Rwanda's size invites depth when paired with thoughtful pacing. This ten-day circuit celebrates the Land of a Thousand Hills through Big Five mornings, rainforest bridges, primate encounters, and cultural storytellers anchored by lodges that mirror the country's elevated design ethos and conservation spirit.
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Route
Kigali • Akagera • Nyungwe • Volcanoes
Journey Style
Big Five • Chimps • Gorillas
Safari Highlights
What sets this itinerary apart
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Chimpanzee trekking plus canopy walk in Nyungwe
Big Five drives and Lake Ihema boat safari in Akagera
Kigali heritage and Iby'Iwacu cultural immersion
Rwanda's most acclaimed lodges from Magashi to Virunga
Tour Summary
Rwanda immersion arc
Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali
Bed & Breakfast
Arrive in Kigali, meet your private guide, and transfer to a refined city hotel for rest or optional light touring depending on arrival time.
VIP meet & greet plus luggage assistance
Optional Kigali city stroll or café visit
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel
Day 2 – Kigali → Akagera National Park
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive 5–6 hours east toward Akagera, Rwanda's only savannah park, arriving in time for wildlife sightings en route to camp.
Smooth tarmac roads through terraced countryside
Check-in at Wilderness Magashi Camp
Overnight: Wilderness Magashi Camp (3 nights)
Days 3 & 4 – Akagera Safari Flow
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Two full days dedicated to morning and afternoon game drives, nature walks, and a Lake Ihema boat safari for birdlife, hippos, and crocs.
Track elephants, lions, leopard, giraffe, and plains game
Boat safari on Lake Ihema for shoebill sightings
Overnight: Wilderness Magashi Camp
Day 5 – Akagera → Nyungwe via Heritage Corridor
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Akagera and journey southwest with curated stops at the King's Palace and Ethnographic Museum before arriving in Nyungwe Forest.
Cultural Heritage Corridor touring
Arrival at One&Only Nyungwe House
Overnight: One&Only Nyungwe House (2 nights)
Day 6 – Nyungwe Chimps & Canopy Walk
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin before dawn for chimpanzee trekking, then walk the famed Nyungwe canopy bridge suspended above the rainforest.
Chimpanzee permit included
Canopy walkway with sweeping forest views
Overnight: One&Only Nyungwe House
Day 7 – Nyungwe → Volcanoes National Park
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive 5–6 hours north through Rwanda's highlands, pausing in Kigali for lunch before reaching Volcanoes National Park by late afternoon.
Scenic ridge line views and tea estates
Settle into Virunga Lodge ahead of gorilla trekking
Overnight: Virunga Lodge (2 nights)
Day 8 – Gorilla Trekking
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early briefing at park HQ followed by the trek into Volcanoes National Park to spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family.
Ranger-guided gorilla tracking
Celebrate with lodge sundowners overlooking the Virungas
Overnight: Virunga Lodge
Day 9 – Cultural Immersion & Optional Activities
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed morning or optional adventures before visiting Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village for music, dance, and storytelling.
Iby'Iwacu cultural program
Optional hikes, cycling, or spa time
Overnight: Virunga Lodge
Day 10 – Volcanoes → Kigali & Departure
Breakfast & Lunch
Return to Kigali through the Thousand Hills for lunch and final craft shopping before your international departure.