Introduction: The Perfect Rwanda Safari
Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” but its landscapes are far more diverse than that nickname suggests. In a single week, you can experience the classic savannah plains of Akagera National Park, the misty rainforests of Nyungwe Forest, and the volcanic mountains of the north. This 5‑day Rwanda safari combines the best of Akagera and Nyungwe – two of Rwanda’s most spectacular but often overlooked parks – into a journey that showcases the country’s incredible biodiversity.
This itinerary is perfect for travellers who want to see the Big Five, track chimpanzees, walk among the treetops on the canopy walkway, and experience two completely different ecosystems – all without the high cost of a gorilla permit.
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Location | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kigali → Akagera NP | Kigali city tour, transfer to Akagera, afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema |
| Day 2 | Akagera NP | Full‑day game drive – Big Five safari, lions, rhinos, elephants |
| Day 3 | Akagera → Nyungwe | Scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park |
| Day 4 | Nyungwe NP | Chimpanzee trekking + canopy walkway |
| Day 5 | Nyungwe → Kigali | Guided forest walk or colobus monkey tracking, return to Kigali |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour & Transfer to Akagera
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your professional driver‑guide will welcome you and provide a short briefing. Depending on your arrival time, you will begin with a Kigali city tour – a fascinating introduction to Rwanda’s remarkable recovery.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers a deeply moving and essential understanding of Rwanda’s history. The memorial is a place of reflection and learning, and it sets the context for the country’s incredible transformation. Afterwards, explore local markets, craft centres, and the city’s vibrant streets.
After lunch, drive east to Akagera National Park. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours on paved roads, passing through rural Rwanda’s beautiful hills and villages.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and head straight to Lake Ihema for an afternoon boat cruise. This is the perfect way to start your safari – gliding across the water, you will see hippos yawning, crocodiles basking, and elephants drinking at the water’s edge. The birdlife is spectacular, with African fish eagles, kingfishers and perhaps even the elusive shoebill.
Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, or Magashi Camp (depending on budget).
Meals: Lunch and dinner included.
Day 2: Full‑Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Rise early – the best wildlife viewing happens in the cool morning hours. After a pre‑dawn coffee, depart for a full‑day game drive that will take you across Akagera’s diverse landscapes.
Your morning drive will focus on the northern sector, where the park’s predators and rhinos are most frequently seen. Lions have made a remarkable comeback here, and sightings are increasingly reliable. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards resting in the trees, and look for the distinctive shape of rhinos on the open plains.
After a picnic breakfast in the bush, continue your drive through acacia woodland and open savannah. Herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo are common, and the antelope species – impala, topi, bushbuck, waterbuck and eland – are abundant.
Midday brings a break for lunch at a scenic spot, perhaps overlooking one of the park’s many lakes. In the afternoon, explore the southern sector, where the landscape is dominated by Lake Ihema and its papyrus swamps. This area is excellent for birdwatching, and you may see large pods of hippos in the water.
As the sun begins to set, return to your lodge for dinner and a well‑earned rest.
Optional Add‑on: Night game drive ($40 per person) – a chance to see Akagera’s nocturnal wildlife, including civets, genets, and perhaps a leopard on the hunt.
Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, or Magashi Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 3: Scenic Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through Rwanda’s stunning southern landscapes – terraced hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages.
This is not just a transfer; it is a journey through rural Rwanda. Your guide can stop at viewpoints, local markets, and the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare (the country’s second city), which houses excellent ethnographic and historical exhibits.
Arrive at Nyungwe in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the forest. If time permits, take a short walk around the lodge grounds to spot some of the resident primates – black‑and‑white colobus monkeys are often seen in the tea plantations.
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, or One&Only Nyungwe House.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
Today is the highlight of your Nyungwe experience. You will rise very early – around 4:30 AM – to prepare for chimpanzee trekking.
After a quick coffee and briefing at the park headquarters, you will head into the forest with your guide and trackers. The trek can take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on where the chimpanzees have spent the night. The reward comes when you finally locate the group and spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat – feeding, playing, grooming, and communicating with their famous pant‑hoot calls.
Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and some rest. In the early afternoon, head back to the park for the canopy walkway – a 200‑metre suspended bridge that takes you 50 metres above the forest floor. Walking among the treetops offers a unique perspective on Nyungwe’s ecosystem, and you may see monkeys, birds, and butterflies at eye level.
Optional Add‑on: Instead of the canopy walk, you could choose a guided forest walk to a waterfall, or colobus monkey tracking.
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, or One&Only Nyungwe House.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5: Forest Walk & Return to Kigali
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before one final activity in Nyungwe. Depending on your flight time, you could choose a guided forest walk along one of the park’s beautiful trails – the Igishigishigi Trail (which leads to the canopy walk) or the Waterfall Trail are both excellent options.
Alternatively, you could go colobus monkey tracking – Nyungwe is home to one of the largest troops of black‑and‑white colobus monkeys in Africa, sometimes numbering several hundred individuals.
After your activity, begin the drive back to Kigali. The journey takes approximately 4–5 hours, with a stop for lunch along the way. Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the late afternoon for your departure flight, or continue to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
What’s Included in This Safari
- Airport transfers in Kigali
- All ground transport in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English‑speaking driver‑guide
- Accommodation as specified (or similar)
- Meals as indicated (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Akagera National Park entrance fees
- Nyungwe Forest National Park entrance fees
- One boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- One full‑day game drive in Akagera
- One chimpanzee trekking permit ($150 value)
- One canopy walkway experience ($60 value)
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not Included:
- International flights
- Visa fees (East African Tourist Visa: $100)
- Optional activities (night game drive, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Customising Your Safari
This 5‑day itinerary can be customised to suit your preferences, budget, and travel dates. Popular modifications include:
- Adding Volcanoes National Park (3–4 extra days for gorilla trekking)
- Upgrading to luxury lodges (Magashi Camp in Akagera, One&Only in Nyungwe)
- Adding a night at Lake Kivu between Akagera and Nyungwe for relaxation
- Extending to 7 days to include chimpanzee habituation in Nyungwe
Contact us to design your perfect Rwanda safari.
Why Book with Gorilla Safari Rwanda
At Gorilla Safari Rwanda, we are specialists in creating seamless, unforgettable safaris that showcase the best of this remarkable country. Our expert guides know the parks intimately, and we handle all permits, accommodation and logistics so you can focus on the experience. We are committed to responsible tourism, supporting local communities and conservation efforts in every park we visit.
Final Thoughts
This 5‑day Akagera and Nyungwe safari offers a perfect introduction to Rwanda’s incredible wildlife and landscapes. From the savannah plains of the east to the misty rainforests of the southwest, you will experience the full diversity of the “Land of a Thousand Hills” – all without the high cost of a gorilla permit.
Whether you are a first‑time visitor to Africa or a seasoned safari traveller, this itinerary delivers adventure, beauty, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Contact us today to start planning your 2026 Rwanda safari.
Contact Gorilla Safari Rwanda to book your 5‑day Akagera and Nyungwe safari.
