What You Need to Know: This 9-day private safari covers Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. It costs from US$5,988 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the chimpanzee and gorilla permits.
Is the 9-Day Rwanda Safari Right for You?
It is the complete Rwanda trip: savannah, rainforest and volcanoes.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want everything Rwanda offers | You have six days: see the 6-day Rwanda safari |
| You like birds as well as primates | You want a classic Big Five safari: Tanzania or Kenya is better |
| You start and end in Kigali | You want two gorilla treks: see the 10-day Rwanda and Uganda safari |
The 9-Day Rwanda Safari Route at a Glance
Two nights in Akagera, two in Nyungwe, three near Volcanoes National Park.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kigali | Airport transfer, 20–30 minutes | Kigali |
| 2 | Kigali to Akagera | Drive 2.5 hours, game drive, boat | Akagera |
| 3 | Full day in Akagera | Full-day game drive | Akagera |
| 4 | Akagera to Nyungwe Forest | Drive 7–8 hours | Nyungwe Forest |
| 5 | Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe | Chimp trek 2–5 hours | Nyungwe Forest |
| 6 | Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park | Drive 6–7 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 7 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 8 | Birding in Volcanoes | Walk 3–4 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 9 | Return to Kigali and departure | Drive 2.5–3 hours | — |
9-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
East to Akagera, south-west to Nyungwe, north to the volcanoes, and back to Kigali.
-
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Your driver-guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you land early, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving introduction to the country's recent history, or walk the clean, hilly streets of the capital.
Airport transfer, 20–30 minutesKigaliDinner -
Day 2: Kigali to Akagera
Drive east to Akagera, about 2.5 hours, for an afternoon game drive and a boat trip on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles.
Drive 2.5 hours, game drive, boatAkageraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Full day in Akagera
A full day exploring the park from the lakes in the south to the northern plains, where lions, rhinos, elephants and giraffes live, with a picnic lunch.
Full-day game driveAkageraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Akagera to Nyungwe Forest
A long drive west through Kigali and the hills of the south to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Drive 7–8 hoursNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
Leave before dawn to track chimpanzees with a park ranger; the community moves fast through steep forest, so the walk can take a few hours. Later, walk the canopy walkway, a suspension bridge about 160 ft (50 m) above the forest floor, and look for Angola colobus monkeys, which live here in large troops.
Chimp trek 2–5 hoursNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park
A long, scenic drive north along the Congo-Nile road above Lake Kivu, through tea estates and fishing villages, to Musanze below the Virunga volcanoes.
Drive 6–7 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Meet the rangers at Kinigi at 7:00 for the briefing, then climb through farmland into the bamboo zone to find your gorilla family. You spend one hour with them, then walk back down for a late lunch.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Birding in Volcanoes
A birding walk in the foothills of the volcanoes, looking for Albertine Rift species found nowhere else, or a hike to Dian Fossey's grave.
Walk 3–4 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Return to Kigali and departure
Drive back to Kigali, about 2.5 hours, with a stop at a craft cooperative on the way, for your flight home.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 9-Day Rwanda Safari
- Akagera: lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes and hippos
- Nyungwe: chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and the canopy walkway
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas and Albertine Rift birds
How Much Does the 9-Day Rwanda Safari Cost?
From US$5,988 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek | US$150 |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
- Flights: there are no flights on this trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Akagera National Park (African Parks/RDB) | About US$50 per adult per day, plus a vehicle fee |
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek (RDB) | About US$150 per person, plus Nyungwe park entry |
| Nyungwe Forest National Park entry and canopy walk (RDB) | Official RDB rate, shown in your quotation |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
What the 9-Day Rwanda Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- 8 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Nyungwe chimpanzee trek, Rwanda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 9-Day Rwanda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
Our Rwanda trips compared:
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes gorillas | 3 | US$2,946 | Gorilla trek only |
| Akagera, Nyungwe, Kivu | 5 | US$2,410 | No gorillas: savannah, forest, lake |
| Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 6 | US$4,542 | Chimps and gorillas |
| Rwanda in full | 9 | US$5,988 | Akagera, chimps, gorillas |
| Rwanda and Uganda | 10 | US$7,270 | Two gorilla treks and chimps |
| Rwanda and Tanzania | 14 | US$8,348 | Gorillas, then the Serengeti |
Swap the birding day for golden monkeys (US$100 per person) if you prefer.
How to Book the 9-Day Rwanda Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Rwanda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 9-Day Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 9-Day Rwanda Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit. Treks last from under an hour to six hours on steep, often muddy slopes at altitude. Porters and walking sticks make a big difference, and rangers try to match groups to fitness. The minimum age is 15.
Can we add golden monkeys?
Yes, on day 8 instead of the birding walk; the permit costs US$100 per person.
How much does the 9-Day Rwanda Safari cost?
From US$5,988 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Nine days for the whole of Rwanda, from the savannah to the volcanoes. Reserve the permits as soon as your dates are set.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.