5-Day Rwanda Safari Overview
5-Day Rwanda Safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with exciting wildlife experiences in Akagera National Park. Starting and ending in Kigali, this private safari offers an unforgettable introduction to Rwanda’s natural beauty.
Your adventure begins with game drives in Akagera National Park, where you may encounter elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, lions and other wildlife.
Enjoy a scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema, offering opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles and numerous waterbirds along the shoreline.
Continue to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Trek through the forest with experienced ranger guides and enjoy up to one hour observing a habituated gorilla family once located.
Throughout the journey, enjoy beautiful landscapes, comfortable accommodation and private 4×4 transportation with a professional driver-guide from Safari Vacations and Travel Services.
This safari is ideal for travelers seeking a memorable combination of mountain gorilla trekking, traditional African wildlife viewing and Rwanda’s spectacular scenery.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide from Safari Vacations and Travel Services.
After a short safari briefing, begin the scenic journey east toward Akagera National Park. The drive generally takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, depending on your starting point and road conditions.
Akagera is known for its beautiful savannah landscapes, woodland, lakes and wetlands. The park supports elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators, including lions and leopards.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive before continuing to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Budget: Akagera Transit Lodge
Midrange: Salt of Akagera
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner, depending on arrival time.
After an early breakfast, begin a morning game drive through Akagera National Park.
Explore the park's savannah plains, woodland and scenic valleys in search of wildlife. Depending on animal movements, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis and other species.
Akagera is also home to lions, leopards and rhinoceroses, although sightings of these animals cannot be guaranteed.
Later, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, one of the park's most popular activities.
The boat safari offers opportunities to observe hippos, Nile crocodiles and numerous waterbirds along the shoreline.
Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Budget: Akagera Transit Lodge
Midrange: Salt of Akagera
luxury: Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner, depending on arrival time.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey toward Volcanoes National Park.
Travel west through Kigali and continue north toward Musanze, passing Rwanda's rolling hills, rural communities and beautiful agricultural landscapes.
The journey generally takes approximately 4.5–6 hours of driving, excluding extended stops, depending on the location of your lodge in Akagera and traffic conditions.
Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga mountain range and is internationally recognized for its endangered mountain gorillas.
Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing in preparation for the following morning's gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation:
Budget: Isange paradise Resort
Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Luxury: Wilderness Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Today is the highlight of your Rwanda safari.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for registration and the mandatory gorilla trekking briefing.
You will then be assigned to a habituated gorilla family and accompanied by experienced ranger guides and trackers into the forest.
The trek takes you through bamboo forests, mountain vegetation and sometimes steep or muddy terrain. Trekking duration varies depending on the location of the gorillas.
Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will normally spend up to one hour observing these remarkable primates.
Watch the gorillas feeding, resting, grooming and interacting while following the park's conservation guidelines.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Depending on your trekking return time and energy levels, an optional cultural visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village can be arranged.
Accommodation:
Budget: Isange paradise Resort
Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Luxury: Wilderness Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner.
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning the scenic drive back to Kigali.
The journey generally takes approximately 2–3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
If your departure flight allows sufficient time, enjoy a short Kigali city tour, which may include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market or other attractions of interest.
Your driver-guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
This marks the end of your 5-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari.
Accommodation: None – Departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast; lunch depending on your confirmed arrangements.
5-Day Rwanda Safari Includes
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person.
- Four nights' accommodation at the selected lodges.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Kigali airport pickup and drop-off.
- Fuel throughout the safari.
- Akagera National Park entrance fees.
- Scheduled game drives in Akagera.
- Lake Ihema boat cruise.
- Gorilla trekking arrangements in Volcanoes National Park.
- Bottled drinking water during safari transfers.
- Safari planning and logistical assistance.
5-Day Rwanda Safari Excludes
- International flights.
- Rwanda visa fees, where applicable.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic and premium beverages unless included by the lodge.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Gorilla trekking porter fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The itinerary includes one standard mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, subject to permit availability.
Akagera is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinoceroses. However, sightings depend on wildlife movements, and seeing all five species during a short visit cannot be guaranteed.
The total cost depends on your travel dates, number of travelers, accommodation category and included activities. A personalized quotation will provide the complete price.
The standard permit price for foreign non-resident adults is generally USD 1,500 per person, subject to applicable discounts and changes in park tariffs.
Yes. You will travel privately with your own 4×4 safari vehicle and professional driver-guide. Gorilla trekking is organized in groups by the park authorities.
The minimum age for mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years.
The difficulty varies depending on the location of the gorilla family and the terrain. Reasonable fitness is recommended, and porters can usually be hired locally.
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. The relatively drier months of June to September and December to February are particularly popular for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing.
Yes. The itinerary can be arranged with comfortable midrange, luxury or high-end luxury lodges, depending on availability and your budget.
Yes. Activities, accommodation, travel dates and the overall safari schedule can be adjusted to your preferences.
