Discover Rwanda Primates, Wildlife & Culture
Immerse yourself in the "Land of a Thousand Hills" with Tarec Gorilla Safaris. This 10-day Grand Tour is our most comprehensive Rwandan experience, perfectly balancing high-octane primate tracking, classic savannah game drives, and deep cultural connections. From the tragic history and triumphant rebirth of Kigali to the mist-shrouded peaks of the Virungas and the sun-drenched shores of Lake Kivu, this is the definitive Rwandan adventure.
Day 1: Arrival & The Heart of Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your Tarec guide will transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a brief orientation of this remarkably clean and green city.
Full Board Accommodation: Budget: Mille Collines (Standard) / Onomo Hotel, Mid-Range: Hotel des Mille Collines (Superior) / Kigale Serena (Standard), Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven / Radisson Blu
Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera NP
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving tribute to Rwanda's history, followed by a trip to the Caplaki Craft Village. In the afternoon, drive east through rolling landscapes to Akagera National Park.
Full Board Accommodation: Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge, Mid-Range: Akagera Game Lodge, Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge / Magashi Camp
Day 3: Savannah Game Drive & Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Spend the morning exploring the northern plains of Akagera in search of the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino). In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, spotting giant Nile crocodiles and pods of hippos.
Full Board Accommodation: Same as Day 2.
Day 4: The Southern Heritage Route to Nyungwe
A scenic day of travel heading southwest. We stop in Nyanza to visit the King's Palace Museum, a reconstruction of the traditional royal residence. We continue through the hills to the ancient Nyungwe Forest.
Full Board Accommodation: Budget: Gisakura Family Hostel, Mid-Range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walkway
Enter the deep rainforest of Nyungwe National Park to track wild chimpanzees. After lunch, test your heights on the Canopy Walk, a 70-meter-high suspension bridge offering a bird’s-eye view of the ancient treetops and endemic birds.
Full Board Accommodation: Same as Day 4.
Day 6: Tea Plantations & Transfer to Lake Kivu
Experience Rwanda's "Green Gold" with a walk through the lush Gisakura Tea Estates. Afterward, we drive north along the scenic shores of Lake Kivu to the resort town of Karongi (Kibuye), known for its stunning emerald islands.
Full Board Accommodation: Budget: Inzu Lodge, Mid-Range: Comoran Lodge / Hotel Lake Kivu Serena, Luxury: Kivu Lodge / Lake Kivu Serena (Suite)
Day 7: Island Exploration & Transfer to Volcanoes NP
Take a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu to visit Napoleon Island (home to a fruit bat colony). In the afternoon, we continue our journey north to Musanze, the base for gorilla trekking in the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Full Board Accommodation: Budget: Hotel Muhabura, Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Luxury: Bisate Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 8: The Gorilla Trekking Majesty
The pinnacle of your safari. Trek through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to spend one hour with a family of Mountain Gorillas. In the evening, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to witness traditional drumming and King's coronation ceremonies.
Full Board Accommodation: Same as Day 7.
Day 9: Golden Monkeys & The Dian Fossey Legacy
Return to the park for a playful encounter with the endangered Golden Monkeys. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about the decades of conservation work that saved these primates.
Full Board Accommodation: Same as Day 7.
Day 10: Twin Lakes & Departure
Visit the breathtaking Twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) for a final photography session before returning to Kigali. Your guide will drop you at the airport for your evening flight.
Safari Inclusions & Exclusions
| What’s Included ✅ | What’s Excluded ❌ |
| Rwanda Gorilla Permit ($1,500) | International Airfare |
| Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey Permits | Rwanda Entry Visa |
| 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser & Expert Guide | Personal Travel Insurance |
| All Cultural & Museum Entrance Fees | Alcoholic beverages & Sodas |
| Full Board Meals & Bottled Water | Tips for Guides & Porters |
| All Park Activity Fees | Laundry & Personal Expenses |
Experience Rwanda with Tarec Gorilla Safaris
Your dream of an African odyssey starts here. Contact our expert team to customize this 10-day Rwanda safari journey by emailing to info@tarecgorillasafaris.com or calling +1-643-63476374 (US)