This 8 Days Rwanda safari combines breathtaking primate encounters like gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing and thrilling cultural experiences albeit at a more relaxed pace. The tour includes visits to Volcanoes national park and Akagera national park to maximise primate and wildlife viewing experiences. In addition to gorilla tracking and game viewing, this safari also includes golden monkey tracking, cultural experiences, a city tour, boat cruise and more.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Game drive in Akagera national park
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park
- Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
- Cultural experience at Gorilla Guardian Village
- Boat cruise in Akagera national park
- Kigali City Tour
- Visiting the Twin Lakes
- Nature walk
- Musanze Caves exploration
Trip Summary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & City Tour
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park & afternoon game drive
Day 3: Akagera full day game drive & wildlife activities
Day 4: Boat cruise on Lake Ihema & transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 5: Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park
Day 6: Golden monkey tracking & Musanze Caves
Day 7: Dian Fossey Hike & cultural experience
Day 8: Twin Lakes & departure
Detailed itinerary – 8 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), meet your driver guide for a transfer to your accommodation in Kigali. After checking in and relaxing, embark on a thrilling Kigali City Tour and explore key sites including the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and learn more about the country’s history. Other key sites to visit include Kimironko Market, Inema Arts Centre and Camp Kigali Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park and afternoon game drive
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Akagera national park in the eastern part of Rwanda (2-3 hours drive). The drive takes you through stunning views of rolling hills, plantations and local communities. Arrive and check into your lodge near Akagera national park and enjoy your lunch.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive, for a chance to see the Big Five in Rwanda including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos. Other species you will encounter include giraffes, zebras, various antelopes and abundant birdlife. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Akagera.
Day 3: Akagera full day game drive and wildlife activities
Enjoy a full day exploration of Akagera national park with an extended game drive to encounter more wildlife in the park including spotting predators like lions and hyenas in the morning.
In the afternoon, you may opt to go for another game drive in a different section of the park or a guided nature walk to explore the smaller wildlife, birds and the park’s diverse ecosystems. You may also consider an optional night game drive for a chance to see nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation in Akagera.
Day 4: Boat cruise on Lake Ihema and transfer to Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, take relaxing boat trip on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in Akagera national park. The cruise offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and a close encounter with crocodiles and hippos.
After lunch, embark on another scenic drive to Volcanoes national park with stunning views of terraced hills, plantations and local communities along the way (4-5 hours drive). Check into your accommodation near the park, relax and enjoy your dinner and overnight as you prepare for the gorilla trekking adventure in the morning.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
After early breakfast, head to Kinigi park headquarters to join other visitors for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. You will also be divided into small groups and assigned a habituated gorilla group to track (maximum of 8 trekkers per gorilla group). Head into the jungle led by experienced guides and rangers to look for the gorillas.
The duration for the trek may vary from 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas. Upon finding them, you will spend the one permitted magical hour in their presence observing how they go about their routine in their natural habitat in a truly unforgettable experience. Head back to the park headquarters for a transfer to your accommodation to relax and refresh.
Day 6: Golden monkey tracking and Musanze Caves
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes national park for another primate encounter, golden monkey tracking. This trek is less tenacious and shorter than gorilla trekking. Meet these playful and beautiful primates in the bamboo forests and enjoy observing their lively behaviour.
Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation after the scintillating encounter with the golden monkeys. In the afternoon, visit the famous Musanze Caves, a network of underground tunnels formed through volcanic activity. The caves offer an interesting geological and historical experience. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 7: Dian Fossey Hike and cultural experience
After breakfast, embark on a significant Dian Fossey Tomb Hike in the heart of Volcanoes national park. Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated her life to gorilla protection in the Virunga Mountains. This hike offers an opportunity to learn more about her conservation work and the history of gorilla research and protection.
After your lunch, visit the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village) for a thrilling cultural experience. Enjoy a deeper immersion into Rwandan culture as you watch traditional dance, music, storytelling as well as taking part in craft making. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Day 8: Twin Lakes and Departure
after breakfast, go for a scenic excursion at the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Enjoy the stunning views of the Lakes, learn about their amazing history and perhaps take a boat ride to explore more. After lunch, drive back to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute souvenirs shopping in Kigali.
Important considerations for the 8 Days Rwanda safari
Gorilla permits and golden monkey permits should be booked and secured at least 6 months in advance through a credible tour operator. Rwanda’s gorilla permit cost $1,500 per person while a golden monkey permit is at $100 per person.
The best season for gorilla tracking and other wildlife safaris 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.
Your tour operator will also cater for your transport, accommodation and guiding services. Ensure to communicate to your operator in case you have any health concerns that may require special attention.
Some of the most 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.