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Nyungwe canopy walk, Rwanda. Photo: Shutterstock-1870656259 (free trial download)
5.0
| 8 reviews

The Ultimate Adventure Through Rwanda

8 nights
Moderate

An action-packed week among ancient rainforests and emerald lakes in the wild heart of Africa, home to the mountain gorillas

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guides

All accommodation

7 nights in hotels or local guesthouses, and 1 night wild camping

Meals

All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners

Transfers & Equipment

Your group airport and local transfers, with camping and kayaking equipment provided

Permits

All park permits and entry fees, with an optional gorilla permit as an add-on

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

excluding flights
From

excluding flights

What's it like?

5.0
| 8 reviews
Best MBA trip yet
February 2025
Ami S.
Best MBA trip yet
February 2025
Ami S.
Best MBA trip yet
February 2025
Ami S.
Remarkable Rwanda
January 2025
Katherine O.
Remarkable Rwanda
January 2025
Katherine O.
Remarkable Rwanda
January 2025
Katherine O.
Remarkable Rwanda
January 2025
Katherine O.
Remarkable Rwanda
January 2025
Katherine O.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
January 2025
Carol m.
Unforgettable Experience!
December 2024
Charlotte M.
Unforgettable Experience!
December 2024
Charlotte M.
Unforgettable Experience!
December 2024
Charlotte M.
Unforgettable Experience!
December 2024
Charlotte M.
Amazing experience
December 2024
Sarah A.
Amazing experience
December 2024
Sarah A.
Amazing experience
December 2024
Sarah A.
Amazing experience
December 2024
Sarah A.
Amazing experience
December 2024
Sarah A.
Rwanda is magical
December 2024
Sam
Rwanda is magical
December 2024
Sam
Rwanda is magical
December 2024
Sam
Rwanda is magical
December 2024
Sam
Rwanda is magical
December 2024
Sam
Nyungwe canopy walk, Rwanda. Photo: Shutterstock-1870656259 (free trial download)
Mountain Gorilla in Volcanoes NP, Rwanda. Photo: Much Better Adventures/Marta Marinelli

Trek in the lush Nyungwe National Park and embark on a thrilling canopy walk above treetops teeming with wildlife

Kayak the vast emerald waters of Lake Kivu in Africa's Great Rift Valley, camping under the stars on a remote island

Explore Rwanda's rich and vibrant culture, taste some of the world’s best coffee and cycle through Umusambi village

Want to meet Rwanda’s enigmatic mountain gorillas? You can opt to add on this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience

Key Information

Day 1

Welcome to Rwanda!

Rwanda landscape. Photo: Host/Kingfisher Journeys - Vysakh R Nambiar

Touch down in Kigali, where you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to recover from the journey, meet up with your fellow travellers and get a good night's sleep before the action starts tomorrow.

Day 2

Cycle the Umusambi Village Trail

Umusambi biking trail, Rwanda. Photo: Host/Kingfisher Journeys

Cycling

2-3hrs · 22km · 200m up · 200m down

Kickstart your Rwandan adventure with a scenic bike ride along the Umusambi village nature trail, where you will cycle through small communities on your mountain bike. This is followed by a visit to a beautifully restored wetland area, a sanctuary for endangered grey crowned cranes which have been saved from the illegal pet trade. Enjoy a welcome barbecue lunch, then head back to Kigali to visit the Genocide Memorial, an important place of remembrance where you can learn about the shocking events that led up to the 1994 genocide. Return to the hotel for some downtime and dinner, then rest up ahead of your long but scenic journey south tomorrow.

Day 3

Travel to the richly biodiverse Nyungwe Forest

Rwanda Landscape, Nyungwe. Photo: Shutterstock-1112578523.

