10-Day Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari
This 10-day journey takes you through Rwanda’s most iconic destinations, blending primate encounters with classic safari experiences. Highlights include chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest, mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey encounters in Volcanoes National Park, a big-five safari in Akagera National Park, a visit to Kigali — Africa’s cleanest capital — and time to unwind on the shores of Lake Kivu. Trekking both gorillas and golden monkeys in a single trip makes this an especially rich wildlife experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (except Day 1: Dinner only; Day 10: Breakfast & Lunch only)
Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali
Land at Kigali International Airport, clear customs, and meet your guide, who will welcome you to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Transfer to your hotel for a trip briefing, then settle in for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mille Collines Hotel (Midrange) | Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) | Hemingways Kigali Retreat (High-end)
Day 2 — Kigali to Akagera National Park (~2.5 hrs)
After breakfast, depart at 8:00 AM for Akagera, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way (stop for photos as you like). On arrival, check in, take a short game drive, then head out on a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo along the shoreline. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange) | Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury) | Wilderness Magashi Camp (High-end)
Day 3 — Full-Day and Night Game Drives in Akagera
Spend the day exploring different routes through the park in search of wildlife, with a picnic lunch along the way. In the evening, go on a night game drive to spot nocturnal species before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Same as Day 2
Day 4 — Return to Kigali & City Tour
Drive back to Kigali, then visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where survivor testimonies and exhibits honor the more than one million Rwandans lost in 1994. Continue to Kimironko Market for local shopping and souvenirs, then head to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Movenpick Kigali Hotel (Midrange) | Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) | Hemingways Kigali Retreat (High-end)
Day 5 — Transfer to Nyungwe National Park (via King’s Palace Museum)
After breakfast, travel toward Nyungwe with a stop at the King’s Palace Museum to learn about Rwanda’s royal history and cultural heritage. Enjoy lunch en route before arriving at your lodge in the afternoon with time to relax before dinner.
Accommodation: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (Midrange) | Munazi Eco Lodge (Mid-Luxury) | One & Only Nyungwe House (High-end)
Day 6 — Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Head into Nyungwe Forest — home to 13 primate species — for a briefing and chimpanzee trek, with up to an hour spent observing the chimps once found. After lunch, return to the forest for a canopy walk with sweeping views over the forest canopy. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Day 7 — Tea Plantation Tour & Lake Kivu
Visit the Gisakura Tea Plantation to learn about tea cultivation and traditional harvesting methods, then continue to Lake Kivu. Take a boat trip past several islands to enjoy the lake’s scenery, followed by lunch and time to relax at your hotel before dinner.
Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge (Midrange) | Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury) | Cleo Lake Kivu (High-end)
Day 8 — Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Ellen DeGeneres Campus
Drive to Volcanoes National Park, stopping at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about mountain gorilla conservation and research efforts. Check into your hotel, with the afternoon free to rest ahead of gorilla trekking the next day.
Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge (Midrange) | Virunga Inn Resort & Spa (Luxury) | One & Only Gorillas Nest (High-end)
Day 9 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast, transfer to park headquarters for a briefing on trekking etiquette, then set off into the forest with your ranger. The trek can take 2–6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, with up to one hour spent in their presence. Afterward, return for lunch, then choose to relax or visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a taste of Rwandan traditions. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Same as Day 8
Day 10 — Golden Monkey Trekking & Departure
After breakfast, transfer to park headquarters for a briefing before trekking to find golden monkeys — a shorter, less strenuous activity than gorilla trekking. Return for lunch and a chance to freshen up, then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Package Includes
- All accommodation and meals per itinerary
- 1 gorilla permit per person
- Golden monkey permit
- Chimpanzee permit
- Canopy walk
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Museum visits
- Akagera boat trip
- Waterfall hike
- Kigali city tour
- English-speaking driver/guide
- All listed activities and entrance fees
Package Excludes
- Airfare
- Drinks
- Visa fees
- Laundry
- Phone charges
- Tips for local guides
- Porter fees during treks
- Personal insurance
- Personal shopping
About our Safaris
At Adventure Gorilla Safaris, we believe this once-in-a-lifetime experience should be within reach for every traveler — not just those seeking luxury travel. While gorilla trekking permits carry a significant cost, we design budget-friendly packages that make your dream safari attainable, without ever compromising on quality or comfort.
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Go gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park and Gorilla habituation in Bwindi Forest on a 5 days tour.
