9 Days Best of Rwanda
Overview of 9 Days Rwanda Safari
Escape to Rwanda – Africa’s last true wilderness sanctuary. Our 9 Days Rwanda Safari transports you from the modern world into nature’s untouched realm, where wildlife reigns supreme and adventure awaits at every turn.
This immersive 9 Days Rwanda Safari showcases the country’s most spectacular experiences:
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking in the misty volcanoes
- Primate Encounters in Nyungwe’s ancient forests
- Big Five Safaris across Akagera’s golden savannahs
Each day of your 9 Days Rwanda Safari brings new wonders as you:
✓ Stand breathless before endangered mountain gorillas
✓ Track chimpanzees through emerald rainforests
✓ Cruise past hippos and crocodiles on mirror-still lakes
✓ Witness Rwanda’s famous “Thousand Hills” unfold before you
More than just a safari, this 9 Days Rwanda Safari offers:
- Intimate wildlife encounters
- Cultural immersion with local communities
- Luxury eco-lodges in pristine locations
- Expert guides revealing Rwanda’s hidden gems
Why this 9 Days Rwanda Safari itinerary stands out:
- Exclusive access to Rwanda’s “Big Three” national parks
- Perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation
- Conservation-focused experiences that support local communities
Itinerary of 9 Days Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Kigali City Tour
Explore Rwanda’s vibrant capital through key landmarks including Gahanga Market, Akagera River viewpoints, Rebero Hill panoramas, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Experience the city’s evolution into Africa’s cleanest capital while interacting with locals and enjoying refreshments at Kigali Heights.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Journey south with a cultural stop at the King’s Palace Museum, a reconstructed traditional royal residence, before arriving at Nyungwe Forest Lodge for overnight.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Search for chimpanzees and other primates like colobus monkeys during a guided forest trek, followed by an exhilarating canopy walk experience.
Day 4: Lake Kivu Exploration
Discover Kibuye’s islands (Napoleon, Peace, Monkey) by boat before visiting the Environmental Museum.
Day 5: Gisenyi & Night Fishing
Travel along scenic Lake Kivu to Gisenyi for beach relaxation and a unique night fishing experience with local fishermen.
Day 6: Volcanoes National Park & Cultural Experience
Transfer to gorilla country with an immersive visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for traditional performances and insights into Rwandan heritage.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking
The highlight encounter – trek through volcanic forests to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat for one unforgettable hour.
Day 8: Akagera Wildlife Park
Journey east for a boat safari on Lake Ihema spotting hippos and crocodiles, with potential evening game viewing.
Day 9: Full Game Drive & Return
Morning safari searching for lions, elephants and giraffes before returning to Kigali with unforgettable wildlife memories.
This comprehensive itinerary combines Rwanda’s premier wildlife, primate and cultural experiences across its diverse landscapes.
✅ What’s included in 9 Days Rwanda Safari
- Parks Entrance Fees
- Canopy Walk
- Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Chimpanzee Trekking permit
- Transportation 4×4 jeep
- Accommodation
- Meals and soft drinks
- Wi-Fi internet
- Bottled water
- Professional driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
❌ Exclusions in 9 Days Rwanda Safari
- Alcoholic drinks
- Anything not explicitly mentioned.
Note
- Remember, gorilla trekking involves being in close proximity to wildlife, so it’s important to wear muted colors like khaki, brown, or green to blend in with the natural surroundings.
Avoid bright or flashy clothing that may startle or disturb the gorillas. Lastly, be prepared for different weather conditions
Some areas of Akagera have tsetse flies and they do bite while traveling.
What do I need to bring?
