7-Day Rwanda Big Five Complete Safari

The 7-day Rwanda Big Five complete safari is our flagship package — the most comprehensive Rwanda wildlife journey available, visiting every major national park and cultural destination. In seven days you will trek with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes, track the Big Five in Akagera's savannah, walk with chimpanzees in Nyungwe's ancient rainforest, cruise Lake Kivu, and explore Kigali. Both the gorilla permit ($1,500) and chimpanzee permit are included in the $4,500 per person all-inclusive price — the most transparent and complete Rwanda safari package on the market.

Complete 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary

Day 1 — Kigali: Arrival & Guided City Tour

Arrive in Kigali, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided tour: Kigali Genocide Memorial (250,000 victims buried here — essential Rwanda context), Kimironko Market (fabrics, crafts, street food), and the Kigali Convention Centre. Rwanda's capital is consistently Africa's cleanest and safest city — your guide reveals the extraordinary transformation story behind that fact.

Days 2 & 3 — Akagera National Park: Big Five Safari

Two full days of Akagera Big Five game drives. Day 2 covers northern and central zones (lions, elephants, giraffes) followed by the Lake Ihema boat safari at sunset — hippos, crocodiles and shoebill stork. Day 3 explores Akagera's southern rhino sector (40+ rhinos since the 2017 reintroduction) and 525+ bird species. Akagera is Africa's most remarkable wildlife comeback story.

Day 4 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park

Transfer northwest to the Virunga volcanoes (2.5 hrs). After 7:00 am park briefing, trek into the forest with your guide and ranger team. Mountain gorilla trekking Rwanda has a 95%+ success rate — your one hour in the gorillas' presence is among the most profound experiences in African wildlife. Watch silverbacks command, infants play, mothers nurse. The $1,500 gorilla permit is fully included.

Day 5 — Scenic Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

Four-and-a-half-hour drive south through Rwanda's highlands, descending through tea plantations and crater lakes before ascending into the Albertine Rift mountains. Arrive at Nyungwe at dusk for an orientation walk on the forest edge.

Day 6 — Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walkway

Dawn start for Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking — following experienced trackers into 50-million-year-old forest. One hour with habituated chimpanzees: feeding, grooming, communicating in the ancient canopy. Afternoon: the Nyungwe canopy walkway — 160 metres suspended 70 metres above the forest floor, views to Lake Kivu on the horizon. Chimpanzee permit fully included.

Day 7 — Lake Kivu Cruise & Return to Kigali

Morning Lake Kivu boat cruise to Napoleon Island's fruit bat colony — millions of bats creating a living cloud above the lake's volcanic islands. Final lunch in Rubavu town. Three-hour scenic drive back to Kigali for evening departure flights.

Why This Is Rwanda's Best 7-Day Safari Package

Most Rwanda safari packages focus on one experience and miss the country's extraordinary ecological diversity. The Rwanda Big Five complete safari covers every major ecosystem: savannah (Akagera), mountain forest (Volcanoes), ancient rainforest (Nyungwe), volcanic lake (Kivu), and city (Kigali). No other 7-day Rwanda package includes both gorilla and chimpanzee permits at a transparent all-inclusive price. Both permits ($1,500 gorilla + chimp) plus all park fees, 6 nights accommodation and all meals are included in $4,500 per person.