5 Days Akagera And Gorilla Safaris
The 5 days Rwanda wildlife and gorilla tour involves exploring the stunning Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Akagera National Park is set in northeastern Rwanda and incredibly the only savanna park in Rwanda.
It offers refuge to African elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras, Oribis, baboons, bush babies, gazelles, impalas, topis, over 550 avifaunal species. Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda a home to a section of mountain gorillas that thrive in only Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 5 days Rwanda wildlife and gorilla tour begins and ends in Kigali.
Safari inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit-$1500
- Ground transportation in 4WD car
- Full time English speaking driver guide
- Bottled water
- Game drive and boat cruise
- Relevant taxes
- Accommodation and meals
Safari exclusions
- Visa fees
- Medical insurance
- Personal expenses like tips, laundry services, airfares, telephone calls, accommodation and meals outside the travel plan, alcoholic drinks
Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Akagera And Gorilla Safaris
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Arrive at Kigali Airport early enough and get a warm welcome from our professional driver guide who will give you briefing on what your 5 days Rwanda wildlife and gorilla safari is all about.
After, drive to Akagera National Park a home to big five game and other wildlife species, over 550 bird species, undulating plains, dense broad leafed woodland, acacia woodland and rolling and numerous scenic lakes with papyrus swamps making a sprawling wetland.
Accommodation options: Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange), Ruzizi tented camp or Magashi luxury tented camp (Luxury), Dereva Lodge/hotel (Basic).
Day 2: Game drive and launch cruise in Akagera National Park
After breakfast, you have early morning game drive via the savanna grassland of Akagera National Park and this may take you about 2-3 hours. On a game drive, expect to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, the Masai giraffes, impalas, baboons, Oribis, gazelles, Burchell’s zebras as well as numerous birds. After, drove back to your respective lodge for lunch and some rest.
In the afternoon, you have a boat ride via Lake Ihema where you will sight at water dwellers like hippos, crocodiles, aquatic bird life including the jacanas, pipers, herons, shoebill storks, ibis a mention but a few. Proceed to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Akagera Game Lodge/Ruzizi tented camp or Magashi luxury tented camp.
Day 3: Depart Akagera National Park for Volcanoes National Park
Your day starts with a hot cup of tea or coffee and after, head off for Volcanoes National Park via Kigali capital then you drive to the northwest about 2 to 3 hours’ drive from Kigali while enjoying the beautiful views of undulating landscape of this countryside that make it a true land of a thousand hills. Arrive and check in at Mountain Gorilla’s Nest/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge or Kinigi guesthouse for rest, dinner and a night stay.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake early in the morning to enjoy your breakfast and after, gather at Volcanoes National Park headquarters for morning briefing on dos and don’ts for mountain gorilla trekking. The trek is challenging and requires you to be physically fit and be equipped with trekking gear especially with waterproof hiking boots, bottled water, energy snacks, first aid kit, camera that has no flash light, insect repellents, walking stick and others. Set off to the jungles in a group of 8 visitors to search for a group of habituated gorillas with a park ranger guide.
This may last you about 2 to 8 hours depending on your speed of hiking, nature of habitat and location of mountain gorillas. On getting these dramatic creatures, you have only an hour to have a face to face encounter with them, explore their behavior, take photos and then return to the lodge for rest. In the evening, have a chance to pay a visit to scenic twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. Accommodation options: Mountain Gorilla’s Nest/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge or Kinigi guesthouse for rest, dinner and a night stay.
Day 5: Departure for Kigali
Breakfast early in the morning and after, set off for Mount Bisoke to explore its stunning Crater Lake or simply make a return journey to Kigali Airport and this marks the end of your 5 days Akagera and gorilla safari.
End of safari