Magashi Camp
A tented camp on the shore of Lake Rwanyakazinga in the quiet north of Akagera.
Ask about this lodge# LTM-RW-PB7|7 days, 6 nights
7-Day Rwanda Primates & Big Five
Starts & endsKigaliRouteKigali › VolcanoesA private trip: it starts on any day you choose, and every quote is all-inclusive.
A private safari, 7 days, 6 nights
This private safari covers all three of Rwanda's national parks in a week. You start with game drives and a boat trip in Akagera, cross the country to Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walkway, and finish in Volcanoes National Park with a gorilla trek.
The roads are good and the scenery changes completely from one park to the next, from savannah to rainforest to volcanoes.
Highlights
- Big Five game drives and a boat trip in Akagera
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest
- The Nyungwe canopy walkway
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family
- Rwanda's three national parks in one week
Day by day
- Kigali
- Akagera
- Nyungwe
- Volcanoes
- Kigali
Day 1Kigali › Akagera
Kigali to Akagera
Pick-up in Kigali and the drive east to Akagera. In the afternoon, a boat trip on Lake Ihema among hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles.
Day 2Akagera National Park
Akagera game drives
A full day of game drives on the northern plains, where lions, rhinos and plains game are most often seen, with an optional night drive.
Day 3Akagera › Kigali › Nyungwe
Across Rwanda to Nyungwe
A long, scenic drive west through Kigali and Huye to the edge of Nyungwe Forest, arriving in the evening.
Day 4Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzees and the canopy
A dawn chimpanzee trek with trackers, then the canopy walkway near Uwinka in the afternoon.
Day 5Nyungwe › Lake Kivu › Musanze
To the Virungas
North along the shores of Lake Kivu and up into the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes.
Day 6Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking
The 7:00 briefing at Kinigi, then the trek to your gorilla family and an hour in their company.
Day 7Musanze › Kigali
Back to Kigali
Optional golden monkey tracking in the morning, then the drive back to Kigali.
Lodges are confirmed in writing when you book, and timings are adjusted to your dates and pace.
Where you stay
Two nights at each, or lodges of the same standard if they are full.
One&Only Nyungwe House
Rooms on a working tea estate at the edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Ask about this lodge
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
A community-owned lodge near Kinigi, close to the park headquarters where treks begin.
Ask about this lodgeThe Mavens difference
Private vehicle and guide
A 4x4 with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide, for you alone.
Luxury lodges
Every night at a lodge chosen for its position and its standards.
Fees and permits included
Park entry, permits and the activities in the itinerary are in the price.
Flexible by design
Lengthen, upgrade or combine the trip before you pay.
Included
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
- Canopy walkway
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 6 nights at luxury lodges, full board
- Park entry fees
- Pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Rwanda visa
- Drinks other than water, tea and coffee
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Good to know
Fitness
Moderate, with a demanding chimp trek and a gorilla trek.
Long drives
Days three and five are long but scenic.
Best time
June to September is driest across all three parks.
Make it longer
Add a second gorilla trek or Lake Kivu.
Dates & availability
This is a private trip, so it starts on any day you choose. Choose a month to carry it into the quote request.
What every quote includes
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
- Canopy walkway
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 6 nights at luxury lodges, full board
Quotes depend on your dates, the size of your group and the lodges you choose. Green-season months are often better value, and Christmas and New Year can carry lodge supplements.
Reviews from this trip
Verified reviews appear here once guests are home.
Questions travellers ask
Can we fly instead of the long drive to Nyungwe?
Helicopter transfers can be arranged at extra cost. Ask us for a quote.
Is the chimp tracking in Nyungwe reliable?
Less predictable than Kibale in Uganda, because the chimps range widely. The canopy walk and colobus monkeys make the forest worthwhile regardless.
Can we skip Akagera?
Yes. A five-day version covers Nyungwe and Volcanoes only.
You may also like
Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.