Hiking

3hrs · 8km · 300m up · 300m down

Driving

6hrs

Wake early and embark on a scenic drive south, journeying through the undulating landscape dotted with colourful villages, famously nicknamed 'The Land of a Thousand Hills'. Make a stop in Nyanza – once the capital of the Kingdom of Rwanda – for an optional visit to the fascinating King’s Palace Museum, then hike up Mount Remera for 360-degree views over lush agricultural lands. Continue on to Nyungwe National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa which is richly biodiverse and spectacularly beautiful with rushing streams, verdant valleys, tree-covered mountains, dappled savannahs and extensive swamps. This mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees, twelve other species of primates and over 300 recorded species of birds. Check in to your simple but cosy guesthouse at the edge of the park and enjoy the peaceful vibes of your incredible natural surroundings.

Day 4

The Imbaraga Trail and an epic canopy walkway

Canopy Walkway, Rwanda. Photo: Host/Kingfisher Journeys

Hiking

6hrs · 10-12km · 600m up · 600m down

Rise early for a full immersion in Nyungwe Forest's primordial beauty. Today, you'll be following the wild Imbaraga Trail, which means ‘strength’ in the local dialect. You'll need a good dose of it to tackle the steady 2.5km climb, which will get your heart thumping. Every effort will be worth it though, as you'll be hiking among incredible scenery of dense forests, verdant valleys, majestic mahogany trees, giant tree ferns and rivers. Along the route, enjoy the thrilling experience of a canopy walkway, the only one of this kind in East Africa. Traverse the 160m long, 70m high suspension bridge – the feeling of being atop East Africa’s largest and oldest Afro-Montane forest is unparalleled! An expert park ranger will help you spot rare species of flora, there’s a good chance of seeing monkeys, and with luck, you may even come across the elusive chimpanzees.

Day 5

Waterfall hiking and Lake Kivu sundowners

Isumo Waterfall, Rwanda. Photo: Marta Marinelli

Hiking

4hrs · 10km · 400m up · 400m down

Continue exploring other beautiful trails in the park today as you set off along brilliant green tea fields and climb higher into the forest, before descending into one of the most densely vegetated and steep rainforest ravines on any trail at Nyungwe. Cool misty air and the murmur of a river rise from below whilst ferns, mosses, lichens and flowers thrive in this high humidity. With some luck, you may spot elusive black and white colobus monkeys and an array of bird species, such as the Rwenzori turaco. Reach the stunning Isumo Falls and be amazed by the spectacle of the water thundering down, full blast, nearly at your feet. This afternoon, say goodbye to Nyungwe and head to Karongi, reaching your lakeside hotel in time for sundowners and a spectacular view across Lake Kivu.

Day 6

Paddle Lake Kivu and wild camp on a deserted island

Lake Kivu, Rwanda. Photo: Host/Kingfisher Journeys

Kayaking

4-5hrs · 12km

Tuck into breakfast, then get into your kayak to paddle across the clear waters of Rwanda’s ‘Bay of Islands’. The numerous islands of Lake Kivu are covered in lush vegetation and rich in flora and fauna, so keep an eye out for monkeys, fish eagles and Congo otters. Have lunch on Munini Island (also known as Napoleon Island) to the backdrop of a raucous colony of thousands of fruit bats roosting in the trees, then continue paddling as the sun starts to set. If you’re lucky, the local fishermen might join you, singing to help them paddle in unison. You’ll have exclusive access to Gishayu Island tonight, one of the most beautiful and unspoilt locations on Lake Kivu, where you'll set up camp and sit down to a simple but delicious meal around an open fire, before falling asleep beneath a blanket of stars.

Day 7

From Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

Lake Kivu, Rwanda. Photo: Much Better Adventures/Marta Marinelli

Kayaking

3hrs · 8km

Wake up early to continue your exploration of Lake Kivu by kayak, paddling along the shores of one of Africa’s Great Lakes until reaching Kinunu. Here you'll have a chance to join a fascinating tour of a thriving coffee station and learn about the process of harvesting, washing, roasting, grinding and preparing some of the best coffee in Rwanda (and the world). Next, hop on a boat and enjoy the spectacular views as you journey across Lake Kivu heading to Rubavu, where you'll switch to a vehicle for a final two-hour drive to Ruhengeri, the gateway to the famous Volcanoes National Park within the Virunga Mountains. Enjoy a well-deserved hot shower and a good night's sleep after a long day, and get ready for a final day of special wildlife encounters tomorrow.

