12-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary: Gorillas, Akagera Safari and Fun for the Whole Family
Bringing your family on this journey is about stepping into something truly alive with energy. Our 12-day Rwanda safari itinerary helps discover the shared excitement from the very first moment, where each day is designed to pull you into nature, culture, and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity for both kids and adults while creating real time together that feels rare and meaningful. From wildlife encounters to cultural traditions and interactive activities, every part of the journey is built to keep your family engaged, laughing, learning, and exploring side by side, turning travel into connection where every day feels different, every moment matters, and every memory is made together. Learn more about our Rwanda tours from Amahoro Tours now!
12 Day Family Adventure Tour in Rwanda
Traveling through Rwanda as a family is about sharing moments that stay with you long after the journey ends, from the very first arrival to the final farewell. Each day brings new discoveries, meaningful connections, and time together in nature, culture, and wildlife that makes every experience feel both exciting and deeply personal.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL WITH FAMILY AT THE KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Your journey begins the moment you touch down at Kigali International Airport. Our Meet and Greet representative team will be on board to warmly welcome you, provide seamless assistance through immigration, and help with your luggage collection. You then will be handed over to a professional driver /guide who will serve as your dedicated tour driver and guide throughout your stay in Rwanda. After a brief introduction, be transferred to your hotel in Kigali for overnight stay.
Driving distance: 30 Minutes
Activities: 0
Overnight: Aligned - Heaven Boutique Hotel | Mid-market - Mille Collines Hotel | Premium – Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast
DAY 2: DEPART FOR NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK + KING’S PALACE TOUR
After an early breakfast depart for Nyungwe National Park via Butare for lunch and later a visit to the Nyanza Museum; A reconstruction of the traditional royal residence, the King’s Palace is a beautifully-crafted thatched dwelling shaped like a beehive. In olden times, Nyanza was the heart of Rwanda. According to oral tradition, it was the site of battles and power struggles. For a long time, the monarchy was mobile, moving the court between various locations. When it eventually settled in one place, Nyanza was the obvious choice. The capital of the kingdom had as many as 2,000 inhabitants, and huts built with the same methods. At the back live a few long-horned Inyambo cattle, descended from the king’s herd, whose keepers carefully tend and sing to them, keeping alive a unique tradition. The elegant cows, derived from the wider Ankole breed, played an important role during ceremonies in honor of the king. They were decorated with rich jewelry, and were taught to listen to a trainer’s songs and follow his movements in a stately parade. Rwanda ceased to be a monarchy in 1962, when it gained independence from colonial rule. However, the breeding and grooming of Inyambo is still carried out under the Rwanda Agriculture Board. Drive on to your hotel arriving for dinner and overnight.
Driving distance: 5.5 hours
Activity: King’s Palace Tour
Overnight: Aligned - Nyungwe Top View Hotel | Mid-market/Premium - Munazi Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: 15 years old
DAY 3: CANOPY WALK WITH KIDS + DEPART FOR KIBUYE
Take an early morning breakfast then with your packed lunch drive to this park for the canopy walk which sets 50 metres above the ground with a 150-metre walkway and is the first of its kind in East Africa and third on the continent after South Africa and Ghana. It allows visitors to see the forest from above the trees and be at eye level with birds and monkeys that inhabit the upper stories of the forest. Later depart for Kibuye which lies at the eastern tip of Lake Kivu and is often hailed as the most impressive scenic spot of the lake. The unpaved road gently curves back and forth as it weaves through hills and mountains beside the lake from Gisenyi to Cyangugu. Eucalyptus trees line the road, while every corner of the hills is terraced with bananas. Villagers smile and wave; you’ll end up with hands tired from waving, and feel like royalty at the end of the trip! Arrive for the afternoon at leisure then dinner and overnight stay.
