Rwanda: The Full Works
A slow circuit through Rwanda's volcanoes, forests, and lakeshore, built around gorilla trekking, chimp habituation, and a Big Five safari to close. 9 nights / 10 days · From $8,000 per person, land only · 4 parks
Trip Highlightsi. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park: one permit per person, one hour with a habituated family.
ii. Chimpanzee habituation in Gishwati-Mukura, tracking a research group before the park opens to general trekking.
iii. A canopy walk through Nyungwe's montane rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa.
iv. Game drives and a boat cruise in Akagera, closing the trip with the Big Five.
Day by DayDay 1, Kigali. Arrive into Kigali. Private transfer to your hotel, with the afternoon free to rest or take an optional city orientation drive. Welcome dinner and trip briefing.
Day 2, Volcanoes National Park. Drive to Musanze (about 2.5 hours), skirting the Virunga volcanoes. Afternoon at leisure, or an optional visit to a local cultural village. Staying at Sambora Lodge.
Day 3, Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking day. One permit per person, one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family, with trek lengths that vary by group location. Staying at Sambora Lodge.
Day 4, Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Transfer to Rwanda's newest national park (about 3 hours). Afternoon walk through the regenerating forest corridor.
Day 5, Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Chimpanzee habituation experience, tracking a research group alongside primatologists before the trails open to general visitors.
Day 6, Nyungwe Forest National Park. Transfer south to Nyungwe (about 4 hours), one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa.
Day 7, Nyungwe Forest National Park. Morning canopy walk above the forest floor, followed by a guided trail in search of colobus monkeys and forest birds.
Day 8, Akagera National Park. Transfer to Akagera in Rwanda's east (about 6 hours, or arranged by light aircraft). Evening game drive.
Day 9, Akagera National Park. Full day in Akagera: a boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the morning, and a game drive in search of the Big Five in the afternoon.
Day 10, Departure. Transfer back to Kigali for your onward flight.
Make It Yours
This is a sample of the pace and the parks. Nights per stop, lodges, and the order of the circuit can all be adjusted, and we are glad to build a version around the dates you already have in mind.