6-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Chimps and Big 5 Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Kigali City Tour and Akagera National Park

Your journey begins with a pickup from your hotel or the airport by your private guide. Spend your morning enjoying a relaxed city tour of Kigali, taking in the atmosphere, neighborhoods, and daily life of Rwanda’s vibrant capital. It's a chance to experience the rhythm of the city and grab lunch before continuing your journey.
Journey east toward Akagera National Park. The drive takes you through scenic Rwandan countryside, passing small towns and rolling hills.
Arrive at your lodge in time to settle in, enjoy the surroundings, and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Transfer time: 3 hours.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Best Time To Visit June to September and mid-December to mid-February (It is drier and wildlife is easier to spot)

High Season June to September (The park is busiest at weekends)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Akagera NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

HippoAbundant

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Show more

ElephantOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

HyenaRare

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Akagera Rhino Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

+5 Photos

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Start your day with a morning game drive through the scenic savannahs of Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier Big Five destination. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of other wildlife including giraffes, zebras, topis, bushbucks, hippos, and warthogs.
After lunch, continue for a sunset game drive along the park’s lakes and rivers, where crocodiles, hippos, and water birds are often spotted. The golden hour light highlights the park’s natural beauty and offers perfect photo opportunities.
Afterward, head back to your lodge for dinner.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Accommodation:

Akagera Rhino Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Scenic Drive to Nyungwe Forest

Depart early from Akagera National Park and head toward Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda’s vast rainforest renowned for its biodiversity. The drive takes you through rolling hills, terraced farmland, and small villages, offering glimpses of rural Rwandan life along the way.
As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape becomes increasingly lush and forested, hinting at the wildlife that awaits. Spend the afternoon exploring the forest’s edge trails, enjoying the sounds of birds and monkeys, and taking in panoramic views over the surrounding hills.
Transfer time: 6 hours.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Begin your day with an early morning chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest. Your guide will lead you through dense rainforest trails, listening for the distinct calls of chimpanzees and tracking their movements through the trees. Along the way, you may encounter other primates, including colobus monkeys, as well as an incredible diversity of birds and forest flora.
After this immersive wildlife experience, drive toward Lake Kivu, where you can enjoy the serene waters, forested hillsides, and picturesque villages along the shoreline.
Transfer time: 3-4 hours.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Paradise Malahide Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located near Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Kivu and Local Coffee Farm Experience

Start your morning on the lake — enjoy breakfast with tranquil views of Lake Kivu and the misty hills beyond. Afterward, head out to a nearby coffee farm, where you’ll learn about Rwanda’s renowned coffee production firsthand. Walk through the plantations, see how the beans are harvested, washed, and roasted, and taste freshly brewed coffee right at the source. It’s a rich, sensory experience that connects you to one of Rwanda’s proudest traditions.
In the afternoon, continue your journey north toward Volcanoes National Park. The drive winds through lush highlands, terraced hills, and small farming communities, offering incredible photo stops along the way. As you approach the Virunga Mountains, the dramatic volcanic peaks rise ahead — a breathtaking welcome to the land of the mountain gorillas.
Transfer time: 1-2 hours.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Kinigi Cottage

• Mid-range guest house located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Rise early for the highlight of your Rwanda trip — gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Your expert guide will lead you through dense bamboo forests and volcanic slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing them up close — playing, moving through the trees, and interacting with each other in their natural environment.
After this once-in-a-lifetime encounter, begin the drive back to Kigali where the guide will drop you off at your chosen hotel or Airport.
Transfer time: 3 hours.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.