5 Days Akagera & Virunga Gorillas
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to Akagera National Park, located about a 2.5-hour scenic drive east of Kigali. After checking into your lodge, you will embark on an afternoon game drive where you can encounter diverse wildlife including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and if lucky, lions, leopards, and rare antelope species. The park’s savannah landscape and lakes offer beautiful settings for your first African wildlife experience. Return for dinner and overnight stay at a lodge such as Ruzizi Tented Lodge, which sits on the edge of Lake Ihema.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Start with an early morning game drive to enjoy the animals at their most active. Later, take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in Akagera, to observe hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds including fish eagles and herons. This aquatic safari provides another perspective on the park’s rich biodiversity. After lunch, enjoy some leisure time at the lodge before an optional evening nature walk or cultural visit. Overnight in Akagera.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (Ruhengeri/ Musanze)
After breakfast, travel approximately 3-4 hours northwest to Volcanoes National Park near Musanze town, the gateway for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Upon arrival, check into your lodge, for example Gorilla View Lodge or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and prepare for the upcoming trek.
In the afternoon, you may choose to explore the nearby Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about local traditions and the life of the indigenous communities, enriching your cultural understanding of the area. Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing and then embark on your gorilla trekking adventure with experienced rangers. This trek can last between 2 to 8 hours depending on the gorillas' location, but is always rewarding. Spend one precious hour observing, photographing, and learning about the behavior of these magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Return to the lodge to relax and recover after a deeply moving day. An optional evening community visit or forest walk can be arranged.
Day 5: Transfer Back to Kigali and Departure
Following breakfast, begin your journey back to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may have the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or explore local markets for souvenirs. You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, concluding your 5-day Akagera and Volcanoes gorilla safari with treasured memories of Rwanda’s exceptional wildlife and culture.