Overview
Experience the very best of Rwanda on this 10-Day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Adventure, an unforgettable journey through the country’s diverse national parks, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. From the wildlife-filled savannahs of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe and the misty volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park, this safari combines Rwanda’s most iconic attractions into one extraordinary adventure.
Begin your journey with a tour of Kigali before heading to Akagera National Park, where you’ll enjoy thrilling game drives in search of the Big Five and a scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema, home to hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife. Continue to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests, for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience and the famous canopy walk suspended high above the forest floor.
The adventure continues in Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll enjoy two of Rwanda’s signature wildlife experiences—mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking. You’ll also immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village, gaining insight into Rwanda’s traditions and community-based conservation efforts.
Complete your safari with a relaxing stay on the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, where you can unwind, enjoy optional boat excursions, or experience Rwanda’s renowned coffee culture before returning to Kigali for your departure. Combining incredible wildlife encounters, spectacular scenery, authentic cultural experiences, and comfortable accommodations, this 10-day safari offers the ultimate introduction to the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Tour Summary
- Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Kigali
- Day 2: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Afternoon canopy walk
- Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 7: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 8: Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park and transfer back to Lake Kivu
- Day 9: Relax at your hotel on the shores of Lake Kivu, or optional visit to Coffee island.
- Day 10: Departure,
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, relax after your journey or enjoy the hotel’s facilities before dinner.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali Serena Hotel
- Mid-range: Hôtel des Mille Collines
- Budget: Inside Afrika Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Kigali, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of Rwanda’s most important historical sites, where you’ll learn about the country’s history and remarkable journey of reconciliation.
After the city tour, drive to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah national park and home to the Big Five. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous water birds along the lake’s shores.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
- Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Rise early for breakfast before setting off on a full-day game drive through Akagera National Park. Explore its open savannahs, rolling hills, wetlands, and woodlands while searching for the Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and black rhinos.
Other wildlife frequently encountered includes Maasai giraffes, zebras, topis, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, and numerous antelope species. With over 500 recorded bird species, Akagera also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your wildlife viewing in the afternoon. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 2
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, depart Akagera and travel southwest toward Nyungwe National Park. Along the journey, stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, the former royal residence of Rwanda’s traditional monarchs, where you’ll learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Continue through Rwanda’s scenic countryside, enjoying lunch en route before arriving at Nyungwe National Park in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge and spend the evening relaxing.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe Canopy Walk
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests.
Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, hike through the forest in search of habituated chimpanzees while encountering other primates, colorful birds, and diverse plant species. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend one hour observing their fascinating behavior.
Return to the lodge for lunch before heading back into the forest for the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Suspended approximately 70 meters above the forest floor, the canopy bridge offers spectacular views of the rainforest and excellent opportunities to spot wildlife from above.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 4
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy breakfast before departing for Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The scenic drive takes you through rolling hills, rural villages, and beautiful countryside, showcasing why Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Arrive in Musanze in the afternoon, check in to your lodge, and spend the rest of the day relaxing while enjoying views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking & Gorilla Guardians Village
Following an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for registration and a briefing by park rangers.
You will then be assigned a habituated mountain gorilla family and begin your trek through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes. The trek may last between 2 and 8 hours depending on the gorillas’ location.
Once you find the gorillas, enjoy a magical hour observing them as they feed, groom, play, and interact naturally within their forest habitat.
After lunch, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village), where you’ll experience traditional Rwandan dances, music, local crafts, and cultural demonstrations that highlight the country’s rich heritage.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 6
Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking – Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. These rare and endangered primates are known for their striking golden fur and energetic movements through the bamboo forest.
Following the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before driving to the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. Upon arrival, check in to your lakeside hotel and relax while enjoying breathtaking sunset views over one of Africa’s Great Lakes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Mid-range: Paradise Malahide
- Budget: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel
Day 9: Lake Kivu Leisure & Coffee Experience
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before spending the day relaxing on the shores of Lake Kivu. You may swim, kayak, or simply unwind while taking in the tranquil lakeside scenery.
For those seeking additional experiences, an optional boat excursion to Nyamirundi Island offers an authentic Rwandan coffee experience. Learn about traditional coffee cultivation, processing, roasting, and brewing before sampling some of Rwanda’s finest specialty coffee.
Return to your hotel for dinner and your final overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 8
Day 10: Return to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy the scenic drive back to Kigali. Depending on your departure schedule, stop for lunch and some last-minute souvenir shopping before your driver transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
Depart Rwanda with unforgettable memories of its magnificent wildlife, spectacular landscapes, welcoming people, and extraordinary primate encounters.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End of 10 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari Adventure