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
Day 1
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
The once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience of seeing wild mountain gorillas requires a permit that costs $1442 per person. See the FAQs for more information about adding this option to your adventure; if you choose to do this, it will be in replacement of visiting the golden monkeys on Day 8.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we'd suggest the following as a guideline per person:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
All foreign nationalities entering Rwanda require a valid visa. This can be obtained upon arrival in Kigali and in many cases, is free. The Visit Rwanda (opens in new tab) website provides more information. Please check the regulations for your nationality.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
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, breakfa…
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.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
For active people who want to explore more wild and adventurous places
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 h...
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Saturday 30th May 2026
to Sunday 7th June 2026
Last minute - Host approval required
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience, so if you want to see these incredible animals in the wild this can be arranged for you on Day 8 (in replacement of visiting the golden monkeys). Gorilla viewing permits are limited and the price is set by the Rwandan Government, so if you wish to book this excursion we recommend planning it as early in advance as possible.
The total price payable for the permit is $1442 per person, inclusive of some booking fees (this is calculated as the full standard permit fee, minus the cost of the golden monkey activity, which is included in the full trip cost but you'll need to skip this if you choose to visit the mountain gorillas instead). In order to book a gorilla permit, please request this from your host after booking the adventure and provide your passport details. Your host will process the permit request for you and collect a deposit of $600, if the request is made before your final trip balance is due. Alternatively, the full amount will be collected.
If you change your mind and need to cancel or postpone your trip, the $600 permit deposit is not usually refundable. Within 30 days from arrival, no changes are possible and no refunds are available. Standard cancellation terms and fees apply for the remaining cost of the trip, which you can try to claim back via your insurance.
Gorilla health is taken very seriously in Rwanda. This means that if you are ill (even the slightest of colds), you will be unable to visit them. The government does not offer refunds, so if this was to occur you would need to try and claim this on your travel insurance (please check that you are covered for such an eventuality).
While tap water is unsafe for drinking, please bring a refillable water bottle with you as a plentiful supply of filtered/treated water will be available during the trip.
Weather conditions should be pretty favourable in the season when this trip is scheduled to run, but as always Mother Nature is unpredictable so the best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with sunscreen, a hat and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and may suggest alternative, safer activities should the weather get particularly bad, or change the order and timings of them.
During the activities you'll only need to carry your day pack containing lunch, waterproofs, camera, water etc. During the two-day kayaking expedition on Lake Kivu you will need to bring with you an overnight kit with only the essential items you need for those two days. Your main luggage will be transferred by vehicle throughout the trip.
All foreign nationalities entering Rwanda require a valid visa. This can be obtained upon arrival in Kigali and in many cases, is free. The Visit Rwanda website provides more information. Please check the regulations for your nationality.
Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.
Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.
What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m, where some people may experience symptoms of Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Previous experience at altitude doesn’t guarantee the same response again – your body can react differently on each trip. However, having been at altitude before is still valuable: it gives you a better understanding of how your body might respond, what symptoms to look out for, and how to manage your pace and energy levels.
Your guide is trained to manage the risk of altitude sickness by controlling the rate of ascent, monitoring group wellbeing, and responding appropriately if anyone feels unwell.
Before booking, we recommend considering your personal health, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions, and consulting a medical professional if you’re unsure. Arriving early to allow your body to acclimatise can also make a big difference.
Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.
This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some species may be dangerous, venomous, or unpredictable. Sightings are a privilege – but safety is key. Always follow your guide’s instructions and any posted signage.
We recommend considering your comfort around wildlife and discussing any concerns with your host before travel, particularly if you have allergies, phobias, or related health conditions.
This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.
Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
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.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 288kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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