Explore three of Rwanda’s four national parks in this 10-Day Best of Rwanda Safari, visiting Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park.
10-Day Best of Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pickup from Kigali Airport
- Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Game Drives and Boat Safari in Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Transfer to Kigali
- Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
- Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Days 8-9: Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 10: End of the Best of Rwanda Safari
Detailed 10-Day Best of Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali Airport
Your 10-day Rwanda safari guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport upon arrival and drive you to your hotel in Kigali city, where you will spend your first of nine nights in Rwanda.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a half-day tour of Kigali city, visiting places like the Inema Art Center, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, craft centers, and local markets.
Stop for lunch and then transfer to Akagera National Park, arriving in the late afternoon.
Check in at your safari camp/lodge, then go on a game drive or opt for a night game drive to see the nocturnal animals in Akagera National Park.
Day 3: Game Drives and Boat Safari in Akagera National Park
Go on game drives during the cooler hours of the day when animals are more active – early morning and mid-morning.
In the afternoon, drive to Lake Ihema for a boat ride. Akagera National Park is home to the Big 5 and other animals like zebras, impalas, hippos, various monkey species, giraffes, waterbucks, crocodiles, and more.
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali
Optional activities on day 4 include a hot air balloon safari, bird watching, and a guided walking safari. Otherwise, wake up, have breakfast, check out, and go on a game drive as you exit the park, driving to Kigali city for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park after breakfast in Kigali. Stopover in Huye for a delicious lunch and also at Nyanza Palace to learn about the ancient kingdom society of Rwanda.
On arrival in Nyungwe Forest National Park, drive to your lodge, check in, and prepare for dinner and a restful night.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Chimpanzees are a major attraction in Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to 12 other primate species.
Your chimpanzee trekking experience starts with an early morning briefing before entering the forest.
Spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees. After returning, go for the canopy walk, either immediately after the trek or after lunch.
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, check out from the lodge in Nyungwe Forest National Park and drive to the famous Volcanoes National Park with an en-route lunch and a brief stopover at Lake Kivu. Overnight in Volcanoes National Park.
Days 8-9: Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
These two days in Volcanoes National Park offer the chance to see two endangered species: mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking and golden monkeys during golden monkey trekking on day 9.
Both activities take place in the early morning after a briefing from park officials.
Despite being in the same park, the treks will be in different locations on different trails.
After the golden monkey trekking on day 9, visit the Gorilla Guardians village for a cultural experience.
Day 10: End of the Best of Rwanda Safari
After breakfast and a leisurely morning at your lodge in Volcanoes National Park, check out, and transfer back to Kigali.
The safari driver will drop you at the airport for your flight.
Visit Akagera National Park in Rwanda with these recommended Rwanda tour companies or send us an inquiry below to book through us directly.
