10-Day Rwanda Primates & Zanzibar Beach Tour

Detailed Rwanda and Zanzibar Beach Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

Your driver guide will meet you at Kigali Airport, then transfer you to Nyungwe National Park after a briefing on your trip. Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to up to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys.

On arrival, relax at your lodge while waiting for your meals.

Day 2: Full Day Adventure in Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, head into Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking, starting around 8 am with a briefing on forest rules. Head into the forest to search for the chimps, an experience lasting about 4 hours, including an hour with the chimps once found.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then join the canopy walk, a 200m suspended rope bridge offering views of primates and birds as you cross above the forest. Return to the lodge in the late evening for dinner.

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, travel to Volcanoes National Park in western Rwanda, home to the remaining mountain gorillas. The drive along the Ruhengeri-Gisenyi road takes about 6 hours. On arrival, relax at your lodge.

Volcanoes National Park sits in the Virunga Massif, with rainforest home to more than 10 habituated gorilla families and five of the eight Virunga Mountains, offering hiking opportunities. Over 180 bird species live here, including the Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori double-collared sunbird.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience and Transfer to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive to the park office for a briefing and ranger guide assignment before entering the forest to search for the gorillas. Spend an hour with them once found, then return to the lodge for lunch before heading to Akagera National Park.

Akagera features savanna plains with morning game drives and afternoon boat cruises to see lions, buffaloes, leopards, Masai giraffes, zebras, and hyenas. Proceed directly to your lodge on arrival.

Day 5: Full Day in Akagera National Park

Explore the savanna and Lake Ihema through a morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise. The game drive, led by a park ranger, offers sightings of lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and hyenas.

After lunch, head to Lake Ihema, on the Rwanda-Tanzania border, for a boat cruise to see hippos and crocodiles. Return to the lodge after an evening game drive.

Day 6: Transfer Back to Kigali, Fly to Zanzibar, and Transfer to a Hotel

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive before heading to Kigali Airport for your flight to Zanzibar, known for its beaches and history. On arrival, transfer to your hotel or resort for the next three nights.

Day 7: Full Day Exploration of Stone Town

Tour Stone Town, visiting the House of Wonders, Zanzibar Coffee House, and religious sites built with coral stone, including the Old Dispensary and Old Fort. Visit the Spice Islands to taste, touch, and smell various spices.

Days 8 to 9: Beach Activities

Spend two days at the beach, with activities such as snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and beach soccer. Enjoy a boat cruise to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean, and visit Forodhani Garden Market in the evening for local food. Other options include Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park and Prison Island.

Day 10: Transfer to the Airport and Fly Back Home

After breakfast or lunch, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your flight home.

Book this 10-Day Rwanda Primates and Zanzibar Beach Tour today and trek mountain gorillas and chimps, then relax on Zanzibar’s beaches.