The 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour is an ideal getaway Tour leading to two of Rwanda’s most popular destinations-Akagera National Park at the Eastern Province of the country extending for 1122 square kilometers and a home to big five animals, Topis, kobs, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, spotted hyenas, zebras, and warthogs among others. You will have an entire day in this Park to explore the diverse habitats, wildlife and bird species.
Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south-west of the country is home to more than 10 species of primates including the Chimpanzees, Angolan colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys in addition to other wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, and bushbucks.
Highlights of the 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour
• Game viewing with a chance of seeing Topis, Kobs, warthogs and Rothschild giraffes.
• Numerous savannah, wetland, forest, and woodland bird species.
• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Invigorating canopy walk.
• Transport by comfortable and customized 4WD Vehicle.
Detailed Itinerary of the 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast in your place of residence, meet and greet our driver guide who will then brief you about the tour. Thereafter drive to the north-east of Rwanda towards Akagera National Park.
Upon arrival, there will be a day game drive across the endowed spots of the Protected Area. Akagera National Park is characterized by woodland, Lakes, wetlands, low mountains, and Savannah plains. The varied terrain and habitats offer shelter to a wide range of wildlife including zebras, Rothschild giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, including the elusive shoebill stork.
While driving in the southern part of the National Park, you will be led to the vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. Head for a delicious hot meal at Akagera Game Lodge Hotel inside the Park and later relax. Go for an evening game drive and retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
• Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
• Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
• Budget: Dereva Hotel.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
On this day you will be transferred to Nyungwe National Park in the Southern Province and the day starts with an early morning breakfast followed by a refreshing drive to Lake Ihema for a boat cruise where Crocodiles and Hippos will be spotted.
Later drive to Kigali then Nyungwe Forest National Park with en-route stopovers one being at the Nyanza King’s palace for the traditional experience of ancients Rwandan.
Continue with the journey and have lunch in the historical Town of Butare, then arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park in the afternoon to check-in at the Safari Lodge. Proceed for the invigorating canopy walk through a suspended line in the verdant rainforest where different primates, birds and tree species will be spotted.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Accommodation options
• Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
• Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
• Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse.
Day 3: Chimpanzees tracking and return to Kigali
Meet the rangers at the Park headquarters and be briefed on the guidelines of trekking the chimpanzees then drive to a small fragmented forest where the communities of chimpanzees are located. Trekking lasts 3 hours maximum and being with the chimpanzees is one hour. Afterward, drive back to the Safari Lodge for lunch and check-out for a return trip to Kigali by passing to the Lake Kivu. You will spend only half an hour at Lake Kivu taking pictures and short boat ride before driving to Kigali (at your hotel or at the airport).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
End of your 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour
The 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour includes;
• Chimpanzee permit.
• Meals as per the meal plan including the en-route ones.
• Tour of the King’s Palace in Nyanza.
• A professional tour guide.
• Ranger fees.
• Bottled water.
• Canopy walks fees.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Two nights’ accommodation-one in Akagera National Park and another in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Transportation with our customized 4 WD vehicles plus fuel.
• Park entrance fees.
• Airport transfer so long as the flight is on the same day the safari ends.
The 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour excludes;
• Personal insurance.
• Personal expenses such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, laundry fees, tips telephone fees and optional activities not included on the itinerary.
• Accommodation in Kigali (can be arranged on request).
• Domestic and International Airfares.
• Rwandan Visa.
What to carry for the 3 days Akagera and Nyungwe Tour;
• A safari hat.
• Strong rainproof hiking boots.
• Safari pants.
• Rain jacket or a poncho.
• Long-sleeved shirts/blouses.
• Enough drinking water (can be got from the Park).
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Insect repellant.
• Waterproof backpack.
• Camera.
• Energy giving snacks.
• Pair of binoculars.
• Gardening gloves.
• First aid kit with distilled water, bandages, disposable sterile gloves, sunburn treatment, plasters, pain killers and many other essential first aid items.
• Toiletries (especially sunscreen, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, hair gel, face wipes, hand wipes, sanitary towels, toothbrush and deodorants among others).
Chimpanzee trekking guidelines
• Maintain a distance of 8 meters when viewing the chimpanzees.
• The minimum age for chimpanzee tracking is 15 years.
• Trekkers are allowed to spend only one hour with the Chimpanzee community.
• Smoking and eating in the presence of the chimpanzees are not allowed.
• Trekkers with cold or flu can postpone the activity to another day because these primates are vulnerable to the mentioned diseases.
• Flash photography is not allowed.