7–10 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife Safari
Safari Overview
This 7–10 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife Safari is a complete Rwanda wildlife experience combining Big Five game viewing, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and rainforest adventures. The journey explores three of Rwanda’s most iconic protected areas: Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a diverse safari that blends savannah wildlife, rare primates, scenic landscapes, and cultural encounters within one compact and well-organized program.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera – Boat Safari
Day 3: Game Drive – Return to Kigali
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk
Day 8–10: Return to Kigali / Optional Extension
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a short city orientation tour including local markets or the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Overnight stay in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Boat Safari
After breakfast, depart for Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda near the Tanzanian border. The drive takes approximately 2.5–3 hours through Rwanda’s rolling countryside.
After check-in and lunch at your lodge, proceed for an afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema. This relaxing excursion offers close views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds, and elephants that often gather along the shoreline. The sunset over the lake provides excellent photographic opportunities.
Dinner and overnight inside or near Akagera National Park.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Return to Kigali
An early morning game drive begins at sunrise when wildlife is most active. Akagera is home to the Big Five, including lions and black rhinos that were successfully reintroduced as part of Rwanda’s conservation efforts.
You may encounter:
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Elephants
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Buffalo
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Giraffes
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Zebras
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Topi and impala
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Leopards (occasionally)
After the game drive, return to the lodge for brunch before transferring back to Kigali for overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, a scenic 2.5-hour drive through mountainous terrain. The park protects part of the Virunga volcanic range and is globally recognized for mountain gorilla conservation.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. In the afternoon, optional activities include a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about traditional Rwandan heritage.
Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing by park rangers. You will be assigned a habituated gorilla family and begin your guided trek through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes.
The trek may take between 2–6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla group. Once located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching a silverback protect his family or juveniles playing nearby is a profound wildlife encounter.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest via Lake Kivu
After breakfast, depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours and includes scenic views of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes.
Optional stopovers along the lakeshore allow for photos and short relaxation breaks. Arrive in Nyungwe in the late afternoon and check in at your forest lodge.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk
Early morning transfer to Cyamudongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Guided by experienced trackers, you will search for chimpanzee troops while also spotting other primates such as colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys.
After lunch, enjoy the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge set high above the rainforest floor. The walkway offers panoramic views of the forest canopy and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Dinner and overnight in Nyungwe.
Day 8–10: Return to Kigali & Optional Cultural Experiences
After breakfast, transfer back to Kigali (approximately 5 hours). Depending on flight schedule and total trip duration (7, 8, 9, or 10 days), optional activities may include:
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Kigali cultural tours
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Craft market visits
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Coffee tasting experiences
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Additional relaxation day in Lake Kivu
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for departure.
Inclusions
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Gorilla trekking permit
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Chimpanzee tracking permit
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Park entrance fees
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Boat safari in Akagera
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4×4 safari vehicle with professional guide
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Accommodation & meals as per itinerary
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Bottled drinking water
Exclusions
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International flights
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Visa fees
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Travel insurance
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Alcoholic beverages
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Personal expenses
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Tips and gratuities
