Rwanda, Botswana And Mozambique Safari: Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

The Only Itinerary You Need to spend 18 Days in Rwanda, Botswana and Mozambique. Experience mountain gorilla trekking, big game safaris, and island adventures in the ultimate Flying Safari in Rwanda, Botswana & Mozambique covering three top destinations in Africa.

From the untamed Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to the verdant landscapes of the Okavango Delta and Selinda Reserve in Botswana, you’ll be flown around in a private jet before landing in the glistening waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique. The variety of encounters and journeys will be limitless. In quest of gorillas and golden monkeys, you’ll travel through dense African forests; you’ll camp out beneath the stars in Botswana, and you’ll go scuba diving off uninhabited islands in Mozambique. This is a terrific and difficult-to-beat adventure because of the variety of premium activities, which include meeting the well-known Abu elephant herd, tiger fishing in the Delta, sunset dhow safaris, and getting to know local communities in Rwanda.


Azura, Benguerra Island Mozambique: WE ARE NEVER LEAVING PARADISE

Itinerary at the Glance: Rwanda, Botswana and Mozambique

  • Day 1: Arrive at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
  • Day 2: Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 4: Transfer to Maun, Botswana
  • Day 5: Selinda Reserve
  • Day 6 – 8: Transfer to the Okavango Delta
  • Day 8 – 11: Transfer into the Delta veins
  • Day 11: Transfer to Vilanculos, Mozambique
  • Day 12 – 17: Azura Benguerra Island
  • Day 18: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

After landing at Kigali International Airport, travel to Bisate Lodge to spend two nights in the Forest Villa. While Bisate itself is located within an extinct volcano, the circular villas’ floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide breathtaking views of the brooding Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno Volcanoes. This eco-friendly resort is recognized for its convenient access to the nearby Volcanoes National Park, home to the renowned mountain gorillas, as well as its own decks and colorful decor. Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to look for the critically endangered mountain gorillas or a trek to see golden monkeys. Take a guided community walk, participate in tree planting, or visit the Dian Fossey Research Centre and her gravesite if you want to get to know Bisate’s culture.

There are additional excursions to the Musanze Caves’ lava tunnels or the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. Enjoy sundowner beverages on the private balcony of your villa while taking in the Volcanoes National Park’s volcanoes and greenery.

Included Activities

Although going on a gorilla trek will be the highlight of your trip, you may also go on a golden monkey trek. Take a guided community walk, participate in tree planting, or visit the Dian Fossey Research Centre and her gravesite if you want to get to know Bisate’s culture. There are additional excursions to the Musanze Caves’ lava tunnels or the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Bisate Lodge

Kigali, Rwanda
Bisate Lodge

Day 2: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Throw yourself into one of Bisate Lodge’s distinctive experiences, like the golden monkey hike, after breakfast. It starts from the main office of Volcanoes National Park and brings you in search of this intriguing and gorgeously colored primate, which dwells in groups of up to 30 individuals in the bamboo forest. Alternately, go on a village tour with a former poacher.

Included Activities

Although going on a gorilla trek will be the highlight of your trip, you may also go on a golden monkey trek. Take a guided community walk, participate in tree planting, or visit the Dian Fossey Research Centre and her gravesite if you want to get to know Bisate’s culture. There are additional excursions to the Musanze Caves’ lava tunnels or the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Bisate Lodge

Time + Tide King Lewanika Lodge
endemic golden monkey

Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park


Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda’s – Volcanoes National Park

You will be taken to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters after breakfast to prepare for the big event: gorilla trekking. One of the twelve habituated gorilla groups is assigned to each visitor for an hour. Depending on which gorilla troop is being visited, the trip can take anywhere between 45 minutes and several hours. Despite being at a high altitude, the hike is well worth it. In fact, a lot of people describe it as one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives. You are taken to the Kigali Serena Hotel that afternoon.

Included Activities

Spend the day by the lushly manicured pool, or go to the Maisha Mind, Body, and Spirit Spa for hot stone massages with Mayan influences. Dine at one of the on-site restaurants serving both international and Rwandan food.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Kigali Serena Hotel

Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Transfer to Maun, Botswana

You will be transported to Kigali Airport in the morning following breakfast at the hotel. Within four hours, your opulent private jet will transport you to Maun, Botswana, from where you will take a charter flight to Selinda Camp. Selinda Camp is a lovely tent lodge with wonderful views of the palm-lined floodplains. It was constructed among the trees. Each Meru-style tent has a thatched roof, a porch, an outdoor shower, and a stone bath, and is furnished with items from all around Africa.

A number of spacious terraces in the main area are arranged for the best game viewing and make the perfect setting for elegant breakfasts and three-course meals. You’ll go on a private boat tour on your first evening.

