12 Days Rwanda Safari

This 12 Days Rwanda Safari in 2026 2027 will take you to some of Rwanda’s most amazing destinations. Hike through Nyungwe Forest National Park and search for the elusive mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy all that Rwanda has to offer from Kigali to Musanze!

Arrival for the 12 Days Great Rwanda Safari

You’ll be received/picked  from the airport.

Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

12 Days Great Rwanda Safari Summary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City Rwanda
• Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 5: Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu
• Day 6 – Kibuye to Gisenyi
• Day 7: Gisenyi Cultural Experience | Volcanoes National Park
• Day 8: Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking
• Day 9: Musanze Golden Monkey Trekking
• Day 10 – Musanze to Akagera National Park
• Day 11: Akagera National Park – Kigali
• Day 12: Kigali

Day-By-Day 12 Days Great Rwanda Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City Rwanda

On the day one of your 12 Days Rwanda Safari, you will be met and greeted by your Nextgen Safaris Africa driver guide upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport. He or she will brief you on your safari before transferring you to your hotel for your overnight stay in Kigali. Relax at your hotel.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: 2000 Hotel

Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

After early morning breakfast, you will drive into the Nyungwe Forest. On the way you will visit Nyanza King’s Palace, the national museum of Butare, and the genocide memorial of Murambi. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound features the tastefully decorated modern palace built by King Mutura in 1934.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by expert rangers and trackers, you will trek through the ancient montane rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee troops, encountering other primates and rich birdlife along the way.

After the trek, enjoy lunch and return to your lodge for relaxation.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Today will be your second day in the Nyungwe Forest. In the morning, you can either opt for the Nyungwe canopy walk or a nature walk to the waterfalls. After lunch, you will visit the Colobus monkeys darting through the trees. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NPMeals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 5: Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest National Park and enjoy a scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills and tea plantations toward the shores of Lake Kivu. On arrival, check in to your lakeside lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing by the water, enjoying the views, or taking a gentle walk along the lakefront.

Main Destination: Kibuye (Town)

Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge

Mid-range lodge located in or near Karongi

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 6 – Kibuye to Gisenyi

After breakfast, continue your journey along the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, driving from Kibuye to Gisenyi. This beautiful lakeside route offers sweeping views, fishing villages, and rolling hills. Upon arrival in Gisenyi, check in to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure by the lake.

Main Destination: Gisenyi (City)

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Luxury hotel located in or near Rubavu

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 7: Gisenyi Cultural Experience | Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a guided cultural experience in Gisenyi, exploring local communities along the shores of Lake Kivu. Visit local markets, interact with artisans, and learn about daily life, traditions, and fishing culture in this vibrant lakeside town. The afternoon is at leisure to relax by the lake or enjoy the hotel facilities.

Main Destination: Musanze (City)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located in or near Musanze

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Accompanied by expert rangers and trackers, you will trek through bamboo and rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once found, you will spend an unforgettable one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 9: Musanze Golden Monkey Trekking

After an early breakfast, transfer to Musanze for Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Accompanied by expert rangers, you will trek through bamboo forests on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes in search of these playful and endangered primates.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

Main Destination: Musanze (City)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located in or near Musanze

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 10 – Musanze to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, depart Musanze and enjoy a scenic drive east across Rwanda’s rolling hills toward Akagera National Park. On arrival, enter the park for an afternoon game drive, offering excellent chances to spot plains game, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and predators in this classic savannah landscape.

Proceed to your lodge in or near the park for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Akagera National Park

Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inside Akagera NP

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 11: Akagera National Park – Kigali

After breakfast, you will go on a game drive in the park. Akagera National Park is located in Eastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania. African Parks is currently managing this park and has done a great job with the conservation. In the past, there were lots of conflicts between people and the park but this was solved by fencing off part of the park and the introduction of community tours where visitors are encouraged to visit the communities and benefit accordingly. Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in Rwanda and is home to several mammal species. These include lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, kobs, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks and most recently black rhinos have been introduced from South Africa.

This makes Akagera National Park officially a Big Five park like it was many years ago. It is also home to numerous bird species in several habitats which include woodland, swamps, lakes and savannah.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: 2000 Hotel

Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 12: Kigali

After breakfast, and depending on your departure flight, you may go on a complimentary visit to the Ntarama Church. This was the site where more than 5,000 were killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This genocide memorial is located 30km south of Kigali in the Bugasera region. This church and its contents are a reminder of the horrifying violence that took place. Learn more about the unity and reconciliation commission while you are here.

Main Destination: Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of 12 Days Rwanda Safari)

Meals & Drinks: Lunch (Breakfast & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

End of 12 Days Rwanda Safari

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

You’ll be dropped off at the airport.