10 Days Rwanda Primate Safari – Gorilla Trekking & Chimp Trek.

The 10 days Rwanda safari tour is a long tour package designed for you to have an in-depth exploration in Rwanda. It covers several most memorable experiences especially gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. This package also includes chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

You also stand a chance to explore Rwanda’s only savanna park; Akagera National Park. At Akagera, expect to participate in game drives and launch cruise. While on 10 days Rwanda safari tour in Akagera, you will get excellent view of big game, antelopes, birds among others. This long safari tour in Rwanda takes 9 nights but starts and ends in Kigali.

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Kigali capital-Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing

Day 2: Game drives & boat or launch cruise

Day 3: Akagera National Park-Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri

Day 4: Gorilla trekking

Day 5: Golden monkey adventure & Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour

Day 6: Dian Fossey gravesite hike

Day 7: Volcanoes National Park-Lake Kivu for a boat ride

Day 8: Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest in the Southern Province

Day 9: Chimp tracking & canopy walk adventure

Day 10: Nyungwe Forest to Kigali, 6 hours’ drive

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Kigali capital-Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing

After a leisurely cup of Rwandan tea or coffee, transfer to Akagera National Park. Your trip to Eastern Province of Rwanda takes about 2 and half hours’ drive. Today, you will take part in Kigali city tour, taking you through exploration at Kigali genocide site, local markets. Later, go have the best meal and connect to Akagera in Eastern Rwanda.

Accommodation

Camping/Dereva Hotel (Basic)
Akagera Game Lodge (Moderate)
Ruzizi Tented Camp or in Magashi Tented Camp (Up-market)

Day 2: Game drives & boat or launch cruise

Have breakfast early in the morning and after, an exciting morning game drive awaits for you. Go enjoy excellent sight of buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, antelopes, lions, birds on a game drive and have a memorable experience of a lifetime. This is 2 to 3 round trip and after, lunch be offered at the lodge.

Afternoon will include a launch or boat cruise along Lake Ihema. Here, expect incredible view of crocodiles, hippos, water birds and other species of wildlife. Get back to relax, have dinner and later a night stay at the booked lodge.

Accommodation

Camping/Dereva Hotel (Basic)
Akagera Game Lodge (Moderate)
Ruzizi Tented Camp or in Magashi Tented Camp (Up-market)

Day 3: Akagera National Park-Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri

After breakfast, the next destination on your Rwanda safari package will be Volcanoes National Park, a home to mountain gorillas. This is set in Northwestern Rwanda, 4 to 5 hours’ drive. Have a comfortable stay in your booked lodge.

Accommodation

Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic)
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge or within Le Palme Hotel (Moderate)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or in Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury)

Day 4: Gorilla trekking

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast and after, all visitors will be expected at Kinigi where briefing is done. Once you get to know the gorilla trekking guidelines and also you have a gorilla group to trek, the park guide takes you on a search for mountain gorillas starting at 8:00am. Because this primate adventure lasts 2-6 hours, we advise you to come along with some snacks and bottled water. You will get back to relax in the lodge after 1 hour with gorillas.

Accommodation

Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic)
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge or within Le Palme Hotel (Moderate)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or in Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury)

Day 5: Golden monkey adventure & Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour

Your 10 days Rwanda safari tour also includes golden monkey tracking. You will begin a day with breakfast and later, briefing at Kinigi. The actual search for golden monkeys commences at 8:00am and takes 2-4 hours but inclusive of 1 hour of close encounter.

In the evening, enhance your primate adventures in Volcanoes National Park with a visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village. Get to interact with local residents as they will also perform before you.

Accommodation

Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic)
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge or within Le Palme Hotel (Moderate)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or in Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury)

Day 6: Dian Fossey gravesite hike

After breakfast, go hike to Dian Fossey gravesite about 2-4 hours. This trek gives insight into Dian Fossey and her legacy on gorilla conservation. After, return to have relaxation and overnight in the lodge.

Accommodation

Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic)
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge or within Le Palme Hotel (Moderate)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or in Gorilla Nest Lodge (Luxury)

Day 7: Volcanoes National Park-Lake Kivu for a boat ride

Leave Volcanoes National Park when you are done with breakfast for Lake Kivu. Get here early and have lunch then spend your evening on white sand bathing.

Accommodation

Gisenyi Guesthouse (Basic)
Water Front Resort (Moderate)
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury)

Day 8: Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest in the Southern Province

Go enjoy a boat ride along L. Kivu after breakfast. Later, head to Nyungwe Forest National Park which shelters 13 primate species. This will be after lunch break.

Accommodation

Gisakura Guesthouse (Basic)
Nyungwe Hill Hotel (Moderate)
Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury)

Day 9: Chimp tracking & canopy walk adventure

Gather at Uwinka Reception after breakfast. You will be briefed on chimp tracking rues and after, the park guide takes you on a trek to see chimpanzees. On chimp trek that lasts for 2 to 4 hours, expect to see not chimpanzees but also other species of primates and birds. Get back for lunch after 1 hour of close encounter with chimps. Afternoon will involve experiencing Nyungwe Forest on a canopy walk for 2-3 hours.

Accommodation