5-Day Rwanda Safari & Gorilla Trekking Experience

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Kigali – City Tour & Cultural Introduction

Accommodation: Kigali
Meals: Dinner
Drive time: Short city transfers

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide. Rwanda is known as one of Africa’s safest and cleanest countries, and Kigali offers a calm, friendly first impression. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll enjoy a guided Kigali city tour, which may include: Kigali Genocide Memorial (a powerful and educational visit offering historical context). Local markets and craft centres, Café or art stop to experience modern Rwandan culture
In the evening, your guide will give you a detailed safari briefing, explaining the upcoming gorilla trek and what to expect over the next few days.

Accommodation Options
Mid-Range: Hotel des Mille Collines / Kigali Serena Hotel.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

Hotel des Mille Collines

• Luxury hotel located in Kigali

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park (Virunga Mountains)

Accommodation: Volcanoes National Park area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive time: 2.5–3 hours

After breakfast, depart Kigali heading north toward Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through Rwanda’s famous “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Along the way, you may stop for:
Photo viewpoints, Small local villages, Optional visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where former poachers now share traditional music, dance, and stories (optional but recommended). Arrive at your lodge near the park in the afternoon. The rest of the day is for relaxation and acclimatisation before the trek. In the evening: Early dinner, Gorilla trekking briefing, prepare gear (boots, rain jacket, gloves).

Accommodation Options
Mid-Range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Volcanoes National Park area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This is the highlight of the journey. Early breakfast (around 6:00 am). Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters
Registration and group allocation (max 8 people per gorilla family). Meet rangers and trackers. The gorilla trek can last between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. The hike can be muddy and steep at times, but it is manageable with a reasonable fitness level. Once you find the gorillas, you spend 1 magical hour observing them. Watch mothers with babies, playful juveniles, and powerful silverbacks. Photography allowed (no flash). After the trek: Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Optional afternoon activities: Dian Fossey Tomb hike, Nature walk, Village visit, Evening at leisure, reflecting on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Accommodation
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu

Accommodation: Lake Kivu (Gisenyi or Kibuye)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive time: 3–4 hours

After breakfast, depart for Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. The drive west is scenic and relaxed. Upon arrival, the atmosphere changes from adventure to pure relaxation. Afternoon activities may include: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu, Swimming or kayaking, Walking along the lakeshore, Watching the sunset over the water at Nango Mountain. This day offers a perfect contrast to the intensity of gorilla trekking.

Accommodation Options
Mid-Range: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Cormoran Lodge.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Cormoran Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Lake Kivu

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer Fron Lake Kivu to Kigali City - Departure

Meals: Breakfast
Drive time: 3–4 hours

The final morning is unhurried. As you travel back to Kigali, there is time to reflect, ask final questions, and enjoy the last views of the countryside before departure. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast overlooking the lake before departing back to Kigali.
Depending on your travel time: Short stop for souvenirs, Coffee break in Kigali. Direct transfer to the airport.
Your guide will assist you until check-in, marking the end of your Rwanda safari.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.