5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Akagera
Tour Overview
The 5 Days Rwanda wildlife safari with gorilla safari in Volcanoes and wildlife safari in Akagera national park. On this Rwanda wildlife safari tour, expect to engage in the unforgettable game drive and boat cruise in Akagera National Park, then gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. A game drive tour will have you exposed to Akagera’s diverse savanna mammals including the African bush elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, rhinos, roan antelopes, zebras, Maasai giraffes, warthogs, and more.
A boat cruise will be enjoyed on the stunning Lake Ihema and expect to come across hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds.
Gorilla trekking will involve active trek through the jungle to explore mountain gorillas in the wild. The gorilla treks will be enjoyed in Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda, home to currently 13 habituated gorilla groups. Overall, the 5 days Rwanda wildlife safari will begin from Kigali to Akagera National Park and lastly, you will explore Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri.
Tour Details
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Enjoy Kigali city tour & travel to Akagera
Day 2: Morning game drive with a guide & a launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer from Akagera to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri
Day 4: Experience the best of gorilla trekking & cultural tour
Day 5: Depart
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Enjoy Kigali city tour & travel to Akagera
You will meet your safari guide at the hotel or agreed pick up location. Get a short briefing on your 5 days Rwanda wildlife safari and after, you will begin your day with the Kigali city tour. On the Kigali city tour, your focus will be to explore the Kigali genocide memorial and the former presidential palace, as well as craft shops and the main market.
After you have explored your favorite sites in Kigali Capital, you will proceed to Akagera National Park in the Eastern Rwanda. From Kigali to Akagera, expect to spend about 2.5 hours’ drive and when you arrive, you will check in your lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp/Rusizi Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: Dereva Hotel
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Day 2: Morning game drive with a guide & a launch cruise
Enjoy a hefty breakfast at leisure in your respective lodges and after, proceed with the morning game drive. A game drive through Akagera game track will run for 2-3 hours and gets you exposed to variety of the savanna game including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and bird species.
You will get back to the lodge at the park speed limit. On arrival, spend your time at the lodge and also enjoy lunch at leisure. By around 2:00 pm, you will depart the lodge for the afternoon launch cruise on Lake Ihema. The Lake Ihema launch cruise will include spotting the diverse aquatic species such as hippopotamus, crocodiles, and water birds.
Get back from Lake Ihema boat cruise to chill in your lodge. You will be provided dinner and later, retire for the night.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp/Rusizi Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: Dereva Hotel
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Transfer from Akagera to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri
At leisure, settle for a delicious breakfast and later, you will exit Akagera National Park for Volcanoes National Park. It will be about 5 hours’ drive road trip to connect to Volcanoes National Park for a holiday. En route, appreciate the breathtaking landscape of the countryside in Northwestern Rwanda as you reach Volcanoes National Park. Arrive at the park early and you will be dropped off to the lodge to check in early.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kwitonda Lodge/Silverback Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Da Vinci
- Budget: Best View Hotel/Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meal plan: Full board
Travel time: About 5 hours
Day 4: Experience the best of gorilla trekking & cultural tour
It is a special day to embark on the actual gorilla trekking adventure to get up close and personal encounter with a family of mountain gorillas. First, enjoy your delicious breakfast at leisure and later, you will proceed to Kinigi to be briefed about guidelines for gorilla trekking. The park official will also allocate visitors habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park and also park ranger guides.
At around 8:00 am, expect to exit Kinigi for the actual trek to see mountain gorillas in the wild. On the gorilla trekking, your main focus will be searching for the rare mountain gorillas in the wild. This is expect to run for 2-6 hours depending on your speed of walking, nature of the habitat, location of gorilla groups, and other factors.
Return from the gorilla trekking session after the magical encounter. Have the great time at the lodge and later in the afternoon, you will proceed with a cultural experience. The cultural tour takes you to Iby’Iwacu Village to interact with the former poachers now advocate of wildlife conservation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kwitonda Lodge/Silverback Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Da Vinci
- Budget: Best View Hotel/Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Meal plan: Full board
Day 5: Depart
On this day, you will be provided breakfast and after, check out of the lodge. Expect to embark on your road trip back to Kigali capital and you will be dropped off to the lodge or direct to Kigali International Airport (KGL).
End of safari
Safari Inclusions
- Game drives
- Launch cruise tour
- A 4×4 tourist vehicle for ground travel
- Accommodation & meals
- Gorilla permits
- Bottled drinking water
- Kigali city tour
- Airport transfers
- Cultural tour in the Iby’Iwacu Village
- All park entry fees
Safari Exclusions
- Tips
- Laundry services
- Optional safari activities
- Extra accommodation
- Alcoholic drinks or beverages
- Passport fees
- Visa
- Shopping bills
- Telephone bills
What to carry on the 5 days Rwanda wildlife safari
Essentials to consider on the packing list for the 5 days Rwanda wildlife safari include waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a good camera free from flashlight, insect repellents, a valid gorilla permit, visas, passport, medical kit, sun glasses, sun hat, and a sweater. Other items include water bottle, sturdy and waterproof hiking boots, a poncho, long trousers or pants, etc.
