10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari

Experience a 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari, where you’ll see the country’s beautiful nature and learn about its culture. You will walk through Nyungwe’s old forests to find chimpanzees, see the animals of Akagera National Park’s savanna grasslands, and meet the gentle mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Your trip isn’t just about animals; you will also get to know the local culture by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village and unwind with a boat trip on the beautiful Lake Kivu. Below is a detailed itinerary of this 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari. Remember, all our trips are fully customizable to meet your unique preferences.

10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
• Day 2: Visit Akagera National Park
• Day 3: Full Day Game Drives
• Day 4: Transfer to Kigali and Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Day 5: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
• Day 7: Boat ride on Lake Kivu
• Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Day 10: Drive to Kigali

Detailed 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari driver/guide who will drive you to your accommodation for the night.  Relax and unwind as you prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.

• Accommodation: Flame Tree Village
• Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Visit Akagera National Park

After an early breakfast, you will set off for Akagera National Park. This is a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Kigali. Akagera National Park is a 2,500 sq. km savannah park west of the Kagera River. The park has several wildlife species including the big 5(lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, rhinos) and over 500 bird species.

On arrival, you will enjoy a game drive around the park before checking into your accommodation. You will have lunch and then head out for a boat safari on Lake Ihema where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and various birds African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, and many more.

• Accommodation: Akagera Safari Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Full Day Game Drives

You will start your day very early with breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive. This is the best time to spot predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. You will also see a variety of other wildlife, such as Burchell’s zebra, impala, and waterbuck.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch after which you will continue exploring the park’s vast savannah before returning to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Akagera Safari Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Akagera National Park

Day 4: Transfer to Kigali and Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial

After breakfast, you will return to Kigali arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial where over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are buried. The memorial serves as both a museum and an education center offering insights into Rwanda’s history. Afterward, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Flame Tree Village
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Following breakfast, you will head to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. The drive will take about five hours giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenic views of the Rwandan countryside.

Along the way, you will stop at the Royal Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye. These stops will give you a great insight into Rwanda’s history and culture. You will arrive in Nyungwe in the evening and rest at your lodge.

• Accommodation: Emeraulde Kivu
• Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk

After an early breakfast, you will head to the park offices for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee tracking adventure. Accompanied by a 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari guide, you will hike through the dense forest in search of chimps and other primates. During your hike, you might spot some species of monkeys, sometimes in large groups, and many different bird species. Once you find the chimps, you will spend an hour with them before heading back.

After the hike, you will return to the lodge for lunch and then go for a canopy walk in the park. This is a suspended bridge 70 meters above the ground that gives you a unique view of the forest and a chance to see primates high up in the trees. You will then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Emeraulde Kivu
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 7: Boat ride on Lake Kivu

Spend the day leisurely exploring Lake Kivu. You can take a boat ride to visit nearby islands, observe local fishing practices, and interact with island communities. You might also enjoy a nature walk, witnessing the natural beauty and birdlife.

• Accommodation: Emeraude Kivu Resort
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, you will drive to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you will stop at the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan culture. After lunch, continue to the park, where you’ll settle in for the night.

• Accommodation: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

This day promises to be one of the most memorable of your 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. In small groups, you will set off into the dense forest with experienced guides to track a gorilla family. The trek can be challenging, with steep and muddy paths, but the reward is well worth the effort. Upon finding the gorillas, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch as they play, feed, and interact as you gain insight into their daily lives. After this unforgettable encounter, return to the lodge for lunch and then go on an excursion to explore the beautiful twin lakes in the region (Lake Bulera & Ruhondo).

• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
• Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Day 10: Drive to Kigali

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will head out to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a golden monkey trekking experience. The trek will take you through lush forests and scenic landscapes as your experienced 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari guides share their knowledge about the golden monkeys and the park’s diverse ecosystem. Upon finding the golden monkeys, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour observing them. Unlike the gorillas, golden monkeys are playful and quick, often engaging in hide-and-seek games so you might have to follow them around.

Once your trek is complete, you will return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and lunch. In the early afternoon, you will begin your 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari journey back to Kigali and then to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

End of 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari

10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
• All fuel for the 10-Day Classic Rwanda Safari.
• English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
• Accommodation and Meals on Full Board. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
• Park-entrance fees for all National parks
• All activities described in the itinerary.
• 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
• 1 Chimp tracking permit per person
• 1 Golden monkey tracking permit per person.
• Drinking water throughout the safari.

Exclusions

• International airfares.
• Entry visa to Rwanda
• Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
• A porter. (Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.)
• Personal insurance (medical/travel)
• Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
• All expenses of personal nature. (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities.)