7-Day Rwanda Primate & Big Five Safari

Overview—7-Day Rwanda Primate & Big Five Safari

Rwanda is one of Africa’s most unique safari destinations, where savannah plains meet montane rainforests, offering travelers the chance to see both the Big Five and an extraordinary diversity of primates. This 7-day Primate & Big Five Safari takes you across the country’s premier parks—Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Volcanoes National Park—blending classic game drives with thrilling primate trekking. From lions, elephants, and rhinos on Akagera’s open plains to chimpanzees in Nyungwe’s dense rainforest and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes, this journey captures the very essence of Rwanda’s wildlife diversity.

More than just wildlife, this safari also highlights Rwanda’s breathtaking scenery and conservation success stories. You’ll travel through the rolling hills famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” witness conservation in action at protected reserves, and enjoy the warmth of Rwandan hospitality at lodges that offer both comfort and spectacular views. This itinerary is designed for travelers who want the best of both worlds: the raw excitement of tracking primates in their natural habitats and the grandeur of Big Five encounters on the savannah.

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Detailed Itinerary —7-Day Rwanda Primate & Big Five Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport and meet your guide. Depending on your arrival time, take a short city tour of Kigali, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and colorful local markets. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali – Transfer to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. Check into your lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, and possibly lions and leopards. Overnight in Akagera.

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera

Spend the day exploring Akagera with both morning and afternoon game drives. Look out for buffalo, rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, and abundant birdlife along Lake Ihema. With luck, you may spot all of the Big Five in a single day. Overnight in Akagera.

Day 4: Akagera – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, begin the long but scenic journey southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Pass through Rwanda’s green hills, tea plantations, and local villages along the way. Arrive at your lodge in the evening and settle in. Overnight in Nyungwe.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe

Start early with a guided trek to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. The thrill of watching these primates interact in their natural environment is unforgettable. After lunch, enjoy a canopy walk suspended high above the rainforest floor, offering unique perspectives of the forest and excellent birdwatching. Overnight in Nyungwe.

Day 6: Nyungwe – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northwest. The scenic drive reveals endless hills and panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and prepare for the highlight of the trip—mountain gorilla trekking. Overnight near Volcanoes.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes – Return to Kigali

Rise early and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on your gorilla trek. The hike may take a few hours, but the reward is an awe-inspiring hour spent with a gorilla family in their natural forest home. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before heading back to Kigali for your onward flight, concluding your safari.