The land of a thousand hills: 10-Day Accessible Journey

10 days · Road and charter flight · Kigali, Akagera, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes

All three of Rwanda’s national parks: the Big Five savannah of Akagera, the chimpanzees of Nyungwe and the gorillas of the Virungas, with Lake Kivu between. It suits travellers who want both a classic safari and primates in one country.

Who it works for

• Physical (wheelchair users and slow walkers): With support (Akagera is vehicle-based, but the forest treks are steep; sedan chairs for gorillas)
• Visual (blind and low vision): Yes (birdsong, forest sound and close wildlife, with guides who describe)
• Hearing (Deaf and hard of hearing): Yes (visual and well briefed)
• Hidden (autism, fatigue, chronic illness): With support (charter flights cut the longest drives, but early starts remain)

Your days

Day 1: Kigali

Met on arrival; the Kigali Genocide Memorial at your own pace (optional), then a quiet evening.

Days 2–3: Akagera

About 2.5 hours east. Game drives and a boat on Lake Ihema; Day 3 afternoon at rest.

Days 4–5: Nyungwe

A charter flight from Akagera to Kamembe, then about 1 hour by road to the lodge; afternoon at rest. Day 5: chimpanzees in the morning, then a tea estate, a waterfall walk or the canopy walk, or rest.

Day 6: Lake Kivu

About 1 hour back to Kamembe and a short charter hop north to Gisenyi. A boat on the lake and a quiet evening on the shore.

Day 7: To the volcanoes

About 1.5 hours to Musanze; a cultural visit in the afternoon.

Days 8–9: Volcanoes

Day 8: golden monkeys in the morning and a rest afternoon. Day 9: early briefing at Kinigi and a day trekking to a gorilla family.

Day 10: Home

About 2.5 hours back to Kigali by road for your flight.

Where you stay

• Kigali · Kigali Marriott · bed and breakfast
• Akagera · Akagera Game Lodge · full board
• Nyungwe · Nyungwe lodge [TO CONFIRM] · full board
• Lake Kivu · Kivu Serena · half board
• To the volcanoes · Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel · full board

As listed or similar, subject to availability and to a measured accessible room.

Best time to go

Weather: June to September and December to February. Value: March to May and October to November, fewer visitors, muddier trails.

Good to know

• Vehicles: partner 4×4 with pop-up roof for Akagera; ramp vehicle to confirm. Charter flights (Akagera–Kamembe, Kamembe–Gisenyi) boarding by lift or carried transfer; soft bags, about 15 kg.
• Rooms: Kigali Marriott, Akagera Game Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kivu Serena, Nyungwe lodge · access profiles to complete.
• Equipment and support: sedan chair; wheelchair, shower chair and commode through the partner; 24-hour WhatsApp support.
• Communication and senses: written briefs; tactile tea estate visit; sign language interpreter on request.
• Pace: two charter flights replace the long Akagera–Nyungwe and lakeshore drives, so no drive runs over about 2.5 hours. One night at Kivu; add a second on request.
• Limits and alternatives: chimp and canopy trails are steep; Akagera and the lake boats work for everyone.
• New for 2027: Charter flights to Kamembe and Gisenyi, and a rest afternoon at Akagera.
• Route optimised for 2027: Charters cut the long Akagera–Nyungwe and Nyungwe–Kivu–Kigali drives; gorillas last. Kibuye and King’s Palace dropped as off route. Road time: 20 h road → 9.5 h road + 2 charter flights.

On every Accessible Travel Kenya journey

• Meet-and-assist at JKIA, Wilson and Moi airports, with an adapted vehicle at the kerb
• Adapted 4×4 Land Cruisers with ramp, tie-downs and pop-up roof; accessible vans in Nairobi and Mombasa
• Wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes and more, delivered to your first hotel
• An easy pace: at most 4 hours’ driving a day, two nights per stop, a rest afternoon every three days
• A try-before-you-fly pack: photos of every step of your journey, room videos and a call with your guide
• Carer and companion rates, and health support: partner hospitals, oxygen or dialysis on request
• Sign language interpreters on request, 24-hour WhatsApp support and written briefs on every journey

Ready to plan? Every journey can be shortened, extended or combined. Contact Accessible Travel Kenya to customise this journey or message Accessible Travel Kenya on WhatsApp.

Senior-friendly and wheelchair accessible: Accessible Travel Kenya caters to everyone. As specialists in inclusive tourism, the company checks every vehicle, room and activity against your needs before the company confirms.