The Republic of Rwanda in East Africa offers a 7-day journey filled with wildlife, primates, history, and relaxation. This 7 Days Rwanda Family Safari is one of the best family travel holidays in Rwanda, covering top destinations and activities suitable for all ages.
Your adventure begins in Kigali, the clean and safe capital city of Rwanda. The trip continues to Volcanoes National Park in the northwest for gorilla trekking and Musanze cave exploration, Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south for chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk, and ends at Akagera National Park for game viewing and a boat cruise.
Other exciting activities include hiking, Kigali city tours, visiting the King’s Palace, and sightseeing. Pickup and drop-off are both at Kigali International Airport. Below is the detailed itinerary for this 7 Days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Holiday.
7-Day Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Enjoy a 7-day family safari across Rwanda’s top national parks and attractions
- Visit Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and explore the Musanze Caves
- Experience game drives and a boat ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park
- Track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest and walk on the famous forest canopy bridge
- Visit the King’s Palace Museum to learn about Rwanda’s traditional culture
- Explore Kigali city’s clean streets, craft markets, and historical landmarks
- Enjoy scenic drives through Rwanda’s green hills, farmlands, and rural villages
- Meet local people, enjoy traditional music and dance, and relax in family-friendly lodges
- Begin and end the safari in Kigali, with airport pickup and drop-off included
Brief 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
- Day 5: Akagera to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
- Day 7: Kigali City Tour and Departure
Detailed 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Meet and greet your driver-guide at Kigali Airport or your chosen pickup point. After a short briefing and verification of travel documents, begin the journey to Volcanoes National Park.
The drive takes about 2 to 3 hours, passing through beautiful green hills, plantations, and rural communities. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge for lunch, then visit the Musanze Caves for an exciting exploration. The caves are large and home to colonies of bats. Afterward, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. The session takes about 30 minutes before you start the trek.
Tracking mountain gorillas takes about 2 to 8 hours, depending on their movement. The search is done on foot, starting from where the gorillas were last seen. Once found, you will spend one hour watching and photographing them.
Later, return to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can enjoy the gardens, read a book, or interact with local people through traditional dance and storytelling before dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, check out and drive to eastern Rwanda to visit Akagera National Park, the country’s only savanna park. The drive includes stopovers for lunch and short breaks along the way. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest for the night.
Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
After breakfast, go for a 3 to 4-hour game drive across the savanna plains of Akagera National Park. Look out for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, and antelopes.
Have a bush breakfast before returning to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Akagera to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and start the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, known for its many primates. The road offers scenic countryside views and cultural stops.
Visit the King’s Palace Museum for a taste of Rwanda’s culture and history, then have lunch before continuing to Nyungwe. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, and have dinner and rest.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Rangers will explain the tracking rules before guiding you into the forest for a 2 to 5-hour walk.
Nyungwe is home to chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons, and over 170 bird species. You will also learn about the forest’s many trees and plants. Spend one hour with the chimpanzees watching them feed and play before having lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a canopy walk above the forest where you may see monkeys and birds. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Kigali City Tour and Departure
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive back to Kigali. Stop in Huye City for lunch, then continue to Kigali for a city tour. Visit local markets and buy souvenirs to remember your trip.
After the tour, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure. This marks the end of your 7 Days Rwanda Family Safari for Wildlife and Primates.