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9-Day Rwanda Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Journey
All journeys Private travel itinerary

9-Day Rwanda Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Journey

Discover the very best of Rwanda on an extraordinary nine-day journey that combines the country's most celebrated wildlife experiences with its inspiring conservation story, breathtaking landscapes...
9 days Uganda · Rwanda Private & tailor-made From US$ 7,500 pp
Journey overview

A Complete Journey Through the Land of a Thousand Hills

Discover the very best of Rwanda on an extraordinary nine-day journey that combines the country's most celebrated wildlife experiences with its inspiring conservation story, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. From tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and exploring the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe to relaxing on the shores of Lake Kivu and enjoying classic safari experiences in Akagera National Park, this carefully curated itinerary showcases Rwanda's remarkable diversity. Along the way, immerse yourself in authentic cultural encounters, visit thriving conservation projects and enjoy the warm hospitality that has made Rwanda one of Africa's most admired destinations. Thoughtfully designed for travellers seeking an immersive and luxurious African journey, this safari offers the perfect balance of wildlife, culture and relaxation.
Route at a glance

Kigali; Volcanoes National Park; Nyungwe Forest National Park; Lake Kivu; Akagera National Park; Kigali

Duration 9 days · 8 nights
Journey Private & tailor-made
Pace Balanced
Minimum age All ages
Programme summary

Your journey at a glance

DayPlace / routeHighlightsStay
1Kigali International Airport to your hotel (10–15 km | Approx. 20–45 minutes)Airport meet & greet; Kigali city orientation; Kimironko Market; Safari briefingKigali Serena Hotel
2Kigali to Volcanoes National Park (100–115 km | Approx. 2.5–3.5 hours)Scenic countryside drive; Volcanoes National Park; Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village; Conservation presentationBisate Lodge
3Guided Gorilla Trekking; One-hour Gorilla encounter; Gorilla Guardians Village; Conservation education; Possible Wildlife: Mountain Gorillas • Forest Birds • Golden Monkeys (occasionally)Bisate Lodge
4Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest (Approx. 4–5 hours)Twin Lakes; Lake Kivu viewpoints; Scenic tea estates; Nyungwe National ParkOne&Only Nyungwe House
5Nyungwe Canopy Walk; Waterfall hike; Birdwatching; Coffee experience; Possible Wildlife: Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys • L'Hoest's Monkeys • Great Blue Turaco • Forest birdsOne&Only Nyungwe House
6Nyungwe National Park to Lake Kivu (120–160 km | Approx. 3–4 hours)Lake Kivu boat cruise; Island visits; Lakeside villages; Sunset viewsCleo Kivu Hotel
7Lake Kivu to Akagera National Park (Approx. 300 km | 6–7 hours)Scenic cross-country drive; Akagera National Park; Evening game driveMagashi Camp
8Full-day game drives; Lake Ihema boat safari; Big Five wildlife viewing; Possible Wildlife: Lions • Rhinos • Elephants • Buffalo • Giraffes • Zebras • Hippos • CrocodilesMagashi Camp
9Community conservation project; Ranger interaction; Scenic drive to Kigali—
The essentials

What your journey includes

Included

  • All national park entrance and conservation fees as specified in the itinerary.
  • Gorilla trekking permit (one permit per guest).
  • Accommodation as specified under your selected category (High-End, Luxury or Mid-Range).
  • Meals as indicated throughout the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
  • Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide, experienced park rangers, trackers and local guides.
  • Private ground transportation in a comfortable, safari-equipped 4×4 vehicle with fuel and driver.
  • Bottled drinking water during all road transfers and guided excursions.
  • Lake Kivu boat cruise.
  • Lake Ihema boat safari.
  • Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village experience and community visits.
  • Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk and guided waterfall hike.
  • Full game drives in Akagera National Park.
  • Pre-departure travel documentation, permit processing and safari preparation support.
  • All sightseeing and activities specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Airport meet and greet with private arrival and departure transfers.
  • All applicable government taxes and statutory levies.

Not included

  • International and regional flights to and from Rwanda.
  • Rwanda entry visa (where applicable).
  • Comprehensive travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance (strongly recommended and mandatory for trekking activities).
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit (available as an optional add-on where applicable).
  • Personal expenses including laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs and premium beverages unless otherwise stated.
  • Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, park rangers, trackers, lodge staff and porters (at your discretion; 10–15% is customary for exceptional service).
  • Optional activities or excursions not specifically included in the itinerary.
  • Meals and beverages not specified within the itinerary.
  • Early check-in or late check-out unless otherwise stated.
  • Any additional services requested during the journey.
Day by day

Your itinerary

9 days
Day 01

Welcome to the Land of a Thousand Hills

Kigali International Airport to your hotel (10–15 km | Approx. 20–45 minutes)

HighlightsAirport meet & greet; Kigali city orientation; Kimironko Market; Safari briefing

Your Rwandan adventure begins with a warm welcome from your private safari guide before transferring to your luxury hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided visit to the colourful Kimironko Market or browse a carefully curated artisan gallery showcasing Rwanda's finest handmade crafts. Later, your guide will conduct a personalised safari briefing, preparing you for the unforgettable journey ahead.

