6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari – Overview

Have a chance to immerse yourself into the golden savannas and rainforest of Rwanda to see both mountain gorillas, the big five, and primates and beautiful chimpanzees. Our 6 days Rwanda gorilla & wildlife have you sorted and you combine a unique gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park with big five-game drive, boat cruise in the savanna grassland, then guided chimpanzee trekking and canopy in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: To Akagera National Park -Enjoy an afternoon Boat/Launch cruise
• Day 2: A guided game drive, travel to Nyungwe Forest
• Day 3: Chimpanzee trek, Canopy walk -Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 4: Nyungwe -Volcanoes National Park, evening relaxation’
• Day 5: Gorilla trekking, evening cultural visit at Iby’Iwacu Village
• Day 6: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: To Akagera National Park -Enjoy an afternoon Boat/Launch cruise

An early cup of tea/coffee back in your hotel in Rwanda, after, set off for 2 & half hour drive to Akagera National Park which is positioned on the Eastern side of the country. A mini-game drive on early arrival at Akagera as you head to check-in at the lodge, for relaxation and also to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Later, you will join others on a guided boat cruise to see Lake Ihema’s large schools of hippos, crocodiles plus numerous birdlife.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp/Ruzizi Tented Camp
• Midrange: Akagera game Lodge
• Budget: Dereva Hotel or Bush Camping.

Day 2: A guided game drive, travel to Nyungwe Forest

A guided game or wildlife drive via the savanna grassland of Akagera National Park with a park guide starts at 6:00 am. Enjoy the sight of Akagera wildlife for 2-3 hours in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. Wildlife encounters to expect to include large herds of buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, antelopes, and others.

Return afterward to check out of the lodge by 10:30 am and you drive to Nyungwe Forest. A road trip from Akagera to Nyungwe covers 6 hours and you will check-in at pre-booked accommodation.

Accommodation

• Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
• Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
• Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Day 3: Chimpanzee trek, Canopy walk -Nyungwe Forest National Park

Early rise up from your lodge and enjoy breakfast, after go get briefed at Cyangugu or Uwinka Reception. At 8:00 am, the Nyungwe Forest National Park allocated to you will lead you through a chimpanzee tracking experience expected to take 2-4 hours, but covers one hour of close interaction with chimpanzees.

Plenty of Nyungwe Forest wildlife or primates that live here can be sighted as you search for chimpanzees. Return to have lunch and some relaxation while enjoying the refreshing air from Nyungwe Forest. A canopy walk follows taking you 2 hours on the suspended bridge to see lodges of primates, birds, and more.

Accommodation

• Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
• Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
• Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Day 4: Nyungwe -Volcanoes National Park, evening relaxation

Enjoy breakfast in the lodge in Nyungwe and then set off for Volcanoes National Park found in Ruhengeri or Musanze region. A breathtaking view of Lake Kivu at a distance will leave you amazed. Connect to your budget or luxury lodge in the park for refreshments, dinner, and a night’s stay.

Accommodation

• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique (Luxury)
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Virunga Lodge (Midrange)
• Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)

Day 5: Gorilla trekking, evening cultural visit at Iby’Iwacu Village

Leave the lodge fresh for a briefing on dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking and the allocation of a gorilla family to your group of 8 visitors. At 8:00 am with the company of a Rwanda guide, immerse yourself into the lush forest Volcanoes National Park for a guided gorilla trekking. 12 gorilla groups live in Volcanoes NP and depending on your level of fitness, trekking them can take 2-6 hours inclusive of 1 hour of photo shooting and learning about how the gorillas behave. In the evening, you will choose between relaxation at the lodge and a cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village.

Accommodation

• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique (Luxury)
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Virunga Lodge (Midrange)
• Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)

Day 6: Departure

Breakfast early for an early breakfast, after check out of the lodge and drive back to Kigali 2-3 hours. Arrive early and have a short Kigali city tour which includes a Kigali genocide tour, visit the local market and others, then get dropped off at the hotel/airport for departure.

End of 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

Safari inclusions

• Airport transfers from Kigali airport
• Accommodation plus meals for 5 nights
• All activities as per your primate and wildlife package
• A professional driver guide (English or French speaking)
• Bottled water

Safari exclusions

• Laundry
• Additional hotel fees before or after the trip
• Telephone bills
• International flights
• Insurance
• Shopping
• Porters