6 Days Rwanda Tour with Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari
Overview
This 6 Days Rwanda Tour with Gorillas and Akagera Big Five Safari takes you to two national parks, including Volcanoes National Park, which is known as home to the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Volcanoes is the only spot in Rwanda where a gorilla trekking safari takes place because it is home to a sizeable number of the remaining gorillas in the world, second to Bwindi with the largest population of mountain gorillas in the wild.
During this Rwanda tour, you’ll venture east to Akagera National Park, where savannah landscapes host the iconic Big Five alongside numerous other wildlife species in Rwanda’s largest protected area. The highlight of your Rwanda tour continues with a journey northwest to Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll trek through misty forests to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat while learning about crucial conservation efforts.
From comfortable accommodations to expert guides, your Rwanda tour is meticulously designed to provide authentic experiences and unforgettable memories. This carefully crafted Rwanda tour showcases the country’s dramatic landscapes, from rolling hills to volcanic peaks, while supporting local communities and conservation initiatives that protect Rwanda’s natural treasures for future
Price Includes
Gorilla trekking permit
Park fees
All activities
Ground transport per 4WD custom
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
Driver allowances
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Price excludes
Rwanda Visa
International and Internal Flights
Personal needs such as gratitude, beverages, etc.
Visa
Air ticket
Optional Activities
Laundry fees
Tips
Life insurance
Itineraries
Day 1Arrival in Kigali and transfer to hotel
Your Rwanda tour begins as you touch down at Kigali International Airport, where your dedicated driver-guide welcomes you to this beautiful East African nation. Your Rwanda tour experience starts immediately as you drive through the immaculately clean streets of Kigali, often ranked as Africa's cleanest city, to your centrally located accommodation approximately 15 minutes (10 km) from the airport. During this Rwanda tour introduction, you'll have the option for an afternoon Kigali walking tour through vibrant neighborhoods if your arrival time permits, allowing you to stretch your legs while getting oriented to Rwanda's fascinating capital city.
Day 2Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park
This morning, your Rwanda tour continues with an enlightening exploration of Kigali starting with the powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, which commemorates the 1994 tragedy through moving exhibits located just 5 km from the city center. Your Rwanda tour guide will then lead you through other cultural highlights, including local craft centers at Kimironko Market and the Richard Kandt Natural History Museum in Kacyiru district, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon portion of your Rwanda tour takes you eastward on a scenic 2-hour drive (approximately 120 km) to Akagera National Park through rural landscapes dotted with traditional villages, arriving at your lodge near the park entrance in time to witness a spectacular Rwanda sunset.
Day 3Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park
Today's Rwanda tour adventure begins with an early breakfast before embarking on a full-day exploration of Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah ecosystem covering 1,122 square kilometers along the Tanzania border. Your Rwanda tour guide will navigate the northern sections of the park, including the Mutumba Hills and Lake Ihema areas, where you'll have excellent opportunities to spot the recently reintroduced lions and rhinos alongside elephants, buffalo, and numerous antelope species. This portion of your Rwanda tour includes an optional afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema, the park's largest water body, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and abundant waterbirds, including the rare shoebill stork, completing a perfect day of wildlife viewing before returning to your lodge.
Day 4Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After a final morning activity in Akagera National Park, your Rwanda tour continues with a scenic journey across the country to the northwestern region of Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri), approximately 225 km away, requiring 4-5 hours of driving. Your Rwanda tour experience is enhanced by stops at viewpoints along Rwanda's famously scenic routes, with terraced hillsides and volcanic peaks dominating the landscape as you approach the Virunga Mountains. The Rwanda tour proceeds through small towns like Kayonza and Rulindo before reaching your accommodation near Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) in the Kinigi area, where you'll receive a briefing about tomorrow's gorilla trekking adventure while enjoying views of the misty volcanoes.
Day 5Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
The pinnacle of your Rwanda tour arrives as you depart your lodge pre-dawn for the short drive to Kinigi Park Headquarters, just 2 km from most accommodations, where rangers’ brief trekkers at 7:00 AM. Your Rwanda tour reaches its emotional climax as you venture into the bamboo forests and montane habitats of Volcanoes National Park, hiking anywhere from 1-5 hours through the Virunga landscape to reach your assigned gorilla family. This unforgettable Rwanda tour highlight allows you to spend one hour observing and photographing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, witnessing their remarkably human-like behaviors and family dynamics. After your Rwanda tour gorilla encounter, you can visit either the Gorilla Guardians Village (Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village) in Kinigi or Diane Fossey's grave at Karisoke Research Center to learn about conservation efforts protecting these endangered primates.
Day 6Transfer to Kigali City
The final day of your Rwanda tour begins with breakfast at your lodge before visiting Dian Fossey's grave at the Karisoke Research Center, requiring a moderate 2–3-hour hike in the foothills of Mount Bisoke within Volcanoes National Park. This poignant Rwanda tour experience honors the pioneering primatologist whose work was instrumental in saving mountain gorillas from extinction, with knowledgeable guides sharing stories of her life and legacy. Your Rwanda tour concludes with the 2-hour (approximately 100 km) return journey to Kigali through the scenic Northern Province, with potential stops at handicraft markets in Musanze or the National Museum of Rwanda in Huye, depending on your departure time. This Rwanda tour creates lasting memories as your driver-guide transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or to your Kigali accommodation if extending your stay.
