This 10 Days Rwanda Safari combines mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. The journey begins in Kigali and takes you through Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park before returning to Kigali.
Trip summary – 10 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Day 2: Kigali city tour and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu and afternoon boat cruise
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village visit
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking and visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 9: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Day 10: Return to Kigali, city tour and departure
Detailed Itinerary – 10 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Your 10 Days Rwanda Safari begins when you arrive at Kigali International Airport. After clearing immigration, meet your safari guide outside the arrivals terminal. Transfer to your hotel in Kigali. The journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight. If you arrive early, enjoy a short tour around Kigali. You may visit Nyandungu Eco-Park, a restored wetland with walking trails, indigenous trees, and many bird species. Coffee lovers can stop at one of Kigali’s cafés to taste locally grown Rwandan coffee.
Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city and the country’s main international gateway. The city is built across several hills and is known for its clean environment and organised streets. Kigali offers museums, art galleries, local markets, coffee shops and cultural centres. It is also one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities and provides an excellent introduction to Rwanda’s history and culture. Accommodation options include The Retreat by Heaven (luxury), Hotel des Mille Collines and Kigali Serena Hotel (mid-range), ONOMO Hotel Kigali and Step Town Hotel (budget).
Day 2: Kigali city tour and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, begin a guided tour of Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial where you will learn about Rwanda’s history and its journey towards peace and reconciliation. Continue to Caplaki Craft Village, where local artisans sell handmade baskets, paintings, jewellery, fabrics and wood carvings. If time allows, visit Kimironko Market one of Kigali’s busiest markets. Here you can experience local life while exploring stalls filled with fresh produce, spices, fabrics and household goods.
After the city tour, begin the drive to Nyungwe National Park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours. Drive through Rwanda’s countryside, passing tea plantations, rolling hills and traditional villages. Stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza to learn about Rwanda’s former monarchy and see the famous Inyambo long-horned cattle. Continue to Huye for lunch before visiting the Ethnographic Museum which displays Rwanda’s cultural history through traditional tools, musical instruments, artwork and household items. Before reaching Nyungwe, stop at Gisakura Tea Estate. Walk through the tea fields while learning how tea is grown and processed before arriving at your lodge.
Nyungwe National Park is located in southwestern Rwanda near the borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers more than 1,000 square kilometres of protected rainforest. The park is home to chimpanzees, 13 recorded primate species, over 320 bird species, hundreds of butterfly species, orchids and ancient trees. It is also one of the most important water catchment areas in East Africa. Visitors come here for chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks, bird watching, nature walks, waterfalls and tea plantation visits. Accommodation options include One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (mid-range), Gisakura Guest House (budget).
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before driving to the park headquarters. Park rangers will brief you about chimpanzee tracking rules before entering the forest. The trek usually lasts between 1 and 4 hours depending on the chimpanzees’ location. As you walk through the rainforest, your guide will explain the different tree species, medicinal plants, birds, butterflies and smaller primates found in Nyungwe. After locating the chimpanzees, spend one hour watching them feed, groom, communicate and move through the trees. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the famous Nyungwe Canopy walk. The suspended bridge is about 160 metres long and stands around 70 metres above the forest floor. The canopy offers wide views of the rainforest and surrounding mountains. During the walk, you may see blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, colourful turacos and hornbills. If time allows, continue along the peaceful Igishigishigi Trail which passes giant ferns and tall forest trees. Return to your lodge before dinner. Accommodation options include One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (mid-range), Gisakura Guest House (budget).
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu and afternoon boat cruise
After breakfast, leave Nyungwe National Park and drive towards Lake Kivu. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours. Travel through tea-growing regions, rolling hills and small villages before reaching the lakeside town of Kibuye (Karongi). Check into your lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake. In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat cruise across Lake Kivu. Visit one of the small islands scattered across the lake. Some islands are home to fruit bats while others offer excellent viewpoints of the surrounding hills. The waters also provide opportunities to watch local fishermen using traditional wooden boats. You may stop at a lakeside fishing village to learn about the daily lives of local communities. Before returning to your lodge, enjoy a short walk along the lakeshore and watch the sunset over the water. Accommodation options include Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel (luxury), Kivu Lodge and Cormoran Lodge (mid-range), Home Saint Jean and Bethanie Guest House (budget).
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, leave Lake Kivu and drive north to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes about 4 to 5 hours. The road follows the shores of Lake Kivu before climbing into Rwanda’s northern highlands. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of green hills, coffee farms, banana plantations and small villages. You may stop in Rubavu to enjoy views of Lake Kivu before continuing your journey. Another worthwhile stop is a local coffee washing station where you can learn how Rwanda’s high-quality coffee is processed.
Arrive in Musanze during the afternoon. After checking into your lodge, enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing. If time allows, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The centre offers interactive exhibits about mountain gorillas, conservation and the history of gorilla research in the Virunga Mountains. Return to your lodge.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s oldest national park and one of Africa’s most important conservation areas. It forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area which extends into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park protects bamboo forests, montane rainforest and alpine vegetation on the slopes of five Virunga volcanoes. It is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes and more than 200 bird species. The park is also closely linked to the work of primatologist Dian Fossey whose research helped protect mountain gorillas from extinction. Accommodation options include One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and Bisate Lodge (luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range), Kinigi Guest House and Fatima Hotel Musanze (budget).
