7 Days Primates, Wildlife & Culture Safari in Rwanda

Your Rwandan adventure begins as you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where a safari representative will greet you warmly. Enjoy a scenic transfer through the city’s clean and green hills to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may embark on a Kigali city tour, which includes visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the vibrant Inema Art Center, and local craft markets that showcase Rwanda’s creative spirit and resilience.

Overnight: Heaven Boutique Hotel Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

After breakfast, travel north across Rwanda’s lush countryside and terraced hills to Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas. Along the way, stop at local villages and enjoy sweeping views of the Virunga volcano chain in the distance. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in an authentic cultural encounter at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Participate in traditional dances, learn about ancient Rwandan customs, and engage with local communities whose lives are closely connected with the park’s ecosystem.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel Meal Plan: Full Board

Begin the day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing. Accompanied by expert trackers, venture into the dense montane forest in search of a gorilla family. The trek may last from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location, and each step through the misty forest builds anticipation. Once you find the gorillas, spend a magical hour observing their social interactions, from playful juveniles to nurturing mothers and the commanding silverback. This intimate wildlife experience will be unforgettable. In the afternoon, relax at your lodge or choose a guided walk to nearby communities or scenic viewpoints.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for an exhilarating Golden Monkey Tracking adventure. These rare, energetic primates charm visitors with their golden-orange fur and playful behavior as they leap through the bamboo forest canopy. After lunch, begin your scenic drive east to Akagera National Park, a wildlife haven that contrasts with the volcanic highlands. The drive passes through fertile farmlands and small towns, offering insight into everyday life in Rwanda.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Start the day early with a thrilling game drive through Akagera’s rolling savannahs. Look out for the Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos, as well as giraffes, zebras, topis, impalas, and warthogs grazing the plains. Bird enthusiasts can spot over 480 species, including the African fish eagle, shoebill stork, and papyrus Gonolek. In the afternoon, relax on a tranquil boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and a colorful array of waterbirds.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge Meal Plan: Full Board

At sunrise, experience a breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Safari over Akagera’s golden plains. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of herds of elephants, buffalo, and antelope as they move across the landscape—a dream moment for photographers. After breakfast and a relaxed checkout, drive back to Kigali and arrive in the afternoon. Spend the evening at leisure or visit local artisan markets to shop for Rwandan coffee, crafts, and textiles.

Overnight: Heaven Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: Half Board

Enjoy a relaxed morning with an optional visit to the Caplaki Handicraft Market or Nyamirambo Women’s Center, where you can discover Kigali’s cultural vibrancy through storytelling and local cuisine tastings. Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s primates, wildlife, and welcoming people.

Meal Plan: Breakfast The END