
Rwanda without gorilla trekking — Akagera's savannah wildlife, Nyungwe's ancient rainforest, chimpanzee tracking, the Canopy Walkway, and the shores of Lake Kivu.





Experience the landscapes, wildlife and adventure of Rwanda on this 5-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari without gorilla trekking. This private safari combines Kigali city experiences, Akagera National Park wildlife, a Lake Ihema boat cruise, Nyungwe Forest, chimpanzee tracking, the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway and the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. It is designed for travelers who want to experience Rwanda's wildlife and adventure activities without including mountain gorilla trekking.
This itinerary is different from a conventional Rwanda gorilla safari. Instead of spending the trip around Volcanoes National Park, it takes you across several of Rwanda's major landscapes.
You begin with Akagera's savannah wildlife, continue through Nyungwe's ancient rainforest, and finish around Lake Kivu. The trip also combines land-based wildlife viewing with water and forest adventures.
You can spend one day watching elephants and giraffes on a game drive, another walking through rainforest in search of chimpanzees, and another kayaking or taking a boat ride on Lake Kivu.
| Night | Location | Recommended Lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Akagera | Akagera Safari Camp or comparable |
| Day 3 | Nyungwe | Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or comparable |
| Day 4 | Lake Kivu | Moriah Hill Resort or comparable |
Accommodation can be upgraded on request. Accommodation is subject to availability; a comparable alternative will be proposed if the preferred property is fully booked.

From Kigali to Akagera, Nyungwe Forest and Lake Kivu, then back to Kigali. Follow the day-by-day timeline below.
Your 5-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari begins in Kigali. Your Tarec Gorilla Safaris guide will pick you up from your hotel or Kigali International Airport and brief you about the journey.
Drive east toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda's major savannah wildlife destination. The park contains a mixture of open plains, woodland, wetlands, lakes and rolling hills, with species including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyena and zebra.
After lunch, depending on your arrival time, begin your first game drive. Later, enjoy a Lake Ihema boat cruise. The boat experience provides an opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds while enjoying the scenery around the lake. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Wake early for breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive. The morning is dedicated to exploring Akagera's savannah landscapes and searching for wildlife. Depending on the route and wildlife movements, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos and other species. Lion and leopard sightings are possible, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
After lunch, continue your wildlife adventure through another section of the park. Akagera's combination of savannah, woodland, lakes and wetlands makes it particularly suitable for travelers who want a traditional African wildlife safari in Rwanda. Return to your lodge in the evening.

After breakfast, leave Akagera and begin the journey toward Nyungwe National Park. This is one of the longer driving days of the safari, but it provides an opportunity to experience Rwanda's changing landscapes.
Travel through rolling hills, rural communities and agricultural areas as you move from eastern Rwanda toward the southwest. Arrive around Nyungwe Forest and check into your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a short nature walk, visit a tea plantation or simply relax at the lodge.
Nyungwe is one of Rwanda's most important rainforest ecosystems and is known for its primates, birds, forest trails and canopy walkway. The forest covers more than 1,000 square kilometres and offers hiking, chimpanzee tracking, canopy experiences and birding.
Wake early and prepare for one of the biggest adventures of the trip: chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. After breakfast or with a packed breakfast depending on the tracking schedule, drive to the designated tracking location for registration and briefing. Enter the rainforest with your guide and trackers in search of chimpanzees. The forest is also home to other primates, birds, butterflies and numerous plant species. Chimpanzee sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals move freely through the forest.
After the chimpanzee experience, return for lunch before continuing to the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway. The canopy walkway rises above the forest and provides views across the rainforest canopy and surrounding hills.
After the canopy experience, continue toward Lake Kivu. The journey provides some of Rwanda's most scenic countryside views. Arrive in the Lake Kivu area in the evening.

Wake up to views of Lake Kivu. After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed lakeside adventure. Depending on your preference, choose between: Lake Kivu boat ride · Kayaking · Lakeside walk · Photography · Local community experience · Relaxation by the lake.
Lake Kivu forms part of Rwanda's established tourism circuits, with kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and other activities available around the lake.
After lunch, begin the drive back toward Kigali. Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final stop in Kigali for shopping or a short city experience. Your Tarec Gorilla Safaris guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport or your preferred Kigali hotel.


Pricing for this 5-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari depends on travel dates, accommodation availability and the activities selected. Your personalized quotation will clearly show the accommodation, meals, permits, activities and transport included.
| Number of Travelers | Suggested Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | US$2,750 |
| 2 Travelers | US$2,150 |
| 3 Travelers | US$1,950 |
| 4 Travelers | US$1,800 |
| 5 Travelers | US$1,700 |
| 6 Travelers | US$1,650 |
Important: This is a suggested marketing price and should be confirmed according to travel dates, accommodation availability and the activities selected. The price can be adjusted for budget or luxury accommodation.
| Night | Location | Property |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Akagera | Akagera Safari Camp or comparable |
| Day 2 | Akagera | Akagera Safari Camp or comparable |
| Day 3 | Nyungwe | Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or comparable |
| Day 4 | Lake Kivu | Moriah Hill Resort or comparable |
Accommodation can be upgraded on request.

We believe in full transparency. Below is exactly what is included in your 5-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari — and what is not.

This 5-Day Rwanda Adventure Safari begins and ends in Kigali. Most travelers arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL) and are met on arrival. The safari travels east to Akagera, southwest to Nyungwe Forest, west to Lake Kivu's lakeside area, then returns to Kigali on the final day.
This is a varied adventure safari rather than a fast-paced game-viewing trip. Day 3 involves one of the longer drives of the itinerary, but provides an opportunity to experience Rwanda's changing landscapes. Game drives in Akagera are vehicle-based with occasional stops. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe involves forest walking on uneven terrain, so comfortable hiking shoes are essential.
Because the itinerary combines savannah, rainforest and lake activities, plan for changing weather conditions throughout the trip.

We are a locally owned and operated safari company based in Kampala, Uganda. Our team of experienced driver-guides, primate trackers, and travel planners is passionate about sharing the beauty of East Africa with travellers from around the world. Every safari we run is personally designed by someone who has walked the trails, tracked the gorillas, and knows the lodges by name.

We are a full-service safari operator offering custom itineraries, group tours, and self-drive packages. Our fleet of well-maintained 4×4 vehicles and our network of trusted lodges ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable safari experience.