The 9 Days Wildlife, Primates and Cultural Discovery in Rwanda is an exciting journey designed to showcase the country’s remarkable combination of wildlife, primates, culture and spectacular scenery. This carefully planned Rwanda safari tour takes you from the vibrant capital of Kigali to the savannah landscapes of Akagera National Park, the lush forests of Nyungwe and the magnificent Virunga Mountains. You will enjoy game drives, a Lake Ihema boat safari, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey trekking and an unforgettable cultural experience. The safari also provides opportunities to discover Rwanda’s traditions, communities and beautiful countryside. It is an ideal choice if you are looking for a comprehensive Rwanda wildlife safari, primate safari and cultural tour in one memorable adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Cultural Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Silverback Tour guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you will begin your Rwanda cultural tour with a visit to some of the city’s important historical and cultural attractions. You may explore the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, craft centres and other notable landmarks while learning about Rwanda’s history and transformation. You will have an opportunity to interact with local communities and discover aspects of modern Rwandan life. Your guide will also brief you about the safari programme, the destinations you will visit and the experiences planned for the following days. In the evening, you will relax at your hotel and enjoy your first dinner in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
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 Game Drive
After breakfast, you will leave Kigali and drive eastwards towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination. The journey takes you through picturesque countryside, rolling hills, farmland and traditional communities. Upon entering the park, you will begin your first game drive, searching for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife. Akagera’s diverse combination of savannah, woodland, wetlands and lakes provides an excellent setting for a classic African safari experience. Your guide will help you identify wildlife and explain the ecology and conservation efforts that have helped restore the park’s biodiversity. After the game drive, you will proceed to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by Rwanda’s beautiful wilderness.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Magashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Akagera Wildlife Safari and Lake Ihema Boat Cruise
Today you will continue exploring Akagera National Park with an early morning game drive. The cooler morning hours provide excellent opportunities to encounter wildlife as animals become active across the savannah. You may see elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and, with luck, lions and other predators. After the game drive, you will enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds along the shoreline. The boat cruise provides a completely different perspective of Akagera’s wildlife and wetlands. After completing your wildlife activities, you will return to your lodge to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the park.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Magashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Akagera and begin your journey towards Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The drive takes you across the country’s famous rolling hills, cultivated landscapes and rural communities, providing opportunities to appreciate Rwanda’s remarkable scenery. You will make selected stops along the route for photographs and short breaks while your guide shares information about local life and the country’s geography. As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape becomes increasingly green and forested, signalling your arrival in one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests. Upon reaching your accommodation, you will have time to relax and enjoy the peaceful forest environment. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s chimpanzee tracking adventure and the importance of Nyungwe’s forests to Rwanda’s primate conservation.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park
Today you will enjoy an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Rwanda, beginning with an early breakfast before heading into Nyungwe National Park. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will follow forest trails in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. The rainforest is also home to several other primates, including colobus monkeys, mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys, so you may encounter a variety of species during your trek. Your guide will explain the behaviour, ecology and conservation of the chimpanzees as you explore their natural habitat. The forest’s ancient trees, dense vegetation and colourful birdlife create a spectacular setting for wildlife photography and nature observation. After the tracking experience, you will return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation and an evening surrounded by the tranquillity of Nyungwe.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you will leave Nyungwe National Park and travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. Along the way, you will pass through Rwanda’s famous tea-growing regions, green valleys and picturesque highland communities. You will have opportunities to stop at scenic viewpoints and admire the dramatic landscapes that have earned Rwanda its reputation as the Land of a Thousand Hills. Upon reaching Lake Kivu, you will check into your accommodation and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere beside the lake. Depending on your preferred activities and available time, you may take a boat excursion, enjoy a lakeside walk or visit nearby communities. The evening will be reserved for relaxation and enjoying the spectacular sunset over one of Africa’s Great Lakes.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Paradise Malahide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will continue your Rwanda safari towards Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The journey takes you through scenic highland landscapes, terraced farmland and traditional villages as you approach the Virunga Mountains. The dramatic volcanic peaks provide a spectacular backdrop as you enter the Musanze region. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and enjoy lunch before taking some time to relax. Depending on your interests and arrival time, you may visit a local community or cultural attraction around Musanze. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the following day’s primate trekking experience, including the guidelines you should follow when encountering wildlife in the forest.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking and Rwandan Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will enter Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift region and are among Rwanda’s most fascinating primates, known for their distinctive appearance and energetic movements. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will follow forest trails while searching for golden monkey troops moving through the bamboo vegetation. After the trek, you will participate in a cultural experience where you can learn about Rwandan traditions, music, dance, crafts and local livelihoods. You will have an opportunity to interact respectfully with community members and gain a deeper understanding of the culture surrounding the Virunga Mountains. This combination of Rwanda primate trekking and cultural tourism provides a memorable conclusion to the main activities of your safari.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your accommodation and begin your journey back towards Kigali for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to enjoy a final activity in Musanze or Kigali, purchase locally made crafts or simply relax before your airport transfer. Your Silverback Tour guide will ensure that you reach Kigali International Airport in good time for your scheduled flight. As your 9 Days Wildlife, Primates and Cultural Discovery in Rwanda comes to an end, you will leave with unforgettable memories of Akagera’s wildlife, Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, Lake Kivu’s scenic beauty and Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage. This safari provides a well-balanced combination of wildlife viewing, primate encounters, cultural discovery and scenic exploration. Silverback Tour hopes to welcome you again for another memorable Rwanda 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 programme
- Akagera National Park entry fees
- Game drives in Akagera National Park
- Lake Ihema boat safari
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Nyungwe National Park
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Kigali cultural and city tour
- Lake Kivu experience as specified
- Rwandan cultural experience in the Musanze region
- Bottled drinking water during safari drives
- Fuel for the safari vehicle
- Applicable government taxes and service charges
- Park and conservation fees specified in the itinerary
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, drivers, trackers and lodge staff
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 9
- Personal trekking clothing and equipment
- Emergency medical treatment and evacuation costs
- Any services not specifically mentioned under the included items.