Private 4×4 vehicle & dedicated guide
Your private vehicle for the entire journey, fuel included. A guide stays with you from arrival to departure at the airport: driver, translator, storyteller and friend for the duration.
Rwanda by Yugi Adventure Your Journey,
Your Journey,
Your Rwanda.
We build each trip around your interests, your pace and your budget.
Why Yugi Get in Touch
Built Around You
Whether you want two weeks between gorillas and savannahs, or a long weekend in Kigali and the Volcanoes, we adapt to what you’re looking for.
Any Duration 3 days to 30
All Comfort Levels Relaxed to adventurous
Our Prototype Journeys
Two Ways to Discover Rwanda
Two carefully composed journeys, designed for the ideal balance between discovery, immersion and rest. Each package can be tailored to your preferences. Click to explore, then get in touch.
14 Days
A Swift Passage
All the essential highlights: Kigali, the Volcanoes, Kibuye, Nyungwe, Butare and Akagera.
6 destinations: Kigali • Musanze • Kibuye • Nyungwe • Butare • AkageraFrom US$5,800 / person
Explore Itinerary ↓
21 Days
A Gentle Meander
The same great circuit, with room to breathe. Extra days at Kibuye, Kigali, plus the Twin Lakes, Muhazi and Gisenyi.
9 destinations: adds Twin Lakes, Gisenyi & Lake MuhaziFrom US$7,600 / person
Explore Itinerary ↓Final price varies with the number of travellers, the accommodation chosen, the activities selected and the travel dates.
International flights and travel insurance not included.
14-Day Itinerary
A Swift Passage
Days 1–2
Kigali
Arrival & City ImmersionMeals Bed & Breakfast
Two days in Kigali to land and find your bearings. Nestled between lush green hills, the capital is clean, peaceful and thriving, a symbol of Rwanda’s renewal. There’s plenty to explore: the local art centres, the fabric and craft markets, the Genocide Memorial, good specialty coffee, or dinner on a terrace overlooking the hills.
Days 3–4
Musanze
Volcanoes National ParkMeals Bed & Breakfast
The road climbs into mist and terraced fields until five dormant volcanoes appear at the border with Congo and Uganda, where Dian Fossey did her research. Two days in Musanze, with a full day in the park: golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest, the hike to Fossey, the Bisoke crater, or gorilla trekking, the park’s flagship experience. Outside the park, a visit to the traditional village of Kinigi rounds off the stay.
Park Activities
Activity Price / person
Gorilla Trekking $1,500
Golden Monkey Tracking $100
Dian Fossey Grave Hike $75
Bisoke Crater Hike $75
Nature Walk $55
Official government rates in USD
Days 5–6
Kibuye
Our Private Lakeside RetreatMeals Full Board
Your private cottage on Lake Kivu in Kibuye. In the morning, there’s nothing but the birds and the lake. We are your neighbours. A place to unwind with the changing light on the lake and the passing boats. Two days: a hike on Napoleon Island for the fruit bat colony, a walk around our hill meeting the villagers, discovery of traditional banana wine making, an evening with the local fishermen, a pontoon expedition across the lake, or a paddle adventure along the shore.
Days 7–8
Nyungwe Forest
Ancient Rainforest & PrimatesMeals Full Board
South-east from the lake, we venture into Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. You stay inside the park itself: canopy bridge at seventy metres, chimpanzee tracking, zipline, hikes through mossy understorey to hidden waterfalls. A paradise for birdwatchers. Cooler and greener than the rest of the trip.
Park Activities
Activity Price / person
Chimpanzee Habituation $200
Chimpanzee Tracking $150
Zipline $100
Canopy Walk $40
Colobus Monkey Tracking $40
Official government rates in USD
Day 9
Butare
History & CultureMeals Bed & Breakfast
A cultural day on the road east. Butare was the colonial capital and is still the country’s academic centre. The national museum is one of the most culturally significant in the country. The royal palace at Nyanza, with its thatched huts and long-horned Inyambo cattle, gives a window into a history that goes back well before the last century.
Day 10
Kigali
Rest Before the SafariMeals Bed & Breakfast
One night in Kigali to break up the drive to the savannah. No planned activities: drop the bags, a good dinner in town, and early to bed before Akagera Park.
