6 Days Rwanda Primate and Big Five Luxury Safari
The 6 Days Rwanda Primate and Big Five Luxury Safari is one of Rwanda’s finest safari experiences, pairing world-class primate encounters with classic Big Five game viewing across premium accommodation. The itinerary takes you to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking, then to Akagera National Park for outstanding Big Five viewing, lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino, all set against Rwanda’s dramatic volcanic and savanna landscapes.
Trip Snapshot
| Duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Starts / Ends | Kigali |
| Main destinations | Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park |
| Key activities | Gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, Iby’Iwacu Village cultural tour, Big Five game drives, Lake Ihema boat cruise |
| Physical level | Moderate to challenging |
| Accommodation style | Luxury lodges throughout |
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Iby’Iwacu Village cultural tour and Royal Palace visit
- Golden monkey trekking
- Lake Ihema boat cruise and a full day of Big Five game drives in Akagera’s northern circuit
Summary Itinerary
| Day | Overview |
| Day 1 | Pick-up and transfer to Ruhengeri |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 3 | Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Akagera National Park, afternoon boat cruise |
| Day 5 | Full day in Akagera’s northern circuit |
| Day 6 | Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up and Transfer to Ruhengeri
On the first day of the safari, your driver-guide will collect you from your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport and brief you on the trip ahead, followed by a short city tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial site, Kimironko Market and other attractions. Afterward, you’ll transfer to Ruhengeri town with an en-route lunch. On arrival, check in at your luxury lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After a hearty breakfast, meet your driver for the transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You’ll enter the forest with experienced park trackers, moving through rugged terrain until you locate the mountain gorillas. Once found, you’ll spend one hour in their presence, watching them feed, play, groom one another, and going about their day, an opportunity to take photos and record the experience.
Afterward, head to Iby’Iwacu Village for a cultural experience with a resident local guide. You’ll also visit the King’s Palace and learn about Rwandan culture through dance and song performances from the local Intore dance troupe. Return to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, then drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking rules and regulations. The guided trek in search of golden monkeys takes roughly 40 minutes to 3 hours or more depending on their location. Once found, you’ll spend one hour in their presence before meeting your driver-guide for the return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and an overnight stay at the same luxury lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Akagera National Park and Afternoon Boat Cruise
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey to Akagera National Park, with a lunch stop in Kigali along the way. Continue on to Akagera, arriving in the afternoon. On arrival, take a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of species, including crocodile and hippo in the water, along with buffalo, elephant and antelope coming to drink at the shoreline, and colorful birdlife around the lake. Afterward, transfer to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Full Day in Akagera’s Northern Circuit
After a hearty breakfast, meet your driver-guide for a full-day game drive in the park’s northern circuit, where you’ll have the chance to see lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant and many other species, along with a wide range of birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the wilderness, then continue the game drive in search of any species missed earlier in the day, capping off an excellent game-viewing experience. Afterward, drive to your luxury lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Departure
On the last day of the safari, enjoy breakfast and check out of your luxury lodge, with an en-route game drive as you exit the park. After leaving the park, head back to Kigali with an en-route lunch. Your driver-guide will drop you at your preferred destination, either Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali, bringing your trip to a close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari Price Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Iby’Iwacu Village cultural tour
- Park entrance fees and game drives
- Lake Ihema boat cruise
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- Luxury accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
Safari Price Excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry and tips
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Big Five game viewing like in Akagera?
Akagera National Park has undergone extensive rewilding efforts and now supports lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and both black and white rhino, making it Rwanda’s only Big Five safari destination.
Can I do both gorilla and golden monkey trekking on this trip?
Yes, this itinerary includes both, with gorilla trekking on Day 2 and golden monkey trekking on Day 3, both within Volcanoes National Park.
What does the Iby’Iwacu Village tour involve?
The tour includes a cultural experience with a resident local guide, a visit to the King’s Palace, and traditional dance and song performances from the local Intore dance troupe.
Is this itinerary suitable for luxury travelers?
Yes, this itinerary is built specifically around luxury lodges throughout, offering premium accommodation alongside Rwanda’s headline primate and Big Five wildlife experiences.
Book Your 6 Days Rwanda Primate and Big Five Luxury Safari
Combining gorilla and golden monkey trekking with a genuine Big Five safari in Akagera, all set within premium accommodation, this itinerary represents one of the finest and most complete Rwanda safari experiences available.
Get in touch to check permit availability and start planning your 6 Days Rwanda Primate and Big Five Luxury Safari.