6-day wildlife and gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda 6 Days / 5 Nights 1-6 people
$4,580 per person (02 travelers)
Overview
This six-day safari tour is tailored for nature lovers to explore two prime destinations in Rwanda. It includes an incredible wildlife encounter at Akagera National Park and a thrilling gorilla trekking excursion in Volcanoes National Park.
Besides wildlife viewing, you will enjoy cultural experiences while on this safari. You will indulge yourself in the vibrant culture of Rwanda by visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village in the Kinigi-Musanze district. You will interact with the local people in their local setting and participate in cultural and traditional customs that include day-to-day activities and artifacts.
Quick Safari Notes
- The safari begins and ends in Kigali at the airport or in the city and involves pick-up and drop-off.
- It is a fully guided tour, with a professional and experienced Tour Guide accompanying you for the entire duration of the safari.
- It involves many captivating activities such as game drives, bird watching, gorilla trekking, boat rides, cultural experiences, and general sightseeing.
- It is a day-by-day fixed program and payment for services such as accommodation and some activities are paid upfront. Any abrupt or late changes are subject to availability and may attract additional charges.
- It involves trekking for about 2-5 hours through the steep forest of Volcanoes National Park in search of gorillas. Travelers, therefore, should be physically fit to conduct this moderately demanding activity.
- The safari is suitable for all categories of people, such as large groups, couples, families with kids, youths, and solo travelers. However, gorilla tracking is allowed for persons aged 16 years and above.
- It features accommodation types that provide midrange comfort levels. These accommodations include guest houses, cottages, and tented tents, all providing clean, spacious, and moderate lodging.
- It involves road transport in a 4x4 Toyota Safari Vehicle to connect to various destinations. The safari vehicle has a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing.
Itinerary
We assume you will arrive at Kigali International Airport early in the morning or arrive in the country the previous day. In light of this, your assigned company guide will pick you up from the hotel or Kigali airport and immediately begin your journey to Akagera National Park.
Throughout the journey, you will be captivated by the breathtaking scenery, defined by its steep terrain and gently rolling plains. The park, which covers 2,500 square kilometers, has a diversified ecology that includes open savannah grasslands and is home to numerous species of animals, including buffaloes, elephants, monkeys, hippos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, lions, and several antelope species, among others.
On arrival, you will begin exploring the park by conducting a game drive to search for animals such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, and an incredible array of bird species.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you will embark on a thrilling game drive through the open savannah of Akagera National Park. This experience provides an excellent opportunity to encounter several species of animals, including giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, and an impressive variety of bird species.
In the afternoon, you will go on a shared boat excursion on Lake Ihema, where you will see abundant wildlife in and around the lake. Lake Ihema is one of the most well-known lakes in East Africa, and it has a large population of aquatic animals, including hippos and crocodiles. During the boat trip, you will spot playful hippos, sunbathing crocodiles, and several birds, such as the pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, and many others.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you will drive for 3 hours to Kigali city. Upon arrival, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is home to more than 2500 victims of the 1994 genocide. This genocide memorial center serves as an educational hub and a museum offering many insights and knowledge about Rwanda’s history.
In addition to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, you will visit other places such as Kandt House, Camp Kigali, local markets, and craft centers.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, you will leave Kigali and travel for about 2 hours to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s Northern Province. Upon arrival, you will participate in a cultural experience at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, which is located in Kinigi close to the Volcanoes National Park.
At the Cultural Village, the community will welcome you as special guests with presentations about their traditions and customs. You will connect with the local people in their local setting and participate in cultural and traditional customs, including day-to-day activities and artifacts.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you'll drive to the park headquarters for a briefing. At the briefing center, park rangers/guides will take you through the guidelines and procedures that all trackers must follow during the gorilla trekking adventure. After the briefing, you enter the forest and begin trekking through it in search of where the mountain gorillas might have spent the night. For conservation purposes, the park administrators assign 08 trackers to each of the 12 habituated gorilla families.
Once you've located the gorillas, you'll have an hour to spend close to them, taking photos and observing them as they go about their daily lives.
After the gorilla trekking experience, you will return to the lodge for relaxation.
Alternatively, after the gorilla trekking expedition, you could engage in one of many optional activities (not included). Musanze town, strategically located in the foothills of the Virunga ranges, offers many other activities, including biking, cycling, and guided community walks.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our "6-day wildlife and gorilla trekking in Rwanda" concludes today with a 2-hour road trip to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. As you travel, you will be captivated by the magnificent views of the undulating terrain that defines Rwanda as the "country of a thousand hills."
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Safari Highlights
- Enjoy a thrilling experience of trekking endangered mountain gorillas through the dense forest of Volcanoes National Park.
- Take a game drive in Akagera National Park to see the wildlife endowments of the park.
- Enjoy scenic views of the landscape along the routes.
- Enjoy cultural experiences at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village through direct participation to appreciate culture and traditions.
- Tour Kigali city to experience its development trajectory.
- It is a fully guided tour, with a professional and experienced Tour Guide accompanying you for the entire duration of the safari.
Price Per Person (USD)
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6110 | 4580 | 4360 | 3930 | 3910 | 3615 |
Price Includes
- Gorilla tracking permit in Volcanoes National Park
- Accommodation for 5 nights as indicated in the itinerary
- Road transport using 4 X 4 Safari Vehicle
- Services of the English- speaking guide/driver
- All meals during the safari period as indicated in the day-by-day section
- Entrance fees to all the parks indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle
- Game drive in Akagera National Park
- Cultural experiences as indicated in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
Price Excludes
- International travel to/from Kigali
- Personal /travel insurance
- Personal /travel insurance
- Entry Visa fees into Rwanda
- Payment charges (when using online payment methods)
- Tips (gratuity) to guides (recommended)
- All activities indicated as optional
Accommodations
| Nights | Destination | Lodge/Hotel | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 & 2 | Akagera National Park | Akagera Safari Camp | Mid-Range |
| Night 3 | Kigali City | Flame Tree Village | Mid-Range |
| Nights 4 & 5 | Volcanoes National Park | Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Mid-Range |
Please note that the accommodation options listed above are subject to availability at the time of booking. If there’s no availability at the quoted facilities, we will consider an alternative facility of a similar standard. You will be notified of any such changes before we confirm booking at the alternative facilities.
Additionally, modifications such as changes to your preferred accommodation or upgrades to luxury options are permitted. However, please note that such changes may result in an adjustment to the original tour cost.
Please contact us for special accommodation requests.Safari Highlights
- Enjoy a thrilling experience of trekking endangered mountain gorillas through the dense forest of Volcanoes National Park.
- Take a game drive in Akagera National Park to see the wildlife endowments of the park.
- Enjoy scenic views of the landscape along the routes.
- Enjoy cultural experiences at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village through direct participation to appreciate culture and traditions.
- Tour Kigali city to experience its development trajectory.
- It is a fully guided tour, with a professional and experienced Tour Guide accompanying you for the entire duration of the safari.
