Safari in Akagera Combined With Gorilla Trekking

A safari in Akagera combined with gorilla trekking lets you explore both savanna wildlife and mountain gorillas. Akagera National Park is a perfect destination to combine with Volcanoes National Park. The beauty of combining a safari in Akagera National Park with gorilla trekking in Rwanda is that you get a chance to explore the Big 5, mountain gorillas, and other species that thrive in the rainforest/bamboo forest.

A safari in Akagera National Park

A safari in Akagera National Park offers a remarkable opportunity to enjoy exciting savanna game-viewing excursions. Akagera provides an unmatched wildlife experience and is the only savanna protected area that guarantees epic encounters with the Big Five, plus multiple antelope and small mammal species.

What awaits you on Akagera National Park Safari?

Game drives

Akagera National Park safaris offer unforgettable wildlife encounters in the savanna grassland. Akagera game tracks are best explored using a 4×4 safari vehicle. On a game drive, expect to see a wide range of wildlife, including African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, black rhinos, leopards, zebras, and hyenas. Other wildlife to explore on a safari in Akagera include topis, impalas, bushbucks, warthogs, and primates like bush babies, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons.

Visitors can take a day or night safari in Akagera. During day game-viewing excursions, expect to see many early risers as they become active for the day. Night safari drives take you on a search for nocturnal species, including hyenas and birds like nightjars.

Birding

Akagera offers enriching birding excursions to guests on a Rwanda tour. The 1122 sq. km Akagera savanna park provides refuge for about 500 bird species. Birds worth exploring in Akagera include the elusive shoebill stork, African fish eagle, white-faced whistling-duck, Egyptian goose, Knob-billed ducks, red-billed ducks, spur-winged goose, coqui francolins, squacco heron, booted eagle, African jacanas, African darters, pallid harriers, and more.

Sport fishing

Enjoy a memorable sport fishing excursion on Lake Shakani. This sport fishing excursion is ideal for visitors with valid permits. The fishing excursion here is catch and release.

Boat cruise

If you enjoy boat cruise excursions on the freshwater lakes, then Akagera National Park has you sorted. Launch cruise excursions in Akagera are done on Lake Ihema. The Lake Ihema boat cruise offers great views of aquatic species, including hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.

Nature walks

Guided nature walks also present you with a chance to explore Akagera National Park in a different way. Nature walks bring you close to natural wilderness as you interact with amazing creatures including wildlife, birds, and more. With guided nature walks, expect to explore spots hardly reached by a 4×4 safari vehicle.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is the only place where you can spot gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park lets you explore mountain gorillas, learn more about their behavior, and take photos. Volcanoes National Park is nestled in the Northwestern end of Rwanda and is only accessible within 2-3 hours’ drive from the heart of Kigali.

Volcanoes National Park features among the oldest parks on the African continent. Gazetted in 1925, Volcanoes National Park occupies a compact area in the Ruhengeri region of about 160 sq. km. A visit to Volcanoes National Park to track gorillas offers you a lifetime opportunity to interact with a gorilla family of your choice while in their natural habitat.

Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include Susa A, Ugenda, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Umubano, Kwitonda, Amahoro, Hirwa, Muhoza, and others.

A maximum of 8 (eight) guests can track one gorilla group each day, and an experienced guide can lead visitors. Gorilla family locations may vary depending on where they go to feed during the day.

Gorilla trekking adventures in Volcanoes National Park start at Kinigi. Volcanoes National Park’s landscape is defined by the spectacular Virunga volcanoes, including Sabyinyo, Gahinga Volcanoes, Karisimbi, Muhabura, and Bisoke.

The available travel itineraries that combine safaris in Akagera and gorilla trekking

Visitors interested in an Akagera National Park wildlife safari and gorilla trekking combo can choose from the various itineraries that offer combined tours. The numerous travel plans that offer an unforgettable experience of both Akagera National Park and gorilla adventure include;

What else to do in Rwanda

Golden monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking is a perfect addition to the primate adventures in Rwanda. A guided trek with golden monkeys involves exploring already habituated troops of these primates in their natural environment. Golden monkey treks in Rwanda are done in Volcanoes National Park, where gorillas are trekked. Visitors can combine golden monkey treks and numerous activities in Rwanda, including gorilla trekking, Virunga volcano hiking, and bird watching.

Dian Fossey tomb trek

Embark on a trekking journey through the jungle while stepping onto Dian Fossey’s path. Explore the unique history of Dian Fossey –a prominent conservationist who spent 18 years researching gorillas. Her presence in the Virunga Region played a significant role in bringing their plight to the world’s attention. Today, conservationists and the thriving mountain gorilla population tell a great success story.

Virunga Volcano hiking

Adventure seekers can also add to their list of exhilarating experiences in Volcanoes National Park. The Virunga Volcanoes to hike include Bisoke, Muhabura, Karisimbi, and Gahinga.

Rwanda safaris to explore Nyungwe

On longer trips, visitors can also add Nyungwe National Park adventures. In the Southern Province, Nyungwe is home to over 310 bird species, 75 mammal species, and many plant species. A safari in Nyungwe National Park offers unique experiences, including chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, a canopy walk, and more.

When to go for a safari in Akagera combined with gorilla trekking

Most safari activities in Akagera and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park are best done during the peak dry season. The dry season runs from June to September and again from December to February. The dry season offers favorable weather conditions with little or no rainfall. With little or no rain, trails and game tracks dry out, making navigation easier as you search for your favorite attractions.

What to pack for a safari in Akagera and gorilla trekking

A packing list for gorilla trekking and an Akagera safari includes long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a safari hat, a first aid kit, toiletries, a camera, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, and more.

Where does a safari in Akagera and gorilla trekking start?

Safaris in Akagera National Park and gorilla trekking start from the heart of Kigali. From Kigali, you can safely travel to Akagera National Park or Volcanoes National Park for a range of experiences. Driving to Volcanoes National Park takes 2 to 3 hours, and Akagera takes about 2.5 hours.

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Safari in Akagera Combined With Gorilla Trekking