Wildlife, Culture & Service in Rwanda
Discover a beautifully biodiverse country focused on reconciliation and education.
In Kigali, learn about the Rwandan Civil War and genocide against the Tutsi. Then spend time getting to know locals in the small village of Giperefe and assisting them in service-driven projects focused on community development and protecting tradition. Round out your tour by looking for lions, elephants, and giraffes (oh my!) on game drives through Akagera National Park.
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Day 1: Fly to Rwanda
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Day 2: Kigali
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 3: Kigali
Take a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Visit the Parliament Building
Go on a walking tour of the Nyamirambo neighbourhood with an expert local guide
Participate in a sewing class at the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre
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Day 4: Kigali • Giperefe • Service project
Travel to Giperefe
Participate in a craft workshop and learn from local artisans
Learn about your specific service learning work during your project orientation
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Day 5: Giperefe • Service project day 1
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That's why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community's issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here's what a typical day might look like:
- Work with local community members on infrastructural projects, like building walking paths, schools, or clean-burning stoves
- Learn about seasonal planting or harvesting, then collect fresh ingredients and use traditional methods and tools to help prepare a delicious meal
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Day 6: Giperefe • Service project day 2
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That's why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community's issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here's what a typical day might look like:
- Work with local community members on infrastructural projects, like building walking paths, schools, or clean-burning stoves
- Learn about seasonal planting or harvesting, then collect fresh ingredients and use traditional methods and tools to help prepare a delicious meal
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Day 7: Giperefe • Akagera National Park area
Travel to the Akagera National Park area
Head out on a guided nocturnal game drive to spot lions and leopards
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Day 8: Akagera National Park area
Embark on a guided morning game drive through the savannah grasslands to look for zebras, elephants, giraffes, and more
Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema
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Day 9: Akagera National Park area • Kigali • Depart for home
Travel back to Kigali
Join your Tour Director for sightseeing of Kigali, a modern hub of entrepreneurship
See this in action during a visit to the Norrsken House Kigali, home to innovative business start-ups
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Day 10: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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Day 10: Kigali • Kibuye
Travel to Kibuye
Hop into kayaks and paddle around Lake Kivu at sunset with an expert local guide
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Day 11: Kibuye
Enjoy a boat tour on Lake Kivu and stop for an island hike to see a fruit bat colony
Tour a coffee processing plant and learn how coffee goes from fruit to bean to cup, with a taste test at the end
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Day 12: Kibuye • Kigali • Depart for home
Travel to Kigali
Enjoy exploration time in Kigali
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Day 13: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to Rwanda
-
Day 2: Kigali
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 3: Kigali
Take a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Visit the Parliament Building
Go on a walking tour of the Nyamirambo neighbourhood with an expert local guide
Participate in a sewing class at the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre
-
Day 4: Kigali • Giperefe • Service project
Travel to Giperefe
Participate in a craft workshop and learn from local artisans
Learn about your specific service learning work during your project orientation
-
Day 5: Giperefe • Service project day 1
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That's why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community's issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here's what a typical day might look like:
- Work with local community members on infrastructural projects, like building walking paths, schools, or clean-burning stoves
- Learn about seasonal planting or harvesting, then collect fresh ingredients and use traditional methods and tools to help prepare a delicious meal
-
Day 6: Giperefe • Service project day 2
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That's why we work closely with local organizations to better understand each community's issues. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here's what a typical day might look like:
- Work with local community members on infrastructural projects, like building walking paths, schools, or clean-burning stoves
- Learn about seasonal planting or harvesting, then collect fresh ingredients and use traditional methods and tools to help prepare a delicious meal
-
Day 7: Giperefe • Akagera National Park area
Travel to the Akagera National Park area
Head out on a guided nocturnal game drive to spot lions and leopards
-
Day 8: Akagera National Park area
Embark on a guided morning game drive through the savannah grasslands to look for zebras, elephants, giraffes, and more
Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema
-
Day 9: Akagera National Park area • Kigali • Depart for home
Travel back to Kigali
Join your Tour Director for sightseeing of Kigali, a modern hub of entrepreneurship
See this in action during a visit to the Norrsken House Kigali, home to innovative business start-ups
-
Day 10: Arrive home
Add 3 more days
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Day 10: Kigali • Kibuye
Travel to Kibuye
Hop into kayaks and paddle around Lake Kivu at sunset with an expert local guide
-
Day 11: Kibuye
Enjoy a boat tour on Lake Kivu and stop for an island hike to see a fruit bat colony
Tour a coffee processing plant and learn how coffee goes from fruit to bean to cup, with a taste test at the end
-
Day 12: Kibuye • Kigali • Depart for home
Travel to Kigali
Enjoy exploration time in Kigali
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Day 13: Arrive home
See what an EF tour is really like
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 8 dinners (with extension: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 11 dinners) featuring regional cuisine
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Guided sightseeing
6 expert-led sightseeing tours
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Entrances
Kigali Genocide Memorial; Parliament Building; Nyamarimbo Women’s Center sewing class; craft workshop; Lake Ihema boat cruise (with extension: Lake Kivu sunset kayaking; Lake Kivu boat tour)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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10-12 Service Hours
Earn up to 12 service hours that count towards academic credit and the presidential award.
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Volunteer and Leadership Activities
Participate in volunteer, leadership, action planning and social issue activities.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Pricing that makes travel possible
Payment options
We believe every student should have the opportunity to travel, which is why we let our travellers choose how they want to manage their payments. Enrol in our Automatic Payment Plan with just $199 to start, make fixed and low monthly payments through Uplift, receive invoices and make your payments in less frequent instalments, or pay up front in full.
Program price valid for today. Program price is based on EF’s free place ratio of 8:1 and includes all airline/travel provider surcharges, departure taxes and airport fees. Please call 1-800-387-1460 for more information.