Arrival in Kigali – Evening Welcome Briefing

Arrival in Kigali marks the beginning of an extraordinary 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari experience. Guests are met at Kigali International Airport by Deks Uganda Tours representatives and transferred to a boutique luxury lodge situated in the city’s serene outskirts. The lodge provides modern comforts while retaining Rwandan architectural elegance and local artistic touches, offering panoramic views of the rolling hills that characterize Rwanda’s landscape.

The evening begins with a welcome briefing led by experienced guides, outlining the journey ahead. Travelers receive detailed information about gorilla trekking requirements, park regulations, and Namibia-bound logistics, ensuring full preparedness for the adventure. The briefing emphasizes the safari’s dual-country nature, highlighting contrasts between Rwanda’s misty volcanic forests and Namibia’s arid, desert landscapes. Travelers also receive guidance on health, safety, and ethical wildlife viewing practices.

After the briefing, guests enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Rwandan and regional cuisine. Locally sourced ingredients, traditional flavors, and modern culinary techniques combine to introduce visitors to Rwanda’s gastronomic heritage. The dinner setting encourages conversation about conservation, local culture, and personal goals for the safari, establishing a sense of community among participants. Nightfall brings a peaceful ambiance, ideal for reflecting on the journey ahead while gazing at Rwanda’s star-filled skies. This first evening ensures travelers start their safari with clarity, excitement, and cultural immersion, setting the stage for the intimate wildlife encounters and scenic exploration to follow.

Kigali to Volcanoes National Park – Scenic Drive Through Rolling Hills

Day 2 transitions from the urban energy of Kigali to the serene beauty of the Rwandan highlands. The drive toward Volcanoes National Park winds through lush rolling hills, tea plantations, terraced farms, and picturesque villages. Along the way, travelers encounter Rwanda’s rural communities, observing traditional agricultural practices and interacting with local artisans who craft baskets, textiles, and pottery. These stops highlight the interdependence between local communities and conservation efforts that protect the region’s biodiversity.

Upon arrival at Volcanoes National Park, guests check into eco-lodges that blend comfort with sustainability, offering panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes. Afternoon activities focus on acclimatization and orientation, with optional guided nature walks to explore nearby flora and fauna. The area’s forests host diverse wildlife, including duikers, birds, and primates, enriching the immersive experience.

Evening meals emphasize local cuisine, with menus featuring fresh produce, traditional stews, and coffee harvested from nearby plantations. The lodge environment encourages reflection on the journey ahead, providing opportunities for photography, journaling, or informal conversations with guides. This day’s focus on scenic travel, cultural engagement, and lodge-based orientation ensures guests arrive at their gorilla trekking adventure rested, informed, and connected to Rwanda’s natural and human landscapes.

Gorilla Trekking Safari – One-Hour Encounter with Mountain Gorillas

Day 3 presents the pinnacle of the 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari is the gorilla trekking experience. Guests rise before dawn, enjoying a hearty breakfast to prepare for the trek into Volcanoes National Park’s bamboo and montane forests. Expert trackers accompany the group, providing detailed briefings on gorilla behavior, conservation challenges, and trekking safety protocols.

The hike varies in difficulty depending on the gorilla family’s location, often requiring endurance, agility, and mindfulness. The dense forest is alive with birds, small mammals, and vegetation adapted to the high-altitude climate. Upon reaching the gorilla family, travelers experience an hour of unparalleled observation, witnessing silverbacks protect their group, mothers nurture infants, and juveniles play with curiosity and intelligence. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to capture images ethically, maintaining a safe distance to minimize disturbance.

Post-trek reflections occur at the lodge, often accompanied by a guided discussion about the conservation significance of gorilla habitats, anti-poaching efforts, and the role of tourism in funding local protection programs. This immersive experience combines 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari adventure, education, and emotional connection, creating a lifelong memory of one of Africa’s most iconic species.

Golden Monkey Trek – Explore Rwanda’s Rare Primates

Day 4 introduces guests to Rwanda’s golden monkeys, an endangered species with distinctive golden fur and playful social behavior. The trek through Volcanoes National Park’s bamboo forests is shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, making it ideal for visitors seeking a gentler wildlife encounter. Guides provide insights into primate ecology, feeding habits, and conservation status, ensuring travelers understand the delicate balance of the highland ecosystem.

Alternative activities include village visits, where guests participate in craft workshops, storytelling sessions, and culinary demonstrations. These experiences deepen cultural appreciation and highlight Rwanda’s commitment to integrating community development with conservation. By connecting with local traditions and wildlife, travelers gain a holistic understanding of the region’s ecological and social landscapes, reinforcing the safari’s educational and transformative impact.

Fly to Windhoek, Namibia – Transfer to Sossusvlei Lodge

Day 6 transitions from Rwanda’s lush forests to Namibia’s desert landscapes. Guests fly from Kigali to Windhoek, connecting through Johannesburg if necessary. Upon arrival, transfers take visitors to a luxury lodge near Sossusvlei, where accommodations blend comfort, elegance, and environmental sustainability.

The lodge offers panoramic views of Namibia’s red dunes and rugged desert landscapes. Afternoon orientation and leisure time allow travelers to relax, enjoy lodge amenities, and prepare for early morning desert excursions. Guides provide detailed briefings on desert ecology, dune safety, and photography opportunities, ensuring guests are equipped to explore Sossusvlei with confidence and curiosity.

Dian Fossey Research Center – Conservation and Anti-Poaching Tour

Day 5 is dedicated to conservation education. A visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Research Center allows guests to explore anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration projects, and long-term research on gorilla behavior. Travelers meet field staff, observe monitoring equipment, and learn about collaborative efforts between local communities and conservation organizations.

The center visit emphasizes the importance of ethical tourism, research funding, and community participation in protecting endangered species. Guests gain practical knowledge about the challenges of preserving gorilla populations, including disease prevention, habitat encroachment, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. This day reinforces the safari’s purpose-driven ethos, demonstrating how travel can actively support conservation goals while offering transformative wildlife experiences.

Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon – Sunrise Photography and Dune Hikes

Days 7 and 8 immerse travelers in the Namib Desert’s iconic landscapes. Sunrise hikes over Dune 45 and Big Daddy offer breath-taking photographic opportunities, capturing the interplay of light and shadow on the red sands. Visits to Dead Vlei reveal stark white clay pans dotted with ancient camelthorn trees, creating surreal and photogenic landscapes.

Guides provide insights into desert geology, flora, and fauna, emphasizing adaptations that allow life to thrive in arid conditions. Afternoon excursions may include nature walks, sandboarding, or cultural encounters with local communities living in the desert margins. Sesriem Canyon offers geological exploration, showcasing ancient rock formations and the desert’s hidden waterways. Evening sundowners provide reflection time, connecting travelers to the desert’s silence, vastness, and timeless beauty.

Damaraland – Desert Elephants and Local Community Interactions

Damaraland provides encounters with desert-adapted elephants, a species capable of surviving in arid environments with scarce water sources. 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari Guided excursions reveal their behavior, social dynamics, and survival strategies. Travelers also visit Himba communities, learning about traditional lifestyles, cultural rituals, and sustainable practices.

Guides highlight the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and community development, emphasizing initiatives that provide education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Travelers witness firsthand the integration of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship, reinforcing the safari’s purpose-driven approach.

Etosha National Park – Game Drives, Wildlife Tracking, and Photography Workshops

Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premier wildlife destination. Over two days, travelers participate in full-day and late-afternoon game drives, seeking lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and black rhinos. Waterholes provide exceptional observation and photography opportunities.

Professional 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari guides and photography instructors offer workshops on wildlife behavior, tracking techniques, and camera settings, enhancing both educational and recreational value. Night drives showcase nocturnal species and emphasize park safety and ethical wildlife observation. Accommodations in lodges adjacent to waterholes immerse travelers in wildlife activity, allowing close observation of natural behaviors while maintaining safety and comfort.

Windhoek – Leisure Day with Optional City Tour and Craft Markets

The final full day in Namibia offers leisure and cultural engagement. Guests explore Windhoek’s markets, sample local cuisine, or participate in guided city tours highlighting historical sites, craft cooperatives, and cultural institutions. Optional activities include shopping for souvenirs, enjoying local music performances, or visiting conservation-focused projects. This day provides reflection, relaxation, and preparation for departure, ensuring a meaningful conclusion to the 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari.

Departure – End of Tour

After breakfast, travelers are transferred to Windhoek International Airport for onward flights. The 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari journey concludes with lasting memories of gorilla encounters, desert landscapes, wildlife sightings, and cultural immersion. The 14-Day Rwanda & Namibia Safari Adventure offers a transformative experience, blending adventure, conservation, and luxury across two of Africa’s most captivating destinations.