5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari | Epic Africa Safaris

Overview

This epic 5 Days Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari takes you on a special gorilla trekking experience, game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This epic Africa safari package is special in that it presents you a chance to combine your mountain gorilla encounters and the big 5 game in the savannas.

The 5 Days Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari is expertly designed, and focuses  on destinations such as Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only place to find all the big five game in one habitat and you will have the best of a game drive and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema.

Akagera National Park lies in the Eastern province of Rwanda, 2 and half hours’ drive from Kigali city center. Created in 1934, Akagera National Park is 1122 sq. km and features a variety of habitats including savanna grassland, wetlands, etc. Wildlife species that make Akagera National Park an amazing wildlife tour destination: the Maasai giraffes, bushbucks, zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, topis, cape elands, klipspringer, duikers, hippos, crocodiles, and oribis.

Your captivating mountain gorilla trekking adventures will be enjoyed in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This National Park is the only location in Rwanda to find the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. This is a 160 sq. km forest-dominated park, created in 1925 to host the rare mountain gorillas. You will track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, home to 13 habituated families of massive mountain gorillas.

5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Highlights

Day 1: Travel for wildlife tour to Akagera National Park

Day 2: Game drive & Lake Ihema launch trip

Day 3: Akagera National Park to Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla tour

Day 4: Gorilla trekking holiday & cultural tour

Day 5: Depart

Detailed Itinerary – 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 

Arrival:

• Pick up by an experienced driver guided & transfer to a hotel.
• A comfortable stay in a luxurious lodge/hotel & delicious dinner

Day 1: Travel for wildlife tour to Akagera National Park

Wake up early and enjoy a delicious breakfast at a luxurious hotel in Kigali. Meet and greet your Rwanda safari guide, have a short briefing about your special 5 days Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari tour. After, begin your day with city tour in Kigali and you will be exploring areas such as Kigali genocide memorial in Gisozi, craft centers and Rwanda’s largest market- Kimironko market.

Have lunch in one of the best restaurants and after, you will be transferred to a comfortable lodge in Akagera National Park. This is located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, 2 and half hours’ drive in a 4×4 tourist vehicle.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Magashi/Rusizi Tented Camp
• Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 2: Game drive & Lake Ihema launch trip

Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, begin your game drive expedition for 2-3 hours in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up. Expect to explore the lush savanna plains with animal sightings to see including hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, lions, Masai giraffes, oribis, cape elands, bushbucks, topis, duikers, zebras, leopards, rhinos, roan antelopes, klipspringers, birds and more.

Lunch break will made and at 2:00 pm, set off for another session of Rwanda wildlife safari which is Lake Ihema launch trip. This is a water sport or boat safari excursion and allows you to enjoy the view of aquatic life; hippos, crocodiles and bird species. Return to have a relaxed dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge in or near Akagera National Park.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Magashi/Rusizi Tented Camp
• Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Akagera National Park to Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla tour

After breakfast, check out of your wilderness lodges and drive to Volcanoes National Park. As you exit Akagera National Park, you will be viewing some wildlife species and birds. Volcanoes NP is home to endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda with 13 habituated families; Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi/Susa B, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugenda, and others.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
• Midrange: La Palme/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Le Bambou

Day 4: Gorilla trekking holiday & cultural tour

Gorilla trekking is a life-changing experience and you will be searching for the family of endangered mountain gorillas. Briefing session starts at 7:00 am and at 8:00 pm, you will begin tracking gorillas. This adventure takes 2-6 hours and includes one hour of a magical encounter. Carry with you some packed snacks, bottled drinking water and a walking stick for your gorilla trekking.

A cultural tour will be done in Iby’Iwacu village/Gorilla Guardian village. You will be led by an experienced guide. Explore more about Rwandese, their cultures and traditions. This will be accompanied by unique dances, drama and music performance.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
• Midrange: La Palme/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Le Bambou

Day 5: Depart

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast early morning and after, check out of the lodge. Meet your driver guide and you will start your return trip to Kigali with scenic view of the rolling hills guaranteed. Lunch will be enjoyed in Kigali and drop off at a hotel/airport marking the end of the 5 days Rwanda gorillas & wildlife safari.

End of 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Cost Includes

• Gorilla permit
• Gorilla trekking
• Kigali city tour- visit memorial centers & craft shops
• Game drives
• Park entrance fees
• Travel in a 4×4 safari car & an English-speaking guide

5 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Safari Cost Excludes

• Airfare
• Tips
• Shopping bills
• Visas
• Cigarettes
• Porter fees
• Travel Insurance