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village visit
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before driving to the park headquarters in Kinigi. Park rangers will provide a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and safety before assigning each group to a habituated gorilla family. Begin your trek through bamboo forests and mountain slopes. The hike may last between 2 and 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Along the trail, your guide will point out different plants, birds and signs of other wildlife living in the forest. When you reach the gorillas, spend one hour quietly observing their behaviour. Watch the silverback lead the family while mothers care for their young. Young gorillas often climb trees, wrestle with one another and play close to the adults. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some time to rest.
Later, visit Gorilla Guardians Village. Local guides introduce visitors to Rwanda’s cultural traditions through music, dance, storytelling and hands-on activities. You can learn about traditional farming, food preparation, herbal medicine and the role of community conservation. The visit also gives you the chance to support local artisans by purchasing handmade crafts. Return to your lodge in the evening.
Gorilla Guardians Village, formerly known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives visitors the chance to experience Rwanda’s traditional culture. Local community members demonstrate traditional dances, music, hunting skills, herbal medicine and daily life. The project creates employment for local people and supports conservation by encouraging communities to benefit from tourism. Accommodation options include One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and Bisate Lodge (luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range), Kinigi Guest House and Fatima Hotel Musanze (budget).
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking and Visit to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Enjoy an early breakfast before returning to Volcanoes National Park. After a short briefing, begin your golden monkey tracking experience. Golden monkeys live mainly in the park’s bamboo forests and are known for their bright golden-orange fur and playful behaviour. The trek is usually easier than gorilla trekking and often lasts between 1 and 3 hours. Once you find the monkeys, spend one hour watching them feed, climb through the bamboo and interact with each other. After the activity, return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo located about 45 minutes from Musanze. These two lakes sit beneath the Virunga volcanoes and provide some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Rwanda. Take a guided canoe ride or boat trip across one of the lakes. Visit a nearby village to learn about local fishing methods and everyday life. The area is also excellent for bird watching with kingfishers, herons, weavers and cormorants commonly seen along the shoreline. Before returning to your lodge, stop at one of the viewpoints overlooking both lakes and the surrounding volcanoes. Accommodation options include One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and Bisate Lodge (luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range), Kinigi Guest House and Fatima Hotel Musanze (budget).
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, leave Volcanoes National Park and begin the drive to Akagera National Park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours. Travel across Rwanda’s rolling hills while passing farming villages, banana plantations and coffee farms. Stop in Kigali for lunch before continuing east towards Akagera. As you approach the park, the landscape gradually changes from mountains to open savannah. After entering the park enjoy a short evening game drive on your way to the lodge. Look for giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs and antelopes feeding before sunset. You may also spot elephants moving towards nearby water sources. The evening light creates excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. Arrive at your lodge before dinner.
Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. It covers about 1,120 square kilometres and is Rwanda’s largest protected savannah ecosystem. The park contains open grasslands, acacia woodland, papyrus swamps, lakes and rolling hills. These habitats support elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and more than 500 bird species. Akagera is also an important conservation success story. The return of lions and black rhinos has helped restore the park as a Big Five destination. Accommodation options include Magashi Camp (luxury), Akagera Game Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp (seasonal) (mid-range), Dereva Hotel and Akagera Rhino Lodge (budget).
Day 9: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
Wake up early for a sunrise game drive through Akagera National Park. mMorning offers the best opportunity to see wildlife before temperatures increase. Drive across the park’s open plains while searching for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, topis, impalas, waterbucks and elands. With some luck, you may also spot a leopard resting in a tree or moving through the grass. Bird lovers can look for African fish eagles, secretary birds, saddle-billed storks, grey crowned cranes and kingfishers. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some time to relax.
After lunch, head to Lake Ihema for an afternoon boat cruise. The lake is one of the best places in Rwanda to observe hippos and Nile crocodiles. Elephants and buffaloes often come to the shoreline to drink especially during warm afternoons. The cruise also provides excellent opportunities to watch water birds in their natural habitat. As the boat moves quietly across the lake, enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding wetlands and hills. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon. If time allows, enjoy the sunset from one of the park’s scenic viewpoints. Accommodation options include Magashi Camp (luxury), Akagera Game Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp (seasonal) (mid-range), Dereva Hotel and Akagera Rhino Lodge (budget).
Day 10: Return to Kigali, city tour and Departure
After breakfast, leave Akagera National Park and drive back to Kigali. The journey takes about 2 to 3 hours. If your flight departs later in the day, enjoy a guided tour of Kigali. Begin with the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can learn about Rwanda’s history and the country’s journey towards unity and reconciliation. Continue to Caplaki Craft Village, where local artists sell handmade baskets, jewellery, paintings, wood carvings, and traditional fabrics. If you enjoy local markets, visit Kimironko Market. This lively market offers fresh produce, spices, clothing, household goods and handcrafted souvenirs. Art lovers can stop at the Inema Arts Center which showcases paintings, sculptures and contemporary Rwandan artwork created by local artists. If time allows, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and sample traditional Rwandan dishes or freshly roasted Rwandan coffee. Your guide will later transfer you to Kigali International Airport. The airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from the city centre depending on traffic.
Tour Inclusions
- The cost of all ground transportation and Fuel
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- Full time safari guide and his related expenses
- Accommodation and meals
- Boat cruise
- Game drives
- But it excludes; Items of personal nature like Laundry, Beers,
- Park entrance fee
Exclusions:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
Contact Africa Adventure Safari to book and enjoy this 10 days Rwanda safari at affordable rates