if your flight cannot connect comfortably we will suggest an extra night.

Included

Meet-and-greet and road or light-aircraft transfers as shown in the itinerary
Private safari vehicle with a professional guide for the safari days
Accommodation as proposed, on the meal basis shown for each day
Park, reserve and conservancy fees for the areas on the route
Drinking water in the vehicle and game drives as scheduled
Planning by a safari consultant before you travel

Not included

International flights and any flights not listed in the itinerary
Visas, entry fees and travel insurance
Optional experiences such as balloon flights, mokoro trips, scenic flights and spa treatments
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits unless the proposal states otherwise
Drinks, laundry, tips and personal spending
Anything not listed in the inclusions

When to travel

Drier months (roughly June–September, December–February)

Generally better trekking conditions and clearer volcano views, with permits in high demand.

Wetter months (roughly March–May, October–November)

Forest trails are muddier and views less certain, but the country is green and permits may be easier to secure.

Permit planning

Gorilla permits are limited per day. Your dates should be confirmed early, especially for peak months.

Good to know

Style: Private safari. Private journeys include your own vehicle and guide on safari days.
Accommodation level: proposed midrange to luxury. Specific properties are offered privately in your proposal — we do not name properties or publish rates here.
Group joining: shared departures are only offered once confirmed. This route is planned privately for your party.
Trekking: primate trekking involves walking in forest, sometimes on steep and muddy ground. Permits are date-specific and quoted separately unless your proposal states otherwise.
Children: many camps welcome families, but room configurations, drive lengths and activity minimum ages vary. Share each child’s age at travel so we can check.
Accessibility: tell us about mobility needs and we will say honestly which camps and activities can accommodate them.
Arrival and departure: enter via Kigali (KGL); depart from Kigali. Transfers are by road as shown.

Questions about this journey

Can we change the route or the number of nights?

Yes. Every journey here is a starting point. Add a night in one place, drop another, or finish at the coast — tell us what you would prefer in the enquiry.

Is this itinerary confirmed as available?

Not yet. It is a proposed route and is checked against your dates, camp availability and seasonal conditions before it is offered as confirmed.

Can we add a balloon flight or another optional experience?

Often, yes — subject to availability and weather. Balloon flights, extra permits and scenic flights are quoted separately and never assumed in the base arrangement.

Will we see every animal mentioned?

No. Wildlife moves freely and sightings cannot be guaranteed. We plan routes where the chances are good for the season, and we will always be straight with you about that.