Rwanda Primates & Wildlife
Safari Overview
8 Days Rwanda Primates & Wildlife Safari
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Rwanda on this exclusive 8-day safari! Begin in the vibrant city of Kigali, exploring its rich culture and history, before venturing into Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife habitats. Witness majestic wildlife in Akagera National Park, trek among endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and immerse yourself in the lush beauty of Nyungwe Forest. This adventure blends thrilling wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and stunning scenery to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Itinerary Highlights
- Discover Rwanda’s dynamic capital, visiting key cultural and historical sites.
- Enjoy thrilling game drives and a scenic boat ride in Akagera National Park, home to a wide range of wildlife and picturesque landscapes.
- Experience the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Track playful chimpanzees and explore the forest canopy on a breathtaking walk in Nyungwe Forest.
- Travel through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, taking in rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
- Day 2: Kigali city tour; transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Full day in Akagera – game drive and boat safari
- Day 4: Transfer from Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla trekking and community walk in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk in Nyungwe
- Day 8: Return to Kigali for departure
Talior-made Suggestions
- Add an extra day to fully enjoy the serenity and beauty of Volcanoes National Park.
- Extend your African adventure by exploring the natural wonders of neighboring Uganda.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Kigali: Arrival in Kigali
Welcome to the Land of a Thousand Hills! When you arrive at Kigali International Airport, our friendly safari guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. You can rest and relax for the day. During check-in, your guide will explain your safari, what to expect, and important safari rules. Spend the night at the hotel.
Overnight: Kigali
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2 – Kigali: City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, start a half-day city tour in Kigali. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Museum, which is an important historical site. You will also walk through local markets and see daily life in the city. After lunch, drive to Akagera National Park. In the evening, enjoy your first game drive, where you may see animals moving around as the sun goes down.
Overnight: Akagera National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3 – Akagera National Park: Full Day Game Drive & Boat Safari
After breakfast, go on a full-day game drive in Akagera National Park. This park is in northeastern Rwanda near the border with Tanzania. You will see many animals like elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and the lions that have been brought back to the park. Game drives usually take a few hours, depending on the animals you find.
Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ihema. On the boat, you may see hippos, crocodiles, and many birds along the lakeshore. This is a great way to see wildlife from the water.
Overnight: Akagera National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4 – Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, near Musanze. On the way, you will pass through Kigali and see the beautiful countryside, with rolling hills, forests, and villages. Volcanoes National Park is famous for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and many birds. Arrive at your lodge in the evening and rest for the next day’s adventure.
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5 – Ruhengeri: Gorilla Trekking & Community Walk
After breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. You will learn about the rules and safety while in the forest. You will be assigned a gorilla family and start the trek. Gorilla trekking can take a few hours or the whole day, depending on where the gorillas were last seen. If you need help walking in the forest, porters are available to carry you in a sedan chair.
When you find the gorillas, you can spend up to one hour with them, taking photos and watching them closely. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a community walk to Red Rock, a local project that supports the community through environmental conservation, arts, education, and health programs.
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6 – Volcanoes to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes 6–7 hours through beautiful countryside. Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest and largest rainforests in East Africa. It is home to 13 types of primates, including chimpanzees and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon and rest.
Overnight: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7 – Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Wake up early for chimpanzee trekking. Have a small breakfast from the lodge. At 5:30 AM, the ranger will give a briefing about safety and behavior in the forest. Trekking starts at 6:00 AM from either Uwinka or Cyamudongo. You will look for chimpanzees and see other monkeys, such as Rwenzori colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy the canopy walk, a bridge 40 meters above the forest floor. From here, you can see the forest and wildlife from above. This is an exciting and unique experience.
Overnight: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8 – Nyungwe to Kigali: Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Kigali. The journey takes about 4–5 hours. On the way, stop in Huye (Butare) to visit the Ethnographic Museum. Here, you can learn about Rwandan culture, history, and daily life. Continue to Kigali and arrive in time for your flight home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation
Comfort
- Kigali, Rwanda – Heaven Rwanda
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda – Akagera Game Lodge
- Ruhengeri, Rwanda – Davinci Gorilla Lodge
- Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda – Chimpanzee Lodge
Superior
- Kigali, Rwanda – Hotel Des Mille Collines
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda – Akagera Game Lodge
- Ruhengeri, Rwanda – Ingagi Park View Lodge
- Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda – Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Deluxe
- Kigali, Rwanda – Kigali Serena Hotel
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda – Ruzizi Tented Lodge
- Ruhengeri, Rwanda – Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda – Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Safari Price
Comfort: USD $ 6431 per person
Superior: USD $ 6942 Per Person
Deluxe: USD $ 7552 Per Person
What is included?
- 1 night accommodation in Kigali on Bed & Breakfast
- 2 nights accommodation in Akagera National Park on Full Board
- 2 nights accommodation in Volcanoes National Park on Full Board
- 2 nights accommodation in Nyungwe National Park on Full Board
- All game drives in Akagera National Park
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Night game drive in Akagera National Park
- Kigali city tour including key cultural and historical sites
- 1 Gorilla trekking permit
- 1 Community walk in Volcanoes area
- 1 Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
- All transportation with an English-speaking guide
- Drinking water provided in the vehicle
What's not?
- International airfares
- Visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities
- All Soft, Alcoholic and Premium drinks
- Any items not mentioned as included
Important notes and additional information
Please note that park fees, chimpanzee permits, and gorilla permits are subject to change without prior notice. It is important to check the latest information before planning your visit, as these fees may be updated at any time.
Hotel rates are based on lead-in room categories, and other room types and hotels are available upon request. Rates may vary depending on availability, seasonal demand, and special events. We recommend contacting us directly for information on alternative accommodations or room upgrades.
Seasonal fluctuations can also affect pricing, so the rates displayed on our website should be considered as a starting point. They provide a general guide, but actual rates may differ depending on your specific travel dates. For accurate pricing, please reach out to us with your intended itinerary.
For any special requests, including hotel or room upgrades, our team is happy to assist. By contacting us directly, you can ensure that your accommodations and permits are arranged to suit your preferences and schedule.
Related Tours
Talk To a friendly team
Gorilla Safaris
Contact
- +256 (704) 630 390
- +256 (394) 860 595
- info@trekwildgorillas.com
- wildfriendsug@gmail.com
