Behind-the-Scenes with Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari

10-Day Experience with Gorillas, chimpanzees, and the big five

A Perfect 10-Day Behind-the-Scenes with Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari Tour. Explore Rwanda Primates (Gorillas and Chimpanzees) with Wildlife in Akagera.

Discover the 10-Day Behind-the-Scenes with Rwanda Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari, a premium and ethically driven journey that pairs conservation access with luxury comfort. Beginning in Akagera’s savannahs for Big Five game drives and a scenic Lake Ihema boat cruise, the itinerary moves to Nyungwe Forest for colobus trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and the famous canopy walk, then culminates in Volcanoes National Park for unparalleled primate encounters. This carefully paced route features three ranger-led gorilla trekking opportunities in Volcanoes National Park, expert guides, and community experiences like the Iby’Iwacu Gorilla Guardians program, ideal for travelers seeking repeat up-close wildlife encounters, conservation insight, and high-resolution photography moments.

This Rwanda Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari is designed for photographers, small groups, and conscious travelers. The Rwanda Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari strikes a balance between active trekking days and restorative lodge stays, with seamless internal flights or transfers, with guided treks allowing you to observe different families and behaviors while supporting ongoing research and local livelihoods. Whether you’re booking for wildlife photography, repeat gorilla trekking experiences, or an education-rich safari that spans savannah, wetland, and montane forest ecosystems, this behind-the-scenes Rwanda Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari package delivers lasting memories and direct conservation impact.

Detailed Itinerary: 10-Day Behind-the-Scenes Gorillas and Akagera Wildlife

Day 1: Arrival & transfer to the hotel.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and greeted by our professional driver guide who will take you through your trip plan. He will then transfer you to the hotel for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Heaven by retreat (Luxury)/ Governor’s residence (Midrange)

Meal plan: Bed & breakfast

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park with evening game drive

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel for the transfer to Akagera National Park, where you will check in at the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, you will set out for a game drive in search of these animals. The game drive will take us to the northern part of the park, where most of the animals prefer to live. Look out for the Zebras, Giraffes, and Impalas, which are usually scattered along the game tracks.

Accommodation: Magashi camp (Luxury)/ Akagera game lodge (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 3: Morning Game drive & afternoon boat cruise

Akagera National Park is a Savannah park with Elephants, Hippos, buffalo, and Lions. After an early breakfast, we take a game drive in search of these animals. The game drive will take us to the northern part of the park, where most of the animals prefer to live. Look out for the Zebras, Giraffes, and Impala, which are usually scattered along the game tracks. Return to the lodge for lunch and you will take a boat safari on Lake Ihema for a beautiful mid-morning breeze and some sighting of birds and wildlife.

Accommodation: Magashi camp (Luxury)/ Akagera game lodge (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 4: Transfer back to Kigali.

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer back to Kigali. The transfer from Akagera to Kigali takes approximately 3 hours, hence you will arrive in Kigali at lunchtime. Upon arrival, you will check in at the hotel for lunch and relaxation.

Accommodation: Heaven by retreat (Luxury)/ Governor’s residence (Midrange)

Meal plan: Bed & breakfast

Day 5: Fly to Nyungwe Forest National Park for colobus monkey trekking.

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to the airport for the flight to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for colobus monkey trekking. Nyungwe forest is home to a stronghold of troops of Colobus monkeys, often called the Rwenzori Colobus or Black and White colobus Monkey. On the day of the trek, you will be briefed at the Park Headquarters on the Dos and Don’ts. Other monkeys that you will often see amble along the roadside as you walk past them include Red-tailed monkeys, the Grey-cheeked mangabey, and the Handsome L’Hoest monkeys. The most exciting experience is to see the baby Black and White Colobus monkeys. After the hike, you will head back to the lodge for relaxation.

Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe house (Luxury)/ Nyungwe top view hotel (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk

After an early breakfast, we leave for Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest. The forest is rich in botanical diversity and home to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys with 300 bird species. Your tour guide will transfer you to the briefing area where you will meet your ranger guide and receive briefing before you start your trek. After lunch, you will start a canopy walk in the afternoon. The canopy walk is a guided tour starting from the Uwinka Visitors center in Nyungwe Forest with a 30 minutes’ walk via the Igishigishi Trail. The trail begins with a steep slope, but the views from the canopy make it worth it! On a clear day, you can see Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at the same lodge.

Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe house (Luxury)/ Nyungwe top view hotel (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to Volcanoes National Park with an en route lunch. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Amarembo by touchdown (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 8: Behind-the-Scenes Gorilla trekking experience

On this day, you will have a great time encountering the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer you to the briefing point for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and at 8:30 am about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. With a packed lunch, you will start the trek to track the gorillas, and after locating them, you will only spend a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take approximately 4-5 hours, depending on where the gorillas slept the previous night. After the trek, you will be taken back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner & overnight stay.

Accommodation: Amarembo by touchdown (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 9: Second Behind-the-Scenes gorilla trek & Ibwiwachu cultural tour

Start early with a briefing at the park headquarters before embarking on your gorilla trek. Spend an unforgettable hour with a gorilla family in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon. In the evening, you will be taken to the Ibwiwachu community, the gorilla guidance community. This afternoon, you will visit the Ibwiwachu community, where you will be introduced to traditional Rwanda through traditional dances, poems, and dressing code,s among others.

Accommodation: Amarembo by touchdown (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 10: Third Behind-the-Scenes gorilla trek & transfer to the airport

On this day, you will have a great time meeting with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge. You will head for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and 8:30 am with a packed lunch. You will start the trek to hunt for the gorillas and after finding them you will spend with them a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take 4-5 hours, depending on where you meet the gorillas. The park is steep; it is a real hike, and being physically fit is recommended. After trekking, you will return to the lodge for a freshening up and then transfer to the airport for the flight back home.

End of your 10-Day Behind-the-Scenes Gorillas and Akagera Wildlife