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 Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