Included Activities

Visit Lake Ruhondo and Bulera at the foot of the Muhabura Volcano, or go to the Kigali Genocide Museum to hear from a survivor about what happened.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Selinda Camp

The Retreat | Heaven Rwanda
Kigali Genocide Museum

Day 5: Games drives & walking safari in Selinda Reserve

After breakfast, the reserve’s most interesting animals are the focus of everyone’s attention. In 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers or by foot, knowledgeable, experienced guides show the route. Visitors can get a close-up look at animals like wild dogs, lions, and elephants while on a walking safari, which allows them to see Africa from the ground up.

Included Activities

Enjoy twice-daily game drives, bush walks, boat safaris, birding, and tracking with knowledgeable wildlife rangers while you’re there. Additionally, there’s a chance you’ll get to witness the renowned Selinda Lion Pride and the Selinda group of African wild dogs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Selinda Camp

The Retreat | Heaven Rwanda
Kigali Genocide Museum

Day 6 – 8: Transfer to the Okavango Delta


Botswana – Okavango Delta Private Guided Safari

You’ll travel by charter aircraft from Selinda Airstrip to Abu Camp, where you’ll stay for two nights. Abu Camp offers tourists a close encounter with these amazing animals while placing a strong emphasis on elephant conservation. Each of the six sumptuous tents has a plunge pool built into the raised teak decks, an outdoor copper bath, and indoor and outdoor showers. Highlights include the chance to spend one night under the stars in the star bed where you can hear the roar of lions and the murmurs of the surrounding elephant herd, as well as mokoro safaris and walking safaris with the elephant herd.

Included Activities

Highlights include the chance to spend one night under the stars in the star bed where you can hear the roar of lions and the murmurs of the surrounding elephant herd, as well as mokoro safaris and walking safaris with the elephant herd.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Abu Camp

Abu Camp
Abu Camp

Day 8 – 11: Transfer into the Delta veins

For three nights in the Okavango Delta‘s aquatic core, take a charter flight from Abu Camp to Jao Camp. The camp is located where huge floodplains and forested islands meet, and the nine roomy tents, each with an indoor and outdoor shower, are sheltered by a canopy of trees. Wildlife frequently stops by this opulent camp, including the sociable mongoose family that has made Jao its home. Visitors can enjoy a picnic on the unspoiled Hunda Island in addition to first-rate game drives, walking safaris, mokoro rides, and boat safaris.

Included Activities

Experience first-rate boat safaris, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, and picnics on the pristine Hunda Island. The camp also has its own spa, gallery, and museum, all of which can be visited at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Jao Camp

Delta veins
Joa Camp

Day 11: Transfer to Vilanculos, Mozambique

A two-hour customized private jet flight from Maun Airport to Vilanculos in Mozambique is taken after a charter flight there. You will then travel by chopper to Azura Benguerra Island to check into your Infinity Beach Villa for seven nights. A marine national park’s unspoiled island is picture-perfect. It features kilometers of uninhabited white sand beaches and a flawless blue sea with passing local dhows. The first green hotel in Mozambique, Azura Benguerra, was constructed by hand by the neighborhood and is run in collaboration with it. Think about having your own butler as your host, exclusive beachfront villas, and an endless supply of fresh seafood.

Included Activities

Enjoy island life while participating in the many water sports available, including kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Visit the wine cellar, eat in the Jellyfish Restaurant, or unwind at the Azura Spa. Alternatively, go on a boat trip to look for whales.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Azura Benguerra Island

Azura Benguerra Island
Azura Benguerra Island

Day 12 – 17: Dhow cruise & scuba diving on Azura Benguerra Island


Azura Benguerra Sunset Dhow cruise

Enjoy the adventurous island lifestyle. Take a dhow tour, dive at secluded dive sites, snorkel, kayak, cruise at top speed, or use a Land Cruiser to explore the island. Off the East Coast of Africa, the marine life and corals are frequently referred to as the best. Numerous types of turtle, whale shark, and humpback whales may be spotted during their yearly migration, in addition to hundreds of different tropical fish, coral, ray, and invertebrate species. The very endangered gentle giants, the dugong, may also show up if you’re lucky. Dolphin sightings are frequent.

Included Activities

Enjoy island life while participating in the many water sports available, including kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Visit the wine cellar, eat in the Jellyfish Restaurant, or unwind at the Azura Spa. Alternatively, go on a boat trip to look for whales.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Azura Benguerra Island

scuba diving at Azura Benguerra
main azura

Day 18: Departure

With a helicopter transport from Azura Benguerra Island to Vilanculos Airport, you may conclude your experience and board a two-hour trip to Johannesburg Airport, where you can catch a flight home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Helicopter transfer to Vilanculos Airport

End of the 18 Days Rwanda, Botswana and Mozambique Itinerary

scuba diving at Azura Benguerra
main azura

Inclusions

  • Accommodation and meals, as specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation services, as specified in the itinerary
  • Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact supporting you during your trip
  • Carbon emissions offsetting for your trip

Inclusions

  • Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Visa and tourism fees
  • Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
  • International airfare

Essential Trip Information

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