Driving distance:
Activity: Canopy Walk
Overnight: Aligned/Mid-market – Cormoran Lodge | Premium - Umurobyi Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: 6 years old
DAY 4: FULL DAY LAKE KIVU_BOAT EXCURSION TOUR w/ KIDS (KIBUYE – RUBAVU)
After breakfast depart to Rubavu by boat for an islands & community tour. Relax and take in the views of Rwandan mountains from the hillside of Lake Kivu. We'll be hiking on Napoleon Island and looking for fruit bats and velvet monkeys on a nearby island in Kibuye. Lunch will be served at Rushel Lodge, an amazing hotel with a beautiful beach with swimming facilities after astonished with swimming cows. A coffee tour to its best from crop to cup will be experienced too. Hike a short healing trail within the Lake Kivu coast, and being entertained with local dancers, and finally enjoy the sunset boat ride and on lucky day meet the fishermen in their style heading to fish the famous Isambaza during a night. Your driver /guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel arriving in time for check in then later dinner and overnight.
Tour starts at 7am and it ends around 6pm and Highlights include: Napoleon Island | Swimming cows | Awesome views of the Congo Nile Trail | Coffee tour |Traditional musical instruments and dances | Healing trail | Sunset boat ride | Fishing activities
Note: You may get wet, be well prepared because of the waves of the Lake. This activity requires to be fit, wear comfortable shoes for a short walk in the plantations | you will spend some time in the sun, wear a hat and bring a sunscreen | We will have a cooler and ice for you to store any food or drinks
Driving distance:
Activities: Full day Boat excursion
Overnight: Aligned - Kivu Paradise Resort | Mid-market/ Premium - Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome
DAY 5: RUBAVU
After breakfast the day is spent in Rubavu; the charm of Rwanda that boasts of a large beach resort and border city - Gisenyi. It lies on the shores of Lake Kivu and is one of the African Great Lakes; on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Arrive at your hotel in time for check in and lunch then the afternoon at leisure (You will be in the company of our guide to show you around). Simply explore the town, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the local market or wander through the leafy streets admiring the old colonial buildings. Later stay for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Driving distance:
Activities: At Leisure
Overnight: Aligned - Kivu Paradise Resort | Mid-market/Premium - Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome
DAY 6: THE COW EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN + DEPART FOR VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast depart for your days adventure to the green pastures of Ibere rya Bigogwe where the cows graze. Join our friendly cowboys on a thrilling adventure to learn the art of hand-milking, taste our special fresh milk known as Bigogwe Cappuccino, and immerse yourself in traditional games, songs, and stories –An unforgettable 3-hours experience. Once you reach the farms, your guide will introduce you to the cows and cowboys. You will dress in a colourful shuka or rumbiya, the traditional attire of cattle keepers and get an Inkoni, a stick carried by all cattle keepers. Learn about the history of the green hills of Bigogwe, stories about cows and the traditional Rwandan life connected to cows. The hills at the farms are some of most lush and green hills in Africa. Spend some time with the cows and cowboys in this peaceful setting. Twice daily the cows make their way to the river for a drink. Join the cowboys and use your inkoni (stick) and gentle whistles to move the cows down to the river for a drink. Watch the cowboys as the sing and whistle for the cows as they drink. When the cows rest after eating and milking, the cowboys sing to them. These traditional songs are called Kwivugira inka and have been passed on for generations. The songs repeat the names of the cows and include stories from legendary cows. Later leave the farms to watch the traditional way women make Ikimuri or ghee by hand. Ikimuri is traditionally made by moving a large calabash or Igisabo back and forth. Learn how it is done and try making your own Ikimuri. Later depart for Musanze arriving for lunch then drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Extra info / what to bring: Hiking Shoes | Sweater & wind/rainproof jacket | the sun can be harsh bring a hat & sunscreen | This Experience requires that you can walk for 1 km over uneven ground
Driving distance:
Activities: Bigogwe Cow Experience
Overnight: Aligned - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Mid-market - Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Premium - Five Volcanoes Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome
DAY 7: GORILLA TREKKING (15+) + CHILDCARE OPTION + RED ROCKS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
After an early breakfast, you head to the park headquarters in Kinigi to meet your guides and complete the necessary check-in before setting off into the forest. From there, the journey unfolds into one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters on earth—tracking mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, where you’ll eventually come face to face with them and spend a full hour quietly observing their world just a few meters away.
