9-Day – Rwanda: Primates, Savannah and Rainforest

A complete Rwanda journey combining Big Five safari, gorillas, chimpanzees, rainforest, and lake scenery.

🦁 Akagera Savannah 🦍 Volcanoes Rainforest 🌊 Lake Kivu 🌳 Nyungwe Rainforest

Visit Rwanda • Land of a Thousand Hills

Kigali

Akagera

Volcanoes

Lake Kivu

Nyungwe

Kigali

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali International Airport – Overnight in Kigali Town

Morning or afternoon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Meet & greet by our professional safari guide. From 10:00–13:00 enjoy a Kigali city tour (Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, craft centers). Lunch 13:00–14:00. Afternoon hotel check-in, safari briefing, leisure time. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2 – Transfer from Kigali Town – Akagera National Park

Breakfast at 07:00. Then from 07:30–10:00 drive for about 120 km / 2.5 hrs to Akagera National Park. Lunch at lodge 12:30–13:30. From 14:30–17:30 afternoon game drive (elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, lions; birds: fish eagle, papyrus gonolek). Dinner and overnight.

Drive time: 2.5 hrs to Akagera

Day 3 – Akagera National Park: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Ride

Early breakfast 06:00. Then from 06:30–09:30 enjoy a morning game drive in the northern plains. Brunch at lodge 10:30–11:30. Then from 14:00–16:00 boat safari on Lake Ihema (hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, water birds). Return to lodge for sunset views. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Transfer from Akagera – Volcanoes National Park

Breakfast at 07:00. From 07:30–12:30 drive for about 300 km / 5 hrs via Kigali (lunch stop en route). Afternoon arrival near Volcanoes NP, check-in and rest. Optional visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Dinner and overnight.

Total distance: 300 km | Drive time: 5 hrs

Day 5 – Ultimate Gorilla Trekking (Volcanoes National Park)

Early breakfast at 05:30. Then at 06:00 transfer to the park headquarters for briefing. From 07:00–13:00 gorilla trekking (1–6 hrs depending on gorilla family location). Packed lunch in the forest. Return to lodge for rest and freshening up. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Drive from Volcanoes National Park – Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)

Breakfast at 08:00. Then from 08:30–11:30 scenic drive for about 100 km / 3 hrs to Lake Kivu. Lunch at lakeside restaurant 13:00–14:00. Afternoon relaxation, swimming, kayaking, or lakeside walk. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu.

Drive time: 3 hrs to Lake Kivu

Day 7 – Drive from Lake Kivu – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Breakfast at 07:00. From 07:30–13:30 drive for about 260 km / 6 hrs along the Congo–Nile Divide. Lunch en route and tea plantation visit. Afternoon arrival at Nyungwe lodge, leisure time. Dinner and overnight.

Drive time: 6 hrs along the Congo-Nile Divide

Day 8 – Nyungwe Forest: Morning Chimpanzee Tracking and Afternoon Canopy Walk

Early breakfast at 05:00. Running from 05:30–09:00 chimpanzee trekking (chimpanzees, colobus monkeys; birds: great blue turaco). Return to lodge for lunch 10:30–11:30. 14:00–16:00 canopy walk suspended 60 m above the forest floor. Evening relaxation. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – Drive from Nyungwe National Park – Kigali Airport (Departure)

Breakfast at 07:00. Running from 07:30–14:00 drive for about 230 km / 6 hrs back to Kigali with lunch en route. Arrival in Kigali for international departure or optional overnight.

Drive time: 6 hrs to Kigali

Disclaimer: Exact lodge options will be shared at quotation stage to match availability and travel dates. And once you confirm the option you like, we will then work on a more detailed itinerary.

Three Ecosystems • One Unforgettable Journey

🦁 Akagera | 🦍 Volcanoes | 🌊 Lake Kivu | 🌳 Nyungwe

✦ From the savannah plains to the rainforest canopy ✦