6 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Wildlife and Cultural Tour

6 days Rwanda Gorillas, Wildlife and Cultural Tour

Over view

This private Rwanda safari offers a unique blend of mountain gorilla trekking, classic wildlife viewing, and traditional cultural experiences, an exciting combination and the best and most unique way to explore the beauty of Rwanda. Enjoy the culture, and learn more about the people right from the time of genocide when thousands of Rwandan people lost their lives and property. You will also meet the gentle giants this is the highlight of the safari in Rwanda, the gorillas have become the number one attraction bringing several tourists worldwide.

Your journey begins in Akagera National Park, where you’ll enjoy wildlife viewing on the open savannahs and take a boat trip on Lake Ihema. Next, venture into Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in the ancient rainforests. Finally, visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village to immerse yourself in the local culture and relax on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu.

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and transfer to the Hotel in Kigali.

Day 2: Transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park

Day 3: Lake Ihema, Akagera, and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 5: Cultural village and Lake Kivu exploration

Day 6: Transfer from Lake Kiku to Kigali City

Day by Day Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and transfer to the Hotel in Kigali.

The Rwanda Gorillas, Wildlife, and Cultural Tour begins at Kigali International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.

If your flight arrives early enough, you may have the opportunity to take a Kigali City Tour. This tour will showcase the city’s main attractions and landmarks, including the old city and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. Many tourists are pleasantly surprised by Kigali’s cleanliness and organization, especially in comparison to other African cities. Kigali is a modern, safe capital with a vibrant atmosphere and friendly people.

After your day of exploration, you will return to the lodge to relax for the evening and prepare for the next day’s adventure. Dinner and an overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Accommodation options: Hotel des Mille Colline,

Meals included: Lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park

Have breakfast and thereafter, check out and drive to Akagera National Park. Created in 1934, the park is among Africa’s oldest national parks. Along the Tanzanian border in eastern Rwanda, Akagera has about 1120 km² of varied environments. Because of its position, which includes low-lying plains with grasslands, forests, and wetlands in addition to marshes, hills, and lakes, the national park is ideal for wildlife watching. Compared to Rwanda’s mostly mountainous geography, the broad savannah regions are more reminiscent of Tanzania’s and Kenya’s classic African safari vistas.

We keep an eye out for African savannah-specific fauna and birds as we make our way to our game lodge inside Akagera National Park. Mammals include giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and three of the Big Five: lions, elephants, and buffalos. In addition, the park is home to an amazing variety of birds, including numerous unique species, with over 480 species.

You can choose a full-day game drive or spend the afternoon relaxing or swimming at the pool. Later evening, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Rizizi tented camp (Luxury), Akagera safari camp (Mid-range), Akagera transit lodge (Budget).

Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Lake Ihema, Akagera, and transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Akagera is a game-viewing gem and the only national park in Rwanda for wildlife safaris.

Rise early, have your breakfast, and go on a relaxing boat ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park. This boat ride offers a fantastic opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, including numerous birds, crocodiles, and hippos. The area is home to over 550 bird species, such as the malachite kingfisher, ibis, shoebill, and papyrus gonolek, among others. As we glide over the lake’s shoreline, which is lined with papyrus, you can unwind and admire the stunning natural beauty.

After our leisurely boat trip, we leave the Akagera reserve and head northwest to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes us five hours along scenic routes that wind through steep terrain, leading us to the best gorilla trekking location in Rwanda.

We spend the night in Musanze, the nearest town to Volcanoes National Park (formerly known as Ruhengeri). Take this time to relax and prepare for gorilla trekking the following day. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)

Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today, you will have an incredible experience as you explore the ancient rainforests of the Virunga Mountains to see endangered African mountain gorillas in their natural habitat!

The day begins with breakfast, followed by a visit to Kinigi, which houses the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. Here, park rangers provide an overview of the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. Once your guide has completed the necessary paperwork, it’s time to enter Volcanoes Park.

Covering an area of 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes National Park is a pristine wilderness featuring ancient afro-montane and bamboo forests. Although the park is named after the five volcanoes within its boundaries, it is most famous for its population of African mountain gorillas. The park is also home to over 200 bird species and a wide variety of animals, plants, and insects, many of which are rare or unique. It is one of the best locations for gorilla trekking, boasting the largest concentrations of habituated gorillas. You will be assigned one of the habituated gorilla groups. Feel free to express your interest, there are both hard and moderate treks, therefore, the level of fitness determines the kind of trekking you choose. The trekking process may take from 2hours to three-quarters of the day depending on the movement of the gorillas.

Once you have found the gorillas, you will have an enthralling hour to observe them in their natural environment. You’ll witness how these magnificent primates eat, socialize, sleep, and simply exist. It’s fascinating to see them groom and play with one another, especially as young gorillas engage in playful antics. Occasionally, the gorillas may show interest in the tourists and even approach, making for an exhilarating experience, particularly if a large silverback coming closer to you.

After, you will head back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded the certificate of participation in Gorilla trekking. The driver guide will then take you back to the lodge, and you relax and reflect on the amazing gorilla trek from earlier in the day.

Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)

Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 5: Cultural village and Lake Kivu exploration

After breakfast this morning, we headed to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, which is near Volcanoes National Park. During our visit to the village, we experienced traditional Rwandan culture. At Iby’iwacu, we enjoyed native drumming and dancing performances, interacted with a medicine man, and practiced using a bow and arrow.

Next, we traveled to the Red Rocks to see how native banana beer is produced. Following that, we continued to Gisenyi, located on the northern shore of Rwanda’s largest lake, Lake Kivu. We relaxed on the sandy beaches of this beautiful African Great Lake Kivu, which sits in the East African Rift Valley along Rwanda’s western border. While lounging on the palm-lined beach, we took in the tropical surroundings and breathtaking views of this expansive freshwater lake.

In the evening you will transfer to the lodge where you will check in for dinner and dinner.

Accommodation options: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Meals include; breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6: Transfer from Lake Kiku to Kigali City

On the final day of our Rwanda Gorillas, Wildlife & Cultural Tour, we begin with breakfast before boarding a boat on Lake Kivu. As we explore the lake, we make stops at the lush islands that punctuate the water, allowing us to take in the stunning views.

Later in the day, have lunch and return to Kigali city, where you will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your next flight.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

End of Tour

Rwanda Gorillas, Wildlife, and Cultural Tour includes and excludes

Package includes;