Overview

A two-day safari in Akagera National Park, a day in Kigali and a visit to the Gorilla Guardian Centre in Volcanoes National Park. Complete the itinerary with gorilla tracking and Kigali tour.

Day 1 - Kigali to Akagera National Park

Arrive to Kigali early morning. Drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park, a drive lasting around four or five hours. The journey is mainly on tarmacked good quality roads until the final section.

The 100,000-hectare Akagera National Park is situated in eastern Rwanda, bordering Tanzania, and has been managed by African Parks in partnership with the RDB since 2010. It comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains. Akagera has undergone an incredible transformation in the last eight years where poaching has essentially been eliminated and wildlife is now thriving. African Parks reintroduced lions in 2015 after a 20-year absence and reintroduced the black rhinoceros in 2017.

Enjoy an evening boat road across Lake Ihema spotting hippos and many different species of birds. Stay the night at a hotel in the park.

Day 2 - Akagera National Park

Wake early to enjoy a full day safari game drive accompanied by an expert guide, driving through the incredible landscape of Akagera National Park. The varied landscape is shown through the different species spotted here. Visitors to the park will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips, including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyena, zebra and more. The Park also boasts almost 500 species of birds including the spectacular shoebill with its implausibly massive bill and the near-endemic red-faced barbet.

Stay the night at the same hotel.

Day 3 - Akagera National Park to Kigali

Drive from Akagera National Park back to Kigali. The drive is around three hours. Spend the day in Kigali visiting the Genocide Memorial Museum, the Inema arts centre and local markets.

Stay the night at a hotel in Kigali.

Day 4 - Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Drive to Volcanoes National Park – a stunning three-hour drive north among the lush, green landscape of the countryside. The landscape of Volcanoes National Park is incredible with a spectacular line of volcanoes far into the distance. Visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Centre to learn about the history of Volcanoes National Park.

Stay at a hotel of your choice and spend the evening relaxing.

Day 5 - Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park: Wake up at sunrise and drive the short journey to the park headquarters where briefing, porters and tea and coffee will be given before starting the adventure into the forest. Local ports can be arranged and help with the guide to complete the gorilla tracking experience.

Tracking can be between 90 minutes and the whole morning depending on what family group is assigned. You will spend one hour with the gorillas – sometimes moving around to stay with the gorillas or following them. The guide will ensure you are in the best spots to take the most beautiful pictures and experience the breathtaking experience properly.

You will then return to the hotel to freshen up before transferring back to Kigali in the afternoon. Spend the night at a hotel in Kigali and enjoy the hotel’s delicious food and offerings.

Day 6

Flight departs from Kigali.