This five day safari in Rwanda offers guaranteed encounters with mountain gorillas and Big 5 animals in their natural setting. It takes place in Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World heritage site with over 10 habituated gorilla families, and Akagera National Park, a vast savannah with rolling hills and small freshwater lakes where boat cruises come alive.
Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to Akagera National Park.
After being picked from the airport by our guide, you will start your half day tour of Kigali City, exploring a mix of its local way of life, and historical landmarks like the Genocide Museum.
Thereafter, you will proceed with the drive to Akagera National Park a long a well maintained meandering road that offers refreshing views of Rwanda’s countryside, its tea plantations and lush valleys where long horned cattle graze.
Arrive and check into a hotel or lodge of your preference.
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise
After an early breakfast, you will head out for a game drive in the Northern section of the park, awild untamed landscape where majority of the wildlife gather for grazing. Brace yourself for that dream-come-true moment when animals cross the road right in-front of you. It could be lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, warthogs and water and bush bucks. This experience takes 3-4 hours and after return to lodge for lunch.
Later in the day, you will take a sightseeing boat cruise at Lake Ihema. Upon its shores, you will find hippopotamus, crocodiles, waterbucks, giraffes and zebras, most of which lounge along the shores.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Upon completing a sensational morning nature walk in the park, you will return to your lodge for a warm shower and breakfast. Each hike is unique and personalized to one’s level of fitness and the sights & sounds they wish to experience/encounter. In case you don’t have binoculars, we can improvise/lend you one for the adventure.
Thereafter, you will set off for Volcanoes National Park ahead of your gorilla trek. The journey will take about six hours.
Check into any lodge of hotel of your preference.
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
This adventure is highly recommended for any nature lover who wants to encounter mountain gorilla family that is comprised of individuals of all age brackets, from infants to adults. You will feel so much closer to nature as you stroll through the forest looking for foot prints and learning about how the faunas live. On your way out of the forest, you will make a stopover at a powerful river that roars in the park.
In the afternoon, you will head out for Lake Kivu, a scenic freshwater lake with lots of cozy resorts, one of which will be your home for the day. If you wish to have a village tour or swimming experience in the lake, it can be arranged without hesitation.
Day 5: Drive back to Kigali ahead of your departure
Once through with your brunch, you will set off for Kigali International Airport ahead of your departing flight. Along the way, you will have a stopover at a craft shop where you can buy authentic handmade souvenirs.
