6 Days Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda
Safari Overview
Embark on a thrilling 6 days Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda, taking you through Rwanda’s iconic national parks of Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. This safari combines both Rwanda’s traditional culture and the Big 5 safari, including the opportunity to encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats, bringing you memories of a lifetime. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or first-time safari goer, this 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari will create memories that you will live to cherish forever.
The 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari starts in Kigali with a City Tour taking you to Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, a place that commemorates the 1994 terror where over 800,000 people lost their lives, and learn how Rwanda gained peace over the past years. You will visit Volcanoes National Park, where you expect to see the gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s Jewel of wonders, renowned for harbouring almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas, including habituated mountain gorillas that ease the gorilla trekking process. You will have a highlight on Rwanda’s traditional way of life at the Iby’Iwacu cultural Village, where you expect to have more fun and create memories. Your safari ends in Akagera National Park, which is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda, offering an opportunity to see the Big 5, including lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and a variety of animal species. This 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari offers an incredible adventure that you will live to create lasting memories. Below are the Highlights.
Highlights of the 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda
- Day 1: Pick up Kigali City Tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
- Day 4: Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 6: Return to Kigali and Departure
Details of the 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda
Day 1: Pick up Kigali City Tour
Meet and greet your guide/driver for the next 6-days/5-nights. Your guide will take you through a briefing about the 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda that details the accommodations to stay, activities to do on this tour, and destinations to visit. After the briefing, you may ask any questions (if any) and later embark on a Kigali City Tour.
Start your city tour with Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, where you will have an insight into the tragic 1994 genocide, where over 800,000 people lost their lives. This memorial center was established to commemorate the lives of these people, as well as to bring peace to the country. You will spend about 2 hours here and later transfer to the artist and crafts center. You will have a chance to experience the traditional arts of the local people, including artisans. Very many art pieces are displayed around the streets, including jewels, bangles, jerseys painted with “Visit Rwanda” and others. Later, you will visit Kimironko Market, which is Rwanda’s biggest market, renowned for fresh produce, offering an insight into the daily life of the Rwandans. Later, you will head to your lodge where you will spend your night.
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a restful breakfast at the lodge, check out, and embark on a scenic drive through the rolling lush green hills of Kigali as you transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Approximately, the drive shall take you about 2 hours. Arrive at the park and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and a peaceful afternoon. In the evening, your guide will take you through a briefing regarding what to pack for gorilla trekking and what to carry. Enjoy a peaceful overnight as you prepare for gorilla trekking.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
After your breakfast, carry your packed lunch and gather at the visitor’s information center for a briefing about gorilla trekking concerning the rules and guidelines to follow while observing the gorillas in their natural habitats. After the briefing, you will be assigned a specific gorilla family, and the actual Gorilla Trekking begins as you trek through the jungle in search of the gentle giants. Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them as you capture photo moments and learn more about their way of life with your ranger. After this experience, you will return to the starting point, meet your guide for the next activity.
Meet your guide and transfer to the Iby’Iwacu cultural Village, where you will have a chance to experience the traditional lifestyle of Rwanda. You will have a chance to participate in the traditional activities, including traditional marriage ceremonies, milking, traditional dances and drama, as well as tasting the local cuisine. Return to the lodge in the evening for your dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Rise early with a mouth-watering breakfast and embark on an approximately 6-hour drive to Akagera National Park in the Eastern part of Rwanda, including a lunch stopover in Kigali. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest national park, spanning an area of about 1122 sq km, and is home to a variety of animal species, including the big 5, such as lions, elephants, zebras, buffalo, hyenas, leopards, giraffes, Rhinos, and different bird species.
Akagera National Park largely consists of 10 freshwater lakes, with Iheme the biggest. Lake Ihema is famous for its amazing wildlife species and a variety of fish species, offering stunning views of the surrounding rolling hills. Unlike the Hilly western part of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is relatively flat, thus supporting safari activities such as game drives and boat trips on Lake Ihema. Arrive at the park and proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge and embark on a thrilling game drive in Akagera National Park, where you will have chances to spot a variety of animal species, including lions, elephants, zebras, buffalo, hyenas, leopards, giraffes, Rhinos, and spot a variety of bird species. The game drive shall take you for about three hours and return to the lodge for your lunch.
After lunch, you will embark on a thrilling boat cruise on the stunning Lake Ihema, taking you for about 3 hours. During your boat safari, expect to see a variety of species, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, warthogs, giraffes quenching their thirst, and different waterbirds. After your boat safari, meet your guide and return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Return to Kigali and Departure
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and a peaceful morning at the lodge. Later, you will check out, remember to carry all your belongings, and embark on a thrilling 2-hour drive to Kigali International Airport. Arrive at the Airport at check-in for your departure as you conclude your 6-day Gorillas and Game Safari in Rwanda.
