14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Holiday – The Grand African Odyssey

The 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Holiday the Grand African Odyssey by Deks Uganda Tours invites travelers into a transcendent journey through two of Africa’s most remarkable landscapes Rwanda’s misty volcanic rainforests and Botswana’s pristine wilderness. It is a story that unites the soul-stirring intimacy of Rwanda’s Gorilla Trekking Experience with the grandeur of Botswana’s riverine and delta ecosystems.

This extraordinary 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari itinerary has been crafted for travelers who desire a deep, meaningful connection with Africa’s rhythm its wildlife, people, and timeless scenery. The journey begins in the highlands of Rwanda, where the scent of eucalyptus fills the cool morning air and distant volcanoes pierce the sky. Here, you will track endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, walk through cultural villages, and explore the legacy of legendary primatologist Dian Fossey. Every encounter in Rwanda reveals a narrative of resilience, conservation, and the intimate link between humanity and nature.

Adventure in Botswana from the Misty Forests of Rwanda

From there, the odyssey flows southward to the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park the crown jewels of Botswana. Each region offers distinct beauty: flooded grasslands that shimmer under the sun, forests that echo with bird calls, and endless savannas roamed by elephants and lions. The rhythm of the wild becomes your daily pulse a sunrise chorus of life, an evening lullaby of wind, water, and stars.

This 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari luxury adventure by Deks Uganda Tours blends sophistication and authenticity, creating a seamless journey across two contrasting yet complementary worlds. It is not just a safari; it is a personal awakening a grand African odyssey that will stay with you long after the dust settles and the drums fall silent.

 

Detailed 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali: Welcome to the Heart of Rwanda

As your aircraft descends toward Kigali International Airport, the green tapestry of Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills” unfolds beneath you. Upon arrival, a professional 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari guide from Deks Uganda Tours greets you with a warm smile and transfers you to a boutique lodge tucked amidst Kigali’s lush hills. The city, modern yet soulful, reflects a nation rebuilt through unity, creativity, and grace.

After refreshing, embark on a Kigali City Orientation Tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and renewal, then stroll through vibrant markets filled with handwoven baskets, Rwandan coffee, and carved souvenirs. For art lovers, the Inema Arts Center offers a glimpse of Rwanda’s emerging contemporary scene, where colors and textures tell stories of hope and vision.

As evening falls, savor a gourmet dinner infused with African fusion cuisine perhaps grilled tilapia with cassava or slow-roasted plantain accompanied by the region’s famed coffee. The night settles quietly over the hills, and from your terrace, the city’s lights shimmer like stars on the earth. Tomorrow, the wilderness calls, and your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari begins its ascent toward the volcanic realm of Volcanoes National Park.

 

Day 2 – Kigali to Volcanoes National Park: Journey Through Rwanda’s Green Heart

After a hearty breakfast, your private guide escorts you north toward Musanze, a journey that unveils Rwanda’s picturesque countryside. The road winds through tea plantations, rolling hills, and smiling villages where children wave joyfully as you pass. Each bend in the road reveals a postcard-perfect view an endless sea of terraced farms cascading into deep valleys.

Midway, pause for a tasting at a local tea estate. Here, the delicate aroma of fresh leaves fills the air, and local farmers share stories of their craft how the fertile volcanic soil and altitude create Rwanda’s famously rich brew. Continue your drive, with misty volcano peaks appearing in the distance Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Sabyinyo stand like ancient guardians watching over the land.

Upon arrival in Musanze, check in at your chosen luxury lodge Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Each offers exceptional comfort, eco-conscious design, and sweeping views of the mountains. Enjoy a quiet evening by the fireplace, a gourmet dinner prepared from local ingredients, and the anticipation of tomorrow’s adventure. The wilderness awaits silent, ancient, and alive with mystery.

 

Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: An Encounter Beyond Words

Morning light filters through the mist as you enjoy breakfast. Today marks the highlight of your Rwanda Gorilla Safari. At the park headquarters, experienced rangers and trackers brief you about the gorilla families and trekking etiquette. With your walking stick in hand and heart racing in excitement, you begin your journey into the emerald forest.

The Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Experience is transformative. The air grows cooler and fragrant with wildflowers as you climb through dense bamboo and hagenia trees. The trail is alive with bird calls, rustling leaves, and distant echoes of nature’s heartbeat. Suddenly, your guide signals a stop the moment has come.

