The 11 Days Ultimate Wildlife and Primate Safari in Rwanda is an exceptional journey through the Land of a Thousand Hills, combining Rwanda’s spectacular wildlife, fascinating primates, scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. This comprehensive Rwanda safari takes you from the vibrant capital of Kigali to the savannah plains of Akagera National Park, the ancient forests of Nyungwe National Park and the misty mountains of Volcanoes National Park. You will enjoy game drives, a boat safari, chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey experiences, golden monkey trekking and an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Along the way, you will discover Rwanda’s communities, local traditions and beautiful countryside, making this itinerary ideal for an authentic Rwanda wildlife and primate safari.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Silverback Tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will begin your Rwanda safari with a guided Kigali city tour, exploring one of Africa’s cleanest and most organised capital cities. You may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, craft centres and other important landmarks to learn more about Rwanda’s history and modern development. You will also have an opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere and sample some local cuisine. Your guide will brief you about the safari programme and the exciting experiences planned for the days ahead. The evening will be spent relaxing at your hotel and preparing for your adventure into Rwanda’s wildlife destinations.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Kigali to Akagera National Park and Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, you will leave Kigali and travel towards Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. The journey takes you through beautiful countryside characterised by rolling hills, cultivated farmland and traditional communities. Upon arrival in the park, you will begin exploring the savannah landscapes on a game drive, searching for elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and other wildlife. Akagera is Rwanda’s premier savannah destination and offers an excellent opportunity to experience a classic African wildlife safari. As the afternoon progresses, you will continue through the park while watching the changing scenery and wildlife activity. You will then proceed to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Camp, Karenge Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park
Today you will enjoy a full-day wildlife safari in Akagera National Park, one of the highlights of your Rwanda safari. An early morning game drive provides excellent opportunities to see wildlife when many animals are most active. You may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos and several species of antelope across the park’s diverse habitats. Your experienced guide will help you identify wildlife and explain the ecology, conservation history and restoration efforts that have helped transform Akagera into an important protected area. You will enjoy a picnic lunch or lodge lunch before continuing with further wildlife exploration. The day offers exceptional opportunities for photography and provides a memorable introduction to Rwanda’s Big Five safari experience.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Camp, Karenge Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Akagera National Park Boat Safari and Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you will enjoy a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema, one of the most rewarding activities in Akagera National Park. From the water, you can observe large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and numerous bird species along the lake’s shoreline. You may also see elephants and other wildlife coming to the water to drink, while your guide provides information about the lake’s ecosystem. After the boat excursion, you will leave Akagera and travel back towards Kigali through Rwanda’s scenic countryside. You will have time to relax after reaching the capital and perhaps explore a local restaurant or craft centre. This combination of wildlife viewing and scenic travel creates a pleasant transition before continuing towards the primate-rich forests of western Rwanda.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and travel towards Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The journey is an attraction in itself as you pass through the spectacular landscapes for which Rwanda is famous, including terraced hills, tea plantations and rural communities. You will make selected stops along the way to appreciate the scenery and learn more about local life. Upon reaching the Nyungwe region, you will check into your lodge and enjoy the peaceful forest environment. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short nature walk or visit a nearby tea plantation. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience and the importance of Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest to Rwanda’s biodiversity.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park
Today you will embark on an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park. After an early breakfast, you will head into the forest with experienced guides and trackers to search for habituated chimpanzee communities. As you follow forest trails, you may encounter other primates including colobus monkeys, mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys, as well as colourful forest birds. The ancient rainforest provides a spectacular setting for observing primates in their natural environment. Your guide will explain the behaviour and ecology of chimpanzees while helping you understand the importance of forest conservation. After the tracking experience, you will return to your lodge for relaxation and enjoy the tranquillity of one of Africa’s most remarkable montane forests.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Colobus Monkey Experience and Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you will enjoy another fascinating primate experience in the Nyungwe region before travelling towards Lake Kivu. Depending on the selected programme and permit availability, you may participate in a colobus monkey tracking experience, providing another opportunity to explore Rwanda’s extraordinary primate diversity. The forest is particularly renowned for its large troops of Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus monkeys. After your forest experience, you will continue towards Lake Kivu, passing through scenic highland landscapes and tea-growing areas. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and enjoy views of the beautiful lake and surrounding hills. The evening is reserved for relaxation, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of one of Rwanda’s most scenic destinations.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Paradise Malahide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Lake Kivu Experience and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will enjoy a relaxing experience around Lake Kivu before continuing towards the northern highlands of Rwanda. Depending on your preferences and the available time, you may take a boat excursion, visit one of the lake’s islands or enjoy a guided walk around the lakeside communities. You will then travel towards Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda’s famous mountain gorilla habitat. The journey takes you through dramatic mountain scenery, volcanic landscapes and picturesque rural communities. Upon arrival in Musanze, you will check into your lodge and receive a briefing about the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure. You will have the evening to relax, enjoy your surroundings and prepare for one of Rwanda’s most remarkable wildlife experiences.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your 11 Days Ultimate Wildlife and Primate Safari in Rwanda, as you embark on a once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a safety briefing before entering the bamboo and montane forests of the Virunga Mountains. Your trek may take several hours depending on the location of the assigned gorilla family and the terrain. Once you find the gorillas, you will have a remarkable opportunity to observe their social behaviour and interactions in their natural habitat while following park guidelines. After the trek, you will return to your lodge to rest and reflect on this unforgettable encounter. The experience is a major highlight of any Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and contributes to conservation efforts protecting these endangered primates.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will return to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda. These playful and colourful primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift region and are among the most fascinating wildlife species found in the Virunga ecosystem. You will hike through the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, following golden monkey troops as they move through their natural habitat. After the trek, you may participate in a cultural experience in the Musanze area, where you can learn about Rwandan traditions, music, dance, crafts and local livelihoods. This combination of primate viewing and cultural immersion provides a fitting conclusion to your wildlife activities. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and a final relaxing night in the Virunga region.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, you will leave the Musanze region and begin your journey back towards Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may make selected stops along the way to enjoy Rwanda’s scenic countryside or purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs. Your guide will ensure that you reach Kigali International Airport in good time for your scheduled departure. As your 11 Days Ultimate Wildlife and Primate Safari in Rwanda comes to an end, you will leave with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and Rwanda’s remarkable savannah wildlife. The safari combines wildlife, primates, culture and spectacular scenery into one comprehensive Rwanda holiday. Silverback Tour hopes to welcome you again for another East African safari adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included in the Safari
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Nyungwe National Park
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Colobus monkey tracking experience, subject to availability
- Akagera National Park entry fees
- Game drives in Akagera National Park
- Lake Ihema boat safari
- Kigali city tour
- Lake Kivu experience as specified
- Cultural experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during safari drives
- Fuel for the safari vehicle
- All applicable park and conservation fees included in the itinerary
- Government taxes and service charges
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Rwanda entry visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Laundry services
- Telephone and internet charges
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Tips and gratuities for guides, trackers, drivers and lodge staff
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not specified in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 11
- Any services not specifically listed under the included items
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Emergency evacuation or medical expenses not covered by your insurance.