10-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Botswana Safari Tour

This 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari Tour captures the true essence of Africa’s wilderness, merging two of the continent’s most breath-taking safari destinations into one unforgettable adventure. From the mist-covered volcanic slopes of northern Rwanda, home to endangered mountain gorillas, to the serene wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the elephant-filled plains of Chobe National Park every day unfolds as a masterpiece of wild beauty and authentic experience.

The 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari journey begins in Kigali, a city of renewal and vibrancy, where Rwanda’s resilience meets African elegance. Travelers explore historical landmarks, bustling craft markets, and cultural artistry before heading to Volcanoes National Park, where the heart of Africa beats in the dense rainforests of the Virunga Mountains. Here, the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari becomes a life-defining experience a sacred moment shared with one of the world’s rarest creatures.

From there, the expedition transitions south to Botswana, a land of vast wilderness and delicate ecosystems. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a stunning contrast to Rwanda’s misty forests crystal-clear waterways meander through golden floodplains, teeming with elephants, antelope, lions, and birdlife. Continuing to Chobe National Park, travelers witness grand herds of elephants along the Chobe River and unwind amid landscapes that seem untouched by time.

This 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari Tour offers more than sightseeing it weaves together conservation, culture, and comfort. Each day blends adventure with relaxation, and every lodge selected by Deks Uganda Tours ensures privacy, sustainability, and world-class service. The 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari itinerary embodies the soul of African travel: emotional, immersive, and deeply inspiring.

 

Detailed 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda: Gateway to the Heart of Africa

Touch down at Kigali International Airport, where the air feels crisp and the smiles are warm. A professional 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari guide from Deks Uganda Tours welcomes you to Rwanda, a country that embodies strength and serenity. As you transfer to your elegant city lodge, the soft hum of Kigali’s streets introduces you to Africa’s cleanest and most organized capital.

Spend your first afternoon exploring Kigali’s fascinating contrasts tree-lined avenues, vibrant local markets, and artistic enclaves that celebrate Rwandan creativity. A guided visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers a moment of reflection and deep understanding of Rwanda’s incredible journey from tragedy to triumph. Nearby art galleries and craft centers, such as Inema Arts and Kimironko Market, showcase the country’s rebirth through color, texture, and rhythm.

By evening, unwind on a rooftop terrace overlooking Kigali’s rolling skyline. A welcome dinner, rich with Rwandan flavors and storytelling, sets the tone for your upcoming Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour. Sleep soundly, knowing your adventure into Africa’s wild heart begins at sunrise.

 

Day 2 – Journey to Volcanoes National Park: Into the Land of a Thousand Hills

After a refreshing breakfast, your 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari journey north begins through Rwanda’s famed rolling hills a landscape so picturesque that every curve reveals a new panorama of tea plantations, terraced farms, and distant volcanoes. This scenic four-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park offers countless photo stops and a chance to connect with Rwanda’s rural life.

Arriving in Musanze, the gateway to the gorilla highlands, you check into a luxurious eco-lodge nestled at the park’s edge. From your veranda, the misty peaks of the Virunga Mountains rise majestically, promising the adventure of a lifetime. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided village walk or visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where passionate conservationists share the ongoing efforts to protect mountain gorillas.

As the sun sets, the air cools and the forests echo with distant calls of golden monkeys and mountain birds. Over dinner, your 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari guide briefs you about the next day’s Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari, covering preparation, etiquette, and the sacred respect given to these gentle giants. The night feels alive with anticipation and wonder tomorrow, you meet one of nature’s closest relatives face-to-face.

 

Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking Adventure: A Sacred Encounter in the Mist

At dawn, a soft fog blankets the Virunga Volcanoes, creating an atmosphere both mystical and humbling. After breakfast, you head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. Rangers assign you to a specific gorilla family, and the adventure begins.

The trek through bamboo forests and dense jungle takes anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location. Along the trail, the forest reveals layers of life butterflies, orchids, ancient trees, and the distant echo of forest birds. When the trackers signal your arrival, the world seems to pause.

Suddenly, they are there: a family of mountain gorillas the silverback commanding quiet authority, mothers cradling infants, and juveniles tumbling playfully through the vines. The intimacy of this hour transcends words. Their gaze, gentle and intelligent, bridges the gap between humanity and nature. It is a connection so profound that it stays etched in memory forever.

After your time with the gorillas, descend through the forest with your heart full of gratitude. Return to the lodge for a celebratory lunch, followed by an optional visit to local craft markets or a guided birdwatching walk. As dusk falls, the campfire crackles and the conversation flows everyone shares their unique encounter, yet all agree: nothing compares to Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 4 – Cultural Encounters and Twin Lakes Excursion: Beyond the Gorillas

This day celebrates Rwanda’s cultural richness and natural charm beyond gorilla trekking. After breakfast, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, an immersive community initiative that brings Rwandan traditions to life. Participate in drumming sessions, try local banana beer, learn traditional dances, and hear stories that reflect centuries of heritage.

Next, 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari journey to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, where the turquoise waters reflect the towering volcanoes. A serene boat cruise offers breathtaking views of terraced hillsides, fishermen paddling traditional canoes, and vibrant birdlife flitting across the lake’s edge. A picnic lunch along the shore adds a touch of tranquility to this beautiful day.

