10 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari | 10 Day Primates & Wildlife tours in Rwanda

10-Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari or Rwanda Primates safari includes gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, game drives and boat cruises in Akagera National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park. A 10-day gorilla safari in Rwanda provides an exceptional experience of the country’s natural beauty and culture, with a treetop canopy walk, golden monkey tracking, Mount Bisoke mountaineering, and a visit to the twin lakes.

Highlights of 10-Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari (Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking & Wildlife)

Unlimited Games drive in Akagera National Park
Boat ride on Lake Ihema
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes
Golden Monkey tracking
Mount Bisoke Hiking
Gorilla permits included
Travel with an expert guide
Visit Lake Kivu

This 10-day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees, wildlife safaris offers you a beautiful selection of Rwanda’s national parks and countryside, but Rwanda has much more to offer.

The itinerary includes a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, and Volcanoes National Park for an exceptional gorilla trekking experience. Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts a diverse range of primate species, notably including the chimpanzee. This location serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of birds and butterflies.

Nyungwe Forest boasts an intriguing feature: a canopy walkway elevated above the treetops, offering a remarkable view of the forest below. Lake Kivu features charming towns and pristine sandy beaches, making it a noteworthy destination.

Your visit to Akagera National Park will include extensive game drives to observe the Big 5 and big cats, as well as a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Your itinerary includes a visit to the twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, ensuring an unforgettable adventure experience.

Comprehensive itinerary for a 10-Day Rwanda Safari featuring Gorillas, Chimpanzees, the Big 5, and Big Cats.

Day 1: Transportation from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park

This morning, following your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and drive you to Nyungwe Forest in Nyungwe National Park, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa, as part of your 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats Safari. Nyungwe forest is rich in biodiversity, featuring 13 species of primates, including colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys, and, notably, our relatives, the chimpanzees.

Nyungwe Forest is a renowned destination for chimpanzee tracking & bird watching enthusiasts. This location boasts approximately 310 recorded bird species, including 26 endemics, making it one of the most significant yet under explored bird watching destinations in Africa. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your reserved lodge.

Duration of travel: 4.5 hours

Hotel: Emeraude Kivu Resort

Lunch and Dinner Meal Plan

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Following an early morning commencement, you will advance to the chimpanzee tracking trail located in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The combined population of the two groups stands at a robust 80 individuals.

This remarkable up-close encounter with humanity’s closest relative is one you will remember for a long time.

Following the chimp tracking, you have the opportunity to unwind at the hotel or select an optional activity such as the canopy walk during your 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats Safari.

In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to experience East Africa’s exclusive canopy walk. This walk occurs above a profound gorge that traverses the expansive forest.

The walk, lasting approximately 1½ hours, guides you through stunning vegetation and diverse animal habitats. During your 10 day Rwanda gorilla trek, you will have the opportunity to observe blue monkeys and distinctive bird species that inhabit the upper levels of the forest canopy.

Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Hotel: Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park

Following breakfast, we will proceed to Kibuye via Lake Kivu, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape during our journey. Enjoy lunch in Kibuye before proceeding north to Volcanoes National Park.

Located in the Virunga region of dormant volcanoes stretching from east to west, this park is renowned for its population of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and various other rare primate species.

Main destination: Musanze

Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Tracking

Following breakfast, please proceed to the park headquarters to begin your initial experience with endangered species in Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkey trek typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours and is considered an easy trek. Subsequently, proceed to explore the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Hiking Mount Bisoke – Volcanoes National Park

Arrive early at the Kinigi Park Offices by 7:00 AM to participate in the morning briefing and registration prior to embarking on the Mt Bisoke hike from the designated starting point. Equipped with a packed lunch and hiking gear,

Start your hike to the summit of the volcano with your guides and porters. Enjoy lunch at an elevated location before returning to the starting point. Conclude your experience by meeting your guide for drop-off at your hotel.

Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay as you get ready for gorilla trekking the following day.

Mount Bisoke is a dormant volcano that is one of the eight volcanoes located in the Virunga conservation region of East and Central Africa. Mount Bisoke reaches an elevation of 3,711 meters, featuring a crater lake and stunning vegetation at its summit.

Ascending the mountain Bisoke is a one-day hike that demands a good level of fitness. It is a challenging and steep trek, and it is recommended to hire a porter to assist with carrying your water and day pack.

Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Meal schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Following an early morning breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters with your packed lunch to receive a briefing on the code of conduct regarding gorilla trekking.

Subsequently, proceed into the forest to locate the gorillas, a process that may require 2-6 hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ movements within the jungle. Engage with the gorillas for a duration of up to 1 hour.

Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Proceed to Akagera National Park – Afternoon Boat ride

Following breakfast, you will proceed with the transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park, passing through Kigali. Upon arrival at the park, we will move to our designated accommodation.

We arrange for lunch and subsequently embark on a boat excursion on Lake Ihema to observe hippos and crocodiles in the water or along the shores.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Meal schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8 & 9: Full Day Game Drives in AKagera National Park

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast before embarking on your game drives in an open-roofed vehicle. A comprehensive day game drive provides the chance to observe a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, Masai giraffes, gazelles, impalas, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebras, topi, bush babies, leopards, and bushbucks, among others.

Start the evening game drive following lunch. Please proceed back to your lodge for dinner.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 10: Akagera National Park to Kigali

Following breakfast on the final day of your 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps, Big 5 & Big Cats Safari, you will embark on an early morning game drive to observe a variety of wildlife, including elephants, impala, black-tailed mongoose, hippos, oribi, bushbuck, antelope, zebra, cape eland, giraffe, buffalo, as well as primates such as the olive baboon, vervet monkey, and bush baby.

You will proceed to Kigali and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meal plan: Breakfast