Days 11–12
Akagera
Big Five SafariMeals Full Board
East to the savannah. Akagera is Rwanda’s Big Five park: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, impala, topi, eland and hundreds of bird species. The days unfold around: dawn game drives in search of lions, a boat safari on Lake Ihema, a full traverse of the park from north to south, and immersive lodging inside the park itself.
Days 13–14
Kigali
Final Days & FarewellMeals Bed & Breakfast
Two last days in Kigali. You’ll have time to discover new corners, buy coffee and crafts to take home, get a nice massage, or just have a long lunch. Then the airport.
The Route
21-Day Itinerary
A Gentle Meander
Days 1–3
Kigali
Arrival & City ImmersionMeals Bed & Breakfast
The trip starts in Kigali. Nestled between lush green hills, Kigali is a clean, peaceful and thriving city, a symbol of Rwanda’s renewal. After landing, take a few days to settle in and explore: the local art centres, the fabric and craft markets, the Genocide Memorial, good specialty coffee, and dinner on a terrace overlooking the hills.
Day 4
Twin Lakes
Burera & RuhondoMeals Bed & Breakfast
Before the volcanoes, a gentler climb. Burera and Ruhondo are twin volcanic craters north of Kigali, ringed by farms and fishermen in long wooden pirogues. We stop here to start adjusting to the altitude (Kigali sits around 1,500 m, the Volcanoes park at 2,500 m) and to enjoy the drive through the northern highlands.
Days 5–6
Musanze
Volcanoes National ParkMeals Bed & Breakfast
The road climbs into mist and terraced fields until five dormant volcanoes appear at the border with Congo and Uganda, where Dian Fossey did her research. Two days in Musanze, with a full day in the park: golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest, the hike to Fossey, the Bisoke crater, or gorilla trekking, the park’s flagship experience. Outside the park, a visit to the traditional village of Kinigi rounds off the stay.
Park Activities
Activity Price / person
Gorilla Trekking $1,500
Golden Monkey Tracking $100
Dian Fossey Grave Hike $75
Bisoke Crater Hike $75
Nature Walk $55
Official government rates in USD
Day 7
Gisenyi
Lake Kivu, Northern ShoreMeals Bed & Breakfast
Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s great rift lakes, and Gisenyi is where you first see it. One night on the northern shore, right at the Congolese border. Kivu is one of the world’s few meromictic lakes. Its deep waters never mix, keeping them naturally pure and parasite-free. You swim here without a second thought.
Days 8–11
Kibuye
Our Private Lakeside RetreatMeals Full Board
Your private cottage on Lake Kivu in Kibuye. In the morning, there’s nothing but the birds and the lake. We are your neighbours. Four days here, and the pace slows right down. A place to unwind with the changing light on the lake and the passing boats. There’s plenty to do if you want it: a hike on Napoleon Island to see the fruit bat colony, a walk around our hill meeting the villagers, discovery of traditional banana wine making, an evening out with the local fishermen, a pontoon expedition across the lake, or a paddle adventure along the shore.
Days 12–13
Nyungwe Forest
Ancient Rainforest & PrimatesMeals Full Board
South-east from the lake, we venture into Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. You stay inside the park itself: canopy bridge at seventy metres, chimpanzee tracking, zipline, hikes through mossy understorey to hidden waterfalls. A paradise for birdwatchers. Cooler and greener than the rest of the trip.
Park Activities
Activity Price / person
Chimpanzee Habituation $200
Chimpanzee Tracking $150
Zipline $100
Canopy Walk $40
Colobus Monkey Tracking $40
Official government rates in USD
Day 14
Butare
History & CultureMeals Bed & Breakfast
A cultural day on the road east. Butare was the colonial capital and is still the country’s academic centre. The national museum is one of the most culturally significant in the country. The royal palace at Nyanza, with its thatched huts and long-horned Inyambo cattle, gives a window into a history that goes back well before the last century.
Days 15–16
Kigali
Rest Before the SafariMeals Bed & Breakfast
Back in Kigali for two nights before the savannah. A short break to cut the road and explore other facets of the city. Just a little pause before the safari.
Days 17–18
Akagera
Big Five SafariMeals Full Board
East to the savannah. Akagera is Rwanda’s Big Five park: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, impala, topi, eland and hundreds of bird species. The days unfold around: dawn game drives in search of lions, a boat safari on Lake Ihema, a full traverse of the park from north to south, and immersive lodging inside the park itself.
