10 Days in Rwanda Itinerary, What to Do and See in Rwanda

Day by Day Summary: 10 Days in Rwanda

• Day 1: Kigali Airport to Kigali
• Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park
• Day 3: Chimp tracking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park
• Day 4: Nyungwe to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
• Day 5: Explore Gisenyi town and Lake Kivu
• Day 6: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Tour in Volcanoes
• Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Day 9: Volcanoes to Kigali
• Day 10: Kigali to Kigali International Airport

Suggested Day By Day Itinerary: 10 Days in Rwanda

Day 1: Kigali Airport to Kigali

After meeting you upon arrival at Kigali Airport and giving you a quick orientation, our company’s safari driver will drive you to your Kigali lodging in around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. You’ll have time to unwind and get ready for your safari excursion the following day. As you prepare for an exciting and amazing adventure seeing Rwanda’s stunning landscapes and wildlife, our driver will make sure you are relaxed and ready.

Overnight: The Retreat By Heaven
Meal Plan: HB – Breakfast and Dinner

Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park

Start your fascinating journey to tour the Kigali Genocide Memorial after a leisurely breakfast. Take a day journey to the stunning Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda’s southern district after that. There are possibilities to stop along the road to visit the ethnographic national museum in Huye town. The trip from Kigali to Nyungwe forest takes around 5 hours. After that, savor a delectable meal before proceeding to the forest. Prepare yourself for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you discover Nyungwe Forest National Park’s varied flora and fauna, which is home to over 13 species of monkeys and other rare bird species.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Chimp tracking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park

Meeting the Nyungwe Forest Chimps – Rwanda

Breakfast first, then proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing. Then, go on an adventure through the tropical rainforest to find the elusive chimpanzees as they hang from tree branches and take breathtaking pictures and movies.

Later in the day, go on an exhilarating canopy walk in the Nyungwe forest, where you can run into several monkeys and bird species that live there.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Nyungwe to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

Visit Gisenyi, a town next to the stunning Lake Kivu that lies on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It will take 4-5 hours to reach there, during which time you will cross the Albertine Rift, a stretch of the majestic Great Rift Valley, beautiful undulating hills, and rich tea plantations.

Overnight: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Explore Gisenyi town and Lake Kivu

There are many things to do on this day after breakfast at the hotel. You can take a boat ride on Lake Kivu, visit a tea plantation and factory, and travel to the border between Rwanda and Goma.

Overnight: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

Start your 59-kilometer travel towards Musanze, which is where Volcanoes National Park is located, after eating breakfast at the hotel. You will have the chance to admire Rwanda’s magnificent highlands along the journey.

Overnight: One&only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Tour in Volcanoes

Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Start your day at 6:30 a.m. with an early breakfast before leaving for the Kinigi Park Headquarters’ Golden Monkey Tracking Experience. You will receive a briefing from the park rangers upon arrival, followed by a 15-minute drive to the trailhead. You will then set out to explore the jungle in quest of the peculiar primates.

Take a cultural visit of the I’biwacyu village in the afternoon to discover more about the practices and traditions of the Rwandan people.

Overnight: One&only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Set out for the Kinigi Park Headquarters at 6:30 in the morning for the gorilla tracking excursion. The park rangers will give you instructions before you head to the trailhead and begin your trip into the jungle in search of the rare and magnificent apes.

Overnight: One&only Gorilla’s Nest
Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9: Volcanoes to Kigali

Transfer to Kigali on this day. Drop-off locations include the international airport or the place where you are staying in Kigali.

Overnight: The Retreat By Heaven
Meal Plan: HB – Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Kigali to Kigali International Airport

You will be picked up from your Kigali lodging on this day and transported to the airport.

End of the 10 Days in Rwanda Itinerary 

What’s Included

• 24 hour support by our staff
• 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person
• 1 chimpanzee trekking permit per person
• Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
• All boat trip on Lake Kivu
• All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• Accommodation with meals as specified in the itinerary
• Lunch enroute
• Coffee, tea and drinking water in vehicle
• All ground transportation in 4X4 Extended Safari Land Cruiser
• English speaking driver guide
• All transfers airport, Hotel pickup and drop-off
• All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff

What’s Excluded

• Guidance in other languages
• Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
• VISA procedures
• Travel insurance
• International Flight Tickets
• PCR Tests