Return to Kigali in the afternoon, where you spend your final night in Rwanda. Reflect on your 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari, cherishing the raw encounters and cultural warmth that define this unique destination. Tomorrow, your journey continues southward from misty forests to vast floodplains as your adventure transitions from Rwanda’s highlands to Botswana’s untamed wilderness.

 

Day 5 – Flight to Botswana: Crossing Continents of Wilderness

Wake up early for your flight from Kigali to Maun, Botswana, connecting through Johannesburg. As your plane descends over Botswana, the scenery transforms dramatically from lush green hills to expansive golden plains dotted with acacia trees and winding river channels.

Upon arrival in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, a representative from Deks Uganda Tours escorts you to your charter flight or boat transfer into the heart of the Delta. The aerial view is mesmerizing: countless waterways glistening like veins across the land, herds of elephants and buffalo grazing below.

Check into your luxury safari camp, designed to blend seamlessly with nature. After lunch, enjoy a gentle mokoro (traditional canoe) ride guided by a local poler who navigates silently through crystal-clear channels lined with papyrus reeds. The evening ends with sundowners on a secluded island, the air filled with the distant call of fish eagles and croaking frogs. The 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari Tour continues here tranquil, untouched, and utterly magnificent.

 

Days 6–7 – Exploring the Okavango Delta: Waterways of Life

For two full days, the Okavango Delta reveals its magic through diverse safari activities that highlight its unique ecosystem. Morning game drives take you across seasonal floodplains alive with giraffes, zebras, and antelope, while leopards lounge lazily on tree branches. Elephants splash through water channels, their reflections shimmering under the rising sun.

Afternoons invite slower adventures mokoro rides, nature walks, or birding excursions. The Delta teems with over 400 bird species, making it a paradise for ornithologists. Your 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari guides, deeply rooted in this landscape, interpret every track, sound, and ripple, connecting you with the rhythm of the wild.

Evenings are pure safari serenity candlelit dinners under star-studded skies, distant lions roaring across the floodplains, and fireside storytelling that deepens your bond with Africa. Few places match the Okavango Delta Safari for beauty and biodiversity. It is a sanctuary where time slows and nature’s pulse feels eternal.

Days 8–9 – Chobe National Park: The Kingdom of Elephants

Depart by light aircraft or scenic drive to Chobe National Park, where Africa’s largest concentration of elephants roam freely. The park’s landscapes shift between open grasslands, woodlands, and the shimmering Chobe River, each teeming with life.

Morning game drives bring thrilling encounters with lions, buffalo, giraffes, and playful baboons, while river cruises at sunset offer a front-row seat to Africa’s drama. Watch herds of elephants crossing the river, their trunks raised like periscopes, as crocodiles glide stealthily through the water. The golden light reflecting on the river paints unforgettable scenes for photographers.

Spend the evenings relaxing at your riverside lodge, sipping a drink on the deck as hippos grunt below. The rhythm of the 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari is unhurried every sight and sound immerse you deeper in Africa’s wilderness. As your journey nears its end, Chobe’s grandeur provides the perfect finale vast, raw, and endlessly alive.

 

Day 10 – Departure from Kasane: Farewell to Africa’s Wild Heart

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the African wilderness. The sunrise over the Chobe River glows golden as elephants graze in the mist. Take in your last moments of tranquility before transferring to Kasane Airport for your onward journey.

As your flight ascends, the memories feel endless the mountain gorilla’s gaze, the call of the fish eagle, the golden silence of the Delta. This 10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari is more than travel; it’s a transformative connection to nature, culture, and conservation. With Deks Uganda Tours, you have journeyed across Africa’s wild frontiers and found something timeless: the spirit of the continent itself.

 

10-Day Rwanda and Botswana Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Tour Highlights

• Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Cultural Village and Twin Lakes Excursion in Rwanda
• Okavango Delta mokoro and land-based safaris
• Chobe National Park River cruise and wildlife drives
• Luxury eco-lodge stays in pristine natural environments
• Expert local guides throughout the journey

 

Safari Inclusions

• Accommodation for 9 nights in luxury lodges and camps
• All ground transfers and internal charter flights
• Full-board meals and selected beverages
• Gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda
• Game drives, mokoro rides, and boat safaris in Botswana
• Professional English-speaking guides
• All park entry and conservation fees
• Airport meet-and-greet assistance

 

Safari Exclusions

• International flights to/from Africa
• Travel and medical insurance
• Botswana visa (if applicable)
• Optional Victoria Falls extension
• Tips and personal expenses
• Laundry and premium drinks

 

Final Reflection by Deks Uganda Tours

The 10-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Botswana Safari Tour embodies the soul of Africa its beauty, resilience, and wild grace. By combining Rwanda’s intimate primate encounters with Botswana’s legendary wilderness, this itinerary defines what it means to explore Africa with depth, purpose, and respect.

Every sunrise and sunset, every shared story and silent gaze, becomes part of an eternal connection between traveler and nature. Through Deks Uganda Tours, you don’t just visit Africa you live it, breathe it, and carry it forever in your heart.