Heading out on a Gorilla and Safari tour in Rwanda is a truly unique experience. Located in the heart of East Africa, Rwanda is home to a wide array of diverse wildlife including some of the world’s last mountain gorillas. This makes it an ideal destination for those looking to get up close and personal with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are incredibly rare and incredibly beautiful, leaving visitors with an incredible experience of seeing these gentle giants living in harmony with nature and unperturbed by humans. On a safari tour in Rwanda, guests are accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced guides who will take you on an enlightening journey into the rainforest to meet the gorillas. After booking this tour, you will have the opportunity to track the gorillas in the forest, watch behaviors, and even witness and interact with them. Throughout your tour, you’ll be provided with a detailed overview of the conservation effort in Rwanda, as well as the impact of poaching, habitat destruction, and other threats that these endangered animals face.
Much more wildlife viewing opportunities will also be available on the safari tour, such as spotting the big five; lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants. Hundreds of giraffes and several antelopes roam the Akagera savannah and thousands of colorful birds will catch your eyes.
For those looking to have an unforgettable experience while making a positive contribution to an important conservation effort, a gorilla safari tour in Rwanda is an ideal choice. With fantastic scenery, knowledgeable guides, and up close and personal access to these incredible animals, a Rwanda Gorilla and safari tour is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Airport pick up and Kigali city tour.
Day 2: Drive to Akagera National Park.
Day 3: Full day in Akagera national park
Day 4: Drive to Volcanoes national park
Day 6: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park.
Day 6: Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Airport pickup and Kigali city tour
Welcome to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
On this day, our guide will warmly welcome you to the heart of Africa Rwanda at Kigali international airport in the capital Kigali.
On a short drive, you will feel the freshness and be amazed by the clean streets of Kigali city as you head to your hotel. Check in and have a detailed briefing of your trip.
Later, you will have brief Kigali City Tour which is a great way to explore Kigali’s vibrant culture and urban landscape as you travel around the city. The city of Kigali offers plenty of sightseeing attractions for all types of travelers. On this tour, visitors will get to visit the city’s bustling markets and business streets, stop by the Nyamirambo Women’s Center for handicrafts or pick up gifts and souvenirs from the many unique boutiques and markets.
A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is an unforgettable experience and an education in the tragedy of Rwanda’s past. Located at a former church in the capital, Kigali, the Memorial is a harsh reminder of the 1994 genocide, where 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered by Hutu extremists. The visit starts with a 30-minute film and an orientation on the history of the genocide and the memorial’s mission. It is a difficult and heartbreaking experience, but necessary to understand the magnitude of what happened. It also serves to remember the victims and to remind visitors of the importance of never allowing such a horrific event to happen again.
Head back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Drive to Akagera National Park.
After enjoying your relaxed buffer breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Akagera National Park, which is roughly just 15 minutes flight, and you will enjoy a beautiful countryside aerial view of Rwanda, landing in the hearts of Akagera.
Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in Rwanda, located in the Eastern part of Rwanda bordering Tanzania. The park is a popular destination for safaris and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore the park on game drives and boat trips, and spot zebras, antelope, giraffes, warthogs, the big five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) and various bird species. The park also has a number of walking and mountain biking trails, allowing visitors to explore the park on foot.
On arrival, you will check in and have lunch at the hotel
Later, you will enjoy an evening game drive watching several wild animals and the scenery of the hills in the backdrop with the sun setting and just spectacular.
Dinner at the hotel
Day 3: Full day in Akagera national park
In the morning, you will leave the lodge for a full day safari throughout the park areas enjoying the amazing sightings of the day.
Later, you will drive back to the lodge for lunch as you prepare for your boat ride on Lake Ihema.
Relax on the boat as you enjoy sailing past schools of hippos, elephants quenching their thirst and many other grazers roaming on the shores of the lake. The scenery of the hills and the savannah from the lake are breathtaking!
Later you will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Drive to Volcanoes national park
After your morning breakfast, you will checkout and head to Volcanoes national park.
This long drive is really worth it, as you drive through different villages, towns and trading centers with amazing people. The rolling hills are just amazing to cruise through and at the end of the day, you will make to the gorilla territory.
Check in for dinner and prepare for the gorilla trek the following day.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park.
Finally, here comes the day, to get face to face with the gentle gorillas. After your breakfast, your guide will be right there, to pick you up from your lodge, for briefing at the park headquarters’, and you will later set off, for the search in the jungle, to allocate the gorilla family. A minimal level of fitness is required, such that you will be in full gear to hike at great energy. In a short while of hiking, you will definitely find the gorillas, and you will have an ample moment of interaction, one on one, eye to eye. An hour will be allocated for you, such that you’re able to stay calm in their presence, take as many photos of your choices, and video clips as well. Later you will descend, and return to your lodge for lunch and dinner.
Relax at the hotel.
Day 6: Departure
Check out after your breakfast and drive to Kigali city enjoying the cruise through the beautiful hill.
On arrival in the evening, you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight arrangement and catch a flight back home.