Unknown to many, you can have the mountain gorillas experience and the big game safari within Rwanda, through our 5 day gorilla tracking and wildlife safari. This 5 Days Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife Safari Rwanda leads you to Akagera National Park which is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland, as well as the only remaining home for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Akagera is the only savannah National Park and the only place in Rwanda to sight the large mammals. Found in eastern Rwanda, the 2500 sq km national park has all the famous big five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) and is mainly composed of Savannah land that's dotted with acacia, bush, swampy lakes and open grassland. The park is named after Kagera River that flows along the country's eastern boundary, feeding into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes. While within this park, you will do game drives and have boat cruises on Lake Ihema, which is home to over 500 bird species, a large number of hippos as well as a significant number of nile croodiles. You will have scenic views of a plethora of wildlife and nature. Such wildlife includes animals like: giraffes, oribis, gazelles, warthogs, topis, impalas, spotted hyenas among others. 

From Kagera, you will have a popular mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. The park, also known as Parc National des Volcans offers Gorilla Trekking, which is the most popular tour in Rwanda. There are only three countries that offer the gorilla trekking experience but Rwanda is by far the best country for the gorilla trekking adventures, all of which take place in Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to a population of over 400 mountain gorillas that includes the 10 families that are habituated for tourism. Each of these gorilla families can be tracked everyday within the forests. For bird enthusiasts, Volcanoes National park is an Important Bird Area and hosts an estimated 200 species of birds with 12 endemics.

This 5 day Gorilla tracking and Akagera wildlife safari Rwanda is ideal for those who wish to spend more days in Rwanda to get the best out of nature. The park combines all the most interesting activities of a Rwanda safari and sets them perfectly for you.

 

Activities

  1. Akagera National Park
  2. Volcanoes National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Game drive

Drive to Akagera National Park, short game drive

  • Journey time: 2.5 hours
  • Accommodation:  Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • We pick you up from Kigali at 9am and head to Akagera National Park in the east of Rwanda. On your way, you will pass through the country's scenic landscape which will give you views of the country's spectacular hills and the lifestyle of its people. In the afternoon we shall do a short game drive to see some wildlife and enjoy the scenery. Please look out for different species of animals that include zebras, hippos, buffaloes, elephants among others.
  • Dinner and overnight. 

Day 2

Game drive

Boat safari

Game drive and boat safari

  • Accommodation:  Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge (Midrange)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • We shall set out for an early morning game drive in the southern part of the park and expect to see few animals because of the thick vegetation. The time is however perfect to view animals and birds before they go back to their hideouts. The Rhinos live in this part of the park. Other animals you may see include baboons, zebras, oribi among others.
    In the afternoon we shall do the boat ride on Lake Ihema to see crocodiles, hippos, and many other wildlife along the lake. You will also have scenic views of swamps, hills etc.
  • You will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Game drive

Game drive through Akagera National Park and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

  • Journey time: 5 hours
  • Accommodation:  Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today we set out for a game drive to the north of the park which has the plains and thus more animals. Expect to see lions, buffaloes, elephants, zebras and many species of antelopes. Exit the park through the north and drive to Volcanoes National Park in the north of Rwanda.

Day 4

Gorilla tracking

Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park

  • Accommodation:  Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Early this morning you will drive to the park headquarters with your packed lunch for gorilla  tracking at Kinigi in Musanze district by 7:00 am. While here, you will carry out registration and be briefed about the trekking rules, after which you will be allocated to groups and park guides. You will then transfer to the starting point and set out for the trek head into the forest for the tracking experience to see the gorillas. Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding and you are likely to walk for about three to seven hours through thick jungles depending upon the gorilla's movements. The chances of missing the gorillas are very few, since the guides always have an idea of where to find the gorillas, using his knowledge of their movement patterns and their known location the day before. The experience of observing these mountain gorillas in their natural habitant is memorable. You will be allowed to spend one hour with these phenomenal mountain gorillas, a time during which you will take photos and see them play, eat and groom each other. 

Day 5

Transfer to Kigali

Optional activity and transfer to Kigali

  • Journey time: 2.5 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • This morning we will do an extra activity in the park or Musanze before departing to Kigali.
    Options include hiking the dian fossey tomb trails, tracking the golden monkeys, cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardians Village

General Tips:

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day. There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carrying the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 10 is charged.
  •  A gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda goes for 1500 USD, though more expensive than other destinations (Uganda-600 USD and DRC-500) but this means more money goes into conservation efforts and benefit of the local population
  • Do not use flash photography.
  • Littering in the forest is not allowed! 
  • You are required to maintain a distance of 7 metres when you rech the gorillas. In certain  instances the young gorillas may come closer to you out of curiosity to touch you. However, you are not expected to respond because the silverback could respond violently as it tries to protect the young one from you.

What to bring:

  • Walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through the forest.
  • Mosquito repellant is advisable.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.
  • Camera and extra batteries.
  • sunscreen and a sun hat, since the sun may be hot during the day.
  • waterproof bags to protect cameras and other equipment when hiking, just in case it rains.

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