This 5 days Rwanda chimpanzee and wildlife safari takes you to two of the most visited national parks in Rwanda with a wide range of activities to do and attractions to see. This tour package allows visitors to explore the topography of Rwanda the fact that Akagera national park is situated in a relatively flat area while Nyungwe forest is located in a mountainous area given that Rwanda is hilly hence the name “land of a thousand hills”. This 5 days safari features wild animal viewing for animals such as zebras, lions, leopards, hippos, elephants to mention but a few, and a boat cruise on lake Ihema in Akagera national park and also features chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk which is the best in east Africa in Nyungwe forest national park.

5 days Rwanda chimpanzee and wildlife safari highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Akagera national park

Day 2: Morning game drive and boat cruise in Lake Ihema

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking experience and canopy walk

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali/ Departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Akagera national park

Upon arrival at Kigali international airport or depending on your location in Kigali city, you will be picked up by a safari guide from Africa adventure vacations who will drive you to Akagera national park. Akagera national park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda about 2 – 3 hours drive from the city. Upon arrival at Akagera national park, you will proceed to your booked lodge for check-in and later in the evening go for an evening game drive to see some of the park animals before returning to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Magashi camp – luxury, Ruzizi tented camp – mid range, Mutumba campsite – budget.

Day 2: Morning game drive and boat cruise in Lake Ihema

After early morning breakfast, meet your driver-guide who will drive you to the park for a morning game drive. A game drive in Akagera national park may take 2 – 3 hours depending on the availability of animals that exist in the park including buffaloes, lions, giraffes, kobs, elephants, rhinos, leopards, zebras, bushbucks, wild dogs, hyenas, impalas, and waterbucks among others. You will also spot different bird species in places like the woodland, lakes, savannah, and swamps. Return to your lodge for lunch.

After lunch, you will meet your driver-guide for a transfer to Lake Ihema for an afternoon boat cruise that lasts for about 2 hours exploring the water animals like the hippos and crocodiles as well as water birds. Return to the lodge in the evening to refresh, have dinner, and overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Magashi camp – luxury, Ruzizi tented camp – mid range, Mutumba campsite – budget.

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park

You will wake up in the morning for a breakfast and meet your driver-guide to transfer you to Nyungwe forest national park. The journey to the park is a 6 – 7 hours drive with a stopover at the king’s palace and the Ethnographic Center and get to learn about the history and culture of Rwanda. You will stop somewhere on your way for lunch before proceeding to check in your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and lunch.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Nyungwe forest lodge – luxury, Nyungwe hilltop view – midrange, Gisakura guest house – budget

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking experience and canopy walk

After early morning breakfast, meet your safari driver to connect you to the park headquarters of Nyungwe forest national park. Nyungwe forest is one of the largest rain forests in entire east Africa harboring 13 species of primates. You will be briefed at the park headquarters about the dos a d don’ts of chimpanzee trekking. You will be grouped and a ranger guide will lead you into the forest to search for the playful primates. Finding them will take 2 – 5 hours depending on their movements and on finding them, you will be allowed to be around them for an hour and get to learn about their habits and behaviors while taking photos and recording videos before returning to the starting point to meet your driver for a transfer back to the hotel.

After enjoying your lunch, you will head out for the canopy walk experience. Nyungwe forest national park has the most outstanding canopy in east Africa raised 50 meters above the ground. This canopy walk gives you an aerial view of the forest, the park, animals, and birds from the top. After the canopy walk, you will trek back to the starting and meet your driver to take you back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Nyungwe forest lodge – luxury, Nyungwe hilltop view – midrange and Gisakura guest house – budget

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali/ Departure

After a relaxed breakfast, check out of the lodge meet your driver, and start on your journey back to Kigali city. After reaching Kigali city you will have an en-route lunch later get dropped at your hotel or Kigali international airport to end your 5 days Rwanda chimpanzee and wildlife safari 

Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Tour includes

Chimpanzee trekking permit

Canopy walk

Boat cruise

Kigali city tour

Park entrance fees

Service of the English-speaking guide

Accommodation

Meals

Transportation

Drinking water

Tour excludes 

Air flight tickets

Visa

Insurance

Optional activities not included in the itinerary

Personal expenses

Tips