Moving through the slopes of the Virunga mountains, you’ll trek through misty forest terrain that can be challenging at times, but incredibly rewarding once you find the family group. These rare great apes—fewer than 700 remain in the wild—offer a powerful, almost surreal moment of connection as you watch their behavior up close in complete silence. The best Rwanda gorilla trek can last several hours at altitude, so a reasonable level of fitness is important, along with proper hiking boots, long trousers, gloves, water, and light snacks for energy along the way.
After returning from the forest and enjoying lunch at the lodge, the experience continues with a visit to a local intercultural center where you’ll step into Rwanda’s traditions through hands-on learning. Here you’ll see how banana-based brewing is made from start to finish, with the option to take part alongside local women as they prepare juice and traditional drinks. The day also includes basket weaving and cultural storytelling, offering a meaningful way to connect with the community and support local livelihoods before heading back to your hotel for dinner and rest.
Activities For Children While Parents Are Gorilla Trekking
While adults are out gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, children are warmly cared for at Red Rocks Camp in a safe, welcoming environment designed for comfort and connection. They’ll enjoy a fun, engaging few hours before reuniting in the afternoon for a meaningful intercultural experience together.
Creative arts & crafts (painting, drawing, and simple handmade projects)
Light, guided basket weaving with local artisans (kid-friendly participation)
Hands-on banana juice making and simple local snack experiences
Interactive storytelling with songs, games, and cultural tales
Music & dance session with local performers (fun, high-energy, and engaging)
Gentle outdoor play and nature exploration around the camp grounds
Each activity is guided, age-appropriate, and designed to keep children engaged, safe, and smiling while parents are away.
Driving distance: Depends on the family you will be allocated to visit
Activities: 1 Day Gorilla Trek + Intercultural Exchange
Overnight: Aligned - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Mid-market - Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Premium - Five Volcanoes Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: 15 years old
DAY 8: GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING + KARISOKE RESEARCH CENTER WITH CHILDREN TOUR
Today focuses on tracking golden monkeys inside Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll move through thick bamboo forest broken up by open clearings as you head deeper into their natural territory. With the guidance of experienced rangers, you’ll locate families of habituated golden monkeys—groups that are comfortable with human presence—allowing for an incredible, close-range viewing experience in the wild.
The encounter itself is limited to about one hour, but it offers a rare chance to watch these energetic primates as they feed, play, and leap effortlessly between bamboo stems, with mothers often carrying their young just steps away. After the trek, the journey continues with a visit to the Karisoke Research Center, now known as the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where decades of pioneering conservation work continue to shape gorilla protection and research. Founded in 1967 by Dr. Dian Fossey, this world-renowned site remains the longest-running gorilla research station, dedicated to studying and safeguarding these incredible animals. You then return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Activities For Children While Parents Are Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden monkey tracking wraps up around mid-morning in Volcanoes National Park, giving your children a relaxed, creative space at Red Rocks Art Centre while you’re out. You’ll reunite shortly after and continue the day together with a shared visit to the Karisoke Research Center—a meaningful experience you won’t miss together.
While you’re tracking, your children will enjoy:
A guided painting session with local artists—fun, expressive, and easy to follow
Creative storytelling through art to keep them engaged and inspired
Light outdoor time in a safe, calm environment around the art center- Gentle music and rhythm activities for a relaxed, enjoyable experience
Everything is structured, supervised, and designed to keep your children happy and comfortable—so you can fully enjoy your trek knowing they’re in great hands.
