4 Days Rwanda Safari
This 4 Days Rwanda Safari links three of the country’s most rewarding landscapes into a single, well-paced trip: Nyungwe National Park’s ancient rainforest, the calm shores of Lake Kivu, and the volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you’ll walk the Nyungwe canopy walk, track chimpanzees through the forest, cruise on Lake Kivu, and hike Mount Bisoke, one of the more accessible peaks in the Virunga range.
Trip Snapshot
| Duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Starts / Ends | Kigali |
| Main destinations | Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park |
| Key activities | Canopy walk, chimpanzee trekking, Lake Kivu boat ride, Mount Bisoke hike |
| Physical level | Moderate to challenging (Bisoke hike) |
| Note | Sample pricing typically quoted for a group of 2 travelers; request a custom quote for other group sizes |
Safari Highlights
- Nyungwe canopy walk, 160 meters long and suspended 70 meters above the forest floor
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke and its crater lake
Summary Itinerary
| Day | Overview |
| Day 1 | Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, canopy walk |
| Day 2 | Chimpanzee trekking, drive to Lake Kivu |
| Day 3 | Morning boat tour, transfer to Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 4 | Mount Bisoke hike, departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, Canopy Walk
After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe National Park, taking in scenic views along the way. After lunch, follow a walking trail to Nyungwe’s famous Canopy Walk, a suspension bridge stretching 160 meters and hanging 70 meters above the forest floor. From up here, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy and a chance to spot wildlife moving below. Afterward, check in at your accommodation to spend the evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Drive to Lake Kivu
Enjoy breakfast, then attend a briefing on Nyungwe’s endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of these active, playful primates. Chimpanzees are relatively easy to spot as they move between trees, chattering and calling to one another. Trekking usually takes about 3 hours; once found, you’ll spend an hour observing them, taking photos and videos.
Return to your hotel to freshen up and have lunch, then check out and continue to Lake Kivu. Check in at your lodge, relax, and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Cormoran Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Morning Boat Tour, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kivu, taking in the surrounding scenery. Afterward, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park area, check in at your lodge, and relax before dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: La Locanda Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Mount Bisoke Hike, Departure
Enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge, then head with your driver to the Kinigi park offices for a briefing starting promptly at 7:30 a.m., where the rules and regulations for the hike will be explained. Afterward, drive to the Bisoke trailhead, where hiking begins at exactly 8:00 a.m. Hiring a porter to help with your backpack, and a hiking stick, is strongly recommended for a more comfortable experience.
The full round-trip hike to the summit of Bisoke and back takes roughly 4 to 6 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through several distinct vegetation zones, taking in scenic mountain views. At the summit, weather permitting, you’ll be rewarded with views of mist curling over the volcano’s crater lake, a memorable photo opportunity, before descending back to the starting point.
Meet your driver and return to Kigali, where you’ll be dropped off, bringing your safari to an end.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari Price Includes
- 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
- Activities listed in the itinerary
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- All accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- All meals at the hotel and en route
- Bottled drinking water while on safari
- Tourism VAT
Safari Price Excludes
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, email, laundry, beverages, or meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Nyungwe canopy walk?
The canopy walk is 160 meters long and suspended 70 meters above the forest floor, offering sweeping aerial views of Nyungwe’s rainforest canopy.
How difficult is the Mount Bisoke hike?
The round trip takes roughly 4 to 6 hours and is considered moderately challenging, one of the more accessible volcano hikes in the Virunga range, suitable for most reasonably fit travelers, especially with a porter and hiking stick.
How long does chimpanzee trekking take in Nyungwe?
Trekking typically takes around 3 hours to locate the chimpanzees, followed by one hour observing them once found.
What is included in the Lake Kivu portion of this itinerary?
A morning boat ride on Lake Kivu is included on Day 3, offering views of the surrounding shoreline and hills before continuing to Volcanoes National Park.
Book Your 4 Days Rwanda Safari
Combining Nyungwe’s rainforest canopy, Lake Kivu’s calm waters and a genuine volcano summit hike, this 4-day itinerary offers an efficient, varied introduction to Rwanda beyond its famous gorillas.
Get in touch to check availability and request a custom quote for your 4 Days Rwanda Safari.