A Bespoke Journey Through the Land of a Thousand Hills

Day One: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to the Volcanoes

Your luxury Rwanda safari begins with a private arrival transfer at Kigali International Airport, where your personal safari guide and chauffeur will welcome you into a custom-built 4×4 vehicle. As you leave the capital behind, the journey unfolds through Rwanda’s iconic thousand rolling hills, a landscape of terraced farmland and misty valleys that sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Along the way, you’ll pause at scenic viewpoints before passing through the charming town of Musanze — once home to renowned primatologist Dian Fossey during her stays at the historic Hotel Muhabura. From here, the route winds through fertile farmlands of potatoes and pyrethrum flowers, climbing steadily toward Kinigi at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes.

You’ll arrive in time for a refined dinner and your first overnight in the shadow of the volcanoes.

Luxury Lodge Options:

• Bisate Lodge — An award-winning eco-luxury property set in a restored volcanic amphitheater, with six thatched forest-villa suites offering dramatic views of Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno volcanoes.
• Singita Kwitonda Lodge — Ultra-exclusive, eight-suite lodge bordering Volcanoes National Park, blending contemporary design with deep sustainability and conservation credentials.
• One&Only Gorilla’s Nest — Sophisticated luxury minutes from the park headquarters, featuring elegant suites, a spa, and manicured gardens framed by volcanic peaks.

Day Two: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience

Rise early for a hearty breakfast before joining the morning briefing at park headquarters, where trackers assign trekking groups based on fitness and gorilla family locations. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll venture into the bamboo forests and volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Trekking through the terrain — sometimes gentle, sometimes challenging — the reward is extraordinary: an hour spent in the presence of a habituated gorilla family, observing their remarkably human-like behaviors at close range. Your guides will brief you thoroughly beforehand on how to behave respectfully around these wild animals, ensuring both your safety and the gorillas’ wellbeing.

Return to your lodge for a leisurely lunch, followed by an afternoon at your own pace — perhaps a short walk to photograph the towering volcanic peaks, a spa treatment, or simply relaxing on your suite’s private deck before dinner and a second night in the Virunga foothills.

Luxury Lodge Options: (as above — most itineraries retain the same lodge for consistency and to avoid unnecessary transfers, though transferring to a second property for variety is also possible upon request)

Day Three: Transfer to Lake Kivu

After a relaxed breakfast, bid farewell to the volcanoes and begin a scenic drive along their lower slopes toward the border town of Rubavu (Gisenyi), on the shores of Lake Kivu — one of Africa’s Great Lakes. The drive offers sweeping views of terraced hillsides and volcanic peaks receding into the distance.

Arrive in time for lunch at your lakeside retreat, where the remainder of the day is yours to unwind. Sink into the tranquility of white sand beaches, manicured tropical gardens, and the still, expansive waters of Lake Kivu — a well-earned respite after the physical demands of gorilla trekking. This begins a two-night stay dedicated entirely to relaxation and rejuvenation.

Luxury Lodge Options:

• The Retreat by Heaven, Rubavu — An intimate boutique lakeside hideaway with infinity pool, private beach, and personalized service, favored by discerning travelers seeking understated elegance.
• Lake Kivu Serena Hotel — A polished lakefront resort with lush gardens, a private beach, spa facilities, and refined dining overlooking the water.
• Kivu Marina Bay Resort — A stylish, design-forward property blending modern architecture with lakeside serenity, ideal for travelers seeking a contemporary luxury aesthetic.

Day Four: Leisure Day at Lake Kivu

A full day awaits with no fixed agenda beyond your own preferences. Spend the morning by the pool or on the private beach, or explore the lakeside town of Rubavu, with its colonial-era architecture and bustling markets. Adventurous travelers may wish to venture toward the nearby border area close to Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for a glimpse into this fascinating borderland region.

Alternatively, indulge in the resort’s wellness offerings — a soothing massage, steam bath, or sauna session at the spa — or take to the water with kayaking, boat cruises, or water skiing on Lake Kivu’s calm surface. However you choose to spend the day, all meals and your second night are enjoyed at your lakeside retreat in complete comfort.

Day Five: Departure via Kigali

After a final breakfast overlooking the lake, begin your return journey to Kigali. The drive retraces Rwanda’s captivating countryside, passing terraced hillsides and glimpses of daily rural life — colorfully dressed women tending gardens or walking to local markets, a fitting final impression of this remarkable country.

Upon arrival in Kigali, you’ll be transferred directly to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight, bringing this unforgettable luxury gorilla trekking and lakeside escape to a close.

This Luxury Safari Includes:

• Accommodation at hand-selected luxury lodges throughout
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary
• One mountain gorilla trekking permit
• Two nights of relaxation at your chosen Lake Kivu luxury retreat
• Private, custom-built 4×4 safari vehicle throughout
• A dedicated, English-speaking professional safari guide and driver for the full journey