8 days Rwanda wildlife and primate safari is an unforgettable safari that combines Rwanda’s rich wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rare primates experiences into one remarkable adventure. Rwanda is known as the ‘’Land of a thousand hills,’’ Rwanda offers some of the Africa’s most beautiful scenery, from the rolling green hills and volcanic mountains to peaceful lakes and tropical rainforests. This safari takes you through the country’s most famous destinations including Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali-welcome to Rwanda.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on the time of arrival, you may relax at your hotel or take a short city tour. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park.
After breakfast, check out and start your day with a guided tour of Kigali. You will visit important attractions such as Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and cultural centres where you can learn about Rwanda’s history and transformation. Later drive to Akagera National Park which is Rwanda’s only savannah national park. The park is a home to the Big five mammals (lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants and rhinos) and among others like zebras, antelope species, giraffes and many more. Upon arrival, check in your safari lodge relax, dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 3: Game drive and Boat cruise in Akagera National Park.
Today begins with a morning game drive through the plains of Akagera National Park. The park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and you may spot elephants, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, lions, leopards and many more without forgetting bird species. After drive back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species along the shoreline. Dinner and overnight stay at your safari lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
After breakfast, check out and start begin on your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. Along the way you will enjoy the views of the rolling hills, tea plantations, rural villages offering beautiful views of the countryside. Nyungwe Forest is one of the Africa’s oldest rainforests and is a home to many primate species including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys. Upon arrival, check into your lodge for dinner and overnight stay in your safari lodge.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Today is for the incredible exploration of Nyungwe Forest. Early in the morning head into the forest for chimpanzee trekking, while guided by experienced rangers, you hike through the rainforest while looking for the chimpanzees and other primates. Once the chimpanzees are found spend one hour in their presence and enjoy the exciting and unforgettable experience. Later in the afternoon, you experience the famous canopy walk, a suspended bridge high above the forest floor offering stunning views of the rainforest and surrounding mountains. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
After breakfast, travel to the north to Volcanoes National Park which is a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes of terraced hills and volcanic mountains. Upon arrival check into your safari lodge preparing for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and cultural experience in Volcanoes National Park.
Today is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your gorilla trek, while accompanied by experienced rangers, you hike through the bamboo while looking for the gorilla family. The trek may take several hours, but the reward of spending one hour with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is truly life changing. Watching them feed, play and interact is an emotional and unforgettable experience. In the afternoon you visit the local cultural village where you learn about Rwandan culture to the Iby’Iwacu, enjoying their music and dance. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Departure.
On your final day, after breakfast enjoy golden monkey trekking while exploring in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkeys are rare and playful primates are exciting to watch while as they move through the trees. After the trek, start your journey back to Kigali, upon arrival in Kigali enjoy your en-route lunch in the city before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
