About the 10-Day Rwanda Grand Safari
This 10-day safari is our most complete tour of Rwanda. It visits Kigali, Volcanoes National Park for gorillas, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park, so you see the capital, the mountains, the lake, the rainforest and the savannah in one trip.
It suits travellers who want to see all of Rwanda in about a week and a half. It includes long drives between regions, and gorilla treks are moderate to strenuous, with a minimum age of 15.
Planning tips: see our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and check entry requirements on the official Rwanda immigration site. Permits and park fees for the activities in the itinerary are included. Request a free quote and we will reply by email.
Read more: Rwanda gorilla permit cost, Nyungwe National Park guide and Akagera National Park guide.
Read the full trip guide: 10-Day Rwanda Grand Safari
Table of Contents
Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.
10 day Rwanda grand safari: quick answer
This 10 day Rwanda grand safari is our most complete tour of Rwanda. It visits Kigali, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park for gorillas, Lake Kivu and Nyungwe Forest National Park, so you see the capital, the savannah, the mountains, the lake and the rainforest.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.
Day-by-day route of the 10 day Rwanda grand safari
Day 1: arrive in Kigali for a city tour with the Kigali Genocide Memorial and craft markets.
Day 2 and 3: drive east to Akagera for game drives and an afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema.
Day 4: travel via Kigali to Musanze, roughly 4 to 5 hours with a lunch stop.
Day 5: gorilla trek with one hour spent with your gorilla family.
Day 6: golden monkey tracking or a hike to the Karisoke research site.
Day 7: drive west to Lake Kivu for a lakeside evening.
Day 8: drive through tea country to Nyungwe Forest.
Day 9: chimpanzee trekking in the morning and the canopy walk in the afternoon.
Day 10: drive back to Kigali, about 5 to 6 hours.
What to expect on a 10 day Rwanda grand safari
You see all of Rwanda in about a week and a half, with a mix of drives and activities.
Three primate experiences are included: gorillas, golden monkeys or the Karisoke hike, and chimpanzees.
Read our Nyungwe National Park guide and the Rwanda gorilla permit guide to prepare.
What is included
Included are airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali, the gorilla trekking permit arranged by us, the chimpanzee and golden monkey permits, Akagera entry fees, a 4×4 vehicle with an experienced driver-guide and accommodation for 9 nights.
International flights, visa fees, insurance, tips and personal expenses are not included.
How Afraeka plans your grand safari
We start with your dates and interests, then request the permits for your travel dates. Permits are date-specific and paid in full at booking.
Your driver-guide stays with you across the whole country.
Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a personal quote.
Who this safari suits
Travellers who want to see all of Rwanda in one trip and are comfortable with long drives and active days.
10 day Rwanda grand safari FAQ
Which parks are included?
Akagera, Volcanoes and Nyungwe, plus Lake Kivu.
How many primate treks are included?
Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and golden monkey tracking or the Karisoke hike.
How long is the final drive?
About 5 to 6 hours from Nyungwe to Kigali.
What is the minimum age?
15 years for gorilla trekking.
Related guides and sources
Check destination information on the official Visit Rwanda website, compare more options on our Rwanda safaris page, or request a free quote for this 10 day Rwanda grand safari.
The 10 day Rwanda grand safari in more detail
Day 1: Kigali
The 10 day Rwanda grand safari starts in Kigali with a city tour that includes the Kigali Genocide Memorial and craft markets. It is a thoughtful introduction to the country before you head out to the parks.
Days 2 and 3: Akagera National Park
You drive east to Akagera for game drives and an afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema. Akagera is Rwanda’s savannah park, with elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and, with luck, lions and rhinos. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Days 4 to 6: Volcanoes National Park
Day 4 is a drive via Kigali to Musanze, roughly 4 to 5 hours with a lunch stop. On day 5 you trek gorillas and spend one hour with your gorilla family. The trek is moderate to strenuous, and the minimum age is 15. Day 6 offers golden monkey tracking or a hike to the Karisoke research site.
Days 7 and 8: Lake Kivu and tea country
Day 7 is a drive west to Lake Kivu for a lakeside evening. On day 8 you drive through tea country to Nyungwe Forest. The two days give the legs a rest between the treks.
Days 9 and 10: Nyungwe and return
Day 9 is chimpanzee trekking in the morning and the canopy walk in the afternoon. On day 10 you drive back to Kigali, about 5 to 6 hours. Read our Nyungwe National Park guide for more on the forest.
Pace and what is included
You see all of Rwanda in about a week and a half, with a mix of drives and activities. Three primate experiences are included: gorillas, golden monkeys or the Karisoke hike, and chimpanzees. Nine nights of accommodation, the permits and the Akagera entry fees are included. Permits are date-specific and paid in full at booking, so book early. See the Rwanda gorilla permit guide.
Who it suits
The safari suits travellers who want to see all of Rwanda in one trip and are comfortable with long drives and active days. Your driver-guide stays with you across the whole country.
Making it your own
Compare other routes on our Rwanda safaris page. Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a personal quote.
Our most complete Rwanda itinerary, with ten days to see the country’s headline experiences at a relaxed pace: Kigali’s history, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe’s chimpanzees and canopy walk, and Akagera’s savannah wildlife.
We arrange your driver-guide, accommodation and park permits, and every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, interests and budget. Contact us for a personal quote.
Highlights
- Kigali city tour and the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Akagera game drives and a boat trip on Lake Ihema
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey tracking or the hike to Dian Fossey's Karisoke site
- Lake Kivu, then chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk in Nyungwe
- Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits included
