10 Days Ultimate Rwanda Safari

overview

Experience the very best of Rwanda on a 10-day Unforgettable Safari combining spectacular wildlife, primates, mountain landscapes, and relaxing time around Lake Kivu. This journey takes you from the savannahs and wetlands of Akagera National Park to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and the mist-covered Virunga Mountains of Volcanoes National Park.

Enjoy exciting Big Five game drives in Akagera, track chimpanzees through Nyungwe Forest, experience the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, and trek into Volcanoes National Park in search of endangered mountain gorillas. The safari also includes time around beautiful Lake Kivu and in Kigali, creating a well-balanced journey through Rwanda’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive Rwanda experience that combines Big Five wildlife, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, rainforest adventures, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences.

Day 1: Kigali – Akagera National Park

Begin your safari in Kigali and travel east toward Akagera National Park. As you leave the city, the landscape gradually changes from Rwanda’s rolling hills and farmland to the open savannahs and wetlands of Akagera. Arrive in the park and enjoy an afternoon game drive, with opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and other wildlife.

Main Destination: Akagera National Park
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 2: Full-Day Akagera National Park

Spend a full day exploring Akagera’s diverse landscapes on game drives. Search for elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and other wildlife. The park’s lakes and wetlands also provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching. An optional boat safari on Lake Ihema can offer close views of hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds, and other wetland wildlife.

Main Destination: Akagera National Park
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Full-Day Akagera National Park

Enjoy another full day of wildlife exploration in Akagera. With additional time in the park, your guide can focus on areas where wildlife activity is strongest and help you search for species you may not have encountered on the previous drives. Continue exploring the savannah, woodland, and wetland habitats while enjoying Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife scenery.

Main Destination: Akagera National Park
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 4: Akagera – Kigali – Nyungwe National Park

Leave Akagera and travel through Kigali toward southwestern Rwanda. Continue into the lush highlands surrounding Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and an important habitat for chimpanzees and numerous other primates. Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s famous hills and countryside along the way.

Main Destination: Nyungwe National Park
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking – Nyungwe National Park

Rise early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, hike through the rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Along the way, you may encounter other primates and discover the incredible biodiversity of this ancient forest.

Main Destination: Nyungwe National Park
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 7: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes around Lake Kivu before continuing north toward Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s dramatic countryside toward the Virunga Mountains. Arrive in the Volcanoes region and settle into your accommodation in preparation for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park

Today brings one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. After an early morning briefing, enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Trek through the mountainous forest until you locate the gorillas, then spend a memorable period observing their behavior and interactions in their natural habitat.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 9: Volcanoes – Kigali

After breakfast, leave the Volcanoes region and travel back toward Kigali. Depending on your interests and schedule, you can enjoy a city tour, visit a cultural attraction, or explore some of Kigali’s important historical sites. Spend your final evening relaxing in the Rwandan capital.

Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: Kigali Marriott Hotel

Day 10: Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Kigali depending on your flight schedule. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey, bringing your unforgettable Rwanda safari to an end.

Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: End of Safari / No Accommodation

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Big Five game drives in Akagera National Park
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit
  • Gorilla trekking permit
  • Nyungwe Canopy Walkway
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • National park entrance and applicable conservation fees
  • 4×4 safari vehicle and transportation
  • Bottled drinking water during safari
  • Kigali airport/hotel transfers
  • Government taxes and service charges
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  • International and domestic flights
  • Rwanda visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Gorilla trekking porter fees
  • Lake Ihema boat safari
  • Optional activities
  • Laundry services
  • Personal items and souvenirs
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