MealsDinner

Accommodation

Kigali Serena Hotel

Dinner

Day 02

Where Conservation Comes to Life

Kigali to Volcanoes National Park (100–115 km | Approx. 2.5–3.5 hours)

HighlightsScenic countryside drive; Volcanoes National Park; Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village; Conservation presentation

Travel north through Rwanda's rolling countryside towards the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes. This afternoon, visit either the renowned Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village or a conservation centre, where you'll gain valuable insight into Rwanda's globally celebrated wildlife protection programmes and the partnership between local communities and conservation.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Bisate Lodge

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 03

The Defining Encounter

HighlightsGuided Gorilla Trekking; One-hour Gorilla encounter; Gorilla Guardians Village; Conservation education; Possible Wildlife: Mountain Gorillas • Forest Birds • Golden Monkeys (occasionally)

Today offers one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife experiences. Following an early briefing with Rwanda Development Board rangers, begin your trek through Volcanoes National Park in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Once located, spend one unforgettable hour quietly observing these magnificent primates while learning about their behaviour, social structure and the remarkable conservation efforts protecting them. After your trek, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to discover how tourism has transformed local livelihoods and strengthened community conservation.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Bisate Lodge

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 04

Across Rwanda's Scenic Highlands

Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest (Approx. 4–5 hours)

HighlightsTwin Lakes; Lake Kivu viewpoints; Scenic tea estates; Nyungwe National Park

Travel through Rwanda's spectacular countryside, stopping at the beautiful Twin Lakes and enjoying panoramic views over Lake Kivu before continuing south towards Nyungwe National Park. Along the way, admire endless tea plantations, charming villages and the rolling hills that have earned Rwanda its famous nickname.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

One&Only Nyungwe House

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 05

Life Above the Rainforest

HighlightsNyungwe Canopy Walk; Waterfall hike; Birdwatching; Coffee experience; Possible Wildlife: Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys • L'Hoest's Monkeys • Great Blue Turaco • Forest birds

Experience Nyungwe from a completely different perspective. Begin with the famous Canopy Walk suspended high above the forest floor before enjoying guided birdwatching and a scenic waterfall hike through one of Africa's oldest montane rainforests. Later, visit a local coffee community to learn how Rwanda's world-renowned coffee is cultivated and processed before enjoying a freshly prepared tasting.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

One&Only Nyungwe House

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 06

The Tranquility of Lake Kivu

Nyungwe National Park to Lake Kivu (120–160 km | Approx. 3–4 hours)

HighlightsLake Kivu boat cruise; Island visits; Lakeside villages; Sunset views

Leave the rainforest behind as you return to the peaceful shores of Lake Kivu. Spend the afternoon cruising between picturesque islands, meeting local fishing communities or simply relaxing while enjoying one of East Africa's most beautiful lakes.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Cleo Kivu Hotel

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 07

From Rainforest to Savannah

Lake Kivu to Akagera National Park (Approx. 300 km | 6–7 hours)

HighlightsScenic cross-country drive; Akagera National Park; Evening game drive

Today's cross-country journey showcases Rwanda's remarkable diversity as you travel from the western lakeshores across fertile farmland and rolling hills before arriving in the eastern savannah of Akagera National Park. Enjoy an introductory game drive before settling into your lodge.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Magashi Camp

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 08

Rwanda's Classic Safari

HighlightsFull-day game drives; Lake Ihema boat safari; Big Five wildlife viewing; Possible Wildlife: Lions • Rhinos • Elephants • Buffalo • Giraffes • Zebras • Hippos • Crocodiles

Spend a full day exploring Akagera National Park, home to Rwanda's Big Five. Morning and afternoon game drives provide excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes and antelope before enjoying a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema, famous for its large hippo pods and abundant birdlife.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Magashi Camp

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Day 09

Conservation Beyond the Safari

HighlightsCommunity conservation project; Ranger interaction; Scenic drive to Kigali

Before departing Rwanda, enjoy a community conservation experience where you'll discover how tourism directly supports neighboring communities and wildlife protection. Later, return to Kigali International Airport for your onward departure.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch

Seasonal pricing

Journey rates USD · Per person

SeasonTravel datesAdult sharing
High SeasonBest trekking conditions, cooler temperatures. Gorilla Permit Included: Yes ($1,500 value).June - September & December - FebruaryUSD 8,200
Low SeasonLush landscapes, fewer visitors, occasional showers. Gorilla Permit Included: Yes ($1,500 value).March - May & October - NovemberUSD 7,500
Pricing notesRates are per person and include the gorilla trekking permit (one permit per guest) valued at $1,500. Accommodation categories are Mid-Range, Luxury and High-End. Complimentary bottled drinking water is provided during all road transfers and guided excursions.

Frequently asked questions

Our safari prices typically include park fees, accommodation as per your chosen tier (Mid-Range, Luxury, or Exclusive), private 4x4 vehicle, professional English-speaking guide, all meals on safari, and Flying Doctor emergency evacuation cover. International flights, visas, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
9-Day Rwanda Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Journey private journey
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