12 Days Grand Rwanda Safari – Primates, Culture & Wildlife

Have a wonderful experience in Rwanda during this 12 Days Grand Rwanda Safari where you will visit the main National Parks, such as Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks, the local markets, Museums, Lake Kivu and other tourist destination sites. Nature will be at its peak and you will take part in different activities such as chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, game drives and boat cruises, swimming and nature walks. This means that you will not miss out the endangered mountain gorillas, waterfalls, and the amazing African culture that will entertain you through songs, dance and story tales.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali city a capital of Rwanda

On arrival, our guide driver will pick you from the Airport and transfer you to the hotel you booked. The tour will begin with a briefing about the safari that will include destinations that will be visited and the amazing activities and etiquettes to follow while on a safari. You will head to the hotel for your accommodation and overnight stay.

Day 2: City tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park

Wakeup on a cup of coffee/tea, and then embark on city tour where you will encounter different attractions such as the local markets like; Kimironko market, drive to the hills to enjoy the scenic view of the Kigali city, visit the Kigali genocide memorial grounds, learn about the history of Rwanda during this tour with a professional local guide.

Later transfer to Akagera National Park that is located at the border of Tanzania and known to be the only savannah National Parks in the country. There is a lot of wildlife you will spot while you are on your journey to the Park as well as birds for example; the shoebill stork. You will arrive in the evening check-in the hotel, enjoy the aura, wait for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Wake up on breakfast and then begin the game drive in the savannah plains where you will spot the Big 5 of the jungle, as Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos, Lions and Leopards, alongside other animals like warthogs, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, eland, and much more. The game drive takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on what is found on different spotting points. Later on after lunch, take a boat cruise where you will encounter water loving animals like the crocodiles and hippos.

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe National park via Kigali city

In the morning after breakfast, pack your luggage and head to Nyungwe National Park a home of primates and chimpanzees being the main attractions in the park. You will enjoy amazing road trip will reward you with the best experience as you enjoy the nature covered with different hills and green vegetation. The park is a home to other animals like the elephants, buffalos, duikers, and many more others. Arrive and check in the accommodation facility.

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walking adventure

Greet your intestines with breakfast, go for briefing and then take head into the forest to begin the trek. You will be able to spot other attractions such as different bird species like Kungwe Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler and so many others. After meeting the chimps, always an hour is given to you to take photos and record videos. After lunch, you will spend about 2 hours on a canopy walk a bridge like trail where the ropes are suspended on top of the trees hence offering a great aerial view. Spot primates such as red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, varvet monkeys and much more. Head back to lodge.

Day 6: Waterfall hike and coffee tour

Enjoy breakfast and then prepare to go into the forest for a nature walk where you will meet Kamiranzovu waterfalls, you will meet more primates and bird species. On reaching the falls, enjoy the freshness with great views while relaxing.

Take a coffee tour after lunch where you can encounter the real African farming styles, take a traditional process of making coffee pounder and this will create everlasting memories. You will head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes national park

Head to Volcanoes national park a home of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other wildlife. This is one of the amazing National Parks in Rwanda and Africa at large with great adventure and history. This park is also known for homing the graveyard of Dian Fosseya female researcher primatologist who saved a good number of gorillas. Arrive and relax at the lodge as you walk around the gardens.

Day 8: Gorilla trekking optional hike to Dian Fossey grave

Begin the day with breakfast in the morning and then drive to the park headquarters for briefing. The ranger guide will take you through briefing which will cover different aspects such as the rules and regulations, required information about the forest and its inhabitants.

Trekking gorillas is the best and memorable experience in Africa and the overall experience takes about 2 to 8 hours depending on how fast you will meet the primates. After lunch at the lodge, you will visit the Dian Fossey grave where you will learn about the female researcher that was kidnapped by unknown people after saving a good number of gorillas from being poached. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Golden monkey trekking and visit Iby’iwachu cultural village

Visit the park offices for another briefing about golden monkey trekking which will take about 2 to 5 hours while walking in the forest. On meeting the Golden monkeys which are normally in the bamboo trees, spend an hour with them and then embark on the way back to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, head to Iby’iwachu cultural village also known as the gorilla guardian village for a great Rwandese culture. The visit will involve entertainment inform of cultural music, dance and drama, tasting their local dishes and many more others. After that, retire back to the lodge and this will mark the end of the day.

Day 10-11: Explore Lake Kivu

During these two days, you will encounter the beauty of Lake Kivu through performing different activities such as swimming, boat cruise, kayaking and much more. These days will be remembered and you will not regret your tour to lake Kivu, this lake is among the great lakes in Africa and found on the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Day 12: Transfer back to Kigali and fly home

Your last day will begin with a leisure breakfast and then transfer to Kigali international Airport with a stopover at any hotel for lunch and massage experience. The safari will end after a drop-off at the airport.

Book your dream safari below.

Do you need to visit multiple destinations or need to customize a trip to match your interests? We are very open to this and are willing to help. Kindly click to inquire below to navigate to the detailed booking page.