5-Day Rwanda Game & Gorilla Safari
This safari takes you to Akagera for the big 5 and boat, then to Volcanoes National Park for close encounters with gorillas
6-Day Rwanda Primates & Game Safari
Tour Overview
Discover the wild heart of Rwanda on this expertly crafted 6-day adventure, blending thrilling big game encounters, primate trekking, and Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes. Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and first-time safari-goers, this tour immerses you in the country’s top highlights: the savannas of Akagera National Park, the misty canopies of Nyungwe Forest, and the misty volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park. Trek with endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, spot the Big 5, and glide across serene lakes.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Transportation
Meals & Accommodations
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
Bottled Drinking Water
International Flights
Visa
Optional Activities
Tour Program
Day
01
01
Arrival and Journey to Akagera National Park
Your adventure kicks off with a scenic pickup from Kigali Airport or hotel, where our expert driver-guide whisks you eastward to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savanna wilderness. Spanning lakes, swamps, and rolling plains, Akagera teems with life and sets the stage for your safari immersion.Relax and savor the evening as you prepare for the excitement ahead.
Meal Plan: Half Board
Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Day
02
02
Full-Day Game Drives and Lake Cruise in Akagera
Dawn breaks with a morning game drive through Akagera’s diverse habitats, where you’ll track the Big 5—lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos—alongside graceful giraffes, zebras, impalas, kobs, waterbucks, and elands. The park’s reintroduction of rhinos adds a special thrill. After lunch, board a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, scanning for hippos, crocs, and over 500 bird species like fish eagles and kingfishers. This full immersion reveals Akagera’s watery wonders and predator-prey dramas up close. Return to your lodge for sunset views.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Day
03
03
Scenic Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Bid farewell to Akagera with a comfortable drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s ancient rainforest jewel. Traverse terraced hills and tea plantations en route, arriving at the lush, biodiversity hotspot home to half the world’s chimpanzee population.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Munazi Eco Lodge
Day
04
04
Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walkway Adventure
Rise early for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe’s trails. Hike with expert trackers to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat—listen to their hoots, watch family dynamics, and capture unforgettable moments (permits required). In the afternoon, ascend the thrilling canopy walkway, Africa’s longest at 160 meters high, offering bird’s-eye views of the forest canopy, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys. It’s a perfect blend of adrenaline and serenity.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Munazi Eco Lodge
Day
05
05
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Journey north through Rwanda’s volcanic highlands to Volcanoes National Park, gateway to the Virunga massif. This dramatic landscape of towering peaks inspired “Gorillas in the Mist.”
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Day
06
06
Gorilla Trekking and departure
The pinnacle: gorilla trekking! Enter the mist-shrouded forests with a guide to spend a magical hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family—witness their gentle strength, playful young, and intimate behaviors (permits essential). Post-trek, debrief over lunch before your transfer back to Kigali for departure. Extend with extra nights if desired.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: None (unless requested)