Driving distance: Depends on the family you will be allocated to visit
Activities: 1 Golden Monkeys Trek + Karisoke Research centre tour
Overnight: Aligned - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Mid-market - Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Premium - Five Volcanoes Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: 12 years old
DAY 9: DEPART FOR AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning breakfast depart for Akagera National Park located along the eastern border of Rwanda, where the typically hilly countryside gives way to the savannas of the Great Rift Valley. Dominated by lakes, swamps and marshland, the area boasts a huge complement of nature and wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. Arrive at the lodge for lunch then later in the afternoon your exploration starts with a boat trip on Lake Ihema which is very rewarding for seeing the large number of hippos, the huge Nile crocodiles and many birds. They are the most interesting part of the park especially for birders. Later on set out for your night game drive that gives you the opportunity to explore the different attractions in the park as the sun sets. The night game drive in Akagera national park starts around 17:30 Hrs. to 20:30Hrs and you will have a unique opportunity to spot nocturnal creatures which are more active at night than during the day. Get to have a clear view of a variety wildlife and listen to the different bird species like the night jars among others in this park to make your safari experience a lifetime. It is mandatory to have an authorized park guide to accompany guests and provide the night safari in line with the local conservancy rules. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Driving distance: 3 hours
Activities: 1 Hour Boat Exploration + Night Game drive
Overnight: Aligned/Mid-market - Akagera Game Lodge | Premium - Ruzizi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome - Recommended: 5 years and older
DAY 10: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK DAY WITH KIDS
After breakfast leave the lodge by 07:00 Hrs. to engage on a full day game drive and your exploration start with a visit to the giraffe valley. Akagera National Park is characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The varied terrain shelters wildlife including: Rwanda rhinos, elephants, lions in Akagera, Rwanda leopards, zebras, giraffes and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles. Later drive back to your hotel at around 16:00 Hrs. for the evening at leisure then later dinner and overnight.
Driving distance:
Activity: Full day Game drive
Overnight: Aligned/Mid-market - Akagera Game Lodge | Premium - Ruzizi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome - Recommended: 5 years and older
DAY 11 : RETURN TO KIGALI + KIGALI POTTERY CAFÉ TOUR
After breakfast depart for Kigali arriving at the Kigali pottery café in time for lunch then a tour in the same location. Pottery is an ancient craft that has thrived in Rwanda due to the adaptability of its practitioners. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, pottery serves a multitude of purposes in this land of a thousand hills. Traditionally, Rwandan potters used rollers to shape the various parts of a vessel. They would start by forming the base and body, followed by the shoulder, neck, and sides. Decoration was then applied to the still-wet surface using braided plant fiber. Historically, traditional pottery served a primarily useful purpose in Rwanda, providing utensils for cooking, storing, and transporting food. Some of these traditional vessels, like cooking pots and storage jars for sorghum or banana beer, remain in use today. Get your hands dirty as you engage in this interesting activity. The staff are kind enough to provide pottery experience to both first learners and experienced potters. Drive on to Kigali arriving at your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.
Driving distance: 4 Hours
Activity: Pottery Experience
Overnight: Aligned - Heaven Boutique Hotel | Mid-market - Mille Collines Hotel | Premium – Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Half board: Lunch, Bed & breakfast
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome
DAY 12: KIGALI CITY TOUR + DEPART
After breakfast your day starts with a tour of the city. Often regarded as one of Africa’s most well-maintained cities, with its wide, tree-lined streets and remarkable cleanliness; The skyline is defined by a striking, ultramodern convention center alongside sleek new buildings that convey a sense of growth and stability. Rolling hills reveal a beautiful patchwork of red-roofed homes, terraced farmland, and lush green landscapes, creating a truly captivating view. Named in 1907 by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first colonial resident governor of Rwanda; Kigali city is surrounded by lush hills of green and is referred to as the land of a thousand hills. Get to visit interesting spots which may include; the craft market, Gisozi genocide memorial site & Kigali Museum. Engage in last minute shopping in one of the friendliest African capitals, before returning to the airport for your onward international flight back home.
Driving distance: 30 Minutes to the airport
Activities: Kigali City Tour
Overnight: Own arrangement
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Minimum Age For Activity: All Ages Welcome
Book Your 12 Day Rwanda Family Adventure Tour
From the warm welcome in Kigali to your final moments exploring its vibrant streets, this 12-day journey brings your family closer through shared experiences across Rwanda’s most remarkable landscapes. From the forests of Volcanoes National Park to the shores of Lake Kivu and the wildlife of Akagera National Park, each day blends discovery, connection, and time together in a way that feels both meaningful and unforgettable. It’s a journey shaped by real moments—learning, exploring, and experiencing something new side by side as a family. Book your tour today!
