11 Days Rwanda Safari: A Classic Primate Trekking & Wildlife Tour
11 Days Rwanda Safari: Overview
Embark on an 11 days Rwanda safari, offering the best highlights Rwanda i.e Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, game viewing, Lake Kivu boat cruises, scenery viewing, community tours, historical tours, and more! Starting and ending in Kigali, this 11 days in Rwanda safari tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure through Nyungwe Forest, where you’ll track wild chimpanzees, spot monkeys, and walk across a treetop canopy walkway.
After exploring Nyungwe National Park, the 11 days Rwanda safari takes you to relax on the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu before traveling to Volcanoes National Park to trek mountain gorillas and endemic golden monkeys. Conclude your thrilling adventure with a visit to Kigali, the greenest and cleanest city in Africa, and tour the genocide memorials.
Finally, transfer to Akagera National Park, one of East Africa’s most scenic savannah parks, where you can encounter the “big five” and explore five lakes in a single day.
Book or customize this remarkable 12 days Rwanda safari to suit your interests.
11 Days Rwanda Safari: Prime Safari Activities
- Trekking gorillas in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park
- Tracking endemic Golden monkeys
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest
- Tracking Colobus Monkeys in Nyungwe Forest
- Experiencing a canopy walk in Nyungwe
- Searching for the “Big Five” on game drives in Akagera
- Enjoying a boat cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Ihema
- Driving through the stunning landscapes of Rwanda
- Relaxing on the palm-fringed shores of Lake Kivu
- Enjoying a boat cruise through Lake Kivu’s beautiful islands
- Exploring Rwanda’s tragic history at the Genocide Memorials
- Visiting Iby’iwacu Village for a community experience
- Touring the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace
11 Days Rwanda Safari: Features Destinations
Day 1: Kigali
Day 2 & 3: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 4: Lake Kivu – Gisenyi Beach
Day 5, 6 & 7: Volcanoes National Park & Iby’Iwacu Village
Day 8: Kigali City & Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Day 9 & 10: Nyamata Genocide Memorial & Akagera National Park
Day 11: Departure
11 Days Rwanda Safari – Highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe Forest. Visit Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking & canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest.
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Gisenyi for relaxation.
Day 5: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Drive to Volcanoes National Park in the evening.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes. Relax at the lodge.
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes. Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Day 8: Drive to Kigali City. Tour the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
Day 9: Tour the Nyamata Genocide Memorial. Drive to Akagera National Park.
Day 10: Morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Day 11: Transfer back to Kigali city and depart.
11 Days Rwanda Safari: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, a company representative will meet you in the arrivals hall holding a signboard with your name. After loading your luggage into the 4×4 safari vehicle, you will be transferred to your comfortable accommodation in Kigali for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, is home to approximately 1.1 million people and is renowned for its cleanliness, largely attributed to the ‘Umuganda’ community service concept practiced on the last Saturday of every month.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali/Radisson Blu/Hotel Mille Collines, Midrange: Hotel Chezlando, Meal Plan: Dinner
Activities & Services: Pick-up from the airport and transfer to a hotel in Kigali.
Day 2: Drive from Nyungwe Forest National Park. Tour the Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace En-route
After an early breakfast, embark on a 5-6 hour drive south through beautiful rolling hills and lush tea plantations. Stop in Butare to visit the largest ethnological museum in East Africa, offering rich insights into Rwanda’s socio-cultural history. Continue to Nyanza to tour the King’s Palace, learn about pre-colonial Rwanda’s royal style, and meet the royal cows while listening to herder songs. Complete the scenic drive to Nyungwe, known for its dense forest and diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees and over 300 bird species. Relax at your lodge in preparation for the next day’s activities.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge/One & Only Nyungwe House, Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 320 km or 5-6 hours
Activities & Services: Transfer to Nyungwe, tour Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Wake up early for breakfast and transfer to the park’s visitor center at 5 am to meet your guides. After a short briefing, embark on a 2-5 hour Rwanda chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park to see some of the park’s 500 chimpanzees. Spend one hour observing these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before embarking on a two-hour canopy walk, offering stunning views from a 200m bridge suspended above 70 meters.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge/One & Only Nyungwe House, Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Activities & Services: Chimp trekking, canopy walk
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Gisenyi Beach for Relaxation
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a 7-8 hour scenic drive through tea and coffee plantations to Gisenyi on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. Known for its beautiful beaches and safe swimming waters, Lake Kivu is ideal for relaxation. Check into your hotel for a night of unwinding.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Midrange: Paradise Kivu Resort/Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu, Budget: Hotel Paradis Malahide
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: 294 km/7-8 hours
Activities & Services: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 5: Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu. Drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, exploring scenic shores, islands, and waterbirds. After the cruise, relax and have lunch before a 2-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge, Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: 110 km/2 hours
Activities & Services: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu, transfer to Volcanoes NP
Optional Activities: Swimming, kayaking on Lake Kivu
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes & Relaxation at The Lodge
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before trekking into the forest to meet a family of mountain gorillas. Spend one hour observing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge to relax for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Activities & Services: Gorilla trekking
Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking. Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before tracking golden monkeys in the forest. Spend up to an hour observing these lively primates. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before visiting Iby’Iwacu Village for an interactive cultural experience. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge, Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Activities & Services: Golden monkey trekking, Iby’Iwacu Village visit
Optional Activities: Dian Fossey Hike, Mount Bisoke hike
Day 8: Drive to Kigali City. Tour Kigali Genocide Memorial
After breakfast, drive to Kigali City and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history. Continue to your hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Hotel Mille Collines/Serena Hotel Kigali/Radisson Blu, Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive distance & time: 116 km/2-3 hours
Activities & Services: Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
Day 9: Visit Nyamata Genocide Memorial. Drive to Akagera NP
After breakfast, visit Nyamata Genocide Memorial before driving to Akagera National Park. Check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp, Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge, Budget: Dereva Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: Approx. 165 km/2-3 hours
Activities & Services: Visiting Nyamata Genocide Memorial, transfer to Akagera
Optional Activities: Sunset boat cruise, night game drive
Day 10: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Akagera National Park, followed by a boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:- Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp, Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge, Budget: Dereva Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Activities & Services: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Optional Activities: Night game drive, sportfishing on Lake Shakani
Day 11: Transfer Back to Kigali City & Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive in Akagera before transferring back to Kigali for your departure, marking the end of your remarkable 11-day Rwanda safari trip.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Activities & Services: Morning game drive, transfer back to Kigali
End of The 11 Days Rwanda Safari
