10 days · Rwanda
10-day Rwanda gorilla, chimpanzee and Akagera safari
Rwanda's three habitats in ten days: volcano forest for gorillas, mountain rainforest for chimpanzees and open savannah for game, with a lake in the middle.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Our driver-guide meets you at Kigali airport and takes you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you can visit the city's memorial museum, which many visitors find moving and important for understanding Rwanda today. Dinner and rest in Kigali.
Day 2
Drive north to Musanze, the base for Volcanoes National Park, in about two to two and a half hours. The road climbs through terraced hills, and on clear days you see the volcano peaks. Settle into your lodge, take a short walk, and prepare for the trek with a briefing from your guide.
Day 3
Gather at the park headquarters in Kinigi in the early morning. Rangers assign you to a gorilla family and walk you through the rules. The walk crosses farmland, then bamboo and montane forest. When you reach the family, you spend one hour with them at a distance of 7 metres. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
Day 4
Choose one extra activity. Golden monkey tracking is a shorter outing in the bamboo, where playful monkeys feed and leap. The Dian Fossey hike is a longer walk up the slopes to the research site and grave of the primatologist. Ask us to plan whichever suits your energy after the gorilla trek.
Day 5
Drive west to Lake Kivu, about two hours with stops, and check in at a lodge on the shore. The afternoon is free for a boat ride, a swim in the calmer water if you wish, or a walk along the lake path. After three active days, many guests treasure this rest.
Day 6
Today is the longest drive of the trip, about six to eight hours with stops, along the winding road above the lake and through tea country. You reach Nyungwe Forest in the late afternoon. The ride is scenic, and the road is the main reason this route works best with a private vehicle and a patient driver.
Day 7
Start early. Rangers lead you into the forest to find a habituated chimpanzee community, and you spend one hour with them once you find them. In the afternoon, you can walk a forest trail or visit the canopy walkway if it is open. Nyungwe is also home to other primates and many birds, so keep your binoculars handy.
Day 8
Drive back to Kigali, about five to six hours with stops, and check into your hotel. The evening is free, and this is a good chance to shop for crafts or enjoy a meal in the city.
Day 9
Drive east to Akagera National Park, about two to two and a half hours, and reach your lodge by midday. In the afternoon, take a game drive across the savannah, where you can look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and, with luck, lions or rhinos.
Day 10
Start with an early game drive or a boat trip on the lake, then return to Kigali in time for your departure flight. If your flight is late, we plan a relaxed lunch and a short city stop.
What is included
- Gorilla permit for your date in Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Nyungwe
- Golden monkey or Dian Fossey hike permit (your choice)
- Lodging and meals as set out in your quote
- Private vehicle with driver-guide
- Park entrance fees and ranger guides
- Boat trip or game drive in Akagera
- Bottled water on the road
Not included
- International flights
- Extra nights before or after the trip
- Travel insurance and visa fees
- Personal items and tips
Your quote lists every inclusion for your dates and group size.
How to book this trip
- Send your dates. Use the request form or WhatsApp.
- We check for you. Our office confirms your permit date with the park, normally within 24 hours.
- You receive one quote. Then we secure your permit and plan the rest.
Rwanda in ten days: the logic of this route
This route follows the country from the northern volcanoes, down the lakeshore, to the south-western rainforest and across to the eastern savannah. Each stop is a different habitat. Because Rwanda is compact, the drives between them are manageable, and the roads are mostly well maintained.
The gorilla trek comes early, because it is the main reason many guests come. The extra activity on day four gives you a gentler second outing. Nyungwe and Akagera then widen the picture, so that you see forest, mountain, lake and plain. The route fits travellers who want more than gorillas without leaving the country.
The Visit Rwanda site gives an official overview of the parks. Our own Rwanda gorilla trekking guide explains the main experience in depth.
Choosing between golden monkeys and the Dian Fossey hike
Both activities start from the same area as the gorilla trek, so many guests ask which to choose. Golden monkey tracking takes a shorter walk and focuses on a lively, endangered primate found in the bamboo zone. The Dian Fossey hike is a longer climb that visits a place of real importance in gorilla conservation history.
If your legs feel tired after the gorilla trek, choose the monkeys. If you love history and have energy left, the hike is the better pick. Our guides to tracking golden monkeys and the Dian Fossey hike compare the two in more detail.
You do not need to decide in advance. We can plan either one, and your guide can help you choose on the morning, depending on how you feel.
What a chimpanzee day in Nyungwe is like
Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa's oldest rainforests. The chimpanzee trek starts early, and the walk can be long and steep. The reward is an hour with a noisy, energetic community that moves fast through the trees. It feels very different from the calm of a gorilla visit.
Pack for rain and cool air, because the forest is high and damp. Good boots with grip help on slippery trails, and a walking stick is useful. Read our guide to Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking for details on the walk, the rules and the best times of day.
The Rwanda Development Board manages the park and its permits. We handle the booking, so you do not need to contact them yourself.
Where you stay along the way
The lodges on this route cover a wide range of comfort levels, from simple guesthouses to refined forest and lakeside lodges. We match your stays to your style and your dates. The Musanze area has the most choice, and our guide on where to stay near the volcanoes compares the options.
Lake Kivu offers lakeside rooms with views across the water. Nyungwe has a small number of forest lodges, which fill early in busy months. Akagera has safari lodges and tented camps with views across the savannah. Ask for your quote, and tell us whether you prefer simple and friendly or quiet and refined.
Let us know about any dietary needs or mobility concerns when you write to us, so we choose rooms with the right access.
An easy add-on: a savannah finish in Akagera
Akagera is Rwanda's only savannah park, and it makes a satisfying end to a forest trip. Elephants, giraffes and zebras share the plains with buffaloes and antelope, and lions and rhinos have returned in recent years. A boat trip on Lake Ihema adds hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
After several days of walking, a game drive from the vehicle is a gentle change of pace. Read more in our Akagera National Park guide. If you only have time for gorillas and a short stay, look at our 5-day Rwanda gorilla trek instead.
Seasons, fitness and preparation
Rwanda has two dry seasons, roughly June to September and December to February, and two wetter seasons. Gorilla treks run year-round. The drier months make trails firmer, but rain can fall in the mountains at any time, so waterproofs are essential.
Prepare for several days of walking at altitude. Start regular hill walks a few weeks before you travel, and break in your boots. Our packing list and difficulty guide cover what to bring and what to expect. For help planning the journey into the country, read about trekking from Kigali and the road from the capital to the volcanoes.
Ready to plan? Send your dates through the request form or WhatsApp, and a named member of our team will reply.
Frequently asked questions
Is ten days too long for Rwanda?
Rwanda is small, but ten days lets you see three very different habitats without rushing. If you have less time, our shorter routes cover the gorillas and one extra stop.
Which activity is harder, the gorilla trek or the chimpanzee tracking?
It varies. Gorilla treks can be steep and muddy, while chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe often involves long walks on forest trails. Read the difficulty guides and ask us about porters.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes, within reason. The order is built around road distances and your permit dates, so we adjust it when we know your dates.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. We confirm the current rule for each activity when we prepare your quote.
Do I need to book far ahead?
It is wise to start early, because gorilla permits are limited and tied to specific days. Send us your dates and ask us to check your dates.
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes. We buy your permit for your chosen date once we have confirmed it with the park.
Can the dates and lodges be changed?
Yes. Every trip is a starting point, and we adapt it to your dates, group and comfort level.
Ready to trek? Ask for your quote.
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