10 Day Best of Rwanda Luxury Primates and Wildlife Safari: Experience Rwanda’s finest on this luxury 10-day safari exploring the land of a thousand hills. Begin in Kigali with the Genocide Memorial before venturing to Akagera National Park for big game safaris, hot air ballooning, and Lake Ihema cruises. Track chimpanzees and enjoy canopy walks in Nyungwe Forest. Conclude with mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and cultural immersion at Gorilla Guardians’ Village. Discover Rwanda’s incredible biodiversity, wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Summarized Itinerary
- Day 1: Welcome to Kigali – History, Culture, and Urban Sophistication
- Day 2: Journey to Volcanoes National Park – Gateway to the Gorillas
- Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Face to Face with Gentle Giants
- Day 4: Golden Monkeys and Cultural Immersion
- Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Relaxation by Africa’s Shores
- Day 6: Journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk Adventures
- Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 9: Full-Day Akagera Safari Experience
- Day 10: Final Game Drive and Return to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kigali – History, Culture, and Urban Sophistication
Your luxury Rwanda safari begins with arrival in Kigali and accommodation at The Retreat boutique hotel. Explore the capital through a comprehensive city tour featuring the powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial, vibrant craft markets, contemporary art galleries, and the bustling Kimironko Market. Witness Rwanda’s remarkable transformation through immaculate streets and thriving café culture. Enjoy gourmet dining and spa facilities at your luxury hotel before embarking on an unforgettable ten-day journey through Rwanda’s premier primate habitats and wildlife reserves.
Day 2: Journey to Volcanoes National Park – Gateway to the Gorillas
Depart Kigali for a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive through terraced hillsides and mountain vistas to Volcanoes National Park. Check into your luxury lodge—Bisate, Sabyinyo Silverback, or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest—featuring spacious suites, private fireplaces, butler service, and spa facilities. Spend the afternoon relaxing on your terrace overlooking volcanic peaks, enjoying nature walks, or indulging in spa treatments. Receive a comprehensive briefing about tomorrow’s gorilla trekking experience before savoring gourmet Rwandan and international cuisine with fine wines.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Face to Face with Gentle Giants
Experience the legendary mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. After briefing at park headquarters, hike through montane forests with expert guides to find your assigned gorilla family. Spend one magical hour observing silverbacks, mothers with infants, and playful adolescents in their natural habitat, often within meters of you. Receive your trekking certificate before returning to your luxury lodge for lunch and relaxation. Share stories over sundowners with volcano views and celebrate this extraordinary encounter with exceptional dining.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkeys and Cultural Immersion
Track endangered golden monkeys through bamboo forests, observing these striking orange primates leap acrobatically and feed in large troops. After lunch, visit Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where former poachers turned conservationists share traditional Rwandan customs. Experience traditional dancing, traditional healing practices, and participate in activities like grinding sorghum and archery. This community initiative enriches your cultural understanding while supporting local conservation efforts. Return to your lodge for sunset volcano views and authentic Rwandan cuisine featuring local specialties paired with fine wines.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Relaxation by Africa’s Shores
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic three-hour drive to Lake Kivu through tea plantations and rural villages. Your luxury lakeside resort offers relaxation with private beaches, infinity pools, and spa facilities. Spend the afternoon on a private boat cruise exploring islands, visiting fishing communities, and swimming in the crocodile-free waters. Watch fishermen at sunset while enjoying sundowners aboard. Return for dinner featuring fresh tilapia and sambaza, served waterfront as the illuminated shoreline sparkles against the evening sky.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Cormoran Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Depart Lake Kivu for a scenic five-to-six-hour drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park through breathtaking tea plantations and rural communities. Stop at a tea estate to learn about Rwanda’s tea industry and sample fresh local tea. Arrive at your luxury eco-lodge perched on the ancient rainforest edge, combining sustainability with contemporary comfort. After lunch, enjoy guided nature walks spotting birds and primates, or relax in the forest ambiance. Receive your chimpanzee tracking briefing for tomorrow’s adventure.
