Budget SafariRwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Retreat
About this safari
Romance and gorillas — trek to a mountain-gorilla family in the Volcanoes, then unwind on the serene shores of Lake Kivu with private coves, sunset boat trips and lakeside spa days.
Romance and gorillas — trek to a mountain-gorilla family in the Volcanoes, then unwind on the serene shores of Lake Kivu with private coves, sunset boat trips and lakeside spa days.
Your itinerary
A guide to your journey — we’ll fine-tune every day around you.
Day1
Arrive in Kigali → Volcanoes NP
🍽 Lunch · Dinner 🏕 Bisate Lodge
Arrive in Kigali → Volcanoes NP
Karibu! On arrival you are met by your safari specialist and travel on to Volcanoes NP. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park — the realm of Dian Fossey — offers some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking on earth, set against a backdrop of dramatic, forested volcanoes.
Day2
Exploring Volcanoes NP
🍽 Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 🏕 Bisate Lodge
Exploring Volcanoes NP
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park — the realm of Dian Fossey — offers some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking on earth, set against a backdrop of dramatic, forested volcanoes. A full day to explore at your own pace, with morning and late-afternoon game drives when the wildlife is most active.
Day3
Exploring Volcanoes NP
🍽 Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 🏕 Bisate Lodge
Exploring Volcanoes NP
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park — the realm of Dian Fossey — offers some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking on earth, set against a backdrop of dramatic, forested volcanoes. A full day to explore at your own pace, with morning and late-afternoon game drives when the wildlife is most active.
Day4
Travel to Lake Kivu
🍽 Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 🏕 Cleo Lake Kivu
Travel to Lake Kivu
Today you journey on to Lake Kivu. One of Africa’s Great Lakes, Kivu is the serene finale to a Rwandan journey — sandy coves, island hops, fishing dhows at dusk and coffee plantations tumbling down the hills.
Day5
Exploring Lake Kivu
🍽 Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 🏕 Cleo Lake Kivu
Exploring Lake Kivu
One of Africa’s Great Lakes, Kivu is the serene finale to a Rwandan journey — sandy coves, island hops, fishing dhows at dusk and coffee plantations tumbling down the hills. A full day to explore at your own pace, with morning and late-afternoon game drives when the wildlife is most active.
Day6
Departure
🍽 Breakfast
Departure
After a final breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight — or extend with a beach finale (just ask). We say kwaheri until your next adventure.
Where you’ll travel
Kigali → Volcanoes NP → Lake Kivu
Your lodges & camps
Every property on this safari has its own page on our site — explore the rooms, amenities and gallery before you travel.
LodgeBisate Lodge
Iconic forest-villa pods in a reforested amphitheatre below the volcanoes.
Beach ResortCleo Lake Kivu
A lakeside hotel with private coves on the shores of Lake Kivu.
What’s included
✓ Included
- All internal light-aircraft flights & transfers
- All park & conservancy entrance fees
- Accommodation as specified
- All meals on safari as specified (B/L/D)
- Private 4×4 game drives with an expert local guide
- Drinking water on safari
- All government taxes & levies
- Airport meet-and-greet & transfers
✕ Not included
- International flights to/from East Africa
- Visas & travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides & camp staff
- Premium drinks & champagne
- Personal expenses & laundry
- Optional activities (balloon safari, gorilla permits where not stated)
Dates & prices
Join one of our guaranteed group departures below — or ask us to run this safari privately on any date you choose.
Sat 1 Aug 2026 – Thu 6 Aug 2026
- 👥 2 of 8 spots left
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
- ✦ Last minute price — save $620 per person (book by 18 Jul 2026)
Sat 12 Sep 2026 – Thu 17 Sep 2026
- 👥 3 of 8 spots left
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
Sat 24 Oct 2026 – Thu 29 Oct 2026
- 👥 5 of 8 spots left
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Thu 24 Dec 2026
- 👥 Fully booked — join the waitlist
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
Sat 27 Feb 2027 – Thu 4 Mar 2027
- 👥 6 of 8 spots left
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
- ✦ Early bird price — save $750 per person (book by 29 Dec 2026)
Sat 8 May 2027 – Thu 13 May 2027
- 👥 7 of 8 spots left
- 🛏 Private group · 2–7 guests · full board
- 🛡 A flexible deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel (card · PayPal · M-Pesa)
- ✦ Sale price — save $940 per person
💰 Per person sharing, set-departure group rate. Single supplement +$1,560. Deposit secures your seat; balance due before travel — card · PayPal · M-Pesa.
What guests say about this safari
Sarah & Mark H.
SafariBookings · September 2025From the first email to the final sundowner, every detail was flawless. Our guide knew exactly where the wildlife would be — we had front-row seats the whole way.
The Delgado Family
Google · August 2025They designed the trip around our kids and it was pure magic. Perfectly paced, brilliant camps, and the team treated us like family.
Frequently asked questions
How does the tailor-made process work?
You tell us your dates, interests and budget, and a specialist designs a personalised itinerary — no fixed packages. We refine it together until it’s exactly right, then handle every booking and detail for you.
Is this safari suitable for children?
Yes — we offer a reduced child rate and can adapt the pace, game-drive timing and camps to suit families. Let us know your children’s ages and we’ll tailor it.
How do I secure my booking and pay?
A deposit secures your dates, with the balance due before travel. We accept secure card payments, PayPal and M-Pesa. Full terms come with your quote.
What about flights, visas and insurance?
International flights, visas and travel insurance are not included, but we’ll happily advise on all three and recommend trusted options.
Can I extend with a beach holiday?
Absolutely. A Zanzibar or Diani beach finale is a popular add-on — we’ll build it seamlessly into your itinerary.

Make this journey your own
Change the dates, the camps, the pace — anything. Tell us your dream and a real specialist will craft it around you, with no obligation.

