5-Day Rwanda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari

This 5-day safari takes you east of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, to Akagera National Park along the border with Tanzania. The park is home to large plains game such as elephants, buffaloes, zebras, roan antelopes, and elands. It also hosts species found in papyrus swamps, including the sitatunga and the rare shoebill stork.

After exploring Akagera, you will continue to Volcanoes National Park in the north for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and finish with a city tour in Kigali.

5-Day Rwanda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari Highlights

• Visit Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing and boat cruises
• See elephants, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, and other plains animals
• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and birds
• Spot rare species like the shoebill stork and sitatunga in papyrus swamps
• Travel to Volcanoes National Park, home of mountain gorillas
• Trek mountain gorillas and spend one full hour watching them
• Take a guided nature walk and visit nearby crater lakes
• Visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for scenic views
• Enjoy a Kigali city tour with visits to local markets and the Genocide Memorial
• Stay in comfortable lodges throughout the safari
• End the trip with a drive back to Kigali for your flight

Brief 5-Day Rwanda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Akagera National Park
• Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
• Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Afternoon Community Walk
• Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Twin Lakes Visit
• Day 5: Transfer to Kigali, City Tour, and Departure

Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Akagera National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to Akagera National Park, located about three hours east of Kigali. The park is named after the Akagera River, which flows along its eastern border and feeds a chain of lakes, the largest being Lake Ihema. On arrival, check in at your Rwanda luxury lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise

Wake up early for breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive. You may spot early risers such as leopards, hyenas, and jackals. During the drive, your guide will help you find animals like topis, zebras, bushbucks, and other antelopes. Return to the lodge for lunch and some rest.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in the park. The cruise brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species, including the African fish eagle, African jacana, and various kingfishers. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Afternoon Community Walk

After an early breakfast, travel from Akagera National Park to Volcanoes National Park, a journey of about 216 kilometers. Volcanoes National Park is famous for being home to mountain gorillas and five of the eight Virunga volcanoes. It was also the research base of the late zoologist Dian Fossey.

On arrival, check in at your lodge for lunch and refreshments. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk to nearby crater lakes for scenic views, bird watching, and photography. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Twin Lakes Visit

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking by the ranger guides. The trek may involve hiking through muddy and slippery trails, but meeting the mountain gorillas makes it all worthwhile. You will spend one unforgettable hour with the gorillas, observing and photographing them (flash photography is not allowed).

In the evening, visit the beautiful twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo before returning to your lodge for dinner and relaxation by the fireplace.

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali, City Tour, and Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali, a journey of about two and a half hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour that includes a visit to Mount Kigali for panoramic views of the city, a stop at a local market, and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center.

After lunch, your driver-guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure. This marks the end of your 5-day Rwanda safari.

If you would like to extend your trip or add more destinations to your itinerary, simply reach out to us through our contact page using the button below.