15 Days Rwanda Safari Tour: Primate Trekking, Wildlife, Hiking & Culture
15 Days Rwanda Safari Tour: Overview
Embark on a thrilling 15 days Rwanda safari adventure designed to provide an in-depth exploration of this beautiful country. Starting and ending in Kigali, this comprehensive 15 days in Rwanda tour offers relaxation and the opportunity to discover gorillas, chimpanzees, diverse wildlife, birds, and the rich Rwandan history and culture, all set against stunning landscapes.
Experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda, golden monkey tracking, and hiking Mount Bisoke in Volcanoes National Park. In Nyungwe National Park, enjoy chimpanzee and colobus monkey tracking, along with an exhilarating canopy walk. Explore Kigali city, visit the Genocide Memorial, King’s Palace, tea estates, Lake Kivu, Musanze Caves, and Ibyiwacu Cultural Village.
The 15 days Rwanda safari tour also includes a visit to Akagera National Park, home to Africa’s Big Five, where you can enjoy amazing Rwanda wildlife safaris and witness one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, large crocodiles, and a variety of birds, with over 500 species recorded.
For a rewarding and unforgettable Rwanda holiday, book or customize this 15-day Rwanda safari trip to match your interests and preferences.
15 Days Rwanda Safari Tour: Prime Activities
- Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes NP
- Hiking Mount Bisoke (3,711 meters)
- Trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest NP
- Colobus Monkey Tracking in Nyungwe Forest
- Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
- Scenic Drives through Rwanda’s picturesque landscapes
- Game Drives in Akagera National Park
- Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park
- Relaxation at the scenic shores of Lake Kivu
- Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu
- Visit the Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
- Cultural Experience at Ibyiwacu Cultural Village/Gorilla Guardians Village
- Tour Musanze Caves
- Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial & tour Kigali city
15 Days Rwanda Safari: Featured Destinations
- Day 1: Kigali
- Day 2: Kigali City—Kigali Genocide Memorial Center
- Days 3, 4, & 5: Nyungwe National Park, Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
- Days 6 & 7: Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
- Days 8, 9, & 10: Volcanoes National Park & Ibyiwacu Cultural Village
- Days 11 & 12: Akagera National Park
- Day 13: Akagera National Park
- Day 14: Kigali
- Day 15: Departure
15 Days Rwanda Safari: Highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport & transfer to your hotel
Day 2: Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial Center & tour Kigali city
Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe Forest; visit the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking & canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 5: Colobus monkey tracking and an afternoon tea estate tour
Day 6: Drive to Lake Kivu (Kibuye) for relaxation
Day 7: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu & relaxation; optional full-day kayaking
Day 8: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & tour Musanze Caves
Day 9: Hike Mount Bisoke; optional Dian Fossey Tomb hike
Day 10: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & relaxing
Day 11: Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes NP; visit Ibyiwacu Cultural Village
Day 12: Travel to Akagera National Park; enjoy an evening game drive
Day 13: Full game drive in Akagera National Park & relaxation
Day 14: Boat cruise on Lake Ihema; return to Kigali
Day 15: Drop-off at the airport for flight departure
15 Days Rwanda Safari Tour: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali For Your 15 Days Rwanda Safari
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, a representative from Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd will greet you and transfer you to your comfortable hotel in Kigali.
Kigali, renowned for its lush hillsides, flowering trees, winding roads, and bustling streets, stands out as one of Africa’s most captivating capitals. The city is celebrated for its cleanliness and safety, qualities often lacking in many major cities around the globe.
Residents participate in ‘Umuganda Day’ monthly, a day dedicated to communal cleaning. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying dinner as you prepare for your city tour tomorrow.
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali, Hotel Mille Collines, Radisson Blu
- Midrange: Heaven Boutique Hotel, Hotel Chezlando
Meals: Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Airport pick-up
- Hotel transfer and relaxation
Day 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial and City Tour
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Built on the burial site of 250,000 victims, the memorial offers a profound and educational experience, explaining the events of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi tribe.
Afterward, enjoy a drive through Kigali, exploring markets, art galleries, and craft centers. You might stop for coffee at the historic Hotel Mille Collines. Conclude the evening with dinner, gearing up for the upcoming adventure.
Highlight: Learning about Rwanda’s tragic history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali, Radisson Blu, Hotel Mille Collines
- Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Tour Kigali city
Day 3: Journey to Nyungwe National Park with Museum and Palace Visits
Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a scenic 5 to 6 hour drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. En route, visit the Ethnographic Museum in Butare to learn about Rwanda’s cultural history and the King’s Palace in Nyanza, where you can meet royal cows and listen to traditional Amahamba songs.
After lunch, continue to Nyungwe Forest, a biodiverse rainforest. Spend the evening at your lodge, preparing for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trek.
Highlight: Exploring Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Nyungwe
- Visit Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
After an early breakfast, meet your local ranger guide at the park’s visitor center for a 2-hour trek to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for lunch and later enjoy a canopy walk, offering unique views of wildlife in the forest canopy.
Highlight: Tracking wild chimpanzees on foot
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Canopy walk
Day 5: Colobus Monkey Tracking and Tea Estate Tour
Start your day with an early breakfast and head to the visitor center for a gentle trek to see Colobus monkeys. These primates form large super-groups unique to Nyungwe. In the afternoon, visit a tea estate to learn about tea cultivation and processing.
Highlight: Observing Colobus Monkeys
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Colobus monkey tracking
- Tea estate tour
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu
After a leisurely breakfast, drive 3 to 4 hours to Lake Kivu, passing through scenic hills and villages. Arrive in Kibuye, a serene town on the lake’s shore. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake, taking a sunset boat cruise, or joining a night fishing adventure.
Highlight: Relaxing by Lake Kivu
Accommodation:
- Midrange: Cormoran Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Lake Kivu
- Relaxation by the lake
Optional Activities:
- Boat trip on Lake Kivu
- Night fishing
Day 7: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise and Relaxation
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before a boat excursion on Lake Kivu. Explore islands like Napoleon Island, known for its fruit bats, and Amahoro Island, popular for its seasonal sundowner bar. Optional activities include swimming, kayaking, or waterskiing.
Highlight: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Accommodation: Midrange: Cormoran Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: Boat excursion on Lake Kivu
Day 8: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Musanze Caves
After breakfast, drive 4 hours to Volcanoes National Park, stopping for lunch in Gisenyi. Upon arrival, explore the Musanze Caves, created by ancient volcanic activity. Learn about the geological history of the region.
Highlight: Exploring Musanze Caves
Accommodation Options:
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Visit Musanze Caves
