This 10 Days safari will explore Rwanda’s national parks and the prime primates which includes chimpanzees Gorillas and Golden Monkeys and other attractions. This safari starts and ends in Kigali.

You will explore the only savanna park-Akagera and experience the big 5, drive south to the King’s Palace in Nyanza and Rwanda national museum for an insight on the history and culture of the Banyarwanda, track chimpanzees in Nyungwe relax and explore Lake Kivu before embarking on the unforgettable gorilla and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park.

Detailed Plan.

Day 1- Arrive through Kigali airport and transfer to Akagera National park.

After breakfast at the hotel and drive through Rwanda’s phenomenal landscapes to Akagera National Park. Relax as you wait for lunch at a pre-booked lodge. After lunch continue with the southern sector game drive along Lake Ihema circuit where myriad of animals can be viewed, including Elephants, Masai Giraffes, Buffaloes, Zebras, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and also many other mammal species.

In the evening, you can relax at the lodge or take evening walks around the hotel where you can see various bird species and make the park colorful. Have dinner and overnight

Day 2-Game drive and boat cruise.

Wake up early in the morning have breakfast, after which you will go for a game drive to search for animals that you may have missed out in the previous game drive. This will be in search for the early risers like the lions, leopard, hyena, striped Jackal. It will also offer you an opportunity to encounter and enjoy to the fullest the variety of wildlife the park to offer. You will return to the lodge for lunch after the drive.

In the afternoon, do a boat cruise on Lake. Ihema which is the largest of all the lakes in the park. The cruise will bring you close the aquatic like in the park like hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife  like African fish Eagle, African Jacana, King fishers among others.

Day 3- Transfer from Akagera N/Park to Butare town.

Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and then depart for Butare town. You will have lunch enroute as you traverse the culture circuit or have a picnic lunch in the outskirts of Kigali.

The drive will take you through panoramic hills and cultivated countryside typical of Rwanda; you will stop along the way to visit the famous King’s Palace in Nyanza, and an art museum at Rwesero.

Take an excursion to the National Museum of Rwanda, providing you with a deeper insight into Rwandan history and culture.

Day 4- Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

After the morning breakfast, proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park and arrive by lunch time. After lunch, you can opt to go for Colobus Monkey trekking and hike through verdant lush forests, endless, green tea fields and take in stunning views of the surroundings or opt for a canopy walk from the ropes suspended above the forest and get the stunning views of the park from the canopy. 

Day 5- Chimpanzee trekking and cultural tour.

Have breakfast enter Nyungwe forest for chimpanzee tracking. Nyungwe Forest is one of the destinations in the world where you can see up to 13 primates’ species; these include chimpanzees, the Blue Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and the Angolan black and white Colobus Monkeys among others.

You be transferred to the tourist information centre and get briefing from the ranger guides about the tracking rules and then enter the Jungle for an amazing trek in search of the man’s closest apes.

When you get to one community you will be allowed an hour with the chimps and later Return to your lodge for lunch and relax at the lodge.
After lunch go for a cultural walk among the local communities where you will be entertained with local dance and drummer, and get to know more about the local cultures.

Day 6- Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu.

Take morning breakfast and drive to Gisenyi town for relaxation, having a captivating feel of a tropical beach resort due to its waterfront and sandy beaches and excellent views of Lake Kivu. After lunch, take a boat cruise on the lake and visit some of the islands on the lake. Upon return you can visit the hot springs and relax at Lake Kivu shores in the evening. 

Day 7- Transfer to Volcanoes national park.

Early morning breakfast and drive to Musanze near Volcanoes national park. Check in at your lodge and later visit Iby’iwachu Cultural Village for an interactive experience, learning all about Rwandan traditions, culture, songs and dance. You can also participate in the local activities and taste local foods and local brew.

During the night you can participate in Gitaramo, a cultural tradition of sharing stories, songs and dances while sitting around a warm fire. 

Day 8- Gorilla Trekking.

Early breakfast and drive to Kinigi head station for a 30 minutes briefing about mountain gorilla tracking etiquettes and guidelines. Tracking gorillas can be very strenuous, tiresome and can last for about 3-6 hours; though meeting and staying with these giant apes is well worth the effort. You will be permitted to stay with a family of gorillas for maximum of 1 hour for observation and photography.

After trekking, drive back to lodge for refreshments and you can take a leisurely walk to Ruhengeri Market, providing endless opportunities to see and purchase local Rwandan fabrics, foods, arts and handicrafts. 

Day 9- Golden Monkeys Trekking and Visit to the Burera and Ruhondo twin lakes.

Have early breakfast at the lodge and drive to the park headquarters for briefing on golden monkey tracking. After briefing enter the forest in search for Golden Monkeys and during the course you will encounter other primates like Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Red tailed monkeys and Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, among others.

The trek will also expose you to excellent birdlife. After trekking, have a brief excursion to the neighborhood of this park, and admire the spectacular views of the twin Lakes; Burera and Ruhondo as well as the Virunga mountain chain.

Day 10-Drive to Kigali and Departure.

Depart for Kigali after breakfast and if time allows, we shall have a city tour in the beautiful and clean Kigali city. Take a tour to 1994 Gisozi Genocide Memorial site; learn about the local arts and crafts, Kigali Museum and get to know the history of Kigali and Rwanda’s pre-colonial, colonial period as well as the colonial masters in Rwanda. After take lunch and your guide will drop you at the airport for departure.