6 Days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari

Rwanda offers a rare ability to combine savannah game drives and rainforest trekking in less than a week. This 6-day circuit connects the warm plains of Akagera National Park with the cool, misty slopes of Volcanoes National Park. You move from spotting lions and elephants to sitting meters away from a silverback gorilla. Most safaris force you to choose between primates or big game. This route gives you both without rushing. You spend the first half of the trip in the east, tracking the Big Five. The second half takes you north into the Virunga Massif for high-altitude trekking. The roads are paved and safe. The drives between parks are scenic but efficient. This trip works well if you want high value and diverse wildlife but have limited time on the ground.

Safari Highlights

- Gorilla Trekking: One morning, tracking a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
- Big Five Game Drives: Safari loops in Akagera National Park to see lions, rhinos, and elephants.
- Boat Safari: A calm afternoon drifting on Lake Ihema, watching hippos and crocodiles.
- Golden Monkey Trek: Tracking rare, active primates in the bamboo forests.
- Kigali City Tour: A visit to the Genocide Memorial and local craft markets.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Orientation

Your flight lands at Kigali International Airport. Our team meets you inside the arrivals hall. We take your bags and walk you to the vehicle. There is no waiting. The drive to your hotel is short. Kigali is clean and organized. It sets the tone for the rest of the country. Depending on your arrival time, we visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This is not just a museum. It is the burial place for 250,000 victims. It is heavy but necessary. Understanding the history of 1994 explains the peace you see today. You walk through the gardens and the wall of names. It gives you context for the people you will meet this week. We then drive to the hotel. You check in and rest. The goal today is to recover from jet lag. We discuss the schedule for the next morning. We check your gear to ensure you have the right boots and rain jackets for the rainforest later in the week.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven
Mid-Range: Hotel des Mille Collines
Budget: Yambi Guesthouse

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and Boat Safari

You leave Kigali after breakfast. The drive to the eastern border takes about two and a half hours. The landscape changes as you drop in elevation. The hills flatten out. The air gets warmer. You see banana plantations turn into acacia woodlands. Akagera National Park is the only place in Rwanda with the Big Five. You check into your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you take a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This is the second-largest lake in Rwanda. The water is full of hippos. You see them popping their heads up near the boat. Large Nile crocodiles rest on the muddy banks. Water birds like the African Fish Eagle perch on dead trees. You watch the sun drop low over the water before returning to land.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: Magashi Camp
Mid-Range: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Budget: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Full Day Game Drive in Akagera

You wake up early. Predators like lions and leopards are most active at dawn. The northern part of the park is known as the Kilala Plains. This area is open and flat. It is the best place to see massive herds of buffalo and zebra. You might see elephants feeding on trees or giraffes crossing the road. Akagera also has black rhinos. They are shy and hard to find, but your driver knows their favorite spots. You spend the whole day in the park. You eat a packed picnic lunch in a safe, designated area. The goal is to cover different habitats, from swamps to savannahs. You return to the lodge before sunset.

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

You start the day with a long but beautiful drive. You leave the savannah and head northwest towards the town of Musanze. This drive takes about four to five hours. You pass through the heart of the country. The road winds around terraced hills. You see why Rwanda is called the Land of a Thousand Hills. Local people wave from the roadside. You arrive in Musanze in the afternoon. The temperature here is much cooler. You can see the dark peaks of the volcanoes in the distance. This is the base for gorilla trekking. You check into your lodge near the park headquarters.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Bisate Lodge
Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in the Virunga Mountains

This is the main event. You wake up before sunrise. You drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a 7:00 AM briefing. The rangers assign you to a specific gorilla family. They group you by fitness level. Some gorilla families live close to the wall, while others require a longer hike. The trail goes through bamboo forests and stinging nettles. The ground can be muddy and steep. Porters are available to carry your backpack. The hike takes anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours. When you find the gorillas, the rangers stop you. You put on your mask. You walk closer. You spend exactly one hour with them. You watch the silverback eat. You see babies playing in the trees. It is silent and intense. After the hour, you hike back down. The driver takes you back to the lodge to clean up and relax.

Day 6: Golden Monkey Trek and Departure

You have one last activity in the park. Golden monkeys are rare and live in the bamboo zone near the base of the volcanoes. The trek is easier than the gorilla hike. These monkeys are fast and playful. They jump over your head and dig for bamboo shoots. Their fur is bright orange and easy to spot for photos. You finish the trek by late morning. You drive back to the lodge to pack your bags and eat lunch. Then, you start the drive back to Kigali. It takes about two and a half hours. The road is paved and smooth. Your driver drops you off at Kigali International Airport for your flight home. If your flight is late, we can arrange a day room or a final dinner in the city

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

What is Included:

One Gorilla Trekking Permit per person (valid for one trek).
One Golden Monkey Trekking Permit.
Park entrance fees for Akagera National Park.
Boat safari fees on Lake Ihema.
Full-time English-speaking driver.
4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and fuel.
Accommodation for 5 nights as per your selection.
All meals on the safari (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Drinking water in the vehicle.
Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 6.

What is Excluded:

International flights.
Visa fees for Rwanda.
Personal travel insurance.
Tips for drivers, porters, and lodge staff.
Alcoholic drinks and sodas at lodges
Laundry services.
Extra activities not listed in the itinerary.

What to Pack for Your Primate Safari

Sturdy Hiking Boots: You need good grip for the mud in Volcanoes Park. Ensure you wear them in before the trip to avoid blisters.
Gaiters: These protect your legs from stinging nettles and fire ants during the trek.
Rain Jacket: It rains often in the mountains, even during dry season. Bring a lightweight, waterproof shell.
Long Trousers and Long-Sleeved Shirts: Wear thick material to protect your skin from thorns and bugs. Avoid blue or black colors in Akagera as they attract tsetse flies.
Gardening Gloves: These help you grab onto thorny branches or vines when hiking.
Warm Sweater: Musanze gets cold in the evenings. You will need layers.
Camera and Extra Batteries: You cannot use flash with the gorillas. Bring a fast memory card.
Insect Repellent: Essential for both the savannah and the forest.