Day 19
Lake Muhazi
One Last Quiet NightMeals Half Board
On the way back from the safari, a stop at Lake Muhazi, a long, narrow lake an hour east of Kigali. Small lodges on the shore. Activities on the lake, a dip in the pool to unwind, a good dinner, and a shorter drive to Kigali the next morning.
Days 20–21
Kigali
Final Days & FarewellMeals Bed & Breakfast
Two last days in Kigali. You’ll have time to discover new corners, buy coffee and crafts to take home, get a nice massage, or just have a long lunch. Then the airport.
The Route
What’s Included
Everything arranged, nothing to stress about
Every journey is run with a private safari vehicle and a dedicated guide, all park and museum fees covered, and a meal plan adjusted to each stop. We blend careful organisation with real flexibility.
All park, activity & museum fees included
Every entry and activity fee covered: Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera, the Genocide Memorial, the Butare museum, and the royal palace at Nyanza.
Meals on full board or B&B
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included) where you’re immersed in nature: Kibuye, Nyungwe, Akagera. In the cities, breakfast is included at the hotel; lunches and dinners are kept flexible so you can discover the local dining scene.
Common Questions
What travellers ask before booking
Rwanda is a year-round destination thanks to its high-altitude climate. The two dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer the easiest gorilla trekking conditions and clearest skies, but the green seasons reward travellers with fewer crowds, lush landscapes and excellent birdlife.
Most travellers can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport, or apply online through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie member states benefit from visa-free entry. We will confirm the exact requirements for your nationality once we know who is travelling.
Only one vaccination is legally required, and only in some cases: a yellow fever certificate, mandatory if you are arriving from a country listed by the WHO as having a risk of yellow fever transmission. Travellers flying directly from Europe, North America, Asia or Australia do not need it. Beyond that, the most common recommendations are hepatitis A and malaria prophylaxis. Some travellers also add typhoid. Despite older perceptions about travelling in Africa, Rwanda has invested heavily in public health and sanitation since 2000: Kigali is consistently ranked among the cleanest cities on the continent, the water supply is well managed, and visitors very rarely run into health issues. A short call with a travel doctor four to six weeks before departure will confirm what makes sense for your specific case.
A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park is US$1,500 per person, set by the Rwanda Development Board. The permit is mandatory and tightly regulated: only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla family per day. We take care of the booking for you as part of the package, so once your dates are confirmed the permit is locked in.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15, a strict rule set by the Rwanda Development Board with no exceptions, and it applies equally to chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Photo ID is checked at the morning briefing, so younger travellers cannot join even if accompanied by a parent. Children under 15 are still very welcome on the rest of the journey: there is no minimum age for golden monkey tracking, the Akagera safari, the boat trip on Lake Ihema, the canopy walk in Nyungwe, or our days at the lake in Kibuye. We are happy to design a family-friendly version of the itinerary around what your children can comfortably enjoy.
It can be. Treks last anywhere from one to six hours through bamboo forest and steep volcanic terrain at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 metres. Rangers assign families based on your fitness, so there is almost always a family within reach for travellers in average shape. Porters are available to carry bags and lend a hand on the climb.
Rwanda is consistently ranked among the safest countries in Africa. Kigali is clean, calm and walkable; rural areas are equally welcoming. You travel with a private guide and a 4×4 throughout, which means you are never on your own in unfamiliar places.
Always. The 14- and 21-day journeys are starting points; every trip is private and shaped around your interests, pace, comfort level and budget. Tell us what matters to you and we adapt: more days at the lake, less time in the city, a focus on birding, gentler hikes, or anything else.
Our packages are quoted in US dollars and we accept Visa, so you can pay from your home currency without any conversion hassle. We also accept Rwandan Francs (RWF) directly if you prefer a local payment method like Mobile Money (MoMo). Once you arrive, every payment that is part of the tour is handled by us. For personal extras such as art, restaurant meals or tips, many places now accept Visa, and if you need a little RWF cash on hand we will arrange it.
Get in Touch
Plan Your Journey
Tell us what you have in mind. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Phone / WhatsApp +250 793 577 229
Email info@yugi.rw