10-Days Rwanda's Complete Wildlife & Gorilla Expedition

Touch down at Kigali International Airport where our professional guide welcomes you. Transfer to your comfortable mid-range hotel in Rwanda's vibrant capital city. Settle in and enjoy an orientation briefing about your upcoming 10-day adventure. The remainder of the day is yours to rest, explore Kigali's markets, or visit local attractions.

Depart Kigali early morning and drive eastward toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda's premier wildlife reserve spanning 1,122 square kilometers. Arrive at your lodge by midday and enjoy lunch before embarking on your first game drive. Encounter African wildlife in their natural habitat as the sun begins to set over the Akagera landscape.

Dedicate a full day to exploring Akagera's diverse ecosystems. Begin with an early morning game drive to catch predators during their most active hours. Return for breakfast and rest during the midday heat. Resume safari activities in the afternoon, searching for lions, leopards, buffalo, and the park's impressive elephant herds. Your expert guide shares insights into animal behavior and park conservation efforts.

Leave Akagera behind and travel westward toward the lush Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa's oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Navigate through Rwanda's rolling hills and verdant landscapes. Arrive at your forest lodge nestled within or adjacent to the 970-square-kilometer protected area. Settle in and prepare for tomorrow's chimpanzee adventure.

Experience one of Africa's most thrilling wildlife encounters on a guided chimpanzee habituation walk through Nyungwe's misty canopy. Your expert tracker guides you through dense forest in search of habituated chimpanzee families. Listen to their vocalizations echoing through the trees and observe their complex social behaviors up close. Afternoon activities include canopy walks or visits to other primate populations like colobus monkeys and golden monkeys.

Travel from the forest highlands to the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda's largest freshwater lake. Enjoy the stunning transition from mountain forest to lakeside landscapes. Arrive at your waterfront accommodation and spend the afternoon relaxing on pristine beaches or exploring the picturesque lakeside towns. Experience the serene beauty of this East African gem and enjoy fresh fish cuisine.

Depart Lake Kivu and travel northward to the dramatic Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Drive through lush agricultural landscapes and enter the park's misty volcanic highlands. Check into your lodge positioned at the foothills of these magnificent volcanic mountains. Spend the evening preparing for tomorrow's world-famous gorilla trekking experience.

Rise before dawn for the most extraordinary wildlife experience on Earth. Trek through misty volcanic forests with your experienced guide and porter, searching for habituated mountain gorilla families. Lock eyes with these magnificent primates, observe their family dynamics, and experience the profound connection between humans and our closest living relatives. Each gorilla family has unique personalities and behaviors. Return to your lodge in the afternoon to rest and reflect on this life-changing encounter.

Enjoy a leisurely morning with optional activities including visits to volcanic crater lakes or golden monkey trekking. Spend time at your lodge absorbing the mountain scenery before departing for Kigali. Arrive in the capital by evening. If interested, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to gain deeper understanding of Rwanda's history and resilience.

Enjoy your final Rwandan breakfast and reflect on your extraordinary 10-day journey. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. Depart with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas, forest chimpanzees, and vast savannas. Premium Safari Co. hopes this expedition has touched your heart and inspired a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation.