12 Days Rwanda Primates, Big Five & Scenic Nature Safari – Gorillas, Chimps & Savannah

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your private guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, explore Kigali with optional visits to local art centers or markets. Overnight stay in Kigali.

After breakfast, drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only Big Five reserve. The drive takes around 2.5 hours through rolling countryside. Check in at your lodge, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park’s southern section, spotting zebras, giraffes, and antelope. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Set out early for a full-day safari. Travel to the northern plains, known for excellent wildlife sightings, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, and rhinos. Stop for a picnic lunch in the wild before continuing your exploration. Return by sunset to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Start the day with a boat safari on Lake Ihema, offering a peaceful view of hippos, crocodiles, and countless birds. Afterward, return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and drive back to Kigali. Overnight stay in Kigali.

After breakfast, head north to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The 2.5-hour drive offers dramatic views of the Virunga Mountains. En route, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions, music, and community life. Arrive at your lodge near the park and relax for the evening.

Today is the highlight of your trip—gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, attend a briefing at the park headquarters, then hike through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Once found, you’ll spend one hour observing their behavior in the wild—an emotional and unforgettable moment. After the trek, return to your lodge to rest and reflect.

This morning, choose between a golden monkey trek in Volcanoes NP or a guided nature walk around the park’s forest edge. After the activity, drive west to Lake Kivu – Kibuye, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, for a scenic and restful retreat. Check into your lakeside lodge and enjoy the calm evening.

Enjoy a leisurely boat ride across Lake Kivu, stopping at peaceful islands like Napoleon or Peace Island. Visit a local coffee plantation and discover Rwanda’s coffee process from bean to cup. The afternoon is free for swimming, kayaking, or relaxing at the lodge.

After breakfast, drive south to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, visit the Gisovu Tea Estate, where you can walk through tea fields and enjoy a tasting session with panoramic views. Arrive in Nyungwe by afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy the serene rainforest surroundings.

Wake up early and head into the dense jungle with a ranger for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Track a group of wild chimps, and spend up to an hour watching them play, forage, and interact in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for lunch and a quiet afternoon at your leisure.

This morning, take on Nyungwe’s iconic canopy walk, suspended 50 meters above the forest floor, with sweeping views of treetops and birdlife. Later, enjoy a guided hike to Isumo Waterfall, passing through fern-covered paths, orchids, and monkey-filled trees. Return to your lodge for your final night in the forest.

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali (approx. 6 hours), with scenic stops along the way. If time allows, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza or grab souvenirs at a local market. Your guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.