5-Day Rwanda Wildlife and Uganda Gorillas Experience

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

Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Akagera NP

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are welcomed by our professional safari driver–guide. After a briefing, the journey begins eastward through Rwanda’s rolling hills, bustling roadside markets, and banana plantations, heading toward Akagera National Park (approx. 2.5–3 hrs).
Upon entering the park, you immediately sense the change in landscape — from Rwanda’s lush highlands to open savannah dotted with acacias and scattered lakes.
Check in at Ruzizi Tented Lodge, an intimate eco-camp tucked away on the shores of Lake Ihema. The lodge offers beautifully designed canvas tents, each with private en-suite facilities and a deck overlooking the lake. A freshly prepared dinner awaits, often accompanied by the sounds of hippos grunting in the background.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park (Rwanda)

Best Time To Visit June to September and mid-December to mid-February (It is drier and wildlife is easier to spot)

High Season June to September (The park is busiest at weekends)

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

Wildlife in Akagera NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

HippoAbundant

White RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

Show more

ElephantOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

HyenaRare

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Luxury tented camp located inside Akagera NP (Rwanda)

+15 Photos

+14 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Game Drive in Akagera NP

After breakfast, set off on a morning game drive across Akagera’s diverse landscapes. The open plains and wooded savannah are home to elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, lions, hyenas, and a variety of antelopes such as impala, topi, and oribi. Your guide will skill fully navigate game tracks, stopping for photography as you take in the richness of the park.
After several hours of exploration, return to the lodge for an early lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a safari boat on Lake Ihema. From the gentle waters, you will spot pods of hippos wallowing, crocodiles basking along the shoreline, and elephants cooling off by the reeds. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and colourful bee-eaters. The tranquil pace allows you to soak in the sunset light and enjoy Akagera’s diversity from a new perspective.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park (Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Luxury tented camp located inside Akagera NP (Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer to Bwindi NP

After an early breakfast, set off on a scenic drive southwest toward the Cyanika or Katuna border to cross into Uganda. The journey showcases Rwanda’s famous terraced hillsides before blending into Uganda’s patchwork of tea plantations, valleys, and forested ridges.
Continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the southern Rushaga sector. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its mist-covered mountains and rich biodiversity.
Check in at your lodge —Rushaga Gorilla Camp — offering stunning views of the forest canopy and comfortable rooms blending rustic charm with modern amenities. Lunch is served overlooking the hills.
The afternoon is spent at leisure, allowing you to unwind after the journey. You might opt for a guided nature walk around the lodge..

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

+41 Photos

+40 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gorilla Trekking

Rise early and enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to the Rushaga park headquarters. Here, Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers provide a detailed briefing on trekking guidelines and gorilla behaviour.
With your walking stick, join your trekking group and venture into Bwindi’s thick rain forest, aptly named “impenetrable” for its dense vegetation and rugged terrain. The trek can range from 2 to 6 hours depending on gorilla movement, but the effort melts away the moment you encounter the gorilla family.
You will spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they forage, groom, and play. The close interaction is unforgettable — a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.
After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, take part in a Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa, the original forest dwellers, share stories of their traditions, showcase dances, and demonstrate survival skills like fire-making and hunting with bows.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kigali (approx. 4–5 hrs, including border crossing). The scenic drive offers final glimpses of terraced hills, local villages, and the dramatic Virunga ranges on the horizon.
Upon arrival in Kigali, enjoy a city tour (timing depends on departure flights). Possible highlights include:
• Kigali Genocide Memorial: a moving museum and garden dedicated to remembrance and reconciliation.
• Kimironko Market: a bustling market with crafts, fabrics, and fresh produce.
• Inema Arts Center: a hub of contemporary Rwandan creativity.
A farewell lunch is arranged in Kigali before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your Departure.

Main Destination:

Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)

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.