9 Days Rwanda Safari – The Best Primate Tracking & Wildlife Rwanda Itinerary
9 Days Rwanda Safari: Overview
The 9 days Rwanda safari offers the best primate tracking and wildlife experience for an unforgettable holiday adventure in Rwanda. Starting and ending in Kigali, this 9 days Rwanda safari itinerary includes encounters with gentle gorillas in Rwanda, diverse wildlife, chimpanzees, local communities, stunning scenery, and more.
This 9 days Rwanda safari trip features a variety of activities, including mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing, a boat tour on Lake Kivu, relaxation, a hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb, cultural tours, and exploring Musanze Caves—all at an affordable price!
The nine days Rwanda safari begins in Akagera National Park with game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you can see unique wildlife, including Africa’s Big 5, along with distinct flora and fauna. After visiting Akagera, you will travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is home to a significant number of chimpanzees and endangered monkeys.
You will enjoy a beach holiday on the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu before heading to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking.
This 9 days Rwanda safari itinerary can be booked as-is or customized to suit your interests.
9 Days Rwanda Safari: Prime Activities
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Visit Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Park
- Colobus monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest
- Canopy walking in Nyungwe
- Tea plantation walks
- Wildlife Game drives in Akagera
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Relax on Lake Kivu and island tours
- Tour of the Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
9 Days Rwanda Safari: Featured Destinations
- Days 1 & 2: Akagera National Park
- Days 3, 4, & 5: Nyungwe National Park, Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
- Day 6: Lake Kivu beach, Gisenyi
- Days 7 & 8: Volcanoes National Park & Musanze Caves
- Day 9: Kigali—Depart
9 Days Rwanda Safari: Highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport & transfer to Akagera National Park.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride in Akagera National Park.
Day 3: Travel to Nyungwe Forest. Visit the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace.
Day 4: Morning chimpanzee trekking and afternoon canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest.
Day 5: Morning Colobus monkey tracking and afternoon tea estate tour.
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Gisenyi beach for relaxation.
Day 7: Boat ride on Lake Kivu. Travel to Volcanoes National Park & explore Musanze Caves upon arrival.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking adventure and relaxation at the lodge.
Day 9: Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave & transfer back to Kigali City.
9 Days Rwanda Safari: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport & Transfer to Akagera National Park
Your tour driver guide will welcome you at Kigali International Airport and provide a briefing on Rwanda and the safari. You will then take a scenic 2-hour drive east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s largest park, filled with diverse wildlife and almost 500 bird species. Upon arrival, check-in at your accommodation and relax. Optional sunset boat cruise or night game drives are available.
Highlight: Scenic drive from Kigali to Akagera
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget: Dereva Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: Approx. 135 km / 2½ hours
Activities & Services:
Pick-up from the airport & transfer to Akagera
Optional Activities:
- Sunset boat cruise
- Night game drive
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Ride in Akagera
After breakfast at the lodge, start your Rwanda wildlife safari by embarking on a 4-hour morning game drive in Akagera’s savannah to see predators and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, take a leisurely boat ride on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and other animals along the lakeshore. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Highlight: Morning game drive
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget: Dereva Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Morning game drive
- Afternoon boat cruise
Optional Activities:
- Night game drive
- Sportfishing
Day 3: Travel to Nyungwe National Park. Explore The Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace En-route
After an early breakfast, check out and travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park, stopping in Butare to visit the Ethnographic Museum and the King’s Palace in Nyanza. Continue to Nyungwe, home to diverse primates and plant species.
Highlight: Exploring Rwanda’s cultural heritage
Accommodation:
Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Drive Distance & Time: Approx. 320 km (5–6 hours)
Activities & Services:
- Drive to Nyungwe
- Tour of the Ethnographic Museum & King’s Palace
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Transfer to the park’s visitor center at 5 am for a briefing and then trek to see chimpanzees. After lunch, go back to the lodge and take a canopy walk in the late afternoon.
Highlight: Trekking chimpanzees
Accommodation:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge/One & Only Nyungwe House
Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Chimp trekking
- Canopy walk
Day 5: Morning Colobus Monkey Tracking & Afternoon Tea Estate Tour
After breakfast, go to the park’s visitor center for colobus monkey tracking. After lunch, go back to the lodge before going on a tour of a tea plantation in the afternoon.
Highlight: Trekking colobus monkeys
Accommodation:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge/One & Only Nyungwe House
Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Colobus monkey tracking
- Tea plantation tour
Optional Activity: Waterfall hike
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu—Gisenyi Beach for Relaxation
After breakfast, set off for Lake Kivu, passing through scenic landscapes and farming villages. Arrive in Gisenyi for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Highlight: Relaxation on Lake Kivu’s shores
Accommodation:
Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange: Paradise Kivu Resort/Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu
Budget: Hotel Paradis Malahide
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Drive Distance & Time: 294 km / 7-8 hours
Activities & Services:
- Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 7: Boat Ride on Lake Kivu. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Explore Musanze Caves
Begin with breakfast and a 3-hour boat cruise on Lake Kivu. After lunch, drive to Volcanoes National Park and explore Musanze Caves upon arrival.
Highlight: Boat ride on Lake Kivu
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: 110 km / 2 hours
Activities & Services:
- Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
- Transfer to Volcanoes
Optional Activities at Lake Kivu:
- Swimming, kayaking
- Sportfishing
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Adventure & Relaxation at the Lodge
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing and then embark on a Rwanda gorilla trekking encounter. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and relaxation.
Highlight: Trekking gorillas in the wild
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:
- Gorilla trekking
Optional Activity: Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
Day 9: Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave & Transfer Back to Kigali City
After breakfast, hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes National Park. After the hike, transfer back to Kigali to conclude the safari.
Highlight: Dian Fossey Tomb hike
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Distance & Time: 116 km / 2-3 hours
Activities & Services:
- Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave
- Transfer to Kigali
Optional Activities:
- Golden monkey tracking
- Mount Bisoke hike
