Discover the extraordinary beauty of Rwanda on this 10 Days Rwanda Luxury Wildlife and Primate Safari, an exclusive journey designed for you to experience the country’s most remarkable wildlife encounters, spectacular landscapes, rich cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality. Carefully curated by Silverback Tour, this luxury safari combines unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Big Five wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park, and relaxing experiences along the shores of Lake Kivu. Throughout your journey, you will enjoy personalised service, private transfers, carefully selected luxury accommodation and exceptional opportunities to explore Rwanda at a comfortable pace.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Kigali City Tour
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, a professional Silverback Tour representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your luggage before transferring you to your luxury hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Depending on your arrival time, you will have an opportunity to relax at the hotel, enjoy refreshments and prepare for your Rwandan adventure. Later, embark on a guided Kigali city tour to discover the capital’s remarkable transformation, modern architecture, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural attractions. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s tragic past, its journey towards reconciliation and the remarkable resilience of its people. You may also explore the Kigali Convention Centre, local art galleries and selected craft markets, where you can discover contemporary Rwandan art and traditional handicrafts. For lunch or dinner, enjoy a carefully selected restaurant offering refined Rwandan or international cuisine, followed by an evening of relaxation at your luxury hotel.
Accommodation Options: The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali Serena Hotel, The Pinnacle Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and Afternoon Wildlife Safari
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, one of Rwanda’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. Your private guide will accompany you on the scenic journey through Rwanda’s countryside, passing traditional settlements, cultivated hillsides and beautiful rural landscapes. Upon arrival, check into your luxury safari accommodation, where you can enjoy a freshly prepared lunch and take in the peaceful surroundings before beginning your wildlife adventure. In the afternoon, embark on a guided game drive across the park’s savannah plains, woodland habitats and open grasslands. Keep your camera ready as you search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife, while your experienced guide explains the park’s ecosystems and conservation efforts. Depending on wildlife movements and the season, you may also encounter lions or other predators during your exploration. Return to your lodge for a luxurious dinner, followed by an evening around the campfire or on your private veranda overlooking the wilderness.
Accommodation Options: Wilderness Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Full-Day Big Five Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park
Wake up to the sounds of the African wilderness and enjoy an early breakfast before setting out on an exciting game drive through Akagera National Park. Your private safari guide will help you explore different sections of the park, searching for the Big Five, namely lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinoceroses. Wildlife sightings depend on animal movements and prevailing conditions, but Akagera’s diverse habitats offer excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of species. During the drive, you may encounter large herds of buffaloes, elegant giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, waterbucks and warthogs moving across the plains. Enjoy a picnic breakfast or a packed lunch at an appropriate designated location, or return to your lodge for a more leisurely dining experience, depending on your preferred safari arrangements. In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive or a guided boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you may observe hippos, crocodiles and numerous waterbirds along the shoreline. As the sun sets, return to your luxury lodge for a gourmet dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.
Accommodation Options: Wilderness Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Luxury Mountain Retreat
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing Akagera National Park for the scenic journey to Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda. This transfer takes you through the country’s distinctive countryside, revealing terraced hillsides, traditional villages and spectacular views of the Virunga volcanic range as you approach the Musanze region. Along the way, your guide can arrange selected stops for photography, refreshments or a brief cultural encounter, depending on your interests and travel schedule. Upon arrival near Volcanoes National Park, check into your luxury lodge, where you can enjoy personalised hospitality, beautifully designed accommodation and impressive views of the surrounding mountains. After lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge, taking advantage of its gardens, spa facilities or private outdoor spaces, where available. You may also arrange a guided visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn about traditional Rwandan customs, music, dance and community conservation initiatives. Your guide will brief you on the following day’s gorilla trekking experience, including park regulations, recommended clothing and what to expect during your encounter with mountain gorillas. Enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring to your comfortable suite for a restful night in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains.
Accommodation Options: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Wilderness Bisate Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is one of the most memorable highlights of your luxury Rwanda wildlife and primate safari, as you venture into Volcanoes National Park for an extraordinary mountain gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will transfer you to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing by the park authorities and experienced trackers. You will be assigned to a gorilla family according to the park’s allocation procedures before beginning your guided trek through bamboo forests, dense vegetation and rugged mountain terrain. The duration and difficulty of the trek depend on the location of the gorillas, so a reasonable level of physical fitness and suitable hiking equipment are important. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will have a strictly regulated period of up to one hour to observe these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom one another, play and interact within their family groups, while your guide explains their social behaviour, conservation challenges and the importance of protecting their fragile habitat. Following the trek, return to your lodge for a well-earned lunch and a relaxing afternoon, perhaps enjoying a massage or a quiet moment overlooking the volcanic landscape. In the evening, celebrate this exceptional wildlife encounter with a fine dining experience at your lodge.
Accommodation Options: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Wilderness Bisate Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking and Exclusive Cultural Experiences
After breakfast, prepare for another exciting primate encounter in Volcanoes National Park as you participate in golden monkey tracking. These endangered monkeys inhabit the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains and are known for their striking golden-orange coats, lively movements and social behaviour. Accompanied by experienced park guides, you will follow forest trails in search of a habituated golden monkey troop, observing the animals as they forage, climb bamboo stems and interact within their groups. This experience provides a different perspective on Rwanda’s primate diversity and complements the previous day’s mountain gorilla trekking adventure. After returning to your lodge, enjoy lunch and some time to relax before exploring the surrounding area through a carefully arranged cultural experience. Depending on your interests, you may visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn about traditional architecture, local music, dance and the community’s involvement in conservation. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk through nearby rural landscapes or spend the afternoon unwinding at your lodge’s spa and wellness facilities, where available. In the evening, savour a freshly prepared dinner and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of your luxury mountain retreat.