Day 8

Wildlife encounters and sunset canoeing

Mountain Gorilla, Rwanda. Photo: Much Better Adventures/Marta Marinelli

Wildlife Tracking

3-6hrs · 7-10km · 500-700m up · 500-700m down

Canoeing

2hrs · 6km

Meet at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at 07:00 to begin hiking through the forests to spend an hour with a troop of up to 100 playful golden monkeys. This rare species is listed as endangered with just over 1000 left in the world. They are very sprightly creatures, leaping from tree to tree as they get on with their daily activities. Alternatively, you can opt to visit the mountain gorillas instead – a wildlife encounter like no other which is worth the high permit fee. Walking amongst these gentle primates and witnessing their lives up close is arguably one of the best wildlife experiences on earth. You can find more information about permit fees for this Optional Extra in the FAQ section below. Later this afternoon, enjoy a sunset canoeing trip surrounded by the sights and sounds of rural Rwanda. Soak up impressive views, spot abundant birds, look out for the otters and meet friendly communities along the way, before celebrating the end of your adventure over a final dinner with your group.

Day 9

Goodbye Rwanda

Lake Kivu, Rwanda. Photo: Much Better Adventures/Marta Marinelli

Driving

3hrs

After a last Rwandan breakfast, check out and hop into your transfer back to the airport in Kigali, where you'll be dropped off around noon for your flight home.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Day 1 (Set times as below)

Ends

Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

15:30 on Day 9

Transfers

Arrival and departure transfers are only included if you use the group arrival transfers on Day 1 and group departure transfer on the afternoon of Day 9.

Your adventure begins at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda (KGL) where your guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. The first group transfer from the airport to the hotel is usually scheduled at around 07:30 to meet the early morning flight arrivals, and there is then a second group transfer usually scheduled around 20:00 to meet the later arrivals.

On Day 9, a single airport transfer will be arranged from Ruhengeri to Kigali, with an expected drop off at Kigali International Airport (KGL) around 15:30 – so we recommend booking a flight departing no earlier than 17:30.

Alternatively, private transfers for flights departing at different times can be arranged – see Optional Extras for the costs.

Travel options

There are regular flights in and out of Kigali from the UK, Europe and the US. These are generally with KLM and Brussels Airlines. If you are flying from London, there are also some direct RwandAir flights, and these should generally align with the trip dates. Day 1 will only involve a meet and greet with the group, so if your flight arrives late on this day, it's not a problem. If you arrive into Kigali before Day 1, or stay longer at the end, your host can arrange additional accommodation for you; please see Optional Extras for more info.

Day 1

Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 4

Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6

Wild camping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 7 – Day 8

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 9

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Market in Kigali, Rwanda

Rwandan cuisine uses lots of local ingredients, with sweet potatoes, corn, beans, fruit and millet making up most diets. A typical Rwandan breakfast consists of corn, millet or sorghum porridge and sweet potatoes. Reflecting Western cultures, breakfasts usually include eggs, toast and occasionally pancakes; however, traditional soups, beans and rice and other vegetables (locally known as dodo) are also common. The biggest meal of the day is dinner and this is usually made up of dishes like isombe (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach), umutsima (a dish of cassava and corn) as well as mizuzu (fried plantains). You’ll also find plenty of chips and rice, squash, peas and other vegetables made into a traditional stew.

Vegetarian diets can be fully catered for. Vegan diets and other dietary requirements can usually be catered for, but please make sure to contact your host about it, and be prepared to bring your own snacks. Whilst meals containing meat are the norm at most restaurants, packed lunches and cooked meals are made using tasty vegetarian ingredients to ensure that everything is fresh and healthy.

Please note that we cannot guarantee the safe consumption of food in the case of strict food allergies: we recommend you discuss any such conditions with your host before booking your trip to Rwanda.