- Lightweight and breathable clothing
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Layered clothing
- Comfortable and sturdy footwear
- Binoculars and camera
- Insect repellent
Cancellation policy:
- Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Book for this Gorilla trekking tour
Posted on Tripadvisor patty eVerified 100% recommended I was originally in Tanzania for a safari but decided to add the gorilla trek at the end of my trip because the flight was too long to fly to Africa from California again at my age. I booked through Viator. From the beginning, communication with Universal Adventures was positive. They were prompt to answer any questions. And a few days before the excursion, they sent me my driver's name and WhatsApp number. His name is Christian.We communicated through WhatsApp, and he was very prompt to reply back. He was early to pick me up at 4:30am. I had another person in the car. The car was clean. Its a long drive to the meeting place. We stopped for breakfast pastries at a local shop( they take credit cards and had a clean breakfast. We then drove to the meeting place where we met up with our group. There they had hot drinks like coffees, lattes, teas, etc. We then had to drive to the beginning of the mountain. It was a long drive as the roads are not paved. My group was assigned the Isimbi gorilla family and our guide was Jolie. My porter was Adolf. I was the least active one in the group but the crew never made me feel bad. After what I thought was a 4 hr hike (it was really 1 hr and 26 minutes) we found our gorilla family. We had plenty of time to take pictures with them. After we were done, Christian took us to a rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious! I recommend this excursion 100%. The company is awesome and very professional.Posted on Tripadvisor Juliet KVerified Gorilla Experience in Rwanda! Easy ride, the trip was one in a life time experience. The driver (Christian) was very nice and kind and made the trip smooth! Everything was great.Posted on Tripadvisor zoe457Verified Amazing experience seeing the gorillas of Rwanda! Amazing experience seeing the gorillas. Dodos picked me up in Kigali and was very helpful through the whole process. He even had cold drinks when I finished the gorilla trekking. Highly recommend!Posted on Tripadvisor Trevor BVerified Great way to see Kigali! Our guide Christian was knowledgeable and kind. He showed us all the highlights including the moving Genocide Memorial. His personal stories and insights into Rwandan society were invaluable. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with him in Kigali.Posted on Tripadvisor Destination709424Verified Gorilla Trekking Me and my partner have always dreamed of doing gorilla trekking so when Christian helped this come to life it was surreal! As tourists we felt incredibly safe and welcomed with Christian he was super knowledgable and happy to share lots of description and reasoning with all our questions to help us learn and understand the culture. We also did a cultural village visit, Golden Monkey Trek, Diane Fossey Museum and women’s centre. All suggested and planned with Christian from Universal Ventures Rawanda. Any requests we had were never too much for Christian he was always happy to help. I would 110% recommend Christian to all my friends and family who I know want to come to Rawanda. Thankyou for making our dreams come true!Posted on Tripadvisor Geti LVerified 100% would recommend Amazing team and guide. I didn’t have to think about anything since they planned everything from airport pick up till drop off. Best value for buck but also great attitude and support. Got permission to visit the Pablo family thanks to our guide!Posted on Tripadvisor Yanis RVerified Thanks Kim for that wonderful day Kim was my guide for my experience with the gorillas. He made the day so comfortable. Everything was perfect! We also had many conversations about everything. I definitely recommend traveling with him!!Posted on Tripadvisor Aglaia OVerified Amazing Rwanda gorilla trek! Playful babies, calm silverback, great guides. Book permits well in advance. My gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda was absolutely incredible. We found the gorillas within about an hour of hiking, and seeing them up close was unforgettable. The baby gorillas were especially playful and entertaining to watch, constantly moving around and interacting with each other. In contrast, the silverback was calm, quiet, and completely self-focused — somehow both powerful and peaceful at the same time. The gorillas were not scary at all, and we never felt threatened during the experience. The guides were fantastic: experienced, knowledgeable, and very entertaining throughout the trek. One of our guides even shared stories about crossing paths with Dian Fossey, which made the experience feel even more special and connected to Rwanda’s conservation history. One important tip: make sure to secure your trekking permit well in advance, as spots are limited and can sell out quickly. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would highly recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor MARCELLE EVerified Gorilles Kigali Nous avons choisis la parcours long mais ca valait le coup. Nous en avons pris pleins les yeux les guides étaient top le trajet depuis Kigali pas trop long avec le chauffeur de l'agence , NEZA qui a vraiment été super du début à la fin . Il nous été d’une grande aide.le responsable de l’agence et était super et disponible il nous a aidé pour toutes les démarches.Posted on Tripadvisor Teresa BVerified The trek was perfect! We saw a beautiful family of gorillas including two Silverbacks! The best experience of my life! Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat was incredible! A truly serene experience. The tour was well planned and could not have been more perfect. The entire team guided with professionalism and love. My porter, Jacqueline, was wonderful and took great care of me. My personal guide/driver, Kim, was a delight! I learned much about Rwanda from him on the drive. I was surprised he greeted me with champagne toast! The day could not have been better.
