Sample itinerary · 10 days · Rwanda
10-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Luxury Safari
An hour with a mountain gorilla family in the Virunga forests, framed by Kigali's calm capital and a classic savanna chapter to complete the journey.
Private guide · Private vehicle · Custom lodge options
Your Safari Route
A private, point-to-point journey — your own guide and vehicle throughout, moving at your pace with lodges matched to your style.
- KigaliArrive in Kigali — clean, calm, and moving.
- Volcanoes NP
- Akagera or Serengeti extension
- KigaliReturn to Kigali for a final night and your international flight, or connect onward to a Kenya or Tanzania safari.
Day by Day
Day 1Kigali
Arrive in Kigali — clean, calm, and moving. An afternoon at the Genocide Memorial gives meaningful context before heading to the mountains.
Days 2–4Volcanoes National Park
Drive to Volcanoes National Park for your gorilla trek — an hour with a habituated family that travelers consistently describe as life-changing. A second trek or golden-monkey tracking is easily added.
Days 4–8Nyungwe or Akagera
Extend to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzees and canopy walks, or Akagera for a savanna Big Five contrast — Rwanda's remarkable range in one country.
Days 8–10Departure
Return to Kigali for a final night and your international flight, or connect onward to a Kenya or Tanzania safari.
What Makes This Journey Special
Rwanda offers the easiest access to mountain gorillas — often the region's finest lodges just hours from Kigali — and pairs that once-in-a-lifetime hour with genuine variety in a compact, welcoming country.
Two gorilla trekking permits for a fuller experience
Luxury forest lodges at the foot of the Virungas
Golden monkey trek or cultural village day
Savanna extension in Akagera or the Serengeti
Make This Safari Your Own
Add a second gorilla permit, extend to Nyungwe or Akagera, combine with a Kenya or Tanzania savanna safari, or upgrade to the most exclusive lodges.
- Upgrade to luxury lodges or private conservancy camps
- Add a hot-air balloon safari at dawn
- Extend to Zanzibar, Diani, or Cape Town
- Add nights for a slower, more private pace
- Tailor for a honeymoon, family, or photography trip
Custom pricing
Custom pricing is based on travel dates, lodge category, party size, routing, and itinerary design.
Best Time to Travel
The ideal window is June–September and December–February for drier trails, with dry-season game viewing and clearer skies. Timing can be shaped around your preferred experience, lodge availability, and travel style.
Choose Your Lodge Style
Every stay is quoted to your chosen style — no fixed packages, no shared departures.
Boutique Comfort
Intimate, characterful camps with genuine warmth and personal service.
Custom pricingPremium Tented Camp
Spacious canvas suites blending classic safari style with real comfort.
Custom pricingLuxury Safari Lodge
Refined lodges with pools, spas, fine dining, and sweeping views.
Custom pricingPrivate Conservancy Camp
Exclusive-use land, off-grid privacy, walking, and night drives.
Custom pricingGood to know
Itinerary Questions
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
A Rwanda gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person per trek, set by the Rwanda Development Board and identical through every operator. Permits are strictly limited, so we secure them first and build the itinerary around the confirmed dates.
How difficult is the gorilla trek?
It ranges from one to several hours of hiking at altitude on steep, sometimes muddy terrain. Reasonable fitness helps, porters are available and recommended, and rangers can match slower groups to nearer families.
Can I combine Rwanda gorillas with a savanna safari?
Yes — Rwanda's easy access makes it a natural add-on to a Kenya or Tanzania safari, and within Rwanda you can pair gorillas with Akagera's savanna or Nyungwe's chimpanzees.
Is this itinerary private or shared?
It is private throughout. You travel with your own guide, private vehicle, and schedule — never sharing your safari with strangers.
Can this be planned as a luxury safari?
Yes. Every stay can be raised to luxury lodges or private conservancy camps, with flights and service matched accordingly.
Can this itinerary work for a honeymoon?
Beautifully. We add romantic lodges, private dinners, and a gentler pace, and can finish on a beach for a barefoot end to the trip.
Can I add Zanzibar or another beach destination?
Yes. A beach extension to Zanzibar, Diani, or Mauritius is a popular finish and easy to route into the journey.
Can I add a hot-air balloon safari?
Where it is offered — such as the Masai Mara or Serengeti — a dawn balloon flight with a champagne breakfast can be added.
How is pricing calculated?
Every journey is quoted to your travel dates, lodge category, party size, and routing. There are no fixed package prices.
Does African Safari Reserve operate the safari directly?
African Safari Reserve curates safari journeys through trusted destination partners. We do not claim to own or operate a national park, wildlife reserve, lodge, airline, or government tourism authority.
Make This Journey Yours
This is a starting point, not a fixed package. Tell us your dates and travel style and we'll shape a private itinerary around you — with transparent, custom pricing.