Day 1: Arrive in Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your driver-guide meets you for transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to rest, or take an orientation visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and a short city tour through Kimironko Market and the upscale Kiyovu district. Dinner at a local restaurant featuring Rwandan and international cuisine.
Accommodation: Ubumwe Grande Hotel or Kigali Serena Hotel (upper-midrange)

Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Nyungwe Forest, roughly a 6-7 hour scenic drive south through Rwanda’s terraced hills, tea plantations, and the winding roads of Nyamagabe. Stop en route at the Rwanda National Museum in Huye (Butare) to learn about the country’s history and culture, and break for lunch in Huye town. Continue to Nyungwe, arriving in the late afternoon in time to settle in and enjoy the forest views at sunset.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or One&Only Nyungwe House (upper-midrange option: Nyungwe Top View)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe

Early breakfast before a briefing at park headquarters, followed by a guided trek into the forest in search of habituated chimpanzee troops. Treks vary in length depending on the chimps’ movements, ranging from one to several hours through dense montane rainforest. Nyungwe is one of the few places in Africa where sightings are relatively reliable. Return to the lodge for lunch, then in the afternoon enjoy an optional nature walk to a waterfall or birdwatching along forest trails, as Nyungwe hosts over 300 bird species.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 4: Canopy Walkway & Transfer to Lake Kivu

Morning activity on the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge 70 meters above the forest floor offering spectacular views over the valley and, on clear days, glimpses of the Congo-Nile watershed. After lunch, depart for Lake Kivu, roughly a 2-3 hour drive to Kibuye (Karongi) or continuing to Rubavu (Gisenyi), depending on your chosen route. Arrive at your lakeside hotel in time to relax by the water and enjoy a sunset over the lake’s volcanic islands.
Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge Kibuye or Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Rubavu

Day 5: Lake Kivu Leisure & Transfer to Kinigi

Spend the morning at leisure on Lake Kivu. Optional activities include a boat cruise to Napoleon Island (home to fruit bats) or Amahoro Island, kayaking, or a visit to a local coffee or tea cooperative to learn about Rwanda’s celebrated coffee industry. After lunch, transfer north to Kinigi, gateway to Volcanoes National Park, a drive of approximately 2-3 hours through the Congo-Nile Divide and past terraced volcanic farmland. Check in and enjoy views of the Virunga volcanic range.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Kinigi Lodge

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

This is the highlight of the safari. An early start with briefing at park headquarters around 7:00 am, where trackers assign groups based on fitness level and gorilla family location. The trek through bamboo forest and volcanic slopes can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, but the reward is a full hour spent observing a habituated mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat, an unforgettable and humbling wildlife experience. Return to the lodge in the afternoon for rest, or opt for a visit to the Dian Fossey exhibit or a community walk.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Kinigi Lodge

Day 7: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cultural Experience

Morning trek to see the endangered and playful golden monkeys, endemic to the Virunga Massif. This trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, taking place in the bamboo zone of the park, and offers wonderful photographic opportunities as the monkeys leap through the foliage. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village near Kinigi for an immersive experience of traditional Rwandan dance, music, and daily life, including demonstrations of traditional healing practices and a mock royal homestead.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Kinigi Lodge

Day 8: Kinigi to Akagera National Park

Depart after breakfast for the long transfer to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, approximately 6-7 hours via Kigali, where you may stop for lunch. The route takes you back through the capital before continuing east into the savanna landscapes of Akagera, a striking contrast to the volcanic highlands and rainforest of the preceding days. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your lodge overlooking the park’s lakes and plains.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge or Magashi Camp (upper-midrange: Akagera Game Lodge)

Day 9: Full-Day Akagera Game Viewing

A full day dedicated to exploring Akagera’s diverse ecosystems of savanna, wetlands, and lakes. Morning game drive in search of the Big Five, Akagera is Rwanda’s only Big Five park, having reintroduced lions and black rhinos in recent years, alongside elephants, buffalo, and leopards. Look also for giraffes, zebras, topi, and antelope species across the open plains. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Lake Ihema, one of the best ways to view hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife including African fish eagles, herons, and the elusive shoebill stork in the papyrus swamps.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 10: Morning Game Drive & Return to Kigali

An early game drive to catch predators active in the cooler hours, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Depart Akagera by late morning for the drive back to Kigali (approximately 2.5-3 hours), arriving in the early afternoon. Depending on flight schedules, spend the remaining time shopping for souvenirs at Kigali’s craft markets, such as Caplaki Craft Village, or relaxing at your hotel.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel or Ubumwe Grande Hotel

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll or visit any remaining sites of interest in Kigali, depending on your flight time. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward departure, bringing your 11-day Rwanda safari to a close.

Practical Notes

• Permits: Gorilla trekking permits (currently USD 1,500 per person) and golden monkey permits (USD 100 per person) should be booked well in advance, as gorilla permits are limited and in high demand.
• Fitness: Both gorilla and golden monkey treks involve hiking at altitude on uneven volcanic terrain; a reasonable level of fitness is recommended, and porters can be hired locally to assist with equipment.
• Best time to visit: The dry seasons (June-September and December-February) offer the easiest trekking conditions and best game viewing in Akagera, though gorilla trekking is possible year-round.
• Packing: Waterproof hiking boots, rain jacket, gardening gloves, and neutral-colored clothing are essential for forest treks; lighter safari wear suits Akagera’s warmer climate.
• Pace: This itinerary involves several long road transfers (Nyungwe, Lake Kivu, Kinigi, and Akagera are all several hours apart), so those short on time could consider a domestic flight between Kigali and Akagera to save a driving day, or compress the Lake Kivu stop.

This itinerary balances Rwanda’s three flagship wildlife experiences, chimpanzee and primate trekking in Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virunga volcanoes, and Big Five savanna safaris in Akagera, with relaxation time on the shores of Lake Kivu, all using comfortable, upper-midrange lodges throughout.