Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali
Our Rwanda primates and wildlife safari begins with your arrival at Kigali International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or enjoy an optional Kigali city experience before settling in for the evening. Your guide will brief you about the journey ahead and help you prepare for the Akagera wildlife adventure.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Kigali, ready for the journey to Akagera National Park the following day.
Day 2 – Kigali to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s remarkable savannah wildlife destination. Enjoy the scenic drive towards eastern Rwanda, passing through local communities and beautiful countryside.
Upon arrival, enter the park and enjoy an afternoon game drive, exploring its open plains, woodlands and lakes. Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and, with some luck, lions and other predators.
The timing of your game drive will depend on your departure from Kigali and arrival at the park. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your selected lodge near or within Akagera National Park.
Day 3 – Akagera Wildlife Safari & Lake Ihema Boat Trip
Enjoy a full Akagera National Park wildlife safari, beginning with a morning game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes. Explore open savannah plains and woodland habitats while looking out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and, with some luck, lions and other predators.
In the afternoon, experience a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema. Watch hippos in the water, crocodiles along the shores and a variety of waterbirds, including African fish eagles and kingfishers. The boat excursion offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Akagera’s wildlife from a different perspective.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4 – Transfer from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe Forest
After breakfast, depart Akagera National Park and travel southwest towards Nyungwe Forest National Park, passing through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, rolling hills and rural communities.
Enjoy scenic views along the journey, with opportunities for comfort stops and lunch along the way. As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape gradually changes into lush green hills and forest-covered highlands.
Arrive at your lodge near Nyungwe Forest, check in and relax ahead of tomorrow’s chimpanzee tracking experience.
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 5 – Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Tracking
Experience an exciting chimpanzee tracking adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s most important montane rainforest ecosystems. After an early breakfast, head to the designated park reception for a briefing by experienced park guides before entering the forest.
Follow your guide through the lush forest trails as you search for habituated chimpanzees. Once located, spend time observing their behaviour, movements and interactions in their natural habitat, while also enjoying the forest’s rich biodiversity and birdlife.
After the tracking experience, return to your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 6 – Transfer from Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest National Park and travel towards the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, green countryside and charming lakeside communities along the way.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing afternoon overlooking Lake Kivu. Depending on your interests and available time, you may choose an optional boat excursion on the lake or simply unwind along the lakeshore and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Lake Kivu.
Day 7 – Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park via Bigogwe Cattle Experience
After breakfast, depart Lake Kivu and travel north towards Volcanoes National Park, enjoying the beautiful countryside and rolling green hills of Rwanda.
Along the way, stop at Ibere rya Bigogwe for an authentic Rwandan cattle-keeping experience. Visit the traditional cattle farms, meet local herders and learn about the cultural importance of cows in Rwandan society. Enjoy the opportunity to see the famous long-horned cattle, experience traditional milking and, where available, taste fresh milk while learning about the local pastoral lifestyle.
After this memorable cultural experience, continue towards the foothills of the Virunga Mountains. Arrive near Volcanoes National Park, check in at your lodge and relax ahead of tomorrow’s mountain gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 8 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Experience one of Rwanda’s most unforgettable wildlife encounters with mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by experienced rangers, who will explain the trekking guidelines and assign your gorilla family.
Accompanied by professional park guides and trackers, venture into the bamboo and montane forests of the Virunga Mountains in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location and movements.
Once you find the gorillas, enjoy a precious one-hour encounter observing them in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom, play and interact within their family groups, creating memories of a truly remarkable wildlife experience.
After the trek, return to your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing, or enjoy an optional village cultural experience to learn more about the traditions and daily life of communities living around Volcanoes National Park. This experience can be arranged at an additional cost.
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 9 – Golden Monkey Tracking and Return to Kigali
Begin your day with an exciting golden monkey tracking experience in Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains with experienced park guides.
Follow the trails in search of the playful and endangered golden monkeys, watching them jump between bamboo branches, feed and interact in their natural habitat. Enjoy this memorable encounter and appreciate the unique biodiversity of Rwanda’s mountain forests.
After the tracking experience, return to your lodge, collect your belongings and begin the journey back to Kigali.
Departure arrangements: We recommend booking a late-night international flight to allow sufficient time for the golden monkey tracking experience and the road transfer to Kigali International Airport. Alternatively, clients with earlier flights or those who prefer a more relaxed departure can spend an additional night in Kigali and fly out the following day.
End of safari.
Customize This Safari
Make this 9-Day Rwanda Primates & Wildlife Safari your own. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly adventure, a comfortable mid-range holiday or a more luxurious experience, we can tailor the arrangements to suit your preferences.
You can personalize your safari by choosing:
Accommodation: Select from budget, mid-range or luxury lodges throughout the journey.
Travel dates: Choose your preferred departure dates and travel season.
Lake Kivu experience: Add an optional boat excursion or other lakeside activities.
Cultural experiences: Enjoy the Bigogwe cattle-keeping experience and discover more of Rwanda’s traditions.
Safari arrangements: Adjust selected activities and travel arrangements to suit your interests and available time.
Departure plans: Choose a late-night international flight on Day 9 or add an extra night in Kigali for a more relaxed departure.
Let us plan your Rwanda adventure your way. Contact Bush Shrike Adventures with your preferred travel dates, group size and budget, and we will prepare a personalized safari quotation
Safari Includes
Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park.
Golden monkey tracking permit in Volcanoes National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Akagera National Park game drives.
Lake Ihema boat safari in Akagera National Park.
Bigogwe cattle-keeping cultural experience.
Accommodation and Meals
8 nights' accommodation in selected budget, mid-range or luxury lodges.
Meals as specified in the final itinerary.
Private 4x4 safari vehicle throughout the trip.
Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
Airport pick-up and drop-off according to the agreed itinerary.
Park entrance fees for the included activities.
Bottled drinking water during safari journeys.
Safari Excludes
International flights to and from Rwanda.
Rwanda visa fees, where applicable.
Travel insurance.
Optional Lake Kivu boat excursions and other activities not specified as included.
Additional night in Kigali, unless arranged in the quotation.
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
Alcoholic and other beverages not included in the meal plan.
Any activities or services not specifically mentioned under Safari Includes.
