Rwanda's Wild Heart

Rwanda's Wild Heart: A 7-Day Primate & Wildlife Journey

Embark on an unforgettable 7-Day Rwanda Primate and Wildlife Safari, a carefully designed journey through all three of Rwanda's remarkable national parks. This adventure combines classic Big Five-style wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking and a forest canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, the scenic Twin Lakes and Mount Bisoke area, and the ultimate mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

From the misty Virunga Volcanoes to the open grasslands and shimmering lakes of eastern Rwanda, this safari reveals the country's extraordinary diversity in just one week. Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah park, lies approximately two hours drive from Kigali. Its rolling plains, woodland, wetlands, and lakes provide a rewarding setting for game drives and boat cruises. During your time in the park, look out for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and a rich variety of birdlife.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda's leading destination for chimpanzee trekking and one of Africa's most important remaining montane rainforests. This ancient forest shelters an impressive concentration of wildlife, including around 1,068 plant species, 322 bird species, 75 mammal species, and 13 primate species. Besides chimpanzees, visitors may encounter L'Hoest's monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and other forest creatures. The famous canopy walkway adds another thrilling dimension to the experience, allowing travelers to walk above the forest floor and enjoy sweeping views across the treetops.

In Rwanda's northwest, Volcanoes National Park stands beneath a chain of dramatic volcanic peaks and is internationally celebrated as one of the world's finest places to see mountain gorillas. The park is home to several habituated gorilla families, including Bwenge, Hirwa, Ugyenda, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Karisimbi, Susa, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Igisha, and Muhoza. Gorilla trekking permits are limited, with only 96 visitors allowed to track gorillas each day, making early permit booking essential.

Short on time? Explore our 2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari or 3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari.

Safari Highlights

• Mountain Gorilla Encounter | Volcanoes National Park
• Golden Monkey Trail | Musanze
• Chimpanzee Forest Trek | Nyungwe National Park
• Big Five Safari | Akagera National Park
• Living Heritage Experience | Iby'Iwacu
• Kigali Heritage & Genocide Memorial
• Virunga Panorama | Twin Lakes & Mount Bisoke
• Dian Fossey Legacy Trail | Conservation & Discovery

Safari in Detail

Day 1 — Arrive at Airport and Kigali City Tour

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide, who will brief you on the remarkable journey ahead. Your 7-day Rwanda tour begins in Kigali, the country's lively and beautifully maintained capital, where tradition, progress, and resilience come together.

After settling in, embark on a meaningful introduction to Rwanda with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This moving site provides important perspective on the country's history, the tragedy of 1994, and Rwanda's inspiring path toward unity, healing, and renewal. Continue with a short city experience, taking in Kigali's orderly avenues, rolling hills, contemporary developments, and welcoming atmosphere.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

Day 2 — Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Your Rwanda tour begins with an early departure from Kigali, traveling approximately 110 kilometers over about two hours to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District. Along the way, the cityscape gives way to Rwanda's iconic emerald hills and fertile countryside, revealing why it is celebrated as the "Land of a Thousand Hills."

On arrival, you will prepare for the following day's gorilla trek with a visit to the Kinigi Park headquarters for an informative briefing and orientation. Later, enjoy an immersive visit to Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, where traditional performances, local customs, and community life offer a meaningful introduction to Rwanda's cultural heritage.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

Day 3 — Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes

This morning, after breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to the Kinigi park headquarters in Musanze District. An early start brings a detailed ranger briefing before you set off into the mist-covered Virunga Mountains to track one of Rwanda's habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek may take between 2 and 6 hours, according to the gorillas' movements, leading through thick forest, steep slopes, and lush undergrowth.

Along the way, your expert guides will reveal the gorillas' social world, vital conservation work, and the remarkable ecosystem that shelters these gentle giants—an unforgettable, deeply moving encounter with nature.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

Day 4 — Golden Monkey Trekking, Dian Fossey Visit & Twin Lakes Exploration

Begin the day with an early breakfast before meeting your expert guide for an unforgettable golden monkey trek in the bamboo-covered slopes of Volcanoes National Park. Follow forest trails in search of these lively and endangered primates, watching them leap through the foliage and interact within their natural mountain habitat.

After the trek, visit the Dian Fossey Tomb, a meaningful tribute to the pioneering conservationist whose dedication transformed mountain gorilla protection. Later, enjoy a rewarding scenic hike around the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, where sweeping views, volcanic scenery, and excellent photo moments reveal Rwanda's remarkable beauty.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

Day 5 — Transfer to Nyungwe National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking Experience

Your Rwanda safari continues south to Nyungwe National Park, an extraordinary expanse of ancient rainforest in the country's southwest. The scenic drive of roughly 350 kilometres takes about 6–7 hours, unfolding through rolling hills, lively rural villages, tea-growing landscapes, and beautiful countryside.

On arrival, settle into the forest surroundings and receive a briefing in preparation for the following day's chimpanzee trek. Learn about Nyungwe's exceptional biodiversity, its habituated chimpanzees, and the guidelines for this special primate encounter. As evening falls, unwind to the evocative calls of the rainforest and anticipate tomorrow's adventure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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Day 6 — Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Experience

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is a memorable highlight of any Rwanda safari. Set within the ancient rainforest near Cyangugu, this adventure brings you deep into one of Africa's richest forest ecosystems. Follow experienced guides along steep, leafy trails as they track habituated chimpanzee families by their lively calls and movements through the canopy. Nyungwe is also home to numerous monkey species and an exceptional variety of forest birds.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy a canopy walk suspended above the treetops, revealing sweeping views and a rare aerial perspective of this remarkable wilderness.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options:

Day 7 — Akagera Safari Experience & Departure

Your final day in Rwanda leads to Akagera National Park, the country's leading savanna safari destination. Set in the eastern province, its open plains, lakes, and rolling hills provide a striking change from the misty mountains and rainforest explored earlier. Enjoy a rewarding game drive in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and other plains wildlife.

Later, return to Kigali, carrying memorable impressions of Rwanda's remarkably varied wildlife, scenery, and culture.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Price Inclusions & Exclusions

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