5 Days Rwanda Big Five and Gorilla Safari

This 5 days Rwanda safari offers an opportunity to embark on game drives and boat cruise in Akagera and gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Parks. Starting and ending in Kigali city, this private trip travels to these parks by road in custom made 4×4 safari land cruiser with a driver guide.

Rwanda’s only savannah protected area, Akagera is landscape of open plains, woodlands and a network of lakes and papyrus wetlands.  These habitats support rich biodiversity including the African Big Five mammals which include lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhinos. Among other wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, kobs, impalas, elands and over 500 species of birds. A boat safari on the lake offers a different perspective of watching wildlife such as hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds that inhabit the lakeshore.

After exploring Akagera, the next destination is Volcanoes National Park, where you will track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Volcanoes is part of Virunga Mountains, a spectacular chain of 8 volcanoes that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. Trekking can be challenging due to the nature of terrain involving hiking on foot on the volcano slopes in search of these primates.

You may also visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village, a community based cultural center that showcases traditional Rwandan life to promote gorilla conservation. It was founded to provide sustainable livelihoods for former poachers, transforming them into protectors of Volcanoes National Park by sharing their heritage with visitors through dances, mock royal rituals, and historical demonstrations.

Safari highlights

• Explore Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah national park.
• Search for lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes and rhinos.
• Enjoy a boat safari on the confirmed Akagera lake, looking for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.
• Discover Akagera’s lakes, wooded hills, wetlands and open grasslands.
• Trek endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
• Spend up to one hour observing a habituated gorilla family.
• Track golden monkeys in the bamboo forests of the Virunga foothills.
• Enjoy four nights of midrange or luxury accommodation.

5 Days Rwanda Safari Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park Akagera Boat Safari

Day 2: Full Day Big Five Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking and Return to Kigali

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park and Boat Safari

Firante Gorilla Treks driver guide will meet you at Kigali International Airport or at the hotel and drive to the park. Arrival and first check in at the lodge or do a short game drive have lunch and later go for boat trip. In the afternoon animals begin moving back towards the lake shores, offering a chance to encounter elephants, buffaloes, hippos and Nile crocodiles and water birds, including African fish eagles, herons and kingfishers. At sunset, the boat trip may offer good lighting for a keen photographer. Return to your lodge after the cruise for dinner and overnight.

The country’s only savannah national park, Akagera consists of open grasslands, rolling hills, lakes and wetlands and stands as a testimony of restored ecosystem. Established in 1934, the park was three times its current size and home to over 200 lions. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, refugees settled in the park occupying two-thirds, which led to intense human-wildlife conflict as cattle owners poisoned predators to protect their herds, and poachers targeted elephants and black rhino for ivory. Between 2002 and 2007, lions and rhinos were completely extinct.

The turning point for restoring the park came in 2010. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) formed a public-private partnership with African Parks, a non-profit conservation organization, together they reintroduced lions and rhinos, built a 120km solar-powered fence, deployed tracking dog canine units, hired and trained a formidable force of local rangers. Poaching has since reduced to almost zero, lions and rhino numbers have more than tripled while elephants, buffaloes have also rebounded.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 2: Full Day Big Five Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Full day game drives means taking packed lunch to maximize time in the bush all day exploring the park with your guide through different sectors of the park. Sightings of all the Big Five animals may not be guaranteed given that leopards and rhinos are elusive and difficult to find. Return to your accommodation later in the day for dinner and your second night in Akagera.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 3: Akagera to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, leave Akagera and begin the journey to northern Rwanda which is about 4-hour drive. The route passes through or around Kigali, where you may stop for lunch and refreshments along the way. Arrive at your lodge check and prepare for the following morning’s gorilla trekking experience. Your guide will explain the arrangements for the trek, including the early morning wakeup call and recommended trekking equipment.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing from the RDB ranger guides, who will lead you into the forest in search for the gorillas. Gorilla families move freely within the park, so the duration and physical demands of the trek vary according to their location. When the gorillas are located, spend up to one hour observing the family which includes playful younger gorillas and a dominant silverback.

After the permitted viewing period, trek back through the forest and return to your lodge for lunch or a late afternoon rest, depending on when the trek finishes. Those with sufficient time and energy may arrange an optional visit to the Gorilla Guardians cultural village outside the park. This cultural tour supports local projects and conservation, making for an aspect of responsible tourism on this 5 days Rwanda safari.

Accommodation: Selected lodge or hotel, confirmed in your quotation.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking and Return to Kigali

On this day, you can embark on a different primate activity; golden monkey trekking experience and after that drive to back to Kigali city. Golden monkeys live in relatively large social groups and dwell primarily in the bamboo at about 2,000 meters above sea level. A habituated troop may consist of up to 60 members and their striking golden-orange coat and their swift movements make them worth tracking for a keen photographer.

Once located, watch the monkeys feeding, moving through the bamboo and interacting with one another for one hour. After trekking, return to your lodge or meet your driver-guide and embark on the journey back to Kigali. Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you will be dropped at your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport.

Travellers with early international flights should consider skipping the golden monkey activity or an additional night in Kigali given that the trekking activity and return transfer require sufficient time. This marks the end of your 5 days Rwanda safari.

Meals: Confirmed in your personalised quotation.

Quotation and booking details

Request a personalised quotation based on your dates, group size and accommodation preference. Your written quotation will confirm the lodges, meal plan, trekking permits, transport, included activities, optional extras and exclusions before booking. No fixed package price is currently advertised for our 5 days Rwanda safari.

Trekking duration, wildlife sightings and travel times vary. Final arrangements depend on Rwanda gorilla permit availability, lodge location and local conditions. Where a long transfer or trek falls on your departure day, an additional overnight stay before flying is recommended. As such, this 5 days Rwanda safari can be adjusted by the number of days to suit your personal interests.

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Planning advice: Gorilla trekking · Chimpanzee experiences · Safari destinations