10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari
Rwanda’s stunning landscapes, resilient spirit, and remarkable biodiversity make it one of Africa’s most rewarding destinations. This 10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari offers a carefully curated blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and historical reflection, designed for travelers seeking a deeper connection with the soul of the country. You’ll track mountain gorillas in misty volcanoes, encounter chimpanzees in ancient rainforests, and witness the majestic Big Five on game drives through Akagera’s scenic savannahs. But the experience doesn’t stop with nature.
You’ll also walk through Rwanda’s past and present—visiting the poignant Kigali Genocide Memorial, learning about pre-colonial royalty at Nyanza’s King’s Palace, and spending time in the Bigogwe community to experience traditional pastoralist life. From vibrant Kigali to remote forests and lakefront villages, this is a journey through Rwanda’s heart—its wildlife, its people, and its incredible story of transformation.
10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Big Five Safari in Akagera National Park
- Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Scenic Bisoke Crater Hike
- Bigogwe Cultural Experience
- Relaxation & Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest - Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
- Ethnographic Museum Visit in Huye
- Royal History at Nyanza King’s Palace
- Insightful Cultural Encounters
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Evening Game Drive
Begin your 10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari with an early morning pickup in Kigali and transfer to Rwanda’s only savanna park—Akagera National Park. The drive offers scenic views of the Rwandan countryside. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, followed by a late afternoon sunset game drive. Akagera is now home to all of the Big Five, and the chances of spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and hippos are high. Enjoy your first African sunset over the acacia-dotted plains.
Day 2: Full Day Safari in Akagera National Park
Rise early for a full-day game drive exploring the northern plains of Akagera. This is the best opportunity to see the Big Five in Rwanda, including lions and rhinos recently reintroduced as part of conservation efforts. Traverse through a variety of landscapes—rolling grasslands, lakes, and swamps—and keep your camera ready for sightings of buffalo, antelope, baboons, and crocodiles. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch at one of the scenic lakeshores before continuing your safari. Return to your lodge for dinner and a restful night under the stars.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Relaxing Afternoon
After breakfast, depart Akagera and head northwest towards Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful countryside with terraced hills and rural communities. Arrive at your lodge in Musanze by late afternoon, with time to unwind, enjoy the mountain views, and prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your trip—a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. After a briefing at the park headquarters, hike into the forest in search of one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek can range from easy to challenging depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is a profound and unforgettable one-hour encounter with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Spend your afternoon at leisure or visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for a deeper understanding of conservation efforts.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking – Twin Lakes Excursion
Return to the park this morning for golden monkey trekking, a lively and playful species found only in the Virunga region. The trek is easier than gorilla trekking and just as delightful. In the afternoon, take a scenic drive to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Enjoy a tranquil boat ride, local village interaction, and breathtaking views of the volcanoes mirrored in the lakes.
Day 6: Bigogwe Cultural Experience – Transfer to Lake Kivu
Today offers deep cultural immersion as you visit the Bigogwe community, a proud custodian of Rwanda’s pastoral traditions. Set against the backdrop of misty hills and rolling pastures, the Bigogwe people showcase a way of life centered on cattle rearing. You’ll participate in early morning milking ceremonies, witness the art of butter churning using traditional gourds, and take part in cattle herding demonstrations guided by local herdsmen dressed in traditional attire.
Day 7: Lake Kivu – Boat Cruise and Relaxation
Wake up to the soothing sounds of water lapping the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and a sparkling jewel nestled amid rolling hills. After breakfast, embark on a scenic boat cruise across the tranquil waters, offering up-close views of lush, green islands and fishing communities that dot the lake’s edge. Cruise to Napoleon Island—named for its shape resembling Napoleon’s hat—where you may take a gentle hike to the summit, often rewarded with views of fruit bats roosting in trees and panoramic lake vistas. You may also visit local fishing villages, gaining insight into traditional fishing methods and everyday lakeside life.
Return to your lodge for lunch and spend your afternoon unwinding. You can lounge on the deck, enjoy a refreshing swim, or participate in optional water sports like kayaking. Lake Kivu’s peaceful ambiance and cool breezes provide the perfect atmosphere for reflection. As the day closes, savor a candlelit lakeside dinner while watching the sun sink into the water in a blaze of orange and gold—a magical finale to your stay on the lake.
Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, depart Karongi and journey southwest along the legendary Congo-Nile Divide road. This scenic drive is one of the most beautiful routes in Rwanda, winding through misty hills, forested slopes, and sweeping valleys blanketed in tea plantations. Along the way, enjoy impromptu stops for photos and local interactions, capturing the charm of Rwandan rural life.
Arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park by midday and check into your lodge, nestled at the edge of one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. After lunch, enjoy a peaceful afternoon at leisure with views of the forest canopy or take an optional guided nature walk. The walk introduces you to the forest’s extraordinary biodiversity, home to over 13 species of primates, colorful orchids, and nearly 300 bird species. With cool mountain air and rich greenery all around, Nyungwe sets the stage for your next adventure.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
Today’s adventure of 10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari begins before sunrise as you head deep into Nyungwe for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by expert rangers and trackers, you’ll follow the rustles and calls echoing through the rainforest to find families of wild chimpanzees. Witnessing these intelligent primates in their natural environment—swinging through trees, grooming, and playing—is a humbling and moving experience, often described as one of the most intimate wildlife encounters in Africa.
After lunch and some rest, set out for the iconic Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 90-meter-long suspension bridge hanging over 50 meters above the forest floor. As you walk across, you’re treated to a bird’s-eye view of the lush canopy, where monkeys leap between branches and birds call from the treetops. The mix of adrenaline and awe as you peer down into the dense jungle is unforgettable, making this a fitting highlight to conclude your time in Nyungwe.
Day 10: Ethnographic Museum & Nyanza King’s Palace – Return to Kigali
On your final day of 10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari, travel northeast toward Kigali, but not before a rich dive into Rwanda’s cultural heritage. Your first stop is in Huye (formerly Butare), where you’ll visit the Ethnographic Museum—widely regarded as the best museum in East Africa. Here, you’ll explore an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing Rwanda’s traditional lifestyles, craftsmanship, musical instruments, agricultural tools, and spiritual beliefs. It’s an immersive experience that brings Rwanda’s history and identity into sharp focus.
Continue to Nyanza, the former royal capital, to visit the King’s Palace Museum. Here, a beautifully reconstructed thatched palace stands beside the modern 20th-century royal residence. Learn about Rwanda’s monarchic past, rituals of kingship, and the symbolism behind royal regalia. Don’t miss the sight of the Inyambo—long-horned royal cows—who are trained to respond to songs and exhibit a stately elegance.
After lunch in Nyanza, continue to Kigali, arriving by late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or airport. Reflect on an extraordinary10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari filled with rare wildlife encounters, cultural revelations, and the welcoming spirit of Rwanda’s people.
End Of 10 Days Amazing Rwanda Safari