5 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Akagera Wildlife Safari

5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Detailed Itinerary

 Day 1: Kigali pick up & Akagera National Park Game Drive

Begin your Rwanda adventure with a pickup from Kigali International Airport or your hotel by your Safari Guide. After gathering any travel essentials you may need, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park, enjoying winding roads, mountain views, and flatlands along the way. Stop for lunch at a local Rwandese restaurant to savor dishes like samosas or enjoy a cold Rwandan beer. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and relax while taking in the park’s savannah, lakes, and wide blue skies before dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation:

• Akagera Game Lodge
• Ruzizi Tented Camp
• Karenge Bush Camp

Destination: Akagera National Park 

Day 2: Akagera Game Drive and Journey to Volcanoes National Park

Start the day with an early breakfast followed by a morning game drive in Akagera National Park, where you may spot lions, hyenas, rhinos, and a variety of birds in the serene, less-visited park. After the drive, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour journey to Volcanoes National Park, enjoying the rolling farmland and mountain scenery while your guide briefs you on the upcoming gorilla trek. Upon arrival, take a two-hour village walk with your guide to experience the local culture and hospitality before returning to your lodge for dinner and sunset views over the mountains.

Accommodation options:

• Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
• Le bamboo gorilla lodge (Mid-range)
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)

Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Ibylwacu Cultural Centre

Start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge before heading to the Park Headquarters for a morning of coffee, tea, and a lively cultural performance by local dancers. Afterwards, you will be assigned to one of the ten mountain gorilla families and receive a briefing from your Ranger Guide on park etiquette before beginning the gorilla trek. Driven to the trekking start point, you will follow the trail with your Ranger Guide to locate your gorilla family, a process that can take anywhere from one to eight hours depending on their movements. Rangers will have scouted the gorillas ahead of time, keeping in constant contact with your guide to ensure you reach them efficiently. Once you find the gorillas, you will have one hour to observe and photograph these magnificent creatures, learning about their behavior and interactions. A packed lunch will be provided either before or after the trek, as eating in the gorillas’ presence is not allowed. After the trek, return to your accommodation for lunch and rest before visiting the Ibyiwacu Cultural Center in Kinigi. Here, enjoy traditional Rwandan dance and music performances, including a recreated wedding ceremony, offering a rich cultural experience to round out your day. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation in the evening.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking & Musanze Caves 

Start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge before returning to the Park Headquarters for a morning of coffee, tea, music, and a vibrant performance by local dancers. After a briefing from a Park Ranger, join a Golden Monkey tracking group and head into the forest. Unlike mountain gorillas, Golden Monkeys are easier to locate, often feeding in the lush Bamboo Forest at the mountain’s base. Spend about an hour observing, photographing, and learning about these lively primates before returning to your vehicle and heading back to your lodge for lunch with your Adventure in the Wild Safari guide. In the afternoon, visit the Musanze Caves, a hidden gem of Rwanda, where you’ll don a helmet and descend wide stone steps into caves that stretch over two kilometers, exploring the ancient homes of local communities. Return to your lodge before nightfall for dinner and relaxation.

Day 5: Return to Kigali

After breakfast, pack up and begin the scenic 2–3 hour drive back to Kigali with your Adventure in the Wild Safari guide, passing banana farms, tea plantations, and charming small towns along winding mountain roads. If time allows, your guide can take you on a brief tour of Kigali, including a visit to a local bakery, coffee shop, or handicrafts market to pick up unique souvenirs. You may also explore the renowned Genocide Memorial Center, learn about Rwanda’s recent history, enjoy a cup of Rwandan coffee at the memorial café, and stroll through the beautiful outdoor rose gardens. At the end of your visit, your guide will return you to your accommodation or Kigali International Airport. We hope your Rwanda adventure with Adventure in the Wild Safaris was truly unforgettable!

End of 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife

Includes & Excludes