












9 Days Best of Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking & Big Five Safari
Tour Overview of 9 Days Best of Rwanda Tour
The 9 Days Best of Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking & Big Five 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 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.
The itinerary begins with a full day exploring Kigali’s history and modern transformation before transferring to Nyungwe for primate experiences, rainforest canopy walks, and nature trails. You will relax on the shores of Lake Kivu with scenic boat rides and cultural encounters before heading to Volcanoes National Park for the ultimate wildlife highlight — mountain gorilla trekking. Finally, the journey concludes in Akagera National Park, home to the Big Five, with classic safari game drives across savannah plains and lakes. This 9 days best of Rwanda tour is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking a complete Rwanda safari experience.
Book this 9 Days Best of Rwanda Safari.
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 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).Posted on Shillano Tour & Travel AgencyVerified Akagera National Park Wildness Safari An unforgettable day in Akagera! The 1-day safari from Kigali, trip was perfectly organized. My guide/driver was incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, sharing lots of insights about Rwanda, Akagera National Park, and wildlife conservation. The 4x4 vehicle was comfortable, and drinking water was always available at no extra cost. Around midday we had a tasty included lunch – I chose a delicious cheeseburger with sides and homemade iced tea. We spent about 6 hours in the park and saw a wide range of animals: lions, elephant, hippos, baboons, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, various antelopes (impala, bushbuck), and many birds like fish eagles and guineafowl. We even spotted a crocodile resting in the water. Only rhino and leopard were missing from the Big Five – not surprising at the end of the rainy season (early June), with dense greenery. A fantastic day full of unforgettable moments – highly recommended!Posted on Ali KVerified Amazing day in the national park We had an amazing day with Kim driving around the national park. We managed to see 3 out of the big five and many more majestic species. Kim is a knowledgeable and friendly guide and knows the park like the back of his hand. More importantly, he knows how to safely approach the animals and read their behaviour to keep a safe distance and avoid contact.The breakfast and lunch places were also great and had delicious food.The park itself is magnificent and the Rwandan people and government have done an amazing job creating a safe haven for these animals, especially the endangered species.Posted on Angela GVerified Gental giants ❤️ Fabulous experience and our driver John, was amazing! Punctual, friendly and knowledgeable. Our park rangers Theo and Christofe were fantastic! Highly recommend 👍🏼Posted on Bruno RoboredoVerified Magical day!! It was a magical day!!!We managed to see 3 of the Big Five. There was rain, sunshine… and excellent tips and fun facts from our guide, Kim! Super attentive, patient, and friendly throughout the entire trip.Posted on Paulton HVerified A memorable experience. The tour was very well organized from pick-up to drop off at hotel. All that was promised was delivered to high satisfaction. The tour leader Kim is a local who has excellent knowledge of Kigali and Rwanda's rich and at various times turbulent history. It was an experience where we got to know to the full the city and its people. Hence a memorable experience, good value for money and highly recommended.Posted on david cVerified An experience never to forget - humbling to be with the gorillas in their home. Absolutely fantastic experience - a once in a lifetime. Our guide was very knowledgeable and our trip to and from was very enjoyable. The organisation at the national park was excellent and our experience with the guide, porters and trackers was first rate. And the gorillas - simply majestic and so engaging. Humbled to be in their presence.Posted on MFechnerVerified Just amazing!! What an experience!! Big shout out to John, our driver - he was fantastic!! Gave us lots of insights on the drive from Kigali, stopped for photos, and ensured we had everything we needed. The tour itself was brilliant - what an adventure!! Volcano National Park is beautiful, and the hiking made easier with porters if you wanted them. Trackers found the family of gorillas, and we got to spend a great amount of time with them. Six babies made it super fun. I couldn't believe how close we were. We even learned how to let the gorillas know we were friendly. A must do when in Rwanda.Posted on globalsoulVerified Once in a lifetime experience to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas and learn from them! Amazing trek to visit a mountain gorilla family including the silverback, blackbacks, mother, nursing two-month old, and teenagers through the misty enshrouded forest and volcanoes. An experience of a lifetime! We even got a bonus and encountered a group of golden monkeys. Guide, trackers and porters all exemplary professional and friendly. My driver Shadady was a fantastic host and companion keeping me safe on the 5 hours return driver to Volcano National Park and all the excursions to the treks. A+Posted on Sandrine GVerified Rwanda Home of Big five Animals/ Akagera national park. Good safari Tour with Universal, animals were spotted very closer and guide John provided the necessary insights for animals behaviors/ Life style, we sow faux in big five which is not bad at all, Food was delicious too with lake view behind us.The list of animals viewed is too long: Elephants, buffalos, hypos, crocodile, giraffe, Lion, zebras, impala, Birds,.........Thank you John and your company to make this Tour enjoyable and funny. i highly recommend it to Anny one.Thank youSandrine.
