7 Days: Rwanda’s Big Three

Savannah, gorillas and Lake Kivu in one week.

1. Day1

   Kigali → Akagera

   Drive east to Akagera and take a first afternoon game drive.

   • ≈ 2.5 hrs
   • Overnight: Akagera
2. Day2

   Akagera

   A full day of game drives across lakes and savannah.

   • Game drives
   • Overnight: Akagera
3. Day3

   Akagera → Musanze

   Cross the country to the volcanoes, passing through Kigali.

   • ≈ 4.5 hrs
   • Overnight: Musanze
4. Day4

   Gorilla trekking

   Leave around 6:00 am for park headquarters at Kinigi, about 30 minutes from Musanze. The briefing starts at 7:00. Treks take three to five hours, and you spend a full hour with the gorilla family. Rest in the afternoon.

   • Permit: US$1,500
   • Overnight: Musanze
5. Day5

   Musanze → Rubavu

   Golden monkeys in the morning if you like, then on to Lake Kivu.

   • ≈ 1.5 hrs
   • Overnight: Rubavu
6. Day6

   Rubavu

   A free day on the beach or out on the lake.

   • Free day
   • Overnight: Rubavu
7. Day7

   Rubavu → Kigali

   Drive back to Kigali and return the car.

   • ≈ 3.5 hrs
   • Car return: Kigali