6 Days Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safaris Rwanda

Safari highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Game drives in Akagera National Park
• Boat trip on Lake Ihema
• Kigali city tour and memorial visit
• Lake Burera and Ruhondo scenery

Itinerary route map

1. Kigali
2. Volcanoes National Park
3. Akagera National Park
4. Kigali

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01
   Day 1 Arrival in Kigali and city tour

   You are met at Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. After you have checked in and had time to rest, you begin the day with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is a moving and respectful place that tells the story of the 1994 genocide and honours the victims.

   In the afternoon, you take a short city tour that includes viewpoints over Kigali's hills, a visit to a local craft market and a look at some of the city's neighbourhoods. Kigali is known for being clean, safe and orderly, and the tour offers a good introduction to Rwandan culture and daily life.

   You return to your hotel in the evening, where your guide briefs you on the days ahead. You can enjoy dinner at one of the city's many restaurants, which serve both local dishes and international food. Rest well, because tomorrow involves an early start and a drive to the north.

2. 02
   Day 2 Kigali to Musanze

   After breakfast in Kigali, you set off north towards Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes about two hours on a well-maintained road, winding through hills and valleys dotted with small farms and banana groves. Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills, and this route shows why.

   If you wish, your guide can stop at a viewpoint or a local market to see everyday life and buy fruit or crafts. As you approach Musanze, the Virunga volcanoes rise on the horizon, with peaks such as Karisimbi, Bisoke and Muhabura often partly covered in cloud. The landscape is lush, cool and very green.

   You arrive at your lodge near the park in the afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the setting. Your guide explains how tomorrow's gorilla trekking will work, including the early briefing, what to wear and what to bring. Dinner is served at the lodge, and you rest early. Rest well, because a gorilla trek requires good energy and a comfortable night of sleep.

3. 03
   Day 3 Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

   After an early breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for the 7:00 briefing. Rangers explain the rules of gorilla trekking and assign each group to a habituated family, taking into account fitness levels. Traditional dancers often welcome visitors, and it is a good time to take photographs before you set off.

   The trek begins across farmland and enters the bamboo and montane forest on the volcano slopes. The hike lasts from one to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas, and the terrain can be steep and muddy. Porters are available to carry your bag and assist you on difficult sections.

   When you reach the gorillas, you spend one hour observing them from a short distance, watching the silverback, females and playful young. After returning to the park office, you receive a trekking certificate. The rest of the day is free to relax at the lodge or to enjoy a short cultural visit nearby.

4. 04
   Day 4 Musanze to Akagera National Park

   After breakfast, you check out and begin the journey east towards Akagera National Park. The drive takes about four to five hours, passing through Kigali and on towards Kayonza. Your guide can arrange a stop in Kigali for lunch or shopping, and the roads are generally smooth and scenic. It is a good idea to bring snacks and water, because the journey is long and the temperature rises as you go east.

   As you approach the park, the landscape changes from steep hills to open savannah and acacia woodland. You enter through the southern gate and drive to your lodge, with a chance to see wildlife on the way. After a short rest and lunch, you prepare for the afternoon activities. The change of scenery between the highlands and the savannah is striking and makes the journey enjoyable.

   In the late afternoon, you set out on a game drive, when animals are most active. You may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos and antelope, and with luck lions or rhinos. You return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, with the sounds of the savannah in the background.

5. 05
   Day 5 Full day in Akagera National Park

   Begin the day with an early morning game drive, when animals are active and the light is perfect for photography. Your guide searches for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo, and you may also see topis, impalas, waterbuck and baboons. Akagera's recovery over the past decade has made wildlife viewing here very rewarding.

   After breakfast and a rest at the lodge, you head to Lake Ihema for a boat trip. The lake is home to a large population of hippos and Nile crocodiles, and its shoreline is a haven for birds including fish eagles, pelicans and kingfishers. The boat allows you to see animals from a different perspective.

   In the afternoon you can take another game drive or relax at the lodge. After dinner, you may join an optional night drive in search of nocturnal animals such as genets, civets, hyenas and bushbabies. Spotlights are used to find eyeshine in the dark, and your guide explains the behaviour of the animals you see.

6. 06
   Day 6 Akagera to Kigali

   Rise early for a final morning game drive, which offers another chance to look for lions, elephants, rhinos or any species you may have missed. The cool air and soft light make this a peaceful and photogenic time. You return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast afterwards. Remember to keep your camera ready, because even the final hour in the park can deliver surprises.

   After checking out, you leave the park and begin the drive back to Kigali. The journey takes about two to two and a half hours, passing villages, eucalyptus woodlots and farmland. Your guide can suggest a stop for fruit, snacks or crafts if you wish. The road is smooth, and the journey is relaxed, with plenty of chances to take photographs of village life.

   You arrive in Kigali in the afternoon, in time for your departure or for a hotel transfer. Your driver-guide helps with luggage and confirms any final arrangements. You leave with memories of Akagera's wide plains, shining lakes and the wildlife that has returned to them. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rwanda soon for another adventure.