Rwanda Self Drive Itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 Days

Rwanda is small enough that almost every destination is within half a day of Kigali, which makes it unusually good for self drive. The trick is not squeezing more in, it is sequencing the drives so you are not crossing the country twice. Here are four itineraries that actually work, with honest driving times.

Driving times you can plan around

• Kigali to Musanze, for Volcanoes National Park: about 2 to 2.5 hours on excellent tarmac
• Kigali to Akagera main gate: about 2.5 hours
• Kigali to Rubavu on Lake Kivu: about 3.5 hours
• Musanze to Rubavu, along the northern shore: about 2 hours
• Kigali to Huye in the south: about 2.5 hours
• Huye to Nyungwe Forest: about 2 hours
• Rubavu to Karongi, on the Congo Nile road: about 3 hours, slow and scenic

Add time for photo stops, market traffic through trading centres, and the fact that nobody drives these roads as fast as the map suggests.

Three days: the gorilla long weekend

Best vehicle: Toyota RAV4 in the dry season, Prado in the rains.

Day 1

Collect the car at Kigali airport and drive north to Musanze. Two and a half hours of very good road. Arrive in the afternoon, settle into a lodge near the park gate, and get an early night because the trek briefing is at dawn.

Day 2

Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park. The trek itself is on foot with rangers, so the car only takes you to the trailhead. Afternoon free for the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, which are ten minutes off the main road and almost always empty.

Day 3

Drive back to Kigali with a stop at a roadside market. Afternoon in the city for the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which deserves a proper unhurried visit, then return the car at the airport.

Five days: north and west

Best vehicle: Prado, for the Congo Nile stretch.

Days 1 and 2

As above: Kigali to Musanze, gorilla trek.

Day 3

Musanze to Rubavu on Lake Kivu, two hours through farmland and volcanic scenery. Afternoon on the lake shore, which after a trek day is exactly what you want.

Day 4

The Congo Nile road south to Karongi. This is the drive people remember: three hours of switchbacks above the lake, mostly unpaved, entirely worth it. Do not attempt it in the dark.

Day 5

Karongi back to Kigali, about three hours, and return the car.

Seven days: the classic circuit

Best vehicle: Prado or Land Cruiser.

Days 1 to 4

Kigali, Musanze and the gorilla trek, then over to Rubavu and down the Congo Nile road to Karongi, as in the five day plan but with an extra night on the lake.

Day 5

Karongi south to Nyungwe Forest. A long scenic drive through tea country.

Day 6

Chimpanzee tracking at dawn, then the canopy walkway in the afternoon. Nyungwe rewards a full day.

Day 7

Nyungwe to Kigali via Huye and Nyanza, stopping at the King's Palace museum. About five hours of driving in total, so start early.

Ten days: the full country

Best vehicle: Land Cruiser, particularly for the Akagera days.

Days 1 to 7

The classic circuit above, taken at a slower pace with an extra night at Lake Kivu and an extra one at Nyungwe.

Day 8

Kigali east to Akagera National Park, about two and a half hours. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the southern loops.

Day 9

A full day in Akagera: a dawn game drive when the animals are moving, then a boat trip on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. This is the day the Land Cruiser earns its rate.

Day 10

Akagera back to Kigali, city time, and the airport.

Practical notes for every itinerary

• Book gorilla and chimpanzee permits with the Rwanda Development Board months ahead. They sell out, and the itinerary is built around them.
• Fill the tank in Musanze, Rubavu, Huye or Kayonza before any final leg. There is no fuel inside the parks.
• Do not drive between towns after dark. It is the single biggest road risk in Rwanda.
• Carry cash in Rwandan francs for gate fees, rural fuel and tips.
• Download offline maps in Kigali. Coverage is good but not universal on the Congo Nile road.
• Check whether the last Saturday of your trip falls during Umuganda community work, which restricts movement until about 11am.

For the vehicle decision, see our SUV rental guide. For a deeper version of the seven day plan, read the seven day self drive safari itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for a Rwanda self drive trip?

Three days covers a gorilla trek and Kigali. Five to seven days covers the north, Lake Kivu and Nyungwe comfortably. Ten days lets you add Akagera and stop rushing. Fewer than three days and you spend most of it driving.

Is Rwanda easy to drive around?

Yes. It is one of the easiest countries in Africa to self drive: short distances, good tarmac on main routes, clear signage, orderly traffic and driving on the right. The parts that need care are the unpaved feeder roads and driving after dark.

What car do I need for a Rwanda road trip?

A 4x4. A RAV4 at USD 45 per day is enough for tarmac itineraries in the dry season. A Prado at USD 75 or a Land Cruiser at USD 110 is the right choice for the Congo Nile road, Akagera game drives or travel during the rains.

Can I do Rwanda and Uganda in one self drive trip?

Yes, with cross border authorisation and additional insurance arranged in advance. Cyanika near Musanze is the natural crossing if you are heading for Bwindi.

What is the best time of year for a Rwanda road trip?

June to September is the long dry season and the easiest driving. December to February is also good. March to May brings the heaviest rains, when the unpaved sections need a proper 4x4.

Tell us which itinerary you are running and we will match the vehicle and deliver it to your hotel or the airport. Call or WhatsApp +250 788 504 614.