10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour – Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys & Akagera Wildlife

10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour: Experience a comprehensive and unforgettable journey through the Land of a Thousand Hills with this carefully designed 10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour. Offered by Silverback Gorilla Tour, this itinerary combines mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey encounters, classic big-game viewing in Akagera National Park, cultural experiences, and scenic relaxation at Lake Kivu.

In ten days you will explore three of Rwanda’s most important national parks – Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park – along with Kigali city highlights and the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. This well-paced safari delivers an outstanding mix of primates, savannah wildlife, rainforest exploration, and cultural insight.

Why Choose This 10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour?

Rwanda offers an extraordinary concentration of experiences in a compact and accessible country. This itinerary allows you to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, search for the Big Five in the restored savannah of Akagera National Park, and encounter chimpanzees in the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Additional highlights include a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, the famous Nyungwe canopy walk, a visit to Lake Kivu, meaningful cultural encounters, and a thoughtful Kigali city tour. The result is one of the most complete ways to experience Rwanda’s natural and cultural diversity in a single journey.

10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour – Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Kigali city tour & transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 3: Full day in Akagera – Game drive & Lake Ihema boat cruise
Day 4: Morning in Akagera & transfer toward Volcanoes region (or flexible buffer)
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & cultural visit
Day 6: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking & transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking & canopy walk / primate walk in Nyungwe
Day 10: Return to Kigali via cultural and historical stops – Departure

10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly met by your Silverback Gorilla Tour guide and transferred to your chosen hotel in the city. Depending on your arrival time, you may rest or enjoy a light orientation. Overnight in Kigali (budget, mid-range, or luxury options available).

Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Kigali. Key stops typically include the powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and other sites that provide insight into Rwanda’s history and modern character.

Afterwards, begin the scenic drive east to Akagera National Park (approximately 2.5–3 hours). Arrive in the afternoon or early evening, check into your lodge, and settle in. Overnight in or near Akagera National Park.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema Rise early for a morning game drive in the northern sector of Akagera, searching for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and, with luck, lions or other predators.

After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Look for hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a rich variety of waterbirds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Further Exploration of Akagera or Flexible Buffer Day Depending on the exact pacing of your group and wildlife activity, this day can be used for an additional morning game drive, a longer exploration of different sectors of the park, or as a flexible buffer before transferring westward. Overnight in Akagera or begin the transfer toward the Volcanoes region if preferred.

Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Cultural Visit Depart Akagera and drive via Kigali toward Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze region. Upon arrival, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to gain insight into traditional Rwandan culture, dance, and daily life. Check into your lodge with views of the Virunga volcanoes. Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park This is one of the emotional highlights of the safari. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for the briefing. Set out into the forest to track a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek typically lasts 2–6 hours. Once the gorillas are located, you spend a full hour observing them at close range.

Return to the lodge for lunch, rest, and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Lake Kivu After breakfast, enjoy a morning of golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. These colourful and energetic primates provide a delightful contrast to the previous day’s gorilla encounter.

Afterwards, drive to the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. Upon arrival you may enjoy a boat ride or simply relax by the lake. Overnight at Lake Kivu.

Day 8: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park After breakfast, begin the scenic drive south to Nyungwe Forest National Park, making photographic and lunch stops along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon or early evening and check into your lodge in the heart of the rainforest. Overnight near Nyungwe.

Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk / Primate Walk Rise early for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Spend time observing a habituated chimpanzee community and other forest primates.

In the afternoon, choose between a guided primate walk focusing on colobus and other monkeys or the famous canopy walk, which offers unique views over the treetops and the surrounding landscape. Overnight near Nyungwe.

Day 10: Return to Kigali & Departure After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kigali. En route, stop at significant historical and cultural sites such as the Murambi Genocide Memorial, the National Museum in Butare (Huye), or the King’s Palace in Nyanza, depending on timing and interests.

Arrive in Kigali in the afternoon or evening and transfer to the airport for your departure flight, or to a hotel if you are extending your stay. End of your comprehensive 10-day Rwanda safari.

Best Time for a 10 Days Rwanda Safari

Rwanda can be visited year-round. The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) generally offer the most comfortable conditions for trekking and game drives. The greener months bring lush landscapes and fewer visitors while still providing excellent wildlife and primate encounters.

Safari Inclusions

Mountain gorilla trekking permit
Golden monkey tracking permit
Chimpanzee tracking permit
All park entrance fees
Game drives and boat cruise in Akagera
Canopy walk or primate walk in Nyungwe
Cultural visits as indicated
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Bottled drinking water
All activities listed
Relevant government taxes

Safari Exclusions

International flights
Rwanda visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Tips and gratuities
Optional activities not listed
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages)

Related Rwanda & Uganda Safari Packages

Explore more options from Silverback Gorilla Tour:

For official information on permits and park regulations in Rwanda, refer to the Rwanda Development Board. For comparative Uganda experiences, visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Book Your 10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour Today

This comprehensive 10 Days Rwanda Safari Tour offers an outstanding combination of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, Big Five game viewing in Akagera, rainforest exploration in Nyungwe, scenic Lake Kivu, and meaningful cultural experiences. It is one of the most complete ways to discover the highlights of Rwanda in a single journey.

Gorilla, chimpanzee, and golden monkey permits are limited and high-demand dates sell out well in advance. Secure your place now with Silverback Gorilla Tour.

Contact us today for current availability, a detailed personalised quotation, and expert advice tailored to your preferred travel dates, group size, and accommodation preferences.

Request Your Free Quote or explore all our Uganda Tours and Rwanda safari options and start planning your unforgettable adventure in the Land of a Thousand Hills.