The 9 days Classic Rwanda wildlife safari offers you a chance to catch a glimpse at Rwanda’s distinct wildlife species including the rare mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the big game. It takes you to northwest to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, wildlife exploration in Akagera National Park which is set in eastern Rwanda and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. It also allows you take part in city tour in Kigali. Your 9 days Rwanda gorillas, wildlife and chimpanzee tour begins and ends in Kigali. 

Day 1: Kigali tour

Arrive early enough at Kigali International Airport where you will be picked up by our driver guide. You will be briefed on what your 9 days Rwanda wildlife safari is all about. Today, you have a city tour in Kigali which allows you to explore the genocide memorial museum, curio markets and the kimironko fruits. The Kigali city tour also covers visit to the Nyamirambo, handcraft village and many others. Later, head off to southwestern Rwanda to Nyungwe Forest National Park. 

Day 2: Hiking and trekking through the colobus trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park

After an early morning breakfast, embark on a hike through the colobus trails in Nyungwe forest. The hike takes you through the colobus monkey exploration including the black and white colobus monkeys. After, return to dine and overnight.

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park and drive to Kibuye

Your 9 days Rwanda wildlife safari begins with breakfast and after, you join other visitors at Chanika reception center for briefing on the set dos and don’ts that you have to follow while on a chimpanzee tracking. This allows you to get up close with habituated chimpanzees within the lush rainforest in Nyungwe National Park. This also allows you to catch a glimpse at other primate species including the red tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys and many bird species. Dine and overnight.

Day 4: Transfer from Kibuye to Volcanoes National Park

Have breakfast early in the morning and after, embark on a road trip to Kibuye through Gisenyi and Ruhengeri. This will take you about 6 hours and comes with magical sights at sceneries, tea plantation especially around the Gisovu and Kayove. You will have a short stop for photo taking. Your 4 hours’ drive tales you to Gisenyi with a city tour and then 2 hours’ drive to Ruhengeri. 

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park; pay a visit to the twin lakes

After breakfast, head off to Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi where you will join other visitors for briefing on the set rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. You will be assigned to 1 habituated family to track in a group of 8 visitors and be accompanied by 1 park ranger guide. After, hit the jungles to look out for a group of habituated mountain gorilla and your trek may last you about 2 to 5 hours depending on your hiking speed, location of gorillas, nature of habitat and this covers the 1 hour of face to face encounter. Later, return and then drive to the scenic twin lakes-Lake Bulera and Ruhondo. 

Day 6: Day hike to Mount Bisoke

Have breakfast and after, embark on a hike to Mount Bisoke and at the top have amazing views at the spectacular Crater Lake. The hike may take you 2 to 3 hours and comes with remarkable views of surrounding areas. 

Day 7: Transfer to Akagera National Park

Have breakfast early in the morning and later and later, drive to Akagera National Park via undulating plains comprising of thick broad leafed woodland, lighter acacia and others. Arrive early enough to have lunch and then embark on a boat cruise via Ihema Lake which rewards you with incredible sights at crocodiles, hippos, water birds and many others. 

Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise in Akagera National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you have morning game drive via the lush savanna grassland. On a game drive in Akagera National Park, expect to catch a glimpse at wildlife species such as the African elephants, the Masai giraffes, Oribis, lions, leopards, zebras, buffaloes, birds and many others. This experience will take you about 2 to 3 hours. Later, return to have lunch and after, you have afternoon boat cruise via Lake Ihema which gets you the best sight at hippos, crocodiles and water birds among others. 

Day 9: Drive back to Kigali

After an early morning breakfast, embark on a return journey to Kigali and this marks the end of 9 days Rwanda gorillas, wildlife chimpanzee tour.