5 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari
This 5 days Volcanoes and Akagera safari is a perfect combination of gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing in Rwanda’s top national parks. During this safari, you will be visiting Volcanoes National Park, where you will get a chance to have one-on-one encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will also visit Akagera National Park, where you will embark on guided game drives to see various savannah wildlife, including the highly sought-after Big Five animals.
Highlights for 5 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Ruhengeri
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans
Day 3: Golden monkey Trek and Transfer to Kigali
Day 4: Transfer to Akagera for a Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise
Day 5: Morning Game Drive/Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour and Transfer Back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Ruhengeri
You will be met by our guide who will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali, transfer to Kigali city for a short city tour, where you will visit the genocide memorial site and Kimironko market. Later, you will transfer to Ruhengeri town with lunch enroute. Arrive at your lodge in time to check in, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans
Early in the morning, after breakfast and a briefing from the RDB officials, we set off for the gorilla trekking. This experience of gorilla trekking is a once in a life time adventure. The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search of the Gorillas.
You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures whose company you will cherish for 1 hour. The activity in Rwanda can take 3-5 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas. In the afternoon, you will head out for a cultural tour to Ibyi’wacu village for a cultural experience with a resident local guide. Visit the King’s palace and learn more about the Rwandan culture through dance and singing performances from the local intore dance troupe. Return for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Golden monkey Trek and Transfer to Kigali
Wake up to a good breakfast in the misty volcanoes forest and drive to the park headquarters, where you will be briefed. After your briefing will embark on a guided trek in search of golden monkeys in the forest, and this can take between 3-6 hours or more depending on their location. Once you have located a group, you will be given an hour with the primates and then have your packed lunch, and later head back to base.
You will then drive back to Kigali for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Akagera for a Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise
Following breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park, which is approximately a 2-3-hour drive from Kigali city. Upon your arrival at the park, register at the park entrance and then proceed for a game drive in the park. Covering approximately 1,122 square kilometers, Akagera National Park is home to over 500 bird species and more than 8,000 mammals, including the famous Big Five animals and Big Cats, among others.
After lunch, you will head out for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you will get to see hippos, crocodiles, and bird species around the lake area. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive/Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour and Transfer Back to Kigali
Embark on an early morning game drive in Akagera National Park, where you will get to explore the northern part of the park and get a chance to spot wildlife like lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, leopards, and many more. You can do an optional hot air balloon tour, which starts at 5 am in the morning and allows you an hour of exploring the park from the sky.
Exit the park and proceed with your drive to Kigali city with a stopover for lunch en route, and upon arrival in Kigali, you will be dropped off at a hotel of your choice or Kigali international airport making the end of your trip with us!