What is the accommodation like?

Photo: hotel's website
Kigali

You'll spend the first two nights at Iris Guesthouse, a simple hotel surrounded by lush gardens and only a ten-minute walk from downtown. Accommodation is in twin-shared rooms with ensuite toilets and free WiFi.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

You’ll spend two nights at the simple but cosy Ear Ken Barham Guesthouse, located right next to Nyungwe Forest. The property comprises a lush and peaceful garden overlooking the green tea plantations, a bar and a good restaurant serving hearty Rwandan dishes. Accommodation is in twin-shared rooms, all ensuite and some including a small balcony.

Kivu Breeze Hotel, Lake Kivu, Rwanda - Photo: Hotel
Lake Kivu

Whilst on Lake Kivu you'll spend one night at the Kivu Breeze Hotel in Karongi, overlooking the lake and featuring a garden, a terrace, and a restaurant. The hotel rooms come with free WiFi, a private bathroom with a shower, and a balcony.

host
Gishayu Island

For one night during your kayaking expedition, you will have the unique opportunity to wild camp on a private island in the middle of the lake. Everything you’ll need will be brought over for you in a motorboat, but on this one night only, you won’t have access to your main luggage. All your camping equipment is included, and your guides will prepare meals at the campsite.

Musanze

For the last two nights of the adventure, you'll usually stay at the Isange Paradise Resort. Located near the Volcanoes National Park, it has stunning mountain views, and each room has a private terrace overlooking the beautiful garden. Depending on availability, some departures may instead stay at the Karisimbi Cave Resort, which is just a 10-minute drive away in Ruhengeri. This is a similar standard accommodation with gardens, a restaurant, a lounge, a terrace and free WiFi.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, please see Optional Extras for the price. This will secure you a single room for the nights spent in hotels and guesthouses, and a single tent on Gishayu Island. Please request this at the time of booking, as all upgrades are subject to availability.

This trip has been rated as Moderate

This trip is designed for those with good fitness, but none of the activities are hugely strenuous or require previous experience.

You should be able to trek for up to six hours across uneven terrain or dense jungle. The hiking, while not technically difficult, can involve some steep sections, sometimes on muddy and slippery paths or under humid forest canopies, so a sense of adventure and decent stamina is important. You should also feel comfortable riding a bike for a couple of hours, but no technical skills are required. No previous experience is needed for the kayaking, but you'll be spending some hours paddling on Lake Kivu so you should have reasonable upper body strength to enjoy it to the full.

There are a couple of long drives (up to four hours) but these will be a great chance to rest your legs while taking in dazzling views of Rwanda the way. There will also be several early starts in order to avoid the heat and maximise the wildlife-spotting opportunities, so a willingness here is key to enjoying the experience.

Rwanda is warm and spring-like all year round. Temperatures average 24-34°C in the daytime and 17-20°C at night. Short thunderstorms that usually pass within an hour or so can occur at any time of year, but the main wet seasons are March to mid-May and September to mid-November.

Rain is unlikely in the main dry season (from the start of July to mid-August) but it can be a little more hazy due to the dust in the air. Rwanda is a great place to visit at any time of year; however, December to February are the most popular as there's lots of sunshine and the landscape is lush and green.

Gillian B.(February 2025)
Rwanda Adventure Trip

We have had the most amazing trip in Rwanda. Pax our guide was wonderful, informative, supportive, fun and dedicated. The activities - cycling, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, camping, the nature reserve walk and even planting trees were extremely well coordinated and I found them both enjoyable and exhilarating. The equipment was good. Then there was the visit to see the gorillas - wow! It was our first adventure holiday and it was brilliant.

Ami S.(February 2025)
Best MBA trip yet
Best MBA trip yet
Best MBA trip yet
Best MBA trip yet

Really well organised, great mix of activities. Suitable for everyone as nothing is to strenuous but there's a still a sense of adventure. Rwanda is my new favourite country! One word of warning is the food is so good you'll come back 2 pounds heavier. The best thing about the trip was our guide Pax, who understood what everyone needed all the time, but still kept it fun and adventurous the whole time. Thank you!

