10-Day Rwanda Highlights Safari – Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife

On this 10-day Rwanda highlights safari, you will explore some of the best attractions in Rwanda. Trek mountain gorillas, meet the welcoming local people, and enjoy beautiful lakeside views.

The safari includes chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, a canopy walk, boat rides, waterfall hiking, and more. You will also see chimpanzees, gorillas, colobus monkeys, buffaloes, elephants, and different bird species.

10-Day Rwanda Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, craft market visit & transfer to hotel
• Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe
• Day 4: Canopy walk & waterfall hike
• Day 5: Lake Kivu
• Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park & game drive
• Day 9: Boat safari & Transfer to Kigali
• Day 10: Departure

Detailed 10-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, craft market visit & transfer to hotel

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet our driver guide who will welcome you and brief you about the safari. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit some of Kigali’s craft markets, where you can see sculptures, weaving, pottery, carvings, batik, leather, and fabrics. You can also join in handcraft lessons. Later, proceed to your hotel in Kigali for overnight.

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. Nyungwe is home to 13 species of primates including colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys, and chimpanzees. It is also one of Africa’s best birding spots with over 310 bird species, 26 of which are found only here.

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe

Wake up early and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking rules and guidelines. Trek through the Cyamudongo or Uwinka areas to find the chimpanzees.

You will spend one hour with them, taking photos and enjoying the experience. After trekking, return to your lodge to relax or choose an optional activity with your guide.

Day 4: Canopy walk & waterfall hike

After breakfast, take part in East Africa’s only canopy walk, a bridge 50 meters above the ground. The walk lasts about two hours and gives you a chance to spot monkeys and birds in the forest canopy.

In the afternoon, go for a waterfall hike, which takes 3–5 hours depending on your pace. Cross streams and descend to the base of a refreshing waterfall, with opportunities to see primates and enjoy views of the forest.

Day 5: Lake Kivu

After a relaxed breakfast, travel to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu. Visit Ndaba Falls and walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon, take a boat ride to visit nearby islands, including Napoleon Island.

Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, drive northeast to Musanze, near the Virunga Mountains. Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered mountain gorillas and many bird species. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules. You will be divided into groups of eight and assigned a gorilla family. Trekking can take 2–8 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once you find them, you will spend one hour observing and photographing them. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park & game drive

After breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. The park covers 2,500 km² of Savannah and wetlands and is home to over 450 bird species and animals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, rhinos, lions, and leopards.

After lunch, go for an afternoon game drive to spot wildlife before checking into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Boat safari & Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you may see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds such as kingfishers, cormorants, and fish eagles. After lunch, drive back to Kigali. On the way, visit Nyamata genocide memorial church in Bugesera, then continue to Kigali to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your flight back home. This marks the end of your 10-day Rwanda safari.

End of 10 Days Rwanda Highlights Safari.

If you'd like to personalize your tour by adding extra days or destinations, please reach out to us through our main contact page using the button below.