7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari and Mountain Gorilla Tour
Overview
This 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari and Mountain Gorilla Tour is the most popular tour package as it helps tourists/travelers to have an experience of a combination of two main national parks in Rwanda, which are Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park, as the only savannah park that is in Rwanda.
Your Rwanda wildlife safari expedition perfectly balances wildlife viewing with comfortable accommodations and expert guidance throughout your journey. From observing lions and elephants on game drives to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of sitting with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, this itinerary showcases Rwanda’s extraordinary conservation success story and natural heritage.
Professional guides ensure your Rwanda wildlife safari experience is both educational and memorable, providing insights into Rwanda’s remarkable recovery and the critical conservation efforts protecting these magnificent ecosystems. Whether photographing golden monkeys, watching hippos from a sunset boat cruise, or simply absorbing the stunning mountain views, this safari delivers unforgettable moments at every turn.
Price Includes
Gorilla trekking permit
Golden monkey 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/French-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.
Air ticket
Optional Activities
Laundry fees
Tips
Life insurance
Other drinks apart from water
Itineraries
Day 1Pick up, Kigali City Tour & Transfer to the hotel
Your Rwanda wildlife safari begins as our English or French-speaking guide welcomes you at Kigali International Airport, initiating your adventure in East Africa's cleanest capital city. This Rwanda wildlife safari experience starts with an informative tour of Kigali, including the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, the vibrant Kimironko Market with local crafts and produce, and the historic neighborhood of Nyamirambo where Kigali first developed. The Rwanda wildlife safari journey continues with lunch at one of the city's finest restaurants, providing your first taste of Rwandan cuisine, before transferring to your comfortable hotel located approximately 20 minutes (10 km) from the city center for check-in, dinner, and overnight rest.
Day 2Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, your Rwanda wildlife safari adventure continues with a scenic 2.5-hour drive (approximately 120 km) eastward to Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah reserve. This Rwanda wildlife safari day takes you through rolling hills and rural communities before arriving at Akagera's southern entrance, where you'll register at the park reception before proceeding to your lodge for lunch. Your Rwanda wildlife safari experience enhances in the afternoon with a game drive through the park's southern section, spotting zebras, various antelope species, and buffalo herds amid acacia woodlands and lakes, followed by a memorable sunset boat trip on Lake Ihema (Rwanda's second-largest lake) where hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds can be observed along the shoreline before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Day 3Full day game drive at Akagera National Park
Dedicate an entire day to exploring Akagera National Park on your Rwanda wildlife safari, departing early after breakfast for a comprehensive game drive through diverse habitats. Your Rwanda wildlife safari guide will navigate the park's northern sections where lions and elephants are frequently spotted, along with giraffes gracefully moving across the savannah landscape that characterizes this remarkable ecosystem. The Rwanda wildlife safari experience continues through the day as you pause at a scenic viewpoint overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga for a picnic lunch, before exploring more of the park's 1,200 square kilometers that host over 8,000 large mammals and nearly 500 bird species, eventually returning to your lodge as the sun sets for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 4Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Begin your Rwanda wildlife safari day with a leisurely breakfast before checking out and embarking on a 4–5-hour journey (approximately 230 km) northwest toward the Virunga Mountains. Your Rwanda wildlife safari route takes you back through Kigali, where you'll pause for lunch, before continuing along well-maintained roads offering spectacular views of Rwanda's terraced hillsides and volcanic peaks. The Rwanda wildlife safari expedition reaches new heights as you approach Musanze (formerly called Ruhengeri), the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park located about 100 km from Kigali, where you'll check into your lodge situated near the park boundary with magnificent views of the volcanoes that form the habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Day 5Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park
Experience the pinnacle of your Rwanda wildlife safari with an early breakfast before your guide transfers you to Kinigi Park Headquarters (approximately 20 minutes from most lodges) for a 7:00 AM briefing. Your Rwanda wildlife safari adventure intensifies as park rangers assign you to a specific gorilla family and outline proper etiquette for this extraordinary encounter, before you embark on a trek through bamboo forests and dense vegetation that could last 1-5 hours depending on the gorillas' location. The Rwanda wildlife safari reaches its emotional climax when you spend a precious hour with a mountain gorilla family, observing their remarkably human-like behaviors and interactions, before returning to your lodge tired but exhilarated from what many consider a life-changing wildlife experience.
Day 6Golden Monkeys Trekking at Volcanoes National Park
Your Rwanda wildlife safari exploration continues with another early start and breakfast before returning to Kinigi Headquarters for a different primate encounter. This Rwanda wildlife safari day focuses on the playful golden monkeys, an endangered species found only in the Virunga Mountains, with their distinctive golden-orange fur contrasting beautifully against the verdant forest. The Rwanda wildlife safari experience typically involves a shorter trek than gorilla trekking (1-2 hours) before spending an hour watching these active, social primates leap through bamboo stands and forage in the forest canopy, providing excellent photography opportunities in the dappled light of Volcanoes National Park before returning to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon and final dinner in the mountains.
Day 7Departure
Conclude your Rwanda wildlife safari with a relaxed breakfast while savoring final views of the misty Virunga volcanoes before checking out of your lodge. Your Rwanda wildlife safari journey winds down with a scenic 2-hour drive (approximately 100 km) back to Kigali, passing through the beautiful terraced landscapes that have earned Rwanda its nickname "Land of a Thousand Hills." The Rwanda wildlife safari experience comes full circle as your guide transfers you either directly to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or to your Kigali accommodation if you're extending your stay, bringing to a close a week of extraordinary wildlife encounters and cultural discoveries across Rwanda's diverse landscapes.
