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Tour Overview of 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari Tour
The 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is the perfect adventure for travelers seeking Rwanda’s most iconic wildlife, culture, and landscapes in one unforgettable journey. This grand tour covers the country’s top highlights — from chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to lions and elephants in Akagera National Park. Along the way, you will explore Lake Kivu’s peaceful shores, traditional fishing life, and Rwanda’s fascinating cultural heritage, making the 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari one of the most complete wildlife itineraries in East Africa.
Your 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari begins with a full day exploring Kigali’s history and modern transformation before transferring to Nyungwe Forest for thrilling primate encounters, rainforest canopy walks, and nature trails. After enjoying Lake Kivu’s scenic boat rides and cultural experiences, the adventure continues to Volcanoes National Park for the ultimate highlight — mountain gorilla trekking. This unforgettable moment defines the 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, offering close-up interactions with endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. The journey concludes in Akagera National Park with Big Five game drives across savannah plains and lakes, completing this remarkable 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari experience.
Book this 9 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari today and enjoy the most comprehensive Rwanda wildlife adventure.
Day 1: Full-Day Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival in Kigali, enjoy a full-day city tour exploring Rwanda’s capital. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, Inema Arts Center, craft shops, and historical landmarks. Learn about Rwanda’s past and its inspiring story of recovery and progress. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.
Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel / Lemigo Hotel / Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Nyungwe Forest National Park, traveling through scenic countryside and tea plantations. Visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye along the way. Arrive at your lodge in Nyungwe by evening and relax.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe House / Gisakura Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Begin early with a briefing at the park for your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Follow your ranger guide deep into the ancient rainforest to observe chimps in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge for lunch, then in the afternoon enjoy the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge offering breathtaking views of the forest canopy.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe House / Gisakura Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Lake Kivu Adventure in Kibuye
After breakfast, drive north to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s most stunning freshwater lake. Check in at your lakeside lodge, enjoy lunch, and spend the afternoon relaxing by the water. Optional activities include a boat ride, kayaking, swimming, or visiting nearby islands. Sunset at Lake Kivu is a highlight.
Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge / Moriah Hill Resort / Rwiza Village
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Transfer from Kibuye to Gisenyi – Night Fishing Experience
After breakfast, take a scenic drive along the shoreline from Kibuye to Gisenyi. Arrive for lunch and check into your lodge. In the evening, discover the fascinating Night Fishing Experience, watching local fishermen sing as they paddle their wooden boats under the moonlight — a rare cultural moment unique to Lake Kivu.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Inzu Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park – Cultural Visit
After a leisurely morning, depart Gisenyi and transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. After checking into your lodge, enjoy a cultural visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you will learn about traditional music, drumming, medicine, dancing, and local customs.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the most anticipated moment of your tour. After breakfast, head to Kinigi Park Headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing. Hike into the forest to meet a family of endangered mountain gorillas, spending up to one magical hour observing and photographing them. This emotional encounter is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, check out and begin your scenic journey to Akagera National Park, home to lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, and more. Arrive by afternoon, check in at your lodge, and enjoy dinner with views of the savannah.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge / Mantis Akagera Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Full Game Drive & Return to Kigali – End of Tour
Enjoy an early morning full game drive across the open savannah, wetlands, and woodlands of Akagera. Spot the Big Five and many more wildlife species. After the game drive, begin your drive back to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon for drop-off at the airport or your hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included in 9 Days Best of Rwanda
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- All ground transportation in a private 4×4 vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Canopy walk fees
- Boat rides and night fishing experience
- Cultural village visit
- All park entry fees
- Bottled drinking water
Excluded in 9 Days Best of Rwanda
- International flights & visas
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Personal expenses (tips, drinks, souvenirs)
- Porter or guide gratuities
End of 9 Days Best of Rwanda Safari
Your 9 Days Best of Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking & Big Five Safari ends with unforgettable memories of primates, wildlife, culture, and the stunning landscapes that make Rwanda one of Africa’s most remarkable destinations.
Starting from US $ 5,650 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises. Prices for children are fixed as $ 150 per child.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 5650 |
| 2 | – | $ 4900 |
| 3 | – | $ 3700 |
| 4 | – | $ 3450 |
| 5 | – | $ 3220 |
| 6 | – | $ 2990 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 2700 |
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