Through the undergrowth, a silverback appears, calm yet powerful, surveying his domain. Around him, young gorillas tumble in playful energy, mothers cradle their infants, and the forest hums with quiet harmony. You watch in awe, breathing the same air as these magnificent beings. For one sacred hour, time stands still you are no longer an observer but part of the wild.

Descending the slopes, emotion overwhelms your gratitude, humility, wonder. Back at your lodge, celebrate the experience with a late lunch and perhaps a soothing massage. In the evening, sip Rwandan tea by the fire as you replay every moment of your encounter a memory that will forever define your 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari journey.

Day 4 – Dian Fossey Legacy and Cultural Encounters

This morning, trace the footsteps of the legendary primatologist Dian Fossey, whose work inspired global conservation efforts. Visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Research Campus in Musanze, where interactive exhibits and local scientists share the story of her dedication and the continuing mission to protect mountain gorillas.

Later, immerse yourself in Rwanda’s living traditions with a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Here, former poachers turned conservation ambassadors welcome you with drumming, dance, and storytelling. Participate in age-old customs grinding millet, tasting banana beer, or joining in a joyful dance circle. These interactions reveal the deep bond between community and conservation, showing how tourism empowers local livelihoods.

Return to your lodge for a leisurely afternoon surrounded by forest serenity. As the sun dips behind the volcanoes, dine al fresco under lantern light while the sounds of crickets and distant frogs serenade the night. The spirit of Rwanda stays with you its warmth, its resilience, and its wild heart.

 

Day 5 – Lake Kivu Relaxation: Reflections on the Water

After days of adventure, today offers calm and reflection. Drive westward to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest and most scenic freshwater lake, set against rolling hills and small islands. Check in at a lakeside resort perhaps Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel or Paradise Malahide where palm trees sway and the air carries the scent of jasmine.

Spend the day at leisure. Kayak across tranquil waters, swim along the shore, or take a boat ride to Napoleon Island, home to fruit bats and colorful birds. Locals paddle wooden canoes filled with fish, while children play by the water’s edge. Lunch features fresh tilapia and tropical fruits as the lake glimmers in the afternoon sun.

By evening, return to Kigali for overnight rest. Tomorrow, your journey transcends borders as you prepare to fly south to the wilderness of Botswana a world apart, yet equally captivating.

 

Day 6 – Kigali to Maun, Botswana: Crossing Continents

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your connecting flight via Johannesburg to Maun, the gateway to Botswana’s safari kingdom. Upon arrival, a Deks Uganda Tours representative assists with a seamless transfer to a charter flight bound for your luxury lodge deep within the Okavango Delta.

As your plane glides above the delta, marvel at the surreal beauty below labyrinths of waterways, shimmering pools, and emerald islands scattered like jewels. On landing, you are welcomed with cool towels and refreshing drinks by your lodge hosts.

As sunset approaches, venture out on a short boat cruise or nature walk. The sky ignites in shades of amber and rose as hippos grunt nearby and kingfishers flash across the water. Dinner is served under the stars an exquisite three-course meal paired with fine wine. The sounds of Africa’s night lull you to sleep, promising days of unforgettable exploration ahead.

 

Days 7–8 – Okavango Delta Safari: The Living Heart of Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a living masterpiece a seasonal floodplain where land and water merge to form one of Earth’s richest ecosystems. For two full days, immerse yourself in its rhythms through guided safaris on land and water.

Mornings begin with early game drives as golden light spills across the plains. Herds of elephants emerge from the forest, antelope graze near the lagoons, and lions stretch lazily under acacia trees. Your expert 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari guide interprets each track, each call, revealing the complex language of the wild.

Later, glide silently in a mokoro (dugout canoe) through papyrus-lined channels. The reflection of the sky dances on the water while herons, jacanas, and bee-eaters create a symphony of color. Each sunset brings serenity a glass of champagne by the firepit, stories shared, and the profound peace of isolation in nature’s embrace.

The Okavango Delta captures the very essence of Africa wild, free, and endlessly beautiful.

