This 7 Days Rwanda safari focuses on wildlife viewing and primate experiences including gorilla trekking which is Rwanda’s major safari highlight at a more relaxed pace. The tour includes visits to Akagera national park, Rwanda’s only savannah park for a thrilling game to see the Big Five and Volcanoes national park for a breathtaking gorilla tracking experience.
It also includes extra activities to spice up your tour including golden monkey tracking, cultural experiences and Kigali city tour. This tour can also be customised according to safari interests, budget and available time of the visitor.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Game drive in Akagera national park
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park
- Cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Kigali City Tour
- Guided nature walk (optional)
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema (optional)
- Dian Fossey Tomb Hike (optional)
- Visit Twin Lakes
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & city tour
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park & afternoon game drive
Day 3: Morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park & relaxation
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park & optional community tour
Day 6: Golden monkey tracking or Dian Fossey Tomb & cultural experience
Day 7: Twin Lakes & departure
Detailed itinerary – 7 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali and city tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be met by your safari driver guide for a transfer to your accommodation in Kigali. After your meal and relaxation, embark on a comprehensive Kigali city tour and visit the city’s key sites which include the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide as well as learning about the country’s history. Other sites to visit include Camp Kigali Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, Kimironko Market and Inema Arts Centre. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park and afternoon game drive
After breakfast, drive to Akagera national park in Eastern Rwanda (2-3 hours drive). Enjoy scenic views along the way including changing landscapes, rolling hills, plantations and local communities. Check into your accommodation inside or near the park for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on thrilling game drive in the park for a chance to see the Big Five including lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos. Other species to encounter include zebras, giraffes, various antelope species as well as abundant birdlife. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation in Akagera.
Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
After early breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the park for a chance to see predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. Enjoy an extended game in different sections of the park to encounter more wildlife. After lunch, go for a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema which is located within Akagera national park. This boat trip offers excellent opportunities to see hippos and crocodiles as well as a variety of waterbirds. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park and relaxation
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes national park in northwest Rwanda. Enjoy stunning views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, terraced landscapes and local communities along the way. You may stop for en-route lunch in a local town if you feel like. Arrive and check into your lodge near Volcanoes national park and spend a relaxed evening as you enjoy stunning views of the captivating Virunga Volcanoes. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park and optional community tour
Take early breakfast and head to Kinigi park headquarters to join other trekkers for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. You will also be divided into small groups and assigned a gorilla family to track (maximum of 8 trekkers per gorilla family). Head into the forest led by experienced guides and rangers searching for your allocated gorilla family.
The duration for this trek may vary from 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas in the forest. Upon finding them, spend the magical hour in their presence as you observe how they feed, play and rest in their natural habitat. The experience before gorillas is truly magical and unforgettable.
At the end of the hour, trek back to park headquarters to be transferred back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the late afternoon, you may opt to stay at your lodge and relax or go for a brief community tour to interact with the local community and explore the surroundings of Volcanoes national park. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 6: Golden monkey tracking or Dian Fossey grave hike and cultural experience
After breakfast, you may choose to go back to Volcanoes national park for more primate experience but this time visiting the playful and active golden monkeys. The golden monkey trek is shorter and less tenacious than gorilla trekking.
Alternatively, you may decide to go for the Dian Fossey Tomb hike which is more tenacious and longer. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated her life to protect mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains. You will learn more about her and the history of gorilla conservation while on this hike.
In the afternoon, go for a thrilling cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village). Here you will be entertained with Rwanda’s traditional dances and songs as well as learning about the country’s history and traditions. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 7: Visiting Twin Lakes and departure
After breakfast, embark on a scenic excursion of the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo located at the base of Mount Karisimbi. Enjoy the Lakes’ stunning views as well as learning about their legends. You may also take boat ride for further exploration of the Lakes’ beauty and wonders.
After lunch, transfer back to Kigali for an overnight stay at your booked hotel or to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time for last-minute souvenir shopping or more Kigali city tour experience.
Important considerations for the 7 Days Rwanda safari
Gorilla permits should be booked and secured at least 6 months in advance due to are high demand and conservation regulations. Rwanda’s gorilla permit cost $1,500 per person while the golden monkey tracking permit cost $100 per person.
The best season for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is the dry period between June to September and December to February. This is because the trails are drier and easier to trek while gorillas also tend to move freely in the forest hence easy to find. However, gorilla trekking tours and other wildlife safaris in Rwanda take place throughout the year.
Some of the important gear to pack for a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda include sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, and a camera with extra batteries. Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding and therefore you need a reasonable level of fitness to hike through dense montane rainforests. The minimum age allowed for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is 15 years.