Akagera's wetlands, the Albertine endemics of Nyungwe and Lake Kivu, ending with a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda is small, so a short route reaches very different habitats: the wetlands and savannah of Akagera, the montane rainforest of Nyungwe with 27 Albertine Rift endemics, the shores of Lake Kivu and, to finish, mountain gorillas.
The permit date is fixed first and the rest of the trip is built around it. A dedicated birding guide is assigned for Nyungwe.
Rwanda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Pace and fitness
Balanced, fitness: active.
Arrive in Kigali and, time allowing, bird the Bugesera wetlands south of the city for papyrus gonolek, white-winged warbler, African fish eagle and herons.
Overnight
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Drive east to Akagera, Rwanda’s only savannah park. In the afternoon, take a boat on Lake Ihema for African finfoot, giant kingfisher and lesser jacana, with hippo and crocodile.
Overnight
Ruzizi Tented Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Nine tents under shady trees on the shore of Lake Ihema.
Drive the northern sector for southern ground hornbill, red-faced barbet and Tabora cisticola, with a shoebill occasionally in the swamps. Giraffe, elephant and lion are possible. Return to Kigali.
Overnight
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Drive south-west through terraced hills and Huye to Nyungwe, an ancient montane rainforest. Bird the forest edge in the afternoon for regal sunbird and Black-billed turaco.
Overnight
One&Only Nyungwe House (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Rooms inside a working tea plantation, on the very edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Hike the Bigugu trail or descend to Kamiranzovu Swamp for Grauer’s swamp warbler, Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, Kungwe apalis, Stripe-breasted tit and Archer’s robin-chat.
Overnight
One&Only Nyungwe House (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Rooms inside a working tea plantation, on the very edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Walk the canopy walkway, 160 metres long and 70 metres above the forest floor, for great blue turaco and hornbills at eye level. Drive north along the shore of Lake Kivu.
Overnight
Cormoran Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Wooden chalets on the lakeshore at Karongi, with kayaks at the water's edge.
Bird the quiet shores and islands of Lake Kivu for waterbirds, weavers and raptors, then continue to Musanze, below the Virunga volcanoes.
Overnight
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
After a pre-dawn briefing at Kinigi, trek through bamboo to a gorilla family and spend a quiet hour with them.
Overnight
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
On the final morning, bird the bamboo edge for Lagden’s bush-shrike, Rwenzori batis and scarlet-tufted sunbird, then return to Kigali for your flight.
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Lunch & dinner
Ruzizi Tented Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Nine tents under shady trees on the shore of Lake Ihema.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
One&Only Nyungwe House (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Rooms inside a working tea plantation, on the very edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Cormoran Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Wooden chalets on the lakeshore at Karongi, with kayaks at the water's edge.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$12,760 | US$10,810 | US$10,161 | US$10,161 | US$10,161 | US$10,161 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$11,200 | US$9,490 | US$8,921 | US$8,921 | US$8,921 | US$8,921 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. The price includes a gorilla trekking permit. Sightings of any single species cannot be guaranteed, but the route is built to give you the best chances.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
Pack layers: forests and ridges are cold at dawn and can be wet at any hour. Bring waterproofs, sturdy waterproof boots, long socks to tuck trousers into, 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars and, for photography, a fast lens.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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