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Tour Overview 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda
The 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda is an unforgettable journey that brings you face-to-face with Rwanda’s stunning wildlife, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the open savannah of Akagera National Park to the misty mountains of Volcanoes National Park, this safari combines the best of Rwanda’s natural treasures — offering the perfect mix of game drives, gorilla trekking, and cultural experiences.
You’ll begin in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital, before heading east to Akagera National Park for thrilling game drives and a scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Then, travel north to Musanze for cultural tours and the highlight of your adventure — a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with endangered mountain gorillas. End your safari with optional hikes to Mount Bisoke or a visit to the Dian Fossey Tomb, followed by a relaxing boat ride before returning to Kigali. This7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda itinerary is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers who wish to experience the very best of Rwanda in one incredible trip.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be met by your guide from Rwanda Safaris Gorilla Trekking. Begin your journey with a Kigali City Tour, visiting key landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and the Inema Arts Center. Learn about Rwanda’s transformation and cultural heritage. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.
Accommodation: Hôtel des Mille Collines / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Lemigo Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Half Game Drive & Boat Cruise
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, located in Rwanda’s eastern region. Upon arrival, enjoy a short game drive through the park’s rolling hills and woodlands. Check in at your lodge for lunch, then head for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge / Mantis Akagera Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Full Game Drive & Return to Kigali
Rise early for a sunrise game drive, exploring Akagera’s northern plains where large herds of elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, lions, and leopards roam. With luck, you may also spot the recently reintroduced rhinos. After a picnic lunch, begin your drive back to Kigali for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Hôtel des Mille Collines / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Lemigo Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Musanze & Cultural Tour
After breakfast, drive north to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The 2.5-hour drive offers stunning views of the Virunga Mountains. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll experience Rwanda’s traditions through dance, drumming, and local storytelling. Dinner and overnight in Musanze.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, head to Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing on mountain gorilla trekking. Set off into the forest with experienced rangers to track one of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families. The trek may take between 2–6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once found, spend an unforgettable hour observing their behavior, taking photos, and marveling at their presence. Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Dian Fossey Tomb Visit or Hike Mount Bisoke
Today, choose between two incredible activities based on your fitness level and preference.
Option 1: Visit the Dian Fossey Tomb, where you’ll hike through the forest to the site where the famous primatologist is buried beside her beloved gorillas — a moving experience in Rwanda’s conservation history.
Option 2: Take on a Mount Bisoke hike, a challenging but rewarding trek that leads to a stunning crater lake at the summit, offering panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Boat Ride & Return to Kigali
After breakfast, drive to Lake Ruhondo or Lake Burera for a peaceful boat ride, enjoying the mountain views and local village life. Later, start your drive back to Kigali, stopping at local markets for souvenirs or Rwandan coffee. Arrive in Kigali in time for lunch and your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included in 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda
- 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person ($1,500)
- All ground transportation in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Akagera Park entry fees and game drives
- Boat cruises on Lake Ihema and Lake Ruhondo/Burera
- Cultural village visit
- Bottled drinking water during the trip
Excluded in 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Personal expenses (drinks, tips, laundry, souvenirs)
- Porter or guide gratuities
End of Tour
Your 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda concludes with incredible memories — from the roaring lions of Akagera to the peaceful gorillas of Volcanoes and the vibrant culture of Musanze. This 7 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari Rwanda safari offers a true taste of Rwanda’s wild heart, where adventure, wildlife, and culture come together in harmony.
Starting from US $ 4,600 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 | – | $ 4600 |
| 2 | – | $ 4300 |
| 3 | – | $ 3800 |
| 4 | – | $ 3500 |
| 5 | – | $ 3040 |
| 6 | – | $ 2780 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 2600 |
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).
