9 Days Rwanda Safari: Nyungwe Chimps, Volcanoes Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & Akagera Wildlife

Safari Overview

This immersive 9-days Rwanda safari is designed for travelers seeking authentic primate encounters, breathtaking scenery, cultural depth, and classic African wildlife. The journey begins in the lush montane rainforests of Nyungwe National Park, home to chimpanzees and rich biodiversity. You then travel north to Volcanoes National Park for unforgettable encounters with endangered mountain gorillas and playful golden monkeys, set against the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes.

The safari concludes in Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park, where rolling plains, lakes, and woodlands offer rewarding game drives and boat safaris. Along the way, you’ll experience Rwanda’s cultural heritage, coffee and tea traditions, conservation history, and modern city life—making this a well-balanced and enriching safari experience.

Detailed 9-days Rwanda safari

Day 1: Kigali – Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, depart Kigali at 8:30 am from you’ Hotel and begin your scenic drive to southern Rwanda.
En route, enjoy culturally enriching stops including the Nyanza King’s Palace Museum and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, offering deep insight into Rwanda’s royal and traditional history. Lunch is taken in Huye town, followed by a Huye Mountain Coffee experience, where you learn about Rwanda’s world-class coffee production.
A meaningful visit to the Murambi Genocide Memorial concludes the day before continuing to Nyungwe.

Overnight: Nyungwe Eco Village
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Tea Plantation Experience

Rise early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience. Depart at 4:00 am for Uwinka Visitor Centre to check in before entering Nyungwe Forest. Accompanied by expert guides, track chimpanzees through dense rainforest while encountering other primates and birdlife.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, visit a local tea factory and take a guided walk through the scenic tea plantations, learning about Rwanda’s tea industry.

Overnight: Nyungwe Eco Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Canopy Walk, Mahogany Trail & Transfer to Volcanoes

After breakfast, transfer to Uwinka Visitor Centre for the Mahogany Trail hike combined with the thrilling canopy walk. Suspended above the forest floor, the canopy walk offers spectacular views of the rainforest and surrounding hills.
In the afternoon, depart Nyungwe and drive northwards to Volcanoes National Park, passing through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside.

Overnight: Kinigi Cottage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Twin Lakes & Dian Fossey Research Center

This morning is dedicated to exploring the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Enjoy a relaxed nature walk while taking in views of deep blue waters framed by steep hills and the Virunga Volcanoes.
In the afternoon, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Research Center & Museum (Ellen DeGeneres Campus) to learn about gorilla conservation and the legacy of Dian Fossey.

Overnight: Kinigi Cottage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience

An early start takes you to the park headquarters for briefing before embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience (easy group). Trek through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes until you encounter a habituated gorilla family, spending a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat.
After the trek, enjoy a cultural visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village, followed by lunch in Musanze town.

Overnight: Kinigi Cottage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. These energetic primates are found in the bamboo forest and offer a lively and photogenic experience.
The afternoon is at leisure or you may opt to visit the Musanze caves for an additional adventure.

Overnight: Kinigi Cottage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Volcanoes – Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive east to Akagera National Park (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, complete park formalities and check in at your lodge.
In the afternoon, choose to relax or take a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds are commonly seen.

Overnight: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera

Enjoy an early morning game drive through Akagera’s diverse habitats. The park is home to elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. Lions and rhinos have been reintroduced and may be spotted with some luck.
The game drive lasts approximately 6 hours, with stops for photography and wildlife viewing.

Overnight: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Akagera – Kigali City Tour

After a relaxed breakfast, take a guided nature walk and visit nearby fishing villages. Later, return to Kigali for lunch and a guided city tour, including visits to modern neighborhoods, optional Presidential Museum, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Drop-off at your preferred hotel.

Overnight: Blue Veil Villa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
End of our 9-days Rwanda safari