 

Days 9–10 – Moremi Game Reserve: The Wild Jewel of Botswana

Depart by light aircraft for Moremi Game Reserve, one of Botswana’s most diverse and wildlife-rich regions. Covering both dry woodland and wet delta habitats, Moremi promises exhilarating safari encounters.

Your lodge, set amid mopane forests and open plains, offers comfort and elegance. Morning and evening game drives reveal leopards lounging in the trees, cheetahs chasing impalas, and wild dogs weaving across the plains. Photographers delight in every golden hour elephants reflected in pools, giraffes silhouetted against pink skies, and herds of buffalo rumbling through the dust.

Beyond wildlife, Moremi’s landscapes captivate the senses lily-covered lagoons, sweeping floodplains, and ancient fig trees that whisper history. After sunset, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by lanterns and laughter. This is authentic Botswana untouched, raw, and mesmerizing.

Days 11–12 – Chobe National Park: Where Giants Gather

A short flight delivers you to Chobe National Park, famed for the world’s largest elephant population. The Chobe Riverfront becomes your stage for two days of extraordinary encounters.

Morning game drives capture scenes of lions on the hunt, sable antelope grazing, and elephants crossing dusty trails. In the afternoon, set out on a Chobe River Cruise, drifting past hippos, crocodiles, and herds of buffalo silhouetted by the setting sun. The sky becomes a canvas of crimson and gold, mirrored perfectly on the still water.

Your riverside lodge offers panoramic views and tranquility. Evenings here are magical the gentle splash of water, the hum of nocturnal life, and a final toast to Africa’s boundless wonder.

 

Day 13 – Victoria Falls (Optional Add-On): The Smoke That Thunders

For those seeking the ultimate finale, extend your 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Holiday with a visit to Victoria Falls, easily accessible by a short drive from Kasane to Zimbabwe or Zambia.

Here, the mighty Zambezi River plunges over basalt cliffs, creating a spectacle of mist and rainbows that inspired its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya “The Smoke That Thunders.” Guided tours lead you along rainforest trails where the roar of the falls fills the air. For thrill-seekers, optional activities include scenic helicopter flights, bungee jumping, or sunset cruises on the Zambezi.

End your evening with dinner overlooking the illuminated falls a poetic close to your 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari journey.

 

Day 14 – Departure: Farewell to Africa’s Soul

Enjoy your final breakfast overlooking the Chobe River or Victoria Falls. Reflect on the journey from the quiet forests of Rwanda to the golden floodplains of Botswana. Each destination offered a piece of Africa’s spirit, woven together through moments of discovery and wonder.

As you depart for Kasane or Victoria Falls Airport, you leave not as a visitor but as a storyteller one who has witnessed Africa’s power, beauty, and grace. The 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Holiday – The Grand African Odyssey by Deks Uganda Tours remains an unforgettable tribute to the continent’s wild soul.

 

14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Tour Highlights

• Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Cultural immersion and Dian Fossey Legacy visit
• Relaxation at Lake Kivu
• Mokoro and vehicle safaris in the Okavango Delta
• Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve
• Elephant encounters and river cruises in Chobe
• Optional extension to Victoria Falls
• Luxury lodges and seamless inter-country travel

 

Safari Inclusions

• 13 nights’ accommodation in top-tier eco-lodges and safari camps
• All meals, beverages, and select wines
• Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit ($1,500 value)
• Golden Monkey or cultural experience option
• All domestic and charter flights
• Airport transfers and ground transportation
• Professional English-speaking guides
• Park entry and conservation fees

 

Safari Exclusions

• International airfare to/from Africa
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Visa fees for Rwanda, Botswana, and Zimbabwe/Zambia (if applicable)
• Premium alcoholic beverages
• Optional Victoria Falls activities
• Gratuities and personal expenses

 

Final Reflection by Deks Uganda Tours

The 14-Day Rwanda Botswana Safari Holiday the Grand African Odyssey is not just a travel experience; it is a revelation of Africa’s contrasting beauty the quiet strength of Rwanda’s gorillas and the majestic sweep of Botswana’s wilderness.

Every encounter, from the gaze of a silverback to the thunder of hooves in Chobe, redefines the meaning of adventure. With Deks Uganda Tours, travelers experience more than destinations they experience transformation. This grand journey celebrates Africa in its truest form: wild, soulful, and unforgettable.