4 Days Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari, Golden Monkeys and Uganda Gorillas
Overview
Our 4 Days Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari, Golden Monkeys and Uganda Gorillas takes you to the renowned Akagera National Park for a game drive and boat ride, Mountain gorilla tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a habitat with a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas which is close to a half of the 880 numbers that are known to thrive in the world. The gorilla destination of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also a rich habitat for Afro-montane flora. Afterwards, we go for a golden monkey trekking tour in Volcanoes National Park is one of the top adventures to do in Rwanda.
The Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari portion offers outstanding game viewing opportunities in Rwanda’s only savannah park, where recent conservation success stories have led to the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, completing the Big 5 collection. You’ll explore the park’s lakes, woodlands, and grasslands by vehicle and boat, witnessing incredible biodiversity.
Your adventure continues with mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi and concludes with golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. This comprehensive Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari itinerary delivers a perfect balance of safari experiences, conservation insights, and encounters with East Africa’s most fascinating primates, all within a compact timeframe.
Price Includes
Gorilla trekking permit
Golden monkey trekking permit
Park fees for Akagera, Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks
All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Ground transport in a 4WD custom safari vehicle
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Driver allowances
Price excludes
Rwanda and Uganda Visa
International and Internal Flights
Personal needs such as gratitude, beverages, etc.
Optional activities
Laundry fees
Tips
Life insurance
Other drinks apart from water
Itineraries
Day 1Pick up and Transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park
Your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari adventure begins after breakfast when your experienced safari guide collects you from Kigali. You'll journey eastward approximately 2½ hours to reach Akagera National Park, Rwanda's premier savannah reserve. Upon arrival at this Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari destination, you'll enjoy a refreshing nature walk before having lunch at Akagera Game Lodge overlooking the landscape. The afternoon features a scenic canoe ride on Lake Ihema, where you'll observe hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds including the elusive shoebill stork, papyrus Gonolek, and majestic African fish eagle. This perfect introduction to your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari concludes with dinner and overnight accommodation at the charming Rutete Eco Lodge.
Day 2Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park
Start your day early on your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari with a morning game drive through Akagera's diverse habitats. The park's revival means excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffalos, leopards, lions, and possibly even the recently reintroduced black rhinos that complete the Big 5. Your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari experience will also include sightings of impala, zebra, giraffe, various antelope species, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys. After this rewarding wildlife encounter, you'll proceed to the Rwanda-Uganda border at Cyanika, approximately 3 hours away from Akagera. Following border formalities, continue your journey another 2-3 hours to reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari Day concludes with dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, preparing for tomorrow's gorilla adventure.
Day 3Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Following an early breakfast, walk to Rushaga sector headquarters (around 10 minutes from the lodge) for an important 8:00 AM briefing on gorilla trekking protocols. Your gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest typically lasts between 2-8 hours, depending on gorilla movement within the dense Buhoma sector forest. This challenging yet rewarding trek through the Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari extension into Uganda offers you a magical hour with these magnificent apes, observing their natural behaviors and family interactions. After this profound wildlife encounter, begin your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari return journey across the border, traveling approximately 4 hours to reach Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri) in northern Rwanda. The Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari Day concludes with dinner and overnight accommodations at the comfortable Migano Hotel & Cafe, positioned conveniently for tomorrow's golden monkey adventure.
Day 4Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Kigali Airport - Departure
The final day of your Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari begins with an early breakfast before a short 20-minute drive to Kinigi, the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. After an 8:00 AM briefing, you'll embark on your golden monkey tracking adventure through bamboo forests at the base of the volcanic mountains. Unlike the more strenuous gorilla treks, this Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari activity typically involves easier hiking across relatively flat terrain. You'll spend a fascinating hour observing these playful primates with their distinctive gold-colored backs as they acrobatically navigate bamboo forests and occasionally venture into nearby potato fields. After this final Rwanda Akagera Big 5 Safari primate encounter, return to your vehicle for the approximately 2-hour drive back to Kigali, where you'll be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your extraordinary East African wildlife adventure.
