6-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Wildlife Safari

Arrival in Kigali

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your Africa Exquisite Tours guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Settle in, relax after your journey, and enjoy dinner at your accommodation.

Kigali to Akagera National Park & Lake Ihema Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, approximately two hours away. Akagera’s varied habitats of savannah, woodland, and wetland support elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and an exceptional diversity of birds.

On arrival, enjoy an introductory game drive through the park. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where you may see hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds in their natural setting. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park

Set out after breakfast for a full-day game drive through Akagera National Park. Early mornings are an excellent time to look for wildlife as animals become active across the savannah.

Travel from the park’s southern sector toward the north, keeping watch for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, lions, and rhinos. Akagera is also a haven for birdwatchers, with more than 500 recorded bird species. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and relaxation.

Akagera to Volcanoes National Park via Kigali

After breakfast, leave Akagera and travel north toward Volcanoes National Park, enjoying Rwanda’s scenic rolling hills along the way. Stop in Kigali for lunch and a reflective visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important place to learn about Rwanda’s history and resilience.

Continue through the countryside to the foothills of the Virunga Mountains. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, where you can unwind before dinner.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village

Begin the day with an early breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Accompanied by experienced park rangers, hike through the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once you find the gorillas, spend a memorable hour observing them as they feed, rest, and interact within their family group. Trek duration varies with gorilla movements and trail conditions, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, water, a packed lunch, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a rain jacket.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, visit Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. Experience traditional music and dance, meet community members, and gain insight into Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Golden Monkey Trek & Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before your golden monkey trek. Follow forest trails with your guide in search of these striking, energetic primates, which live in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park.

Golden monkey trekking is generally less demanding than gorilla trekking and offers excellent opportunities to observe and photograph these rare animals. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch, then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.