8-Day Akagera Nyungwe And Volcanoes Safari Itinerary

Rwanda’s “Big Three” national parks offer a premier wildlife circuit, combining savanna game drives in Akagera (Big Five), primate tracking in Nyungwe Forest (chimpanzees/canopy walk), and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. A 8 day Akagera, Nyungwe And Volcanoes self-drive safari enables visits to all three, showcasing diverse ecosystems from volcanic mountains to ancient forests.

This 8-day Rwanda self-drive itinerary offers a comprehensive wildlife and adventure experience, combining savanna game drives in Akagera National Park, primate trekking in Nyungwe Forest, and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The trip typically begins in Kigali, covering savannah wildlife, canopy walks, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas, concluding with a departure from Kigali.

8-Day Akagera, Nyungwe And Volcanoes Safari

  • Volcanoes National Park: Renowned for tracking endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga mountains. Also famous for golden monkey tracking, hiking, and the Ellen DeGeneres Campus.
  • Nyungwe Forest National Park: A biodiverse montane rainforest ideal for chimpanzee trekking and hiking, featuring an famous canopy walkway,.
  • Akagera National Park: Located in the east, this park offers savanna game drives to see lions, rhinos, elephants, and leopards (Big Five), plus scenic boat trips on Lake Ihema.

8-Day Akagera Nyungwe And Volcanoes Safari Highlights

  • Days 1–2: Arrive in Kigali, transfer to Akagera for game drives and a boat cruise.
  • Days 3–5: Travel to Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walk.
  • Days 6-8: Travel to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and cultural experiences.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit: Dry seasons (June–September, December–February) are ideal for tracking.
Location: All parks are relatively close, making a combined trip easy to manage.
Permits: Gorilla and chimpanzee permits should be booked months in advance.