Katherine O.(January 2025)
Remarkable Rwanda
Remarkable Rwanda
Remarkable Rwanda
Remarkable Rwanda
Remarkable Rwanda
Remarkable Rwanda

The most amazing trip. Book it now!

I was a bit apprehensive about the activity level as I was recovering from ankle surgery but it was completely manageable for anyone that has a semi-decent level of fitness. The hikes in particular are designed so you can take them at your own pace with multiple guides and porters that support everyone, whatever your pace.

For anyone like me, who doesn't like being on the bus for long periods - FEAR NOT! This trip is designed to a T. The driving is broken up really well but also the country is so stunning that the drives fly by!

The accommodation, while basic, was lovely. Do be aware that sometimes they may run out of hot water but it's all part of the experience right!

Just a point to note for any of my super fair skinned friends- the local suncream is NOT great. I ran out of my one and burned through the local brand factor 50 that I bought there so just make sure to bring enough of your own!!

The itinerary is fabulous but if you are a history/culture buff be aware this is an adventure focused trip.

I am already planning my next trip back to this fabulous country and I am so grateful to Much Better Adventures for giving me my first taste of Rwanda ❤️

Carol m.(January 2025)
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️
Rwanda you have my heart ❤️

Rwanda the land of 1000 hills and natural beauty, but the people in rwanda have an energy that is food for soul, MBA ultimate rwanda was a true adventure from start to finish, mountain biking through villages high fiving locals, kayaking on lake kivu, we danced and sang around the fire under the stars, something special about wild camping with no other tourists and no people for miles, not often you get to do that, we got to taste local dishes agitogo, going to the genocide memorial just shows the resilience of the rwandan people and the phenomenal country it is, to see the mountain gorillas in the wild was such an unforgettable feeling I will never forget and to meet the guides and rangers that go above and beyonds to protect and love these beautiful animals. . nyungwe jungle hikes, spectacular waterfalls ,canopy walks and seen all the nature it has to offer, I've wanted to visit Rwanda for years and MBA is quite the active trip that fits as much as possible in which I loved . .

Eirin B.(December 2024)
Charlotte M.(December 2024)
Unforgettable Experience!
Unforgettable Experience!
Unforgettable Experience!
Unforgettable Experience!
Unforgettable Experience!

I cannot recommend a visit to Rwanda highly enough, it was truly an incredible experience! Such a varied and rich country, full of unparalleled beauty. The itinerary was excellent with a nice variety of activities, all of which were great experiences! Our guide, Pax, was brilliant and so helpful. The accommodation and facilities were far better than I anticipated and, overall, the whole trip was just excellent!

TIPS: I absolutely recommend seeing the mountain gorillas. It was a once in a lifetime experience that's impossible to describe and something I will remember forever. It's expensive but worth it. I would say take a bit more cash than MBA recommend, I regretted not taking more. Take USD and you'll be able to use as USD and change some to RWF in Kigali. You'll need a bit of everything, packing-wise. It did get chilly at times, but also incredibly hot! I would recommend a laundry bag to put damp/muddy/smelly clothes in, just in case. Be prepared for a bigger hill than expected for the mountain biking - and make sure you have sun lotion on the backs of your hands! Be prepared for a fair amount of time travelling, but the bus is good, the roads are great, and the views are amazing. And your guide will do what they can to make the journey fun!

Honestly, just book, you'll have the time of your life. . . oh, and take a bottle opener.

Sarah A.(December 2024)
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
Amazing experience
Amazing experience

I can highly recommend the Adventure through Rwanda trip.

A great balance of activities along a well thought out route, enabling you to see the varied scenery Rwanda has to offer.

Our guide, Pax, was fabulous. He listened to feedback and was focused on ensuring the agenda provided the right balance of challenge for everyone in our group.

Rwanda is a wonderful country and a real hidden gem. I shall definitely return!

Sam(December 2024)