8 days in Rwanda Itinerary

A vacation in Kigali, Rwanda's capital city and economic hub, lets you experience the very heart of a landlocked country from a pleasant, safe, and organized base point.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Sat): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Kigali, explore the galleries of Ivuka Arts Studio, then stop by Azizi Life Boutique, and finally view the masterpieces at Choose Kigali Art Gallery. On the next day, stroll the grounds of Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint-Famille Church, and then see Off-Road Tours.

To find photos, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Kigali online holiday planner.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Kigali. In January, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Ruhengeri.

Most tourism in Ruhengeri revolves around the famous national park, which shelters mountain gorillas of the volcanic Virunga range.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Congo Nile Trail and Iby'iwacu Cultural Village. Get outdoors at Kayaking & Canoeing and Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo. It doesn't end there: look for gifts at Umuzabibu Mwiza - Home to Handspun Hope and make a trip to Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp.

To find maps, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Ruhengeri trip planner.

You can drive from Kigali to Ruhengeri in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Kigali in January, with highs in Ruhengeri at 27°C and lows at 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Kibuye.

Kibuye is a city in Karongi District, and the headquarters of the Western Province in Rwanda.LocationThe city lies on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu, between Gisenyi and Cyangugu, approximately 135km, by road, west of Kigali, the capital and largest city in the country. Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): get curious at Museum of Environment, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Kivu, and then visit Kivu boat tours.

Make your Kibuye itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Getting from Ruhengeri to Kibuye by car takes about 3 hours. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Kibuye when traveling from Ruhengeri in January, with lows around 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Butare.

Butare is a city in the Southern Province of Rwanda and capital of Huye district. On the 20th (Fri), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Butare catholic Cathedral and then examine the collection at Murambi Genocide Memorial Center. On the next day, steep yourself in history at The Royal Palace, take an in-depth tour of King's Palace Museum, and then see the interesting displays at Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda.

For photos, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Butare day trip planning app.

Getting from Kibuye to Butare by car takes about 3.5 hours. When traveling from Kibuye in January, plan for somewhat warmer days in Butare, with highs around 32°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can go by car back home.