Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour

Your Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour adventure with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd begins with a warm welcome at Kigali International Airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your professional English-speaking guide who will brief you on the exciting journey ahead. Your first day is dedicated to exploring Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized capital cities. The Kigali City Tour offers a glimpse into Rwanda’s past, present, and future, starting with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. Here, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history, resilience, and remarkable progress.

Continue to the bustling Kimironko Market where local crafts, fabrics, and fresh produce showcase Rwanda’s cultural vibrancy. The city tour also includes stops at artisan centers such as the Inema Arts Centre and the Caplaki Craft Village. After the city exploration, you’ll check into a handpicked luxury hotel or lodge for your overnight stay. Enjoy dinner while soaking in panoramic city views, setting the tone for the extraordinary adventure that lies ahead.

• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines Rwanda
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

After breakfast, set off for Akagera National Park, a scenic drive through Rwanda’s undulating landscapes. Located in the east of the country, Akagera is Rwanda’s only Big Five Park and offers classic savannah game drive experiences. Upon arrival, check in at a luxury lodge inside or near the park, and prepare for your first thrilling game drive in the afternoon. Akagera’s varied terrain—ranging from open plains to swamps and woodlands—supports a rich diversity of wildlife.

With a bit of luck, you’ll encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species. Birdwatchers will also delight in spotting over 500 bird species, including the iconic African fish eagle and the rare shoebill stork. Your experienced Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour guide will interpret the animal behavior and ecosystems for a deeper safari experience. After the drive, return to your lodge for a hearty dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the Rwandan wilderness.

• Accommodation: Akagera Jungle Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Rise early for a morning game drive to catch predators and grazers in action during the cooler hours. This is prime time for wildlife viewing, with enhanced chances of spotting elusive nocturnal species retreating to their dens. The drive takes you through various habitats, including the lake shores, acacia woodlands, and savannah plains. Watch hippos wallow, crocodiles sunbathe, and large herds of animals converge at water points.

After the drive, enjoy brunch at the lodge before checking out. Begin the Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour journey back to Kigali, arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival, you’ll check into your Kigali hotel where you can relax and freshen up. The evening is yours to unwind or opt for a local culinary experience at one of Kigali’s top restaurants. This day balances the thrill of the wild with the comfort of city hospitality, bridging the two distinct facets of Rwanda‘s diverse beauty.

• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines Rwanda
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Depart Kigali after breakfast and travel southward to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, immerse yourself in Rwanda’s cultural richness with stops at various cultural heritage sites and local villages. One highlight is the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, where you’ll learn about pre-colonial monarchies and traditional leadership systems. Another stop at the Ethnographic Museum in Huye provides deeper insights into Rwandan traditions, music, and craftsmanship.

You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with local artisans and see live demonstrations of basket weaving, pottery, and drumming. Arrive in Nyungwe by late afternoon and check in at a luxury lodge nestled in the lush forest canopy. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, dine with a view of the forested hills, and prepare for the exciting Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour adventures ahead. This cultural route not only breaks the long drive but enriches your understanding of Rwanda’s soul and heritage.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Begin your day at sunrise with an energizing breakfast before heading into Nyungwe Forest for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. Nyungwe is home to one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and shelters over 500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species. Guided by Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour experienced rangers, you’ll venture deep into the dense jungle, listening for the distinctive calls of chimps echoing through the canopy.

Once located, spend an unforgettable hour observing their social interactions, feeding habits, and playful behaviors. The encounter offers profound insights into our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Return to your lodge for lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Banda Community Village to experience authentic Rwandan culture. Participate in traditional dances, learn about medicinal plants, and engage with the locals through storytelling and craft-making. This blend of nature and culture encapsulates the essence of the Nyungwe experience and creates lasting memories.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

After breakfast, prepare for another rewarding morning in Nyungwe as you explore the Colobus Monkey Trails. Nyungwe Forest is famed for its high concentration of primates, and among the most striking are the Angola Colobus monkeys, distinguishable by their long white mantles and sociable behavior. The trek takes you deep into the forest canopy, where you’ll encounter large troops of these monkeys—sometimes numbering over 300 individuals.

Your expert Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour guide will provide insight into their ecology, diet, and role in the forest ecosystem. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and check out. Then begin your scenic drive toward Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and a natural border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon arrival, check in at a luxurious lakeside resort. Spend your evening relaxing on the tranquil shores, enjoying breathtaking sunset views, or taking a sunset boat cruise for a perfect end to a day of forest adventure.

• Accommodation: Kivu Serena Hotel Rwanda
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Wake up to a serene lakeside breakfast before departing for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northern province. The Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour journey is filled with beautiful sights of terraced hills, rural homesteads, and forested landscapes. Upon arrival, you’ll head straight into the park for golden monkey trekking. These rare and playful primates are found only in the Virunga volcanic mountains, making this a unique experience.

The golden monkeys live in bamboo forests and are known for their energetic leaps and golden-orange fur. With the guidance of your ranger, you’ll spend an hour observing their interactions, feeding patterns, and natural acrobatics in the forest canopy. After the trek, head to your luxury lodge or eco-resort for check-in, with time to relax and prepare for the next day’s highlight—mountain gorilla trekking. Enjoy dinner surrounded by the misty volcanoes as anticipation for tomorrow’s adventure builds.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Today marks the pinnacle of your Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Begin with an early breakfast and a briefing at the park headquarters, where you’ll be assigned a gorilla family and guides. The trek into the forest may take 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of your assigned family, but the reward is immense. As you approach the gorillas, silence and respect become paramount.

You’ll spend a magical hour in the company of a gorilla family—watching infants play, dominant silverbacks command, and mothers nurture their young. This once-in-a-lifetime encounter offers profound emotional and conservation insight. After the trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch and leisure. In the evening, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund or relax with a spa treatment at your lodge. The day ends with a celebratory dinner, marking one of the most moving wildlife experiences on Earth.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

For those who wish to make the most of their time in Volcanoes National Park, this morning offers an optional second golden monkey trek or a visit to the scenic Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Alternatively, you may opt for a relaxed morning at the lodge. After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to Kigali.

Depending on your departure schedule, you may enjoy a brief tour of local artisan markets or have lunch at a Kigali restaurant before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. This concludes your Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour luxury primates and wildlife adventure with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd—leaving you with unforgettable memories, stunning photographs, and a deeper appreciation for Rwanda’s incredible natural heritage.

End of Rwanda Gorilla & Big5 Wildlife 9-Day Tour