9 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Nyungwe and Akagera Complete Safari

Safari Overview

An immersive private journey combining gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, forest primates in Nyungwe and classic savannah game drives in Akagera. 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 – Kigali – Volcanoes – Lake Kivu – Nyungwe – Kigali.

Detailed Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and safari briefing

Your guide will meet you at Kigali International Airport or your hotel and transfer you to your accommodation. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a gentle city introduction or rest after your flight. Review the week’s national-park schedules, permit arrangements and optional activities before dinner.

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

Day 2: Drive to Akagera National Park and afternoon game drive

After breakfast drive east towards Akagera’s rolling savannah, wetlands and lakes. Enter the park and begin a game drive with your guide. Wildlife may include zebras, buffalo, giraffes, elephants and several antelope species. Continue to your lodge or camp and enjoy the evening overlooking this very different side of Rwanda.

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

Day 3: Akagera wildlife safari and optional lake boat trip

Begin an early game drive when temperatures are cooler and animals may be more active. Look for savannah wildlife and learn how Akagera’s ecosystems support predators, plains mammals and prolific birds. An optional boat experience on Lake Ihema may be possible according to park schedules and the final quotation.

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

Day 4: Return via Kigali and continue to the Volcanoes area

Leave Akagera in the morning and drive back towards Kigali. After a lunch stop, travel northwest to Musanze and the Volcanoes National Park region. The transfer takes much of the day; arrival is planned for the late afternoon. Settle into your lodge, prepare trekking gear and rest ahead of tomorrow.

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

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Attend the morning park briefing before starting your gorilla trek with authorised rangers. The hike can involve uneven, steep and wet ground, and the time needed to reach a family varies. The standard permitted observation period is one hour after reaching the gorillas. Enjoy a free afternoon afterwards, subject to energy and the programme.

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

Day 6: Optional golden monkeys, then Lake Kivu

If you wish, add a pre-booked golden monkey tracking experience in Volcanoes National Park; otherwise spend a relaxed morning near Musanze. Later travel towards Lake Kivu for an afternoon beside the water. Activities on the lake are optional and dependent on local operations. Overnight in a comfortable lakeside property.

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

Day 7: Travel through western Rwanda to Nyungwe

Continue south along scenic roads skirting Rwanda’s western hills and tea-growing landscapes. Your guide will plan stops for lunch and photography, aiming to reach accommodation near Nyungwe Forest in time for an early dinner. This is primarily a scenic transfer day with a comfortable pace.

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

Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park

Depart early for a scheduled ranger-led chimpanzee trek. Follow the authorised trail through forest habitat while your guides search for a habituated group. The terrain can be demanding and sightings are not guaranteed. Return to the lodge to rest, with an optional guided activity if available and your schedule allows.

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

Day 9: Return to Kigali and onward departure

After breakfast drive from Nyungwe to Kigali, allowing generous time for road conditions and breaks. Drop-off at the airport or your chosen hotel concludes the safari. Late-afternoon or evening departures may fit best after this long transfer; we can suggest an extra night if your flight is earlier.

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.