8 Days Rwanda Wildlife & Primate Discovery – Akagera, Lake Kivu & Nyungwe Rainforest

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you’ll be met by your guide. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a short Kigali city orientation, visiting craft markets, art galleries, or the Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda’s resilient past. Afterward, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Kigali for the eastern border of Rwanda where Akagera National Park lies—an area of stunning open plains, woodlands, and lakes. Check in at your lodge, enjoy lunch, then set off for an afternoon game drive in the park’s southern area. Spot giraffes, zebras, impalas, and herds of buffaloes against the backdrop of rolling savannah. Return to the lodge for dinner.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, offering views of hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species including fish eagles and herons. Return to your lodge for a quiet evening.

Today is a full day of wildlife exploration. Start early and journey north through Akagera’s vast ecosystem, home to the Big Five. Along the way, you may encounter elephants roaming the plains, lions hunting in the grass, and rhinos grazing in the bush. Break for a picnic lunch inside the park.

Leave Akagera behind and begin a cross-country journey west to Kibuye, a peaceful lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive is scenic and rewarding, passing lush hills, local villages, and winding mountain roads. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your lakeside lodge. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakefront, take a dip in the water, or relax by the sunset with fresh local food.

This morning, take a relaxing boat trip on Lake Kivu. Visit nearby islands such as Napoleon Island or Peace Island, and stop at a lakeside coffee plantation where you’ll learn about Rwanda’s coffee production, from bean to cup. The rest of the day is free to relax or enjoy optional kayaking, biking, or cultural visits in Kibuye.

After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and a hotspot for biodiversity. En route, enjoy views of rolling tea plantations and forested hills. Upon arrival, stretch your legs with a guided walk to Isumo Waterfall, a lovely hike offering chances to see birds, monkeys, and vibrant vegetation. Check in to your forest lodge and enjoy dinner surrounded by jungle sounds.

Rise early for a chimpanzee trekking adventure. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll venture into the rainforest to track down one of Nyungwe’s habituated chimpanzee families. Watch as they swing from trees, groom each other, and forage in the undergrowth—a truly memorable wildlife experience.

Later in the day, embark on the canopy walkway, suspended 50 meters above the forest floor. Enjoy expansive views of treetops and valleys while spotting birds and primates from above. Return to your lodge for a final night under the stars.

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali, passing through beautiful countryside dotted with tea fields and local markets. Arrive in Kigali in time for your flight or hotel drop-off. Optional stops can be made for lunch, souvenirs, or additional cultural visits. End of tour.