8 Days Rwanda Safari
This 8 days safari in Rwanda offers a lifetime opportunity for you to visit 3 of the 4 National Parks with a guarantee of encountering primates and savanna wildlife. The main highlights of this safari include visiting Akagera National Park for a game drive & boat cruise, Volcanoes National Park & Nyungwe Forest National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, respectively. Below is a detailed 8 days Rwanda safari itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival, pick up & transfer to hotel
You will be picked up at Kigali International Airport (KGL) and driven to a hotel booked for you by your tour operator in Rwanda. Check in and have a relaxed evening, sharing stories of your long journey, before retiring for the night.
Day 2: Briefing & drive to Akagera (Launch cruise)
Meet your tour driver for a briefing before you start your trip to Akagera National Park, Eastern Province of Rwanda. It will be a short road trip, taking 2.5 hours to drive in a full-time 4×4 safari vehicle. Please arrive at the park early and proceed to the lodge while catching a glimpse of some animal species as they roam around. Get a leisurely lunch, and you will participate in a boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. The boat safari mainly brings you a close encounter with aquatic life: hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Day 3: Full-day exploring Akagera wildlife with a guide
Lying on Eastern Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park offers an excellent Big Five game viewing experience. Starting early in the morning, set out for a game drive through the park’s savannas to look out for important species such as zebras, elephants, Masai giraffes, waterbucks, buffaloes, bushbucks, lions, leopards, rhinos, roan antelopes, and birds.
By around 11:30 am, you would have returned to the lodge for a leisurely lunch and relaxation. Set out of the lodge again, and this time, it will be mainly for a boat cruise experience on Lake Ihema. This water sport lets you view hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds.
Day 4: Safari to the Southern Province (Nyungwe Forest National Park)
After breakfast, meet with your tour driver for pick-up and begin your road trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This won’t be a straight drive but includes an en route visit to the King’s Palace in Butare, the Ethnographic Museum, and later lunch in a restaurant/hotel. After, connect to Nyungwe’s safari lodges for relaxation, dinner, and a night’s stay.
Day 5: Watch chimpanzees in the wild & canopy walk
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a treasure trove for primate lovers, especially those seeking the thrill of chimpanzee trekking. Your adventure begins at 8:00 a.m. after a comprehensive briefing. As you search for these fascinating creatures, watch for other primates such as Rwenzori colobus monkeys, baboons, L’hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
The trek will start from Uwinka reception, and a one-hour close view of chimpanzees is guaranteed. The afternoon experience will be a canopy walk through a suspended walkway from Uwinka along the Igishigishigi trail.
Day 6: To Northern Province tour (Volcanoes National Park)
You will depart Nyungwe Forest for Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The en-route journey covers a spectacular view of Lake Kivu and the surrounding areas.
Day 7: Meet mountain gorillas & visit Ibyi’wacu village
Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the lodge. And meet the tour driver for transfer to Kinigi for a briefing about gorilla trekking. This is a moment when you will have insight into gorilla trekking rules. And the gorilla family will be allocated for you to go to the track. In a group of 8 guests, one experienced park guide will accompany you through the 2-6 6-hour trek. This includes one hour of photo taking & observing the daily behaviors of mountain gorillas. After tracking gorillas, walk back and relax, then continue to Ibyi’wacu village for a cultural experience.
Day 8: Transfer to Kigali – Departure
Have breakfast, check out, and then begin your road trip to Kigali. This 2-3 hour drive lets you view the beautiful countryside. On arrival in Kigali, visit the Gisozi memorial center, museum, and other sites. After the city tour, go to a restaurant for lunch, and later, transfer to the airport for departure or remain at a hotel. This will mark the end of your 8-day Rwanda safari.
