8 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Akagera Safari

Safari Overview

The three great sides of Rwanda in one private journey: Akagera wildlife, Nyungwe rainforest and Volcanoes gorillas. This is a private safari proposal, with your accommodation choices and activity arrangements agreed before booking. Travel times are indicative and depend on roads, weather, park arrangements and border formalities where applicable.

Suggested route: Kigali – Akagera – Nyungwe – Lake Kivu – Volcanoes – Kigali.

Detailed Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Meet your local guide at Kigali International Airport and check into your hotel. Use the afternoon for rest or a short guided orientation. Review the upcoming long transfers and permit arrangements. The journey moves through three different ecosystems, so a flexible and realistic daily pace is important.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 2: Travel to Akagera with game drive

Leave Kigali for Akagera National Park and enter the reserve via the appropriate gate. Explore nearby tracks on a first wildlife drive, looking for zebra, giraffes, impalas and birds. Reach your lodge later in the day for dinner. The amount of time available for viewing depends on your departure hour.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 3: Akagera wildlife and return west

Start early for a wildlife drive across the park's lakes and savannah. Enjoy the changing landscape and look for elephants, buffaloes, antelope and more. After lunch begin the transfer back toward Kigali, where you overnight before the longer southern journey. A Lake Ihema boat trip can be discussed if scheduling permits.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 4: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest

Head south through the green hills of Rwanda toward the Nyungwe region, passing tea estates and cultural landscapes. Take meal and photography breaks, then check in near a suitable chimpanzee trekking briefing location. Prepare warm layers, rain protection and boots for the early morning forest experience.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 5: Nyungwe chimpanzees and forest scenery

Set off very early to meet park guides for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe. Walking routes and time vary with the primates' movement, and sightings are not guaranteed. Later, if conditions and availability allow, enjoy a canopy walkway or short guided nature trail. Return for a restful evening at the lodge.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 6: Lake Kivu toward the Virungas

Leave Nyungwe and travel through western Rwanda toward Lake Kivu, pausing at panoramic viewpoints. Continue north to Musanze or overnight along the lakeshore according to confirmed accommodation and transfer timing. This day focuses on landscape and travel between parks rather than additional demanding excursions.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 7: Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek

Begin the day at Kinigi for the official mountain gorilla trekking briefing. Transfer to the park trailhead and hike with your ranger group through the Virunga foothills. Spend the permitted viewing time with your assigned habituated family. Return to your lodge, with the remainder of the afternoon set aside for rest.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 8: Return to Kigali

Enjoy breakfast before the road transfer south to Kigali, allowing time for a final meal or brief city stop as the flight schedule permits. Your guide will take you to your selected hotel or Kigali International Airport. We recommend checking international departure times before confirming the final day's programme.

Overnight: Safari ends after the agreed drop-off; additional accommodation can be arranged if required.

What Your Safari Quotation Can Include

• Private vehicle and professional driver-guide for the agreed route
• Accommodation in the agreed category for the confirmed nights
• Meals as specified in your final written quotation
• Park entries and pre-booked activities explicitly listed as included
• Airport, hotel or border transfers listed in the itinerary

Normally Excluded Unless Quoted Otherwise

• International flights, visa costs and personal travel insurance
• Gratuities, extra drinks and personal purchases
• Optional experiences not specified in the confirmed programme
• Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits unless clearly included in the final quotation
• Any costs arising from independent programme changes

Important Safari Planning Notes

Gorilla trekking participants must be at least 15 years old. Permit availability is limited and every trek follows the relevant park authority rules. Wild animals move freely, so sightings and trekking durations cannot be guaranteed. Accommodation and activities are proposed options until we confirm space and receive your approval. Please share your travel dates and group size for a current quotation.

Ready to enquire? Use the safari enquiry form below and mention this itinerary. We can discuss preferred lodges, routing and a realistic travel pace before finalising your booking.