What is the best 9-day Rwanda itinerary?

A 9-day trip can cover Akagera for the Big Five, Nyungwe for chimpanzees, Lake Kivu for relaxation and Volcanoes National Park for gorillas and golden monkeys.

Is a 9-day Rwanda safari good for families?

Yes, with teenagers aged 15 or over for gorilla trekking. Younger children can enjoy Akagera, Lake Kivu and cultural visits.

Can I combine this safari with Uganda or Kenya?

Yes. Divulge Adventures can add Bwindi in Uganda or the Masai Mara in Kenya before or after this itinerary.

Does this 9 days Rwanda safari qualify for a gorilla permit discount?

It can. From November to May, Rwanda offers a 30% gorilla permit discount after two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera with a paid activity, and this route includes two nights in Nyungwe. We confirm eligibility when you book.

Which permits are included?

The gorilla permit, chimpanzee permit, golden monkey permit, canopy walk and all park fees in the itinerary are included.

Pack hiking boots, a rain jacket, warm layers, long trousers, gloves for trekking, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a camera.

9 Days Rwanda Safari: The Ultimate Big Five & Primate Trip

Q: How much driving is involved?

Expect 2.5 to 6 hours on travel days. Rwanda's roads are good and the scenery is beautiful, with plenty of stops.

This 9 days Rwanda safari covers the whole country: Akagera’s Big Five, Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, Lake Kivu and the gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.

Overview

Day by Day

Includes/Excludes

Safari Map

FAQs

Overview

This 9 days Rwanda safari is the complete tour of the Land of a Thousand Hills. In one trip you see the Big Five in Akagera, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, the beaches of Lake Kivu, and mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.

You travel with your own driver guide in a private 4×4, and every park fee, permit and activity in the itinerary is arranged for you.

Why choose a 9 days Rwanda safari?

Rwanda’s parks are close together, but each is very different. Nine days lets you visit all four main regions without long, tiring drives, and with time to enjoy each place.

Savannah: game drives and a boat cruise in Akagera.
Rainforest: chimps and the Nyungwe canopy walk.
Lake and volcanoes: Lake Kivu, gorillas and golden monkeys.

What to expect on your 9 days Rwanda safari

After arriving in Kigali, you visit the Genocide Memorial and drive to Akagera for a sunset boat cruise. Day three is a full-day game drive looking for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and rhinos, before returning to Kigali.

On day four you head southwest to Nyungwe via the King’s Palace Museum. Day five is your chimpanzee trek and the canopy walkway. On day six you try tea picking and drive to Kibuye on Lake Kivu.

Day seven includes a boat trip and a coffee tour before heading north to Musanze. Day eight is your gorilla trek and the Gorilla Guardians Village, and on day nine you trek golden monkeys before your flight.

How much driving is involved?

Travel days are between 2.5 and 6 hours, on good roads with plenty of stops. The scenery of terraced hills, tea estates and lakes makes the journeys part of the experience.

Best time for a 9 days Rwanda safari

June to September and December to February are best for wildlife and trekking. With two nights in Nyungwe, travel from November to May can also qualify for the low-season gorilla permit discount.

Read our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. For a shorter mix, see the Akagera and Nyungwe safari. Park facts are on Visit Rwanda’s Akagera National Park page.

How much does the 9 days Rwanda safari cost?

Price on request. The cost depends on your travel dates, group size, the season and the lodges you choose, so we prepare every quote personally rather than showing one fixed price.

WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888, email [email protected] or send the enquiry form on this page, and we will share a detailed quote for your dates.

Safari Highlights

Akagera game drive and Lake Ihema boat cruise
Chimpanzee trek and canopy walk in Nyungwe
Lake Kivu boat trip, tea picking and a coffee tour
Mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trek and Gorilla Guardians Village

Day 01 :

Arrival in Kigali

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your Divulge Adventures representative for meet, greet and safari briefing. Transfer to your hotel to check in and relax. Dinner and overnight at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali | Hotel Chez Lando

Day 02 :

Kigali Genocide Memorial - Akagera National Park

After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then drive east to Akagera National Park, approximately 2.5 hours, with game viewing on the way to your lodge. After lunch, enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema among hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge | Akagera Rhino Lodge

Day 03 :

Akagera Full-Day Game Drive - Kigali

After an early breakfast, explore the southern giraffe plains and lake roads on a full-day game drive, looking for elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras and rhinos, with a picnic lunch in the park. Drive back to Kigali in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali | Hotel Chez Lando

Day 04 :

Kigali - Nyanza - Nyungwe

After breakfast, drive southwest through terraced hills, stopping at the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza, with lunch en route. Arrive at Nyungwe in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel | Gisakura Guest House

Day 05 :

Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk

Rise early for your chimpanzee trek and spend one hour with a habituated community. Return to the lodge for lunch, then walk the canopy walkway in the afternoon for incredible views over the rainforest. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel | Gisakura Guest House

Day 06 :

Tea Plantation - Lake Kivu (Kibuye)

After breakfast, join local workers for a tea picking experience, then drive north to Kibuye on Lake Kivu, approximately 3 hours. Relax by the lake for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge | Rwiza Village

Day 07 :

Lake Kivu Boat Cruise and Coffee Experience - Musanze

After breakfast, cruise to Lake Kivu's islands, then visit a coffee cooperative for a crop-to-cup tour and tasting. Continue north to Musanze, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge | Kinigi Guest House

Day 08 :

Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village

After an early breakfast, report to the Kinigi park headquarters for your briefing. Trek into the forest and spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family. After lunch, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village for traditional dances and stories. Dinner and overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge | Kinigi Guest House

Day 09 :

Golden Monkey Trekking - Kigali (Departure)

After breakfast, spend one hour with the golden monkeys in the bamboo forest. Return to the lodge for an early lunch and check out, then drive back to Kigali with a souvenir stop before your transfer to Kigali International Airport.