Day 1 – Arrive in Kigali
- Airport pickup, SIM card, small cash exchange
- Gentle walk around cafés + craft shops
- Early night to beat jet lag
Day 2 – Kigali culture deep dive
- Morning: city walking tour + local markets
- Midday: Genocide Memorial (plan quiet time after)
- Evening: food crawl (brochettes, samosas, fresh juice)
Day 3 – Kigali → Akagera National Park (±2.5 hrs)
- Stop at viewpoints en route
- Check-in + lunch at lodge
- Afternoon game drive (zebras, giraffes, antelope)
Day 4 – Akagera safari + lake cruise
- Dawn game drive (best chance for predators)
- Afternoon boat safari on the lake (hippos + crocs)
- Night: floodlit waterhole viewing if your lodge offers it
Day 5 – Akagera → Kigali (±2.5 hrs)
- Late breakfast with savannah views
- Drive back; relaxed Kigali evening
- Optional: spa/massage to recover from early safaris
Day 6 – Kigali → Musanze (±2.5 hrs)
- Scenic drive north through rolling hills
- Village visit or lava caves (easy, cool walk)
- Sunset views of volcano silhouettes
Day 7 – Musanze light adventure day
- Option A: Golden monkey trek (shorter, playful primates)
- Option B: Foothills hike with volcano views (less muddy than gorilla trails)
- Free afternoon: café time, local markets
Day 8 – Musanze → Lake Kivu (±3 hrs)
- Drive to lakeshore town (Rubavu/Gisenyi area)
- Swim + lakeside dinner
- Sunset photos over the water
Day 9 – Lake Kivu slow day
- Early-morning kayak or swim (lake is calmest)
- Coffee by the shore, hammock time
- Optional fishing village visit or sunset boat cruise
Day 10 – Lake Kivu → Kigali (±3–4 hrs) & depart
- Scenic return drive
- Last-minute souvenirs + airport transfer