The Perfect 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary: Gorillas, Big Five & Lake Kivu

Rwanda is a small country — roughly the size of Maryland — but it packs an extraordinary variety of landscapes and wildlife into those compact borders. In just seven days you can trek with mountain gorillas in the volcanic north, drive through savannah spotting lions and elephants in the east, and unwind on the shores of one of Africa's most beautiful lakes in the west. Here is the itinerary our team at Rwanda Safari Tours recommends to travellers who want the full spectrum of what Rwanda has to offer.

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali

Fly into Kigali International Airport, where your Rwanda Safari Tours driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city — visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, browse the crafts at Kimironko Market, and enjoy dinner at one of the capital's excellent rooftop restaurants. Kigali regularly ranks among Africa's cleanest and safest cities, and it is a genuinely enjoyable place to begin your journey.

Day 2 – Kigali to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive three hours east to Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah park. Check in to your lodge and head straight out for an afternoon game drive. Akagera has made a remarkable conservation comeback — lions were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, completing Rwanda's Big Five. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and a dazzling array of birds around Lake Ihema.

Day 3 – Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera

Rise before dawn for an early morning game drive when predators are most active. A sunset boat safari on Lake Ihema is the perfect way to end the day — watching hippos surface and African fish eagles swoop from the shoreline trees is one of Rwanda's great photographic moments.

Day 4 – Akagera to Volcanoes National Park

Drive northwest (approximately four hours) through Rwanda's famous rolling hills and terraced farmland to Musanze, the gateway town for Volcanoes National Park. Check in to your lodge and attend an evening briefing to prepare for tomorrow's gorilla trek.

Day 5 – Gorilla Trekking Day

This is the day you will remember for the rest of your life. After the 7 AM briefing at park headquarters, your group of eight sets off into the bamboo forest to find your assigned gorilla family. Spend a full hour in the presence of these magnificent animals. In the afternoon, optional golden monkey tracking offers a completely different — and equally delightful — primate encounter.

Day 6 – Volcanoes to Lake Kivu

Drive two hours southwest to Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes, sitting at 1,460 metres above sea level. The drive through the Congo-Nile Trail is spectacular — terraced hillsides drop away to the glittering lake below. Settle into your lakeside lodge, kayak to Napoleon Island to see thousands of fruit bats at dusk, or simply sit on your veranda with a cold Primus and watch the sun go down over the Congo hills across the water.

Day 7 – Lake Kivu & Departure

A leisurely morning by the lake before the three-hour drive back to Kigali for your flight home. If time allows, a quick stop at a local coffee plantation shows you another side of Rwanda — the country produces some of the finest specialty coffee in Africa.

Ready to Book?

This itinerary can be tailored to any budget, group size, or timeframe. Rwanda Safari Tours handles every detail: gorilla permits (book 6 months ahead!), accommodation, private guides, and airport transfers. Get in touch with our team for a personalised quote and availability.