7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari: Gorillas, Big Five & Chimpanzees
Rwanda is a small country with an extraordinary variety of wildlife, landscapes, and cultural experiences. This 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari takes you from the mist-covered slopes of Volcanoes National Park to the open savannahs of Akagera National Park and the ancient montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park. Along the way, you will have opportunities to encounter endangered mountain gorillas, search for Africa’s Big Five, cruise across a wildlife-rich lake, and trek through the forest in search of wild chimpanzees.
Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is celebrated for its beautiful scenery, welcoming communities, and well-maintained road network. This carefully planned itinerary combines three of the country’s most remarkable wildlife destinations while allowing time to appreciate the changing landscapes and enjoy comfortable evenings at your lodge.
Whether you are visiting Rwanda for the first time or returning to discover more of its natural treasures, this safari offers an unforgettable introduction to the country’s remarkable biodiversity.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Morning game drive and Lake Ihema boat cruise
- Day 5: Early morning game drive and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk
- Day 7: Transfer to Kigali and departure
Detailed 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your Rwanda wildlife safari begins with your arrival at Kigali International Airport, where your driver-guide will welcome you and assist with your transfer. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy breakfast or lunch in Kigali before beginning the journey north to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.
The drive takes approximately two to three hours, passing through rolling green hills, rural communities, terraced farms, and scenic countryside. As you approach Musanze, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes may come into view, creating an exciting introduction to Rwanda’s mountain landscapes.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Depending on your arrival time and energy levels, you may relax at the lodge or take a short walk around the area.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park as you prepare for one of Africa’s most memorable wildlife encounters the following day.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
After an early breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing from the park authorities. You will receive guidance on gorilla trekking rules and be assigned to a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will enter the forest in search of these endangered primates. The trek may take one to several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family and the terrain. Trails can be steep, muddy, and physically demanding, so sturdy hiking boots, suitable clothing, and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended. Porters are available for hire to assist with your belongings and provide support along the trail.
Once you find the gorillas, you will generally be allowed one hour to observe them under the guidance of your trekking team. Watch as the dominant silverback monitors the group, young gorillas play among the vegetation, and mothers care for their infants. Seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a moving experience and a highlight of any Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.
After returning from the trek, enjoy lunch and some time to rest before visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, also known as the Gorilla Guardians Village.
Here, you can discover Rwanda’s traditional culture through drumming, dancing, storytelling, and demonstrations of local customs. The community-based initiative provides livelihood opportunities for former poachers and other local residents, helping connect tourism with wildlife conservation and community development.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park and travel east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s principal savannah wildlife destination.
The journey takes approximately five to six hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. You will travel through Kigali and continue towards the eastern part of the country, where the green hills gradually give way to open grasslands, woodland, wetlands, and lakes.
Akagera offers a striking contrast to the mountainous landscapes of northern Rwanda. The park’s varied habitats support elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Lions and rhinos are also present, making Akagera an important destination for visitors hoping to encounter Africa’s Big Five.
Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, check in, and enjoy some time to relax. Depending on your accommodation’s location and the remaining daylight, you may be able to enjoy views of the surrounding wilderness before dinner.
Accommodation: Lodge near or within Akagera National Park, depending on the selected property.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Lake Ihema Boat Cruise
Rise early for a game drive through Akagera National Park, when wildlife is often active and the cooler temperatures make exploring the savannah particularly enjoyable.
Accompanied by your guide, travel across open plains and through woodland in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and various antelope species. With luck, you may encounter lions resting in the grass or other predators moving through the landscape. Leopard and rhino sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
Your guide will help identify wildlife, explain animal behaviour, and interpret the ecological importance of Akagera’s different habitats.
Return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxing break during the warmer part of the day.
Later, head to Lake Ihema for a boat cruise that offers a different perspective on the park’s wildlife. Watch hippos surfacing in the water, crocodiles resting along the shoreline, and birds gathering around the lake’s edges. Keep an eye out for African fish eagles, pelicans, herons, and other wetland species.
The combination of a savannah game drive and a lake excursion makes Akagera one of the most rewarding destinations for a Rwanda Big Five safari.
After the cruise, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge near or within Akagera National Park.
Day 5: Early Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Akagera National Park. This is your final opportunity to search for wildlife you may not have encountered during the previous day’s activities. Depending on your sightings and departure schedule, your guide may explore different areas of the park.
After breakfast, begin the journey southwest towards Nyungwe National Park, travelling via Kigali. This is one of the longest driving days of the itinerary, so allow approximately eight to nine hours or more, depending on your starting point, traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Along the way, observe how Rwanda’s landscapes change from eastern savannah and agricultural plains to rolling hills, tea plantations, and forested mountains.