Accommodation:
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk Adventures
Begin with predawn chimpanzee tracking through Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest, observing these intelligent primates using tools and engaging in complex social behaviors among 500 individuals. Spot twelve other primate species and over 300 bird species. After lunch, experience East Africa’s only canopy walkway—160 meters long, suspended 60 meters high—offering spectacular views and unique wildlife perspectives. Observe canopy-dwelling birds and swinging primates from this elevated vantage point. Return for spa treatments and dinner while nocturnal forest sounds create a magical evening ambiance.
Accommodation:
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Journey six to seven hours across Rwanda from Nyungwe’s mountains to Akagera National Park’s savannah, with a possible Kigali lunch stop. Witness dramatic landscape transformation into East African plains. This Big Five park represents remarkable conservation success with reintroduced lions and rhinos. Enjoy afternoon game drives spotting elephants, buffalo, and lions across diverse habitats before sundowners and dinner under African stars.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Full-Day Akagera Safari Experience
Dedicate the full day to exploring Akagera through morning and afternoon game drives, plus a Lake Ihema boat safari. Track the Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo—alongside zebras, giraffes, and diverse antelope species. Spot over 500 bird species,s including shoebills and fish eagles. The midday boat cruise reveals hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds at close range. Witness elephants drinking at the shore before returning for a final game drive at sunset, followed by a celebratory dinner under African stars.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Magashi Camp / Ruzizi Tented Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Final Game Drive and Return to Kigali
Begin your final morning with an early game drive, capturing wildlife in perfect photographic light—lion prides, bathing elephants, or leopards descending from trees. After breakfast, depart for Kigali, approximately two-and-a-half hours away. Depending on flight times, enjoy lunch and last-minute shopping at craft cooperatives. This extraordinary 10-day journey combines intimate mountain gorilla encounters with Big Five safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and Lake Kivu relaxation—an unforgettable experience showcasing Rwanda’s remarkable conservation success and warm hospitality.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Our 10-day best of Rwanda luxury primates and wildlife safari includes
- Gorilla trekking permit.
- Chimpanzee permit.
- Entry fees for all sites- National Parks, the Museum, and others.
- Nyungwe Canopy walk fees.
- Game viewing experiences.
- Ground transportation with a 4X4 Safari Vehicle.
- Services of a qualified English-speaking guide.
- Bottled water.
Our 10-day best of Rwanda luxury primates and wildlife safari Excludes;
- Laundry fees.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Porter fees.
- Airfares.
- Visa fees.
- Medical and travel insurance.
- Pre and post-safari accommodation in Kigali City.
- Gratuities to the guide, Rangers, Lodge staff, and others.
Things to Consider
Permits
- Must be booked in advance
- Issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on a first-come, first-served basis
Gorilla Permit:
- Non-Foreign Residents: USD 1,500
- East African Foreign Residents: USD 500
- East African Citizens: USD 200
Chimpanzee Permit:
- Foreign Non-Residents: USD 250
- Foreign Residents: USD 75
- East African Citizens: USD 25
Permits include park entry, ranger services, and primate encounters.
Transport
- 4×4 Land Cruisers for luxury travelers
- All vehicles are air-conditioned and driven by professional guides
Gorilla Sighting Chances
- Approximately 98% success rate due to daily tracking by rangers
Activities Covered
- Gorilla trekking (Volcanoes)
- Chimpanzee trekking & Canopy Walk (Nyungwe)
- Game drives & boat cruises (Akagera National Park)
- City Tour
Best Time to Go
- Dry seasons: June–Sept & Dec–Feb.
Permits are rare and recommended 2–6 months in advance.
What to Pack
- Long trousers & long-sleeved shirts (neutral)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Gardening gloves
- Hat, insect repellent, sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera + extra batteries
- Passport & travel documents
