5 Days Rwanda Wildlife & Primate Safari – Akagera & Nyungwe National Parks

After breakfast in Kigali, your guide will drive you to Akagera National Park, a scenic 2.5-hour journey through Rwanda’s rural countryside. Arrive in time for lunch and a brief rest at your lodge, nestled within or just outside the park’s southern gate. In the late afternoon, embark on a sunset game drive through the park’s gently rolling hills, home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and abundant birdlife. The soft light of dusk creates the perfect setting for photography and game viewing.

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive through Akagera’s savannah plains and woodland. The northern sector is especially rich in wildlife, with increasing chances of spotting lions, rhinos, and leopards. You’ll also encounter herds of buffaloes, topis, and elands grazing across the open grasslands.

After a picnic lunch in the bush, drive south and enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and bird colonies thrive along the papyrus-lined banks. Evening transfer to Kigali for Overnight.

After breakfast, begin a scenic road trip south to Nyungwe National Park, passing tea plantations, small towns, and forested hills. It’s a long but beautiful drive (approx. 6–7 hours), with options to stop at Nyanza King’s Palace Museum or Huye Ethnographic Museum along the way—excellent opportunities to absorb Rwanda’s cultural history.

Arrive in Nyungwe by evening, check into your forest lodge, and enjoy a warm dinner surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Rise early and meet your ranger guide for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Nyungwe Forest is home to over 500 chimps, and tracking them through dense vegetation is a thrilling adventure. Once located, spend up to an hour watching their social play, grooming rituals, and energetic behavior.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest, then head out on an afternoon nature walk along one of the park’s scenic trails. You’ll discover waterfalls, orchids, and possibly spot colobus monkeys or forest birds along the way.

After breakfast, take on the canopy walk, one of Nyungwe’s signature attractions. Suspended 50 meters above the forest floor, the hanging bridge offers panoramic views of the jungle treetops and distant mountains. It’s a great chance to spot birds and monkeys from a completely different perspective.

After the canopy adventure, begin your return journey to Kigali. Depending on your flight time or preference, your guide can arrange optional stops or a drop-off at your hotel or airport. End of tour.