6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
This 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari: will take you to Kigali City Tour, Akagera National Park for the wildlife encounter and in Volcanoes National Park for your gorilla trekking. Akagera National Park is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema, it has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa. The park is ideal for game viewing, animal species such as buffalos, elephants, antelopes, zebras, giraffe, baboons, monkeys and over 490 bird species. After this experience proceed to the volcanoes national park for an unforgettable encounter with the mountain gorillas on a gorilla trekking experience. The park is situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Tracking endangered mountain Gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of over 200 species of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.
SUMMARY
Day 1: Arrival-Transfer to your hotel
Day 2: Kigali city tour
Day 3: Game drive in Akagera national park
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking-Volcanoes
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival-Transfer to your hotel
You will be picked by one of our representatives from Great Nest Image Safaris who will brief you about this 6 Days tour and later transfer you to your hotel where you will spend your night.
Accommodation
- Serena Hotel Kigali
- (Luxury hotel)
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast
- Bottled drinking water
Day 2: Kigali city tour
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to Kigali for a visit to the Gisozi genocide memorial site as you picture out the terrifying memories of the 1994 survivors of one of the most horrific disasters the world has known where the Hutu massacred thousands of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in less than 100 days. After you will proceed to visit Hotel des Mille Collines where the movie; “Hotel Rwanda” was acted and then to the crafts markets and other local markets. After lunch you will start on your journey to Akagera National Park which is located in eastern Rwanda. You will arrive late in the afternoon continuing to the lodge for check-in. You can have short stopovers en route to Akagera Park for photo moments of the beautiful landscape and people.
Accommodation
- Ruzizi tented camp
- (Luxury accommodation)
- Akagera game lodge
- (Mid-range accommodation)
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast
- Bottle Drinking water
Day 3: Game drive in Akagera national park
After an early breakfast, you will start on your game drive in Akagera national park. You will have parked lunch for the game drive which will last about 6 hours depending on your interests. While in the park, watch out for the big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, lions, rhinos and several Antelope species. The park is also a birders haven with over 500 bird species. You will proceed to Kigali to either catch up your flight or check in your lodge for an overnight stay. Later you will go back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Ruzizi tented camp
- (Luxury accommodation)
- Akagera game lodge
- (Mid-range accommodation)
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast
- Bottle Drinking water
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
After and early morning breakfast, you will start on your journey to Volcanoes National Park. Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Within the boundaries of Volcanoes National Park are Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore and Musanze cave, formed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic eruption. The drive from Akagera national park to Musanze will be through Kigali city, enjoy several villages with great landscape views. You can ask the drive to stop for picture moments at different viewpoints. You will see the endless hills and understand why indeed Rwanda is referred to as ‘the land of a thousand hills. Later in the evening you will check in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Gorilla’s Nest Hotel
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast
- Bottled drinking water
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking-Volcanoes
After your morning breakfast, you will drive to the headquarters of the park where you will have a briefing from the ranger guides concerning gorilla trekking. Later you will start trekking the gentle giants through the Volcanoes Forest. Meeting the gorillas will be the most thrilling experience as you will be amazed at the Silverbacks. It will be a great time watching the gorillas play, communicate to each other and the mothers feed the young ones. After meeting the gorillas, strictly one hour is spent with them, so make sure you utilize your time with them for example take photos, enjoy them as they play and feed. Later you will return to the lodge for lunch, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Gorilla’s Nest Hotel
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast
- Bottled drinking water
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali
After your morning breakfast, you will be transferred by to Kigali either back in your hotel or to the Airport for your flight.
End of the Tour
ACTIVITIES
- Mountain gorilla trekking
- Hiking
- Village experiences
- Game drive
Optional activities include
- Dian Fossey Trail
You may also opt for the hike to the Dian Fossey Trail one of the most exciting activities to top up your gorilla trekking safari to volcanoes national park. Dian Fosse grave takes about one and half hours walk with much rewarding sceneries to view like the forest hogs, animals like elephants and primate animals with a variety of bird species with all this attractions, you will have the best of your Rwanda safari.
- Hiking
The Volcanoes National Park presents incomparable hiking adventures to be able to meet with these incredible Mountain Gorillas and to enjoy the breathtaking views from the summit of the volcanoes. There is a wide range of hiking options you can take, there is Bisoke 37000 meters and Karisimbi which is the 3rd highest in Africa.
- Monkey trekking
Found deep in the heart of the Volcanoes National Park’s bamboo forest, the golden monkey is one of the most endangered primates in Africa. Tourists have the unique opportunity to view one of two newly habituated groups within the park. The Kabatwa group is made up of 40 monkeys and lives on the slopes of Mt. Sabyinyo. For the more advanced trekker, there is the Musongo group, with 100 individuals, which lives higher up on the slopes of Mt. Karisimbi. For one hour, you will be able to observe these rare monkeys in their stunning natural setting as they climb trees, feed on bamboo shoots, and play happily in front of you.
- Iby’iwacu cultural village
Here you find Rwanda’s past and present come alive and real with visitors having hands on cultural experiences. You can visit Iby’iwacu village for a few hours or stay overnight in a traditional style of Rwandan home which would be quite an experience here.
- Caving
When you enter the massive musanze volcanic caves, you think you’re stepping into a cathedral because the size is simply amazing. These are one of the many caves in or near Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. The silence of the caves that go deep into the earth are overwhelming and the only sound you will hear is that of your footsteps and drops of water hitting the ground which is an amazing cave experience.
Number of Days
6 Days / 5 Nights
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation including fuel
- All activities (included in the itinerary)
- All accommodation (included in the itinerary)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip/Airport transfer
- Bottled Drinking water
Excluded
- International flights
- Personal items
- Meals
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to porters and driver/ guide
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
PERMITS
In Rwanda Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year and a Gorilla permit goes for $1500 per person per day.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAFARI
- Gorilla trekking permits.
- Good physical, fit health and mental condition.
- Travelers must be at least 15 years old on the day of the trekking.
- Travel & Health insurance arranged from your home Country.
- Hiking shoes.
- Water proof Jacket.
- Long Sleeves shirt & Waterproof Pants.
- Warm Jacket.
- Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
Standard 4X4 Safari Vans/Land cruisers
Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari van and Land cruisers with open roof tops customized for game viewing and photography. Each Safari van/Land cruiser comes with a professionally trained driver/guide with fuel for the whole safari. Each client is entitled to a window seat and can take up to 8-10 people. We also have very comfortable super customs which can carry up 6 people with their luggage also have small vehicles like Alphads, Harrier and much more that can carry 4-5 people.