8 Days Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Vacation
A Private Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Itinerary for Beginners
This Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari begins with an easy arrival in Kigali International Airport before you travel straight into the quiet savannahs of Akagera National Park, where a mix of lakeside views and classic game viewing sets the tone for your journey. The rhythm moves from open plains to the volcanic highlands as you head toward Volcanoes National Park for an intimate gorilla trekking experience in one of Africa’s most iconic primate habitats. From here, the road leads to the calm shores of Lake Kivu, a perfect place to pause, recharge and enjoy Rwanda’s landscapes at a slower pace. Your adventure then continues south into the rich rainforest of Nyungwe Forest National Park, a sanctuary for chimpanzees and a remarkable canopy walk suspended above ancient treetops. The journey blends wildlife, culture and scenery in a seamless route that captures the beauty and diversity of Rwanda before returning to Kigali for your departure.
Day to Day:
A Customizable Bespoke Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Itinerary to Inspire You
Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Tour Highlights:
- Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and Transfer to Akagera National Park and Afternoon Boat Safari
- Day 2: Full Day Game drive in Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu
- Day 6: Transfer To Nyungwe Forest National Park and Afternoon Canopy walk
- Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking Experience
- Day 8: Transfer to Kigali International Airport and Departure
Luxury Rwanda Primates and Wildlife SafariDetailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and Transfer to Akagera National Park and Afternoon Boat Safari
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet and greet with our representative from Engabi Tours and Travel who will brief you on your upcoming trip and start your journey to Akagera National Park arriving in time for check-in and lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge and in the afternoon, you will have a boat safari on Lake Ihema for a beautiful breeze and some sightings of water birds and wildlife. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Full Day Game drive in Akagera National Park
After an early breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and your guide will pick you up for a day game drive in the northern sector of the park which is less bush offering better opportunities for animal sightings. Check in at the lodge for lunch and go for another game drive as you look for the various wildlife like zebra, giraffes, impalas, elephants, buffaloes, topis and the elusive leopards. On a lucky day, you will sight a pride of lions before they go into hiding. Return to the lodge for dinner and Overnight.
Accommodation Option: Karenge Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, start your journey to Volcanoes National Park, along the way you will enjoy the different sights and winding roads in the land of a thousand hills. You will have opportunities to have different stopovers for pictures, lunch and stretching depending on your needs. When you arrive in the park, you will check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Have early breakfast and head to the park headquarters in Kinigi where you are assigned a ranger and a gorilla family to trek, after the briefing your ranger guide leads you to the starting point of the trek. Depending on location of a gorilla group to trek, you might need to the starting point, enter the forests in search for mountain gorillas. The trek through the habitat of these gentle giants is a fulfilling unforgettable experience that only lucky people undertake.
The trek can last from a few to several hours depending on where the gorillas nestled the previous night as well as their movement. When you locate the gorillas, you are allocated one hour of interacting with the gorillas, Trek back to the park headquarters to meet your driver and head back to your lodge for lunch. You can decide to spend the rest of the day lodge or go for a community walk. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu
After Breakfast at the lodge, your guide will drive you from Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu arriving in time for check in at the hotel and lunch in the afternoon. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the shore of Lake Kivu and indulge in optional activities to do. Later in the evening, Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer To Nyungwe Forest National Park and Afternoon Canopy walk
After an early breakfast, check-out of the hotel and start your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will arrive in Nyungwe Forest National Park in time for check-in and lunch and later in the afternoon, embark on a canopy walk through Nyungwe Forest and admire the views. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: One and only Nyungwe, Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking Experience
After an early breakfast, leave for the park headquarters for briefing and start chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest which is home to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys. The forest has big population of chimpanzees with groups habituated for chimpanzee trekking tourism. The trek takes 2 to 4 hours and will be allowed to spend one hour with the chimpanzees.
Return to the lodge for lunch and later enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge. In the evening have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: One and only Nyungwe, Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Kigali International Airport and Departure
After breakfast and checking out of your lodge, embark on a journey back to Kigali City arriving in time for check in for your flight and departure marking the end of your trip.
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Tour Includes:
- Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4 by 4 wheel drive Land Cruiser with air conditioner.
- Services of English-speaking expert guides.
- Private airport transfers.
- Seven nights in a luxury safari lodge with full-board meals.
- Trekking permits and park entry fees.
- Community and cultural visits.
Tour Excludes:
- International flights and Visa entry charges to East Africa.
-
Personal expenses and gratuities.
-
Additional optional activities.
Best Time To Travel:
The best time to enjoy this luxury itinerary is during Rwanda’s long dry season from June to September or the shorter dry window of December to February. These months offer clearer trails for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, along with excellent wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park. The weather is generally stable and visibility is better, which makes trekking more comfortable and increases your chances of memorable sightings throughout the trip.
How To Get There:
Reaching each destination on this itinerary is smooth and scenic, beginning with your arrival at Kigali International Airport, the main gateway for all travelers. From Kigali, the drive to Akagera National Park takes about 2.5 hours on good roads that run through rolling countryside toward the eastern savannah. Continuing the journey, access to Volcanoes National Park is just as straightforward, with a comfortable 2 to 3 hour drive north into the Virunga Mountains. The transfer from Volcanoes to Lake Kivu is short and scenic, following winding mountain roads down to the lakeshore. From Lake Kivu, the road south toward Nyungwe Forest National Park offers beautiful views and takes roughly 4 hours depending on stopovers. At the end of the trip, returning to Kigali is an easy drive on a well-maintained highway, ensuring a smooth connection back to the airport for your departure.
Steps To Book With Us
Let us create exclusive,
tailor-made itineraries for your luxury safari or vacation.
Contact us with your travel preferences, and our experts will tailor a luxury itinerary to suit your needs.