Rwanda Complete Safari
Gorillas, chimps, and Big Five in Africa's most accessible destination
Your Route
Kigali → Volcanoes NP → Lake Kivu → Nyungwe → Akagera → Kigali
Route Details
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes
Home of the mountain gorillas with dramatic volcanic backdrop.
Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking
- Golden monkey tracking
- Dian Fossey grave hike
- Bisoke volcano crater lake hike
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu
Africa's Great Lake with relaxation and stunning scenery.
Highlights
- Lakeside relaxation
- Kayaking and boat trips
- Coffee plantation visits
- Hot springs at volcanic islands
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe
Ancient montane rainforest with chimpanzees and canopy walkway.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Canopy walkway at 50m height
- Colobus monkey troops
- Over 300 bird species
Akagera National Park
Akagera
Rwanda's Big Five park with savanna, lakes, and swamps.
Highlights
- Big Five including reintroduced lions and rhinos
- Lake Ihema boat safari
- Classic African savanna landscape
- Conservation success story
A Typical Day
Sample from Volcanoes National Park
5:30–6:30
Early departure for park headquarters
7:00–12:00
Gorilla trekking (2-6 hours)
12:00–15:00
One hour with gorilla family
15:00–18:00
Return, rest, optional cultural visit
18:00–21:00
Dinner with volcano views
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Travelers wanting it all in one trip, those valuing infrastructure over budget, honeymooners seeking variety, and primate enthusiasts.
Not ideal for
Budget-focused travelers, those wanting only gorillas, or travelers preferring classic East African parks.
Trade-offs
Like what you see?
We'll customize this route around your preferences
Best Time to Go
Dry Season
Best trekking conditions, easier wildlife viewing
Short Dry
Good conditions, slightly fewer tourists
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
12 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Travelers wanting it all in one trip, those valuing infrastructure over budget, honeymooners seeking variety, and primate enthusiasts.
Why each segment was chosen:
Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla group assignment affects trek difficulty. Permit timing constrains itinerary structure.
Lake Kivu
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Akagera National Park
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Extra Gorilla Trek
Second gorilla permit for different family
Cost Context
$10k–$18k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights, includes 1 gorilla permit
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking