Ten days is the ideal length for a complete Rwanda self-drive loop — enough time to visit every major national park without rushing, with rest days built in between active trekking days. This itinerary covers Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Akagera, starting and ending at Kigali airport. Total driving: approximately 900 km.
Book these before anything else
- Gorilla trekking permit — $1,500/person via rdb.rw. Books out months ahead in peak season. Your permit date determines your Day 3.
- Chimpanzee permit (Nyungwe) — $150/person via rdb.rw. Book 2-4 weeks ahead.
- Vehicle — Land Cruiser VX ($70/day) recommended for this full circuit. Reserve your vehicle →
10-day Rwanda self-drive itinerary — day by day
Day 1 — Arrive Kigali
Collect vehicle at KGL. Check in to Kigali hotel. Afternoon: Kigali Genocide Memorial (allow 3 hours). Evening in Kiyovu restaurant district.
Day 2 — Kigali to Musanze (110 km, 2 hrs)
Drive north on RN2. Afternoon: twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo boat trip. Check in to Musanze accommodation. Early sleep — 5am start tomorrow.
Day 3 — Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes NP
7am briefing at park headquarters, Kinigi. Trek: 2-8 hours. One hour with mountain gorillas. Return to Musanze for rest.
Day 4 — Golden monkeys + drive to Lake Kivu (60 km, 1 hr)
Morning: golden monkey tracking at Volcanoes ($100 permit, book at gate). Afternoon: drive west to Rubavu on Lake Kivu. Sundowner on the lake.
Day 5 — Lake Kivu rest day
Boat trip to Napoleon Island (fruit bats). Kayaking or swimming. Explore Rubavu town and the Congo border market (Petite Barrière). Overnight Rubavu.
Day 6 — Lake Kivu to Nyungwe NP (200 km, 3 hrs)
Drive south along the lake shore to Karongi (stop for lake view at the peninsula), then southeast to Nyungwe. Afternoon: canopy walkway. Overnight near Gisakura.
Day 7 — Chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe
5:30am briefing. Trek: 2-6 hours. Option: afternoon waterfall trail (Isumo waterfall, 10 km loop, no permit). Overnight Nyungwe.
Day 8 — Nyungwe to Kigali (220 km, 4 hrs)
Drive east across Rwanda through Butare (Huye) — stop for lunch, visit the National University or Ethnographic Museum. Return to Kigali. Overnight Kigali.
Day 9 — Kigali to Akagera NP (100 km, 2.5 hrs)
Drive east on RN3. Afternoon game drive inside Akagera — southern lake loop, hippo pools, giraffe and zebra. Camp at Lake Ihema or check in to Akagera Game Lodge.
Day 10 — Akagera dawn game drive, return to Kigali
Dawn start at 6am — best chance for lions. Optional boat safari on Lake Ihema (2 hrs, $35/person). Drive back to Kigali (2.5 hrs). Return vehicle at KGL.
10-day itinerary — distances and driving summary
| Day | Route | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KGL airport → Kigali | 15 km | 30 min |
| 2 | Kigali → Musanze | 110 km | 2 hrs |
| 3 | Musanze (park day) | — | — |
| 4 | Musanze → Lake Kivu (Rubavu) | 60 km | 1 hr |
| 5 | Lake Kivu (rest day) | — | — |
| 6 | Rubavu → Nyungwe NP | 200 km | 3 hrs |
| 7 | Nyungwe (park day) | — | — |
| 8 | Nyungwe → Kigali | 220 km | 4 hrs |
| 9 | Kigali → Akagera NP | 100 km | 2.5 hrs |
| 10 | Akagera → KGL airport | 115 km | 2.5 hrs |
| Total | ~820 km |
10-day budget estimate (1 person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Land Cruiser VX rental (10 days × $70) | $700 |
| Fuel (~820 km at $1.45/litre) | ~$120 |
| Gorilla permit | $1,500 |
| Chimp permit (Nyungwe) | $150 |
| Golden monkey permit | $100 |
| Park entry fees (7 days across 3 parks) | $280 |
| Boat safari Akagera | $35 |
| Accommodation (10 nights, budget-mid average $60/night) | $600 |
| Total estimate (1 person) | ~$3,485 |
Contact us with your gorilla permit date to confirm vehicle availability and get a quote for this exact itinerary.