Wondrous wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.
Nicknamed "The Land of a Thousand Hills", Rwanda's dramatic landscapes teem with animals of all spots and stripes, from lightning-fast cheetahs to long-necked, lanky-legged giraffes, and powerful gorillas. On this thrilling Safari Tour, you’ll see them all in some of the country’s most spectacular settings. Start in Kigali and get to know kind and creative locals who are eager to share Rwandan culture and traditions. Then travel to the wild expanses of Akagera National Park to witness the drama of nature unfolding around you. Cap off your trip trekking through lush mountainside forests of Volcanoes National Park as you watch for endangered gorillas.
Welcome to Rwanda! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in.
This evening, enjoy an included dinner.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Rwanda, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter Rwanda on the tour extension.You may purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for $50. The entry authorities require exact change in crisp, new bills.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/myaccount.
You will walk for about 45 minutes daily across mostly flat terrain, including some paved roads, unpaved trails, and dirt paths.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times. This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Your guide for this tour will be different than a typical Tour Director. You will be met by a representative from Go Ahead Tours upon arrival and will then meet your guide the morning of your first full day on tour. He or she will act as both your tour guide and driver for the duration of your tour.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Kigali. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari land cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
You’ll need one overnight bag, such as a backpack or small collapsible duffle bag.
One small carry-on bag is also permitted (which can double as your overnight bag).
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements:* A soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted)
Your bags can be no larger than 34” W by 17” H by 15” L
The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag)
Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
Bring a reusable water bottle! You can refill it on your bus, making it an easy way to stay hydrated and cut down on single-use plastic waste.
Pack a swimsuit, as many of the hotels have pools that you can use at your leisure.
Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
The Kenyan government has a strict ban on plastic bags. It is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card ) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
If you’re traveling on the tour extension to Tanzania you’re required to provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card ) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/myaccount.
Rwandan dishes are often simple, usually made with sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, plantains, and fruit. Meat is scarcely eaten in rural areas due to livestock being considered a status symbol, but in urban areas, beef and chicken are popular.
Rwanda operates on 230 volts and uses a Type C and J plugs.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.
Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
Rwanda is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
The currency you’ll be using on your tour is the Rwandan Franc.
We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
ATMs are most readily available in Nairobi; while there, we recommend taking out cash in small bills to have on safari.
Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your driver/guide a gratuity in USD. We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day.
If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as the equivalent of $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.
You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy, before flights, and vary by departure date. Select your preferred departure date and departure city to view your tour price with flights and hotel transfers included. Changes or cancellation will result in a fee of up to the total tour price. Last-minute specials are not combinable with any other promotional discount. Promotional discounts not combinable with any other promotional offer, including Group Coordinator and Group Benefit programs. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included. Please contact the airline for more information. Some countries may require aircraft insecticide treatment for inbound foreign flights. Such countries can be found at goaheadtours.com/insecticide. To view Go Ahead's complete Terms & Conditions, visit goaheadtours.com/terms. The tour operator for your trip is EF Education First International Ltd. CST 2060043-20.
