The 5 Days Rwanda safari focuses on providing a good balance of primate encounters and savanna wildlife, two of Rwanda’s best wildlife experiences. The tour focuses on gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park as well as game viewing in Akagera national park. This 5 Days Rwanda safari also includes optional activities such as Iby’Iwacu cultural experience, Musanze caves exploration, Dian Foseey Grave hike, and Kigali City Tour.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Game drive in Akagera national park
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park
- Boat cruise in Akagera national park
- Kigali City Tour
- Iby’Iwacu Cultural experience (optional)
- Musanze Cave Exploration (optional)
- Dian Fossey Grave Hike (optional)
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & transfer to Akagera national park
Day 2: Game drive & boat cruise in Akagera national park and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park & Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking & Musanze Caves (or Dian Fossey hike)
Day 5: Departure
Detailed itinerary – 5 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera national park
Upon arriving at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be met by your safari driver guide. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a brief Kigali City Tour. Among key places to visit include Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where you can pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide and learn about the country’s history. Others include local markets, and craft shops.
After your lunch in Kigali, embark on a scenic drive to Akakgera national park (2-3 hours). Arrive and check into your lodge near the park. If time permits you can have an evening game drive and get introduced to the park’s several wildlife species. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise in Akagera national park and transfer to Volcanoes national park
After early breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Akagera national park where you have a chance to see the park’s “Big five” which include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Other common species to encounter in the park include giraffes, zebras, a variety of antelope species, and various bird species.
In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema which is also located within the park. While on the boat cruise you will encounter hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds including the rare Shoebill stork.
After the boat cruise, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes national park in northwest Rwanda (4-5 hours). Enjoy stunning views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, tea plantations and local villages. Arrive and check into your hotel near Volcanoes national park for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Take early breakfast and head to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will also be divided into small groups and assigned a gorilla group to track (maximum of 8 trekkers per group).
After the briefing, head into the forest led by experienced guides and rangers looking for your assigned gorilla group. This trek may last anywhere between 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas in the forest.
Upon finding these gentle giants, you will spend one hour in their presence observing how they feed, play and rest in their natural habitat. The magical hour before gorillas has been described as breathtaking and unforgettable. At the end of the encounter, head back to the park headquarters and be transferred to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardian Village) for a thrilling cultural experience. Here, you will enjoy traditional dance performances, learn about Rwanda’s traditions and interact with the local community. Dinner and overnight at your lodge near Volcanoes national park.
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking and Musanze Caves (or Dian Fossey Hike)
After early breakfast, head back to the headquarters of Volcanoes national park for a briefing on another breathtaking primate experience, golden monkey tracking. Head into the forest to meet the playful and beautiful golden monkeys. The trek to see golden monkeys is more relaxed and less tenacious than gorilla trekking. You will also spend one hour in their presence before returning to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you can opt to go for the Musanze cave exploration experience and discover the wonders this geological and historical site. Alternatively, you can choose the Dian Fossey grave hike and visit the burial site of Dian Fossey, the gorilla conservation champion. Here, you will learn about the history of gorilla conservation and this American primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your lodge before driving back to Kigali for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute souvenir shopping or deeper exploration of Kigali and visit more memorable sites around the city. After your activities in the city, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Important considerations for the 5 Days Rwanda safari
Gorilla permits should be booked and secured at least 6 months in advance since they are on high demand. Rwanda’s gorilla permit cost $1,500 per person while the golden monkey tracking permit cost $100 per person.
The best season for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is the dry period between June to September and December to February. This is because the trails are drier and easier to trek while gorillas also tend to move freely in the forest hence easy to find. However, gorilla trekking tours and other wildlife safaris in Rwanda take place throughout the year.
Some of the important gear to pack for a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda include sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, and a camera with extra batteries. Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding and therefore you need a reasonable level of fitness to hike through dense montane rainforests. The minimum age allowed for gorilla tracking in Rwanda is 15 years.