9 days Rwanda safari that takes you through the country’s most spectacular national parks—Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park. This journey combines chimpanzee trekking, gorilla encounters, golden monkey tracking, game drives, and a scenic boat safari on Lake Ihema, offering an all-encompassing wildlife and nature experience.
Discover Rwanda’s rolling hills, lush forests, diverse wildlife, and rich culture, making this adventure truly unique. Whether you’re an avid primate lover, a wildlife enthusiast, or a nature explorer, this safari is designed to provide the best of Rwanda in a single trip.
9 days Rwanda safariTour Highlights
✅ Explore Kigali City, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial
✅ Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
✅ Canopy walk adventure in Nyungwe Forest, the highest in East Africa
✅ Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
✅ Golden monkey trekking or Bisoke Mountain hike
✅ Boat safari on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds
✅ Game drives in Akagera National Park, home to the Big Five
✅ Stunning scenic drives through Rwanda’s rolling hills and landscapes
Detailed 9 Days Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your safari guide who will warmly welcome you and provide a briefing about the trip. You will then embark on a short city tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and cultural centers. Afterward, enjoy lunch before transferring to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali
Mid-range: Hotel Chez Lando
Budget: Iris Guest House
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park, a 4-5 hour scenic drive through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside. Along the way, you may stop at ethnographic museums and tea plantations for a brief cultural experience. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax in the evening.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Start your day early with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest. This exhilarating experience involves tracking these lively primates through dense tropical rainforest, where you will observe their fascinating behaviors.
After lunch, embark on a canopy walk adventure, the highest in East Africa, offering breathtaking aerial views of the rainforest and wildlife below. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing for Volcanoes National Park, a 5-6 hour scenic drive through Rwanda’s iconic rolling hills and lush landscapes. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the next day.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Solution Lodge
Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. The trek, led by expert rangers, takes you through lush bamboo forests and volcanic terrain in search of a mountain gorilla family. Once found, you will spend one hour observing and photographing these magnificent primates before trekking back.
Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking or Mount Bisoke Hike
Option 1: Golden Monkey Trekking – Hike through Volcanoes National Park to track the playful and rare golden monkeys, a unique species endemic to the Virunga Mountains.
Option 2: Mount Bisoke Hike – Embark on a full-day hike up Mount Bisoke, an extinct volcano with a stunning crater lake at the summit.
After your activity, return to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Drive to Akagera National Park & Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
After breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a scenic boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Half-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Start the day with a morning game drive, exploring the savannah landscapes in search of lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and more. The game drive lasts around 4-5 hours, after which you return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Optional: An evening nature walk or cultural visit.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Return to Kigali & Departure
On the last day of your safari, enjoy breakfast at leisure before driving back to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. If time allows, stop by Kigali’s craft markets for souvenir shopping before heading to the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of 9 Days Rwanda Safari
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