9-Day Rwanda Gorilla Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Your Hotel

   Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide from Safari 2 Gorilla Tours. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kigali for check-in and relaxation after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy some leisure time at the hotel or explore the surrounding area independently. Your guide will brief you about the upcoming safari and provide any essential travel information.
   Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines or similar.

2. Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park

   After breakfast, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour, discovering Rwanda’s capital, its vibrant culture, and its remarkable transformation. Depending on your interests, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and other notable landmarks. After the city tour, depart for Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. The journey introduces you to Rwanda’s beautiful countryside and rural communities. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax in preparation for your wildlife adventure.
   Accommodation: The Salt of Akagera or similar.

3. Day 3: Boat Cruise and Full Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park

   Begin your day with a 7:30 AM boat cruise on Lake Ihema, offering opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds along the shores. After the cruise, embark on a full-day game drive through Akagera National Park’s diverse landscapes, including open savannah, woodland, and wetlands. Look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and, with luck, lions and leopards. Your guide will help you spot wildlife and explain the park’s unique ecosystem.
   Accommodation: The Salt of Akagera or similar.

4. Day 4: Transfer from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park

   After breakfast, depart Akagera National Park and travel southwest towards Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests. Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural communities along the way. This is a long transfer, so comfortable clothing and occasional rest stops are recommended. Arrive at your accommodation near Nyungwe, check in, and relax. Your guide will brief you on the following day’s chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk activities.
   Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or similar.

5. Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk

   Rise early for a memorable chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park. Accompanied by experienced park guides, venture into the rainforest in search of chimpanzees and observe their behaviour in their natural habitat. After your trek, enjoy the spectacular canopy walk, suspended high above the forest floor and offering panoramic views of the lush vegetation and surrounding hills. Nyungwe is also home to numerous monkey species, butterflies, and forest birds, making this an exceptional day for nature enthusiasts.
   Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or similar

6. Day 6: Transfer from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park

   After an early breakfast, depart Nyungwe National Park and travel north towards Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains region. Enjoy the changing scenery as you pass through picturesque countryside, cultivated hills, and traditional villages. The journey takes several hours, with breaks along the way. Upon arrival near Volcanoes National Park, check in at your lodge and relax. Your guide will explain the arrangements for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking, including the early start and recommended trekking equipment.
   Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar

7. Day 7:  Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

   After an early breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by the park authorities. You will then join a guided trek through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend a strictly regulated one hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge afterward to relax and reflect on this extraordinary wildlife encounter.
   Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar.

8. Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Kigali

   After breakfast, travel to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your golden monkey trekking adventure. Explore the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park in search of these lively and endangered primates, known for their playful behaviour and distinctive golden-orange markings. Following the trek, return to your lodge, collect your belongings, and transfer to Kigali. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Rwanda.
   Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines or similar.

9. Day 9: Departure from Kigali

   Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, depending on your flight schedule. At the agreed time, your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. If your departure is later in the day, there may be time for additional relaxation or optional activities, subject to your schedule and flight requirements. This brings your 9-day Rwanda wildlife and primate safari to an end. Safari 2 Gorilla Tours thanks you for travelling with us and wishes you a safe onward journey.