6-Day Rwanda Big 5 Safari & Gorilla Trekking Expedition

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

Arrival in Kigali & Warm Welcome to Rwanda

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional safari team and transferred to the elegant Mövenpick Kigali for the beginning of your 6-Day Rwanda Big Five & Gorilla Trekking Expedition. Surrounded by serene gardens and refined ambiance, the hotel offers the perfect setting to relax and recover after your international journey while experiencing Rwanda’s renowned hospitality.

After a smooth check-in, unwind and settle into your accommodation before enjoying a refined dining experience featuring a blend of local and international cuisine. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing and preparing for the exceptional safari and primate experiences that lie ahead.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Mövenpick Kigali

• Luxury hotel

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Transfer to Akagera National Park – Game Drive & Boat Cruise Safari

Start your day with a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before checking out and departing for Akagera National Park by 9:00 AM. The transfer takes approximately 2.5 hours, taking your through Rwanda’s stunning countryside and rolling landscapes. Upon arrival at the park reception, your driver guide will assist with registration, after which you’ll begin winding through Akagera’s ecosystem en route to your lodge. Check in at the Ruzizi Tented Lodge and enjoy lunch as you settle into your surroundings.

In the afternoon, set out on a short game drive before boarding a boat cruise safari on Lake Ihema, offering close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and a rich variety of waterbirds, a serene contrast to the game drives on land. Afterward, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, resting up for a full day of game drives ahead.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

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

Activities:

• Afternoon boat trip

Accommodation:

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• Luxury tented camp located inside Akagera NP

+15 Photos

+14 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Full-Day Game Drive & Night Safari at Karenge Bush Camp

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before checking out and picking up your packed lunch. Bid farewell to the attentive lodge team and set off on a full-day game drive, tracking from the southern to the northern part of Akagera in search of the Big Five and other remarkable species, including rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, and various antelope that call this park home. Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the park as the day’s adventure continues, before checking in at Karenge Bush Camp, your base for the night’s excitement.

Later in the afternoon, embark on a night game drive from 5:30 PM to 8:30 AM aboard a park safari vehicle, accompanied by a park guide, for a rare opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife in action. After this incredible experience, return to Karenge Bush Camp for dinner and an overnight stay beneath the African sky.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Activities:

• Game drive (pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Karenge Bush Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Akagera NP

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Transfer from Akagera to Musanze, Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Karenge Bush Camp before checking out and departing Akagera National Park. Journey northward across Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, taking in rolling hills, terraced farmland, and shifting landscapes as you make your way toward Musanze, gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Along the route, stop for lunch as you continue the scenic transfer, soaking in the changing scenery from savannah to the volcanic highlands ahead.

Upon arrival in Musanze, check in at the charming Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, your base for the gorilla trekking adventure to come. Spend the evening at leisure, enjoying dinner and the hotel’s mountain ambiance as you rest and prepare for tomorrow's unforgettable trek into the Virunga Mountains.

Main Destination:

Ruhengeri (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Ruhengeri (City)

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gorilla Trekking & Conservation Insights at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

After an early, hearty breakfast at your hotel, set out for the highlight of your journey, a once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Accompanied by expert trackers and guides, venture into the lush volcanic rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat is a truly profound and awe-inspiring wildlife encounter, offering an unforgettable connection with one of the world’s most iconic species.

After the trek, return to the hotel for a relaxing lunch and time to unwind in the serene surroundings. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where you will gain deep insight into gorilla conservation efforts and the enduring legacy of Dian Fossey. Conclude your day with a refined dinner at the hotel, followed by a peaceful overnight stay as you reflect on this extraordinary encounter with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.

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

Activities:

• Morning gorilla tracking

Accommodation:

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Farewell Rwanda – Kigali Cultural Experience & Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Hotel before check-out, taking in the final peaceful moments of your 6-Day Rwanda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Expedition. Depart for Kigali, enjoying a scenic drive through Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes while reflecting on your unforgettable journey in the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Upon arrival, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site for a meaningful and insightful experience that offers a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history, resilience, and journey of healing. Enjoy a refined gourmet lunch at Kigali Serena Hotel, before your final transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, making the end of a truly exceptional safari experience.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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