7-Day Rwanda Wildlife Tour | Akagera, Nyungwe & Volcanoes Safari

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Kigali International Airport. Your driver-guide will greet you and, depending on your arrival time, take you on a brief city tour featuring a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial a profoundly moving site that provides essential context for understanding modern Rwanda . After lunch, embark on a 2.5-hour scenic drive east through rolling hills and rural countryside to Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah park . Upon arrival, check into your lodge overlooking the park's beautiful landscape. Enjoy a relaxing evening and a delicious dinner as the sounds of the African bush surround you. Overnight at your Akagera lodge.

Rise early for a sunrise game drive through Akagera's vast savannah plains. This is your chance to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos the iconic Big Five . Zebras, giraffes, and antelopes dot the grasslands while over 500 bird species fill the skies . Your expert guide will navigate the park's varied habitats to maximize your sightings. Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along Lake Ihema the park's crown jewel. Here, you'll get up close to enormous pods of hippos, massive Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, and elephants drinking at the water's edge . The birdlife is exceptional, with African fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons providing a spectacular show. As the sun sets over the lake, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Akagera and begin the scenic 6-hour drive westward across Rwanda's breathtaking landscape . The journey takes you through the heart of the country, passing endless terraced hillsides, verdant valleys, and tea plantations that live up to Rwanda's reputation as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" . En route, stop at the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza the former headquarters of the ancient Rwandan kingdom to learn about the country's rich cultural heritage . Arrive at your luxury lodge on the edge of Nyungwe Forest in the late afternoon, where the cool mountain air and forest views create a magical atmosphere. Settle in, enjoy dinner, and prepare for tomorrow's primate adventure. Overnight at your Nyungwe lodge.

Today delivers two of Rwanda's most memorable experiences. Before dawn, you'll head to the Nyungwe park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking . Enter the ancient montane rainforest one of Africa's oldest in search of wild chimpanzees, our closest living relatives. Expert trackers enter the forest before dawn to locate their overnight nests, ensuring your trek is as successful as possible . Trekking can take 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the chimps' location, but the reward is a magical one-hour encounter observing them play, groom, and interact . Return to the lodge for lunch and rest, then set out for an afternoon adventure on the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Suspended 70 meters above the forest floor, this suspension bridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of the treetops and the chance to spot colobus monkeys and colorful birds . Overnight at your Nyungwe lodge.

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and head north toward Volcanoes National Park. The drive follows the shores of Lake Kivu one of Africa's Great Lakes offering spectacular views of calm waters, fishing villages, and terraced hillsides . The route is one of Rwanda's most scenic, passing through Gisenyi before climbing toward the Virunga Mountains. As you approach, the volcanoes including Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisokee emerge on the horizon, shrouded in mist and mystery . Arrive at your lodge near the park headquarters, where stunning volcano views set the stage for tomorrow's highlight. Rest, enjoy the highland air, and prepare for the pinnacle of your Rwandan safari. Overnight at your Volcanoes lodge.

Today is the ultimate adventure gorilla trekking in the misty Virunga Mountains. After an early breakfast, transfer to the Kinigi park headquarters for a 7:00 AM briefing on trekking guidelines and gorilla behavior . You'll be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on fitness levels, and rangers will share details of the family's recent location and social structure . Armed with a walking stick and packed lunch, you'll enter the dense rainforest and begin the trek, which can take 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas' movements . The terrain can be steep and muddy, but the reward is beyond words. When you locate the gorilla family, you'll spend an unforgettable hour observing the silverback, mothers, and juveniles in their natural habitat watching them feed, groom, and interact . After the trek, return to the lodge for a well-earned rest. In the afternoon, visit the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village for an authentic experience of Rwandan traditions, dance, and crafts . Overnight at your Volcanoes lodge.

After a final leisurely breakfast, check out and begin the scenic 2.5-hour drive back to Kigali. If time permits, stop at local craft markets for last-minute souvenirs or visit the Kimironko Market to experience Kigali's vibrant urban culture . Arrive at Kigali International Airport in time for your onward flight. As you depart, you'll carry with you the extraordinary memories of Rwanda's incredible wildlife from the savannahs of Akagera to the rainforests of Nyungwe and the misty volcanoes of the Virungas. Safe travels and murakoze (thank you) for choosing Rwanda!