15 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.

Spend the 29th (Sat) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Spend the 30th (Sun) spotting exotic species with a safari tour. There's lots more to do: examine the collection at Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore the different monuments and memorials at Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, take in the spiritual surroundings of Nyamata Church, and take in the exciting artwork at Niyo Arts Gallery.

To find photos, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Kigali itinerary planner.

Ottawa, Canada to Kigali is an approximately 26.5-hour combination of train, bus, and flight. Traveling from Ottawa to Kigali, you'll lose 7 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Ottawa in October, plan for much warmer days and somewhat warmer nights in Kigali: temperatures range from 32°C by day to 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) to allow time to drive to Butare.

Butare is a city in the Southern Province of Rwanda and capital of Huye district. Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Wed): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Butare catholic Cathedral and then examine the collection at Murambi Genocide Memorial Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu): contemplate the long history of The Royal Palace, then get engrossed in the history at King's Palace Museum, and then see the interesting displays at Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda.

To see traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Butare holiday website.

Drive from Kigali to Butare in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in November, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough 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 4th (Fri): cast your line with Kivu boat tours, then explore the activities along Lake Kivu, and then engage your brain at Museum of Environment. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the dramatic scenery at Les Chutes de Ndaba and then don't miss a visit to Bisesero Genocide Memorial.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read Kibuye vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Butare to Kibuye takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. When traveling from Butare in November, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Kibuye: temperatures range from 27°C by day to 20°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) early enough to drive to Ruhengeri.

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

Spend the 6th (Sun) exploring nature at Volcanoes National Park. And it doesn't end there: make a trip to Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, steep yourself in history at Iby'iwacu Cultural Village, and add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Ruhengeri road trip planner.

Drive from Kibuye to Ruhengeri in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Kibuye in November, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Ruhengeri, with lows of 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can travel back home.