Accommodation Options: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Wilderness Bisate Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Scenic Transfer to Lake Kivu and Lakeside Relaxation
Following breakfast, leave the Virunga Mountains behind and travel towards Lake Kivu, one of the Great Lakes of Africa and a beautiful destination for relaxation after several days of wildlife exploration. Depending on your selected route and accommodation, you may travel to the lakeside town of Rubavu, also known as Gisenyi, where attractive beaches, waterfront restaurants and scenic viewpoints create an inviting atmosphere. On arrival, check into your luxury lakeside hotel and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake. The afternoon is reserved for relaxation and optional activities tailored to your preferences. You may take a private boat excursion to explore the lake’s shoreline, admire the surrounding hills and observe local fishing communities following their traditional practices. Alternatively, enjoy kayaking in suitable conditions, take a guided lakeside walk or simply relax by the pool with views across the water. Your guide can also arrange a visit to a local coffee cooperative, where you can learn about Rwanda’s coffee-growing traditions and the journey from bean to cup. As evening approaches, enjoy the sunset from your hotel’s terrace before indulging in a carefully prepared dinner featuring fresh regional ingredients and international dishes.
Accommodation Options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park Through Rwanda’s Scenic Highlands
Enjoy breakfast overlooking Lake Kivu before departing for Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of East Africa’s most important montane rainforest ecosystems. The journey takes you through the beautiful landscapes of western Rwanda, where steep hillsides, tea plantations, rural communities and winding roads provide opportunities to appreciate the country’s remarkable scenery. Depending on the route and timing, you may stop at selected viewpoints or visit a tea plantation to learn about the cultivation and processing of one of Rwanda’s important agricultural products. Your private guide will explain the ecological importance of Nyungwe Forest, which supports a remarkable diversity of primates, birds, butterflies and plant species. On arrival near the forest, check into your luxury accommodation and enjoy a leisurely lunch before settling into your surroundings. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge, taking in views of the forest canopy and surrounding tea estates, or participating in a guided nature walk if conditions and your schedule permit. You may also enjoy a tea-tasting experience or a short community visit arranged through your lodge. Your guide will provide a briefing for the following day’s chimpanzee tracking adventure, including the early start, hiking conditions and appropriate forest clothing. End the day with a fine dining experience and a peaceful evening in the heart of Rwanda’s rainforest region.
Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Tea Forest Resort, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking and Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway
Rise early for one of Rwanda’s most fascinating wildlife experiences, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. After breakfast or a packed breakfast arranged by your lodge, transfer to the designated park briefing point, where experienced guides will explain the forest trekking procedures and safety requirements. Accompanied by knowledgeable trackers, you will follow forest trails in search of habituated chimpanzees, listening for their calls and watching for movement through the dense vegetation. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the opportunity to observe their behaviour as they feed, communicate, groom one another and move through the forest canopy. Sightings and trekking durations vary according to the animals’ movements, so patience and a reasonable level of fitness are important. After the tracking experience, return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax before heading out for another remarkable rainforest adventure, the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, subject to operating conditions and your selected activity schedule. Suspended high above the forest floor, the walkway provides a unique perspective of the rainforest canopy and opportunities to appreciate its rich birdlife, vegetation and dramatic scenery. Following your activities, return to the lodge for a celebratory dinner and your final full evening in Rwanda.
Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Tea Forest Resort, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Return to Kigali and Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning the return journey to Kigali, bringing your 10 Days Rwanda Luxury Wildlife and Primate Safari to a close. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s picturesque highlands, offering final opportunities to appreciate the country’s green landscapes, terraced hills and rural communities. Because the journey from Nyungwe to Kigali can take several hours, Silverback Tour will arrange your departure transfer according to your international flight schedule. If time permits and your flight departs later in the day, you may enjoy a brief stop for refreshments or purchase locally made souvenirs along the way. Depending on your interests and available time, a short stop at a selected viewpoint or craft shop may also be possible, provided it does not compromise your airport arrival time. Upon reaching Kigali, your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport and assist with your luggage before bidding you farewell. You will leave Rwanda with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, African wildlife, spectacular landscapes and exceptional luxury hospitality.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Items Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali.
- Private, air-conditioned safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- All planned ground transportation and transfers outlined in the itinerary.
- Nine nights of accommodation at the selected luxury hotels and lodges.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Guided Kigali city tour and cultural visits as agreed in the final programme.
- Guided game drives in Akagera National Park.
- Boat safari on Lake Ihema, subject to confirmation.
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person, if expressly included in the quotation.
- One golden monkey tracking permit per person, if expressly included in the quotation.
- One chimpanzee tracking permit per person, if expressly included in the quotation.
- Nyungwe Canopy Walkway activity, if expressly included in the quotation.
- Park entrance fees for the included activities.
- Local guide services for the scheduled excursions.
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle.
- Applicable government taxes and levies included in the confirmed price.
Items Excluded
- International flights to and from Rwanda.
- Visa fees and any required travel documentation.
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation and cancellation cover.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, additional beverages and hotel minibar purchases.
- Premium alcoholic beverages and meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Gratuities for your driver-guide, lodge staff, trackers and other service providers.
- Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary.
- Additional nights or accommodation upgrades beyond the agreed package.
- Personal hiking equipment, clothing and other trekking gear.
- Porter fees during gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, unless included in the quotation.
- Any additional permits or activities not explicitly listed as included.
- Medical expenses, vaccinations and personal medication.
- Costs arising from itinerary changes, missed flights or unforeseen circumstances not covered by the package or travel insurance.
- Any services not expressly stated in the final booking confirmation.