9 Days Best of Rwanda Safari & Gorilla Trek

Tour Plan

This 9-day Rwanda safari offers a complete journey through the country’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife experiences.

From the vibrant city of Kigali to the lush rainforests of Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking, and the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, the itinerary builds toward the unforgettable highlight of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Combining primate encounters, cultural insights, and breathtaking scenery, this safari is designed for travelers seeking a deeper, well-rounded exploration of Rwanda.

With comfortable lodges, expert guiding, and seamless logistics, it delivers a truly immersive experience.

 

Safari Summary

• Start/End: Kigali
• Status: Private Tour, departs on any day, open all year round
• Vehicle used: : 4/4 Land Cruiser
• Accommodations: Tented Camp/Lodge
• Kigali – 2 Nights, Akagera – 2 Nights , Nyungwe – 1 Night, Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) – 1 Night & Volcanoes – 2 Nights
• Activities: Gorilla trek, photography, nature walk, sightseeing & birding

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Arrive in Kigali Airport and be transferred to city hotel.

Overnight: Kigali Serena/The Manor Kigali/Park Inn Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 2: Kigali - Transfer to Akagera National Park, Approx. 3 hours

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked by our safari guide and leave for Akagera National Park. The journey to Akagera takes about 2.30 - 3 hours depending on the stopovers along the way.

Enjoy beautiful unwinding landscape en route to the park, feel free to ask the guide for stopovers to capture some photos.

On arrival at the park, have a game drive en route to the lodge. Have lunch and later head for a boat trip on Lake Ihema to watch Hippos and crocodiles in the water or by the shores and meet the buffaloes and elephants wallowing by the water banks.

Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Camp/Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Akagera - Full day game drive

Have early breakfast then leave for an early morning game drive to catch up with late hunters and early risers. We will be searching for the big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, several Antelope species, and recently the re-introduced Lions and Rhinos.

The park is a varied habitat for wildlife and a number of bird species. You will have a picnic lunch. Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Camp/Akagera Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Akagera - Transfer back to Kigali. Travel time, approx. 3 hours

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kigali. You will arrive in time for lunch and later visit Kigali genocide memorial ground were over 25000 bodies of victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide were buried. This place acts as a museum and an educational center. There is a lot to see and learn about Rwandan history. You will later return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Kigali Serena/The Manor Kigali/Park Inn Hotel

Meals: Bed & Breakfast

 

Day 5: Kigali - Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, Approx. 5 hours

Have early breakfast then immediately depart for Nyungwe National Park, located in western province. You will have a short stop at Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province, for brief history of traditional ways of Rwandese and their past way of leadership of Kingship. Later have lunch then drive to Nyungwe for a canopy walk.

This 90-meters suspended metallic bridge will give you a great view of Nyungwe forest and on a lucky day you can spot one or two primates in the forest. Later drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel/Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

Day 6: Nyungwe - Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Lake Kivu

Have early breakfast then depart for Chimp tracking in Nyungwe forest. Nyungwe is well known for hosting 13 species of primates and you will be entitled to one hour with the chimpanzees.

After doing the chimpanzee trek, you will head back to the lodge for lunch, and thereafter transfer to Lake Kivu where you spend your evening at leisure.

Overnight: Kivu Marina Bay/Lake Kivu Serena/Paradise Kivu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 7: Lake Kivu – Boat ride - Transfer to Musanze, Approx. 2-3 Hours

Have breakfast then a boat ride to explore Lake Kivu. You have a nature walk at one of the islands within this lake which is known for harboring thousands of the bats.

This lake is also good for birding. You will later return to the shore and head to Musanze, a tourism area near Volcanoes National Park, where most of the lodges for gorilla trek are located. You will later head for Iby Iwacu cultural experience, where you will get an introduction to Rwandese culture. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House/Five Volcanoes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 8: Volcanoes - Gorilla Trekking & Cultural visit

Arise early and have breakfast, at 6.30 a.m. thereafter be transferred to the park’s headquarters, Office of Tourism in Kinigi where you are briefed by the park ranger about the rules and regulations governing Gorilla tracking before you head off to the jungle in search for these gentle giants.

The gorilla trek can last from an hour to six hours depending on the gorilla’s movements and although the trek is strenuous it is rewarding at the end.

You will be given an hour with the gorilla to take as many pictures and just enjoy watching them play.

Thereafter trek back to start point and head to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a village foot safari, to explore the local life with a taste of the traditional performance at Iby Iwacu cultural center.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House/Five Volcanoes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 9: Golden Monkey tracking & Transfer to Kigali, Approx. 3 hours

Have early breakfast then be transferred to the park’s headquarters for briefing and immediately start off your golden monkey trek. Just like the gorilla trek experience, the same applies to golden monkey trekking though not hectic like gorilla trekking. You will have lunch and head to Kigali.

If time permits, you will have a Kigali city tour with a visit to Kigali genocide memorial ground and Kimironko local market for shopping. Later be dropped off at your hotel or airport.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch