Rwanda in full: Big Five game drives in Akagera, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Lake Kivu, and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Discover Rwanda’s most remarkable wildlife and cultural highlights on this 10-day Africa Exquisite Primate & Wildlife Tour. Track endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, encounter chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, and explore Akagera National Park on classic game drives in search of the Big Five.
Along the way, enjoy a canopy walk above Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest, cruise Lake Ihema and Lake Kivu, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and experience Kigali’s welcoming culture and modern city life. This thoughtfully paced itinerary combines authentic wildlife encounters, conservation-focused experiences, and Rwanda’s celebrated scenic landscapes.
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, clear immigration and customs before meeting your Africa Exquisite Tours guide, who will welcome you to Rwanda—the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” You will be transferred to your hotel for a safari briefing, dinner, and overnight stay.
After breakfast, depart Kigali at 8:00 am for Akagera National Park, a journey of approximately 2.5 hours depending on stops. Enjoy scenic views along the way, with opportunities for photographs at your guide’s recommended viewpoints.
On arrival, check in and enjoy a short introductory game drive before an afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema. Look for hippos and crocodiles in the water, while elephants and buffalo may be seen along the shores. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Spend a full day exploring Akagera National Park, home to lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and a rich variety of birdlife. Your guide will follow different routes to maximize wildlife sightings, with a picnic lunch enjoyed in the park.
In the evening, set out on a guided night game drive for a chance to observe nocturnal species as they become active after dark. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, travel back to Kigali for an insightful city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and education that honors the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and supports peace-building efforts.
Continue to the lively Kimironko Market for an authentic local experience and the chance to browse crafts, fresh produce, and quality souvenirs. Later, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Depart Kigali after breakfast for Nyungwe National Park. En route, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza to learn about Rwanda’s traditional monarchy, cultural heritage, and royal history.
Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to Nyungwe. Arrive in the afternoon with time to relax, take in the forest surroundings, and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee trekking experience.
After an early breakfast and coffee, transfer to Nyungwe National Park for a pre-trek briefing. Set out with experienced rangers to track chimpanzees through the rainforest. Nyungwe is home to 13 primate species, and once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend up to one hour observing them.
After lunch, enjoy the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended walkway offering impressive views over the forest canopy and opportunities to spot birds and primates. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Following breakfast, visit the Gisakura Tea Plantation to learn about tea cultivation, harvesting, and local processing methods. This is a relaxed, authentic introduction to one of Rwanda’s important agricultural traditions.
Continue to Lake Kivu for a scenic boat trip among the lake’s islands, enjoying peaceful views and the fresh lakeside atmosphere. After lunch, transfer to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure, dinner, and overnight.
After a relaxed breakfast, check out and travel to Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about mountain gorilla conservation, scientific research, community engagement, and protection efforts.
Afterwards, transfer to your lodge. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure—ideal for resting and preparing for the next day’s gorilla trek.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette and safety. Accompanied by trained rangers, trek through the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Trekking can take between two and six hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and trail conditions. Once found, you will spend up to one hour observing these remarkable primates. Return to your lodge for lunch, then choose to relax or visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an optional cultural experience. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Enjoy an early breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for your golden monkey trekking briefing. Trek into the forest with rangers to find these lively, colorful primates. The experience is generally less strenuous than gorilla trekking and offers another memorable wildlife encounter.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and time to freshen up. Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, bringing your Rwandan safari to a close.
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