11 Days Rwanda Big Five & Primates Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to the Land of a Thousand Hills

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your professional guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, take a city tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and Inema Arts Centre.

Relax in the evening as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel / The Retreat by Heaven

• Mid-range: Heaven Boutique Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines

Day 2: Kigali – Drive to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and the home of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

Arrive in time for lunch and embark on an afternoon game drive, where you’ll encounter zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and elephants grazing against the backdrop of acacia woodlands and open plains.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive & Boat Safari on Lake Ihema

Start your day with a sunrise game drive across Akagera’s northern plains, a prime time for spotting predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and colorful waterbirds like fish eagles and kingfishers thrive. End the day with a sunset drive back to your lodge.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Day 4: Akagera – Drive Back to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning game drive as you exit Akagera. Return to Kigali in time for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure or exploring local craft markets.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Heaven Boutique Hotel

Day 5: Kigali – Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s most pristine rainforests. En route, stop in Nyanza to visit the King’s Palace Museum, and continue to Huye (Butare) for the Ethnographic Museum, which showcases Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Arrive in Nyungwe by evening and check in at your lodge surrounded by tea plantations and dense forest.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Rise early for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by park rangers, trek through the forest in search of these lively and intelligent primates. Watch them play, feed, and interact in their natural habitat—a truly unforgettable moment.

In the afternoon, enjoy the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 160-meter suspended bridge that offers sweeping views over the treetops and lush valleys.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 7: Nyungwe – Drive to Lake Kivu (Kibuye)

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes. The road winds through lush hills and tea plantations, offering magnificent views along the way.

Arrive in Kibuye and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kivu, visiting Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island. The rest of the day is free to unwind by the lakeside.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Cormoran Lodge / Cleve Hotel Kibuye

• Mid-range: Moriah Hill Resort

Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Embark on a sunrise game drive through Queen Elizabeth’s vast savannah, home to leopards, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs. In the afternoon, cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. Witness one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa and marvel at elephants bathing on the shores.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your safari—mountain gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting out into the rainforest with experienced rangers.

Trekking can take between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once you find them, spend a magical one hour observing and photographing these gentle giants as they interact and feed in the wild.

Return to your lodge for a well-earned rest and a soothing evening by the fireplace.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge / Bisate Lodge

• Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 10: Golden Monkey Tracking & Twin Lakes Visit

After breakfast, set off for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. These rare primates, with their playful nature and striking golden coats, are a joy to watch as they leap through the bamboo forests.

In the afternoon, visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for a scenic boat ride and local cultural encounters with fishermen and farmers living along the lake shores.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Virunga Lodge / Singita Kwitonda Lodge

• Mid-range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Volcanoes – Drive Back to Kigali & Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali, stopping for scenic viewpoints and local markets along the way. Depending on your flight time, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.

Your 11 Days Rwanda Big Five & Primates Safari ends with memories of thrilling wildlife encounters, lush landscapes, and the genuine warmth of Rwandan hospitality.