8 Days Rwanda Trekking and Wildlife Safari

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing by experienced park rangers. You will learn about gorilla trekking regulations, safety guidelines and conservation practices before beginning your guided adventure through the beautiful forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains.

Your mountain gorilla trekking experience takes you through bamboo forests, thick vegetation and scenic mountain trails in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing their feeding habits, resting moments, playful youngsters and family interactions. The trek can take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location and forest conditions.

After the experience, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Spend the afternoon enjoying the peaceful mountain atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and comfortable lodge facilities while reflecting on one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife encounters.

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. Following a briefing from the park rangers, enter the beautiful bamboo forests in search of these colourful and energetic primates. Golden monkeys are known for their distinctive golden-orange fur, playful behaviour and remarkable movements through the vegetation, making them fascinating subjects for wildlife photography.

After golden monkey trekking, begin your scenic road transfer towards Lake Kivu in Karongi. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful western landscapes, with rolling hills, rural communities and impressive lake views along the way. Enjoy lunch during the journey before continuing towards your lakeside accommodation.

Upon arrival in Karongi, check in at your selected lakeside lodge and spend the remainder of the day relaxing beside Lake Kivu. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful waterfront scenery and refreshing surroundings after your mountain gorilla and golden monkey adventures.

After breakfast, enjoy the beautiful morning atmosphere around Lake Kivu before checking out and beginning your scenic journey towards Nyungwe National Park. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, passing green hills, tea plantations, local communities and stunning landscapes as you approach one of Africa’s oldest mountain rainforests.

Upon arrival in Nyungwe, enjoy an exciting afternoon canopy walk, subject to your confirmed activity schedule. This guided adventure takes you along a forest trail to a suspended walkway high above the rainforest floor. From the bridge, you can admire spectacular views of the forest canopy, surrounding valleys and beautiful vegetation while listening to birds and other forest wildlife.

After the canopy walk, transfer to Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or your selected accommodation for check-in and relaxation. Spend the evening enjoying the beautiful forest surroundings and preparing for the following morning’s chimpanzee trekking experience.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the designated Nyungwe Forest briefing point for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides and trackers, enter the rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees. Nyungwe is famous for its rich primate diversity, beautiful forest scenery and exceptional birdlife, making it one of Rwanda’s most rewarding wildlife destinations.

During your trek, you will follow forest trails while listening for chimpanzee calls and observing signs of their movement through the vegetation. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have an opportunity to watch their feeding, grooming, social interactions and movement through the forest, following the park’s permitted viewing rules. The experience offers an exciting opportunity to learn about chimpanzee behaviour and rainforest conservation.

After trekking, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Spend the afternoon enjoying the peaceful surroundings, panoramic views and fresh mountain air. You may relax at the lodge or simply appreciate the beautiful rainforest atmosphere before dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey from Nyungwe National Park to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s famous Big Five wildlife destination. Today’s drive takes you across beautiful countryside, passing rolling hills, agricultural landscapes, local towns and scenic viewpoints as you travel eastwards through Rwanda.

The journey passes through the Kigali region before continuing towards Akagera National Park. Enjoy lunch and refreshments along the way as the scenery gradually changes from Nyungwe’s forested highlands to the open savannah landscapes of eastern Rwanda. This is the longest road transfer of your safari, so the day is dedicated primarily to travel.

Upon arrival in the southern Akagera area, check in at Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge or similar accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying dinner and preparing for the following day’s exciting Big Five wildlife adventure.

After an early breakfast, begin a full-day wildlife game drive in Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination. Accompanied by your experienced safari driver-guide, explore the park’s beautiful grasslands, acacia woodlands, rolling hills and scenic lakes in search of Africa’s famous Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceroses.

As you explore the wildlife-rich areas of the park, particularly the open northern plains, you may also encounter giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, elands, warthogs and numerous bird species. Your guide will help you identify wildlife, understand animal behaviour and explore suitable viewing areas. Enjoy a packed lunch at a designated location before continuing your game drive through Akagera’s spectacular landscapes. Although all Big Five species live in the park, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Later in the afternoon, return to your lodge in southern Akagera for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Enjoy the peaceful wilderness atmosphere as you prepare for your final wildlife experience on Lake Ihema the following morning.

After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning boat safari on Lake Ihema, one of the most beautiful wildlife experiences in Akagera National Park. The boat cruise takes you along the lake’s scenic shoreline, offering opportunities to observe large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, waterbirds and other wildlife inhabiting the surrounding wetlands.

During the cruise, you may encounter African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and other bird species while admiring the peaceful scenery of Lake Ihema. This relaxing water-based adventure provides a wonderful conclusion to your safari, complementing the previous day’s exciting game drives. The morning departure will be arranged in advance according to the available boat schedule.

After the boat safari, check out of your lodge and begin the scenic road journey back to Kigali. Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to Kigali International Airport or your preferred hotel, depending on your onward travel arrangements.

Your 8 Days Rwanda Trekking and Wildlife Safari ends with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe’s rainforest canopy and the spectacular wildlife of Akagera National Park.