10-Day Rwanda Safari | Gorillas, Chimps & Game Drives

This 10-day Rwanda Safari takes you to the forested national parks and the only Savannah park in Rwanda. Start with airport pick-up and a city tour of Kigali. Visit Akagera National Park for game drives and a boat trip on Lake Ihema.

Travel to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk. Then drive to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn about local culture.

Spend the last days relaxing and exploring Lake Kivu. The Rwanda safari ends with a drive back to Kigali and drop-off at the airport.

10-Day Rwanda Safari Highlights

Day 1: Kigali airport pick-up
Day 2: City tour and transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 3: Game drives in Akagera National Park
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 8-9: Gorilla Guardians Village and Lake Kivu exploration
Day 10: End of the 10-day Rwanda Safari

Detailed 10-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali airport pick-up

Welcome to Rwanda. Your safari guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Kigali city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: City tour and transfer to Akagera National Park

Take a city tour around Kigali, visiting important cultural and historical places like the Kigali Genocide Memorial. After lunch, drive to Akagera National Park for a late afternoon or early evening game drive. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 3: Game drives in Akagera National Park

Explore different parts of Akagera, including the lake area, to see many animals. Watch for lions, bushbucks, buffaloes, olive baboons, rhinos, warthogs, leopards, giraffes, elephants, zebras, hyenas, oribis, waterbucks, impalas, mongooses, monkeys, and more.

In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Lake Ihema. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

On your last morning in Akagera, you can join a guided nature walk or a hot air balloon ride. Then travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park via Kigali, stopping along the way to stretch and have lunch in Huye.

Arrive at Nyungwe late in the evening. Check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest is home to 13 types of primates, including chimpanzees. Track the habituated chimpanzees and look for other primates and birds as you walk. In the afternoon, enjoy a canopy walk above the forest. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Take a scenic 6-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. Stop along the way to enjoy the views and have lunch. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Meet the mountain gorillas during your gorilla trekking adventure. Start the day with a briefing at the park offices, where you will join a group of 8 visitors and be assigned a gorilla family to track.

Drive to the trailhead and begin the trek. It may take a few hours depending on where the gorillas are. Return to your lodge for a late lunch and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 8-9: Gorilla Guardians Village & Lake Kivu exploration

On your last morning in Volcanoes National Park, visit Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’iwacu Village) to experience Rwanda’s culture. Join activities like traditional dance and folk songs.

After the visit, transfer to Lake Kivu. Spend the rest of the safari relaxing on the lake’s beaches and joining activities like boat trips, island visits, kayaking, and more. Overnight at Lake Kivu.