Nyungwe is one of Africa’s most important montane rainforest ecosystems and is renowned for its rich biodiversity and variety of primates. The cooler climate and dense vegetation create a completely different atmosphere from the open plains of Akagera.
Arrive at your lodge near Nyungwe Forest, settle in, and enjoy dinner before resting for the next day’s forest adventures.
Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk
Today, explore the remarkable biodiversity of Nyungwe National Park, one of Rwanda’s most celebrated rainforest destinations.
After an early breakfast, travel to the designated park reception point for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking experience in Rwanda. Accompanied by park guides and trackers, you will hike through the forest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community.
The duration and difficulty of the trek depend on the chimpanzees’ location, the terrain, and the weather. The hike can take several hours and may involve steep or slippery trails, but the experience is well worth the effort.
Once you encounter the chimpanzees, observe their fascinating social behaviour as they move through the trees, forage for food, groom one another, and communicate through a variety of calls. Nyungwe is also home to other primates, including colobus monkeys, as well as an impressive diversity of forest birds and plant life.
After the trek, enjoy lunch and some time to rest before heading out for the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, subject to the day’s schedule and availability.
Suspended above the forest floor, the canopy walkway provides spectacular views of the rainforest canopy, deep valleys, and surrounding hills. The elevated trail offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the forest from above while looking for birds and other wildlife among the treetops.
The canopy walk is an excellent complement to chimpanzee trekking, providing a different perspective on Nyungwe’s ancient forest ecosystem.
Return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Nyungwe area.
Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park.
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the return journey to Kigali. The drive usually takes approximately five to six hours, although additional time may be required depending on your accommodation’s location, traffic, and road conditions.
Along the way, enjoy Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with opportunities for photographs and brief stops where time permits.
If your international flight departs later in the day and your schedule allows, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or explore a local craft market before heading to the airport. Any additional visits should be planned around your flight departure time.
Your driver-guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.
Your seven-day adventure concludes with lasting memories of mountain gorillas, savannah wildlife, rainforest chimpanzees, and Rwanda’s remarkable landscapes.
End of safari.
Inclusions
The following services are included in this 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari package, subject to the final booking confirmation:
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide throughout the itinerary.
- Six nights of accommodation on a full-board basis, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park.
- Chimpanzee trekking permit for Nyungwe National Park.
- Applicable national park entrance fees.
- Game drives in Akagera National Park.
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
- Nyungwe Canopy Walk experience.
- Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
- Bottled drinking water during the safari.
- Applicable government taxes and service charges.
Exclusions
The following expenses are not included unless specifically agreed in your booking:
- International flights to and from Rwanda.
- Rwanda visa fees, where applicable.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic beverages and additional soft drinks.
- Tips for the driver-guide, trekking guides, porters, and lodge staff.
- Porter hire during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.
- Optional activities not specified in the itinerary.
- Personal medical and travel-related expenses, including vaccination costs.
- Any additional accommodation or services required because of flight changes or itinerary extensions.
Best Time for a 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year, but the dry seasons are generally popular for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and wildlife viewing.
The main drier periods typically occur from June to September and during the shorter dry season around December to February. Trails may be easier to navigate during these periods, although mountain rainforest conditions can change quickly.
The wetter months can bring lush scenery and excellent photographic opportunities, but trekking trails may be muddier and more challenging. Wildlife viewing in Akagera can also vary with seasonal conditions.
Because gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are limited, advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly during popular travel periods.
What to Pack for the Safari
For a comfortable experience across Rwanda’s mountains, savannah, and rainforest, consider packing:
- Lightweight, quick-drying hiking trousers and long-sleeved shirts.
- Waterproof hiking boots with good traction.
- A rain jacket and a small daypack.
- Gardening-style gloves for gripping vegetation during forest treks.
- Insect repellent and sunscreen.
- A reusable water bottle.
- Binoculars and a camera.
- A hat, sunglasses, and personal medication.
- Some cash for tips, porter services, and personal purchases.
Book Your 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari
Experience the best of Rwanda’s wildlife in one unforgettable journey. From coming face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas to searching for lions across Akagera’s savannah and listening to chimpanzees calling through Nyungwe’s rainforest, this itinerary combines some of East Africa’s most remarkable natural experiences.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, with family, or with friends, this safari can be tailored to your preferred accommodation category, travel dates, and budget.
Contact our safari team today to plan your 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari and request a personalised quotation.