7-Day Akagera, Volcanoes NP, and Lake Kivu Budget Safari

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

Transfer to Akagera National Park

Our driver guide at the point of entry into the country at Kigali International Airport will pick you up and brief you on the safari tour. Travel about 2 hours west of the country to Akagera National Park, the only savannah park in the country, for various wildlife safaris. Enjoy a delicious lunch at your checked lodge inside the park, and in the afternoon, relax.
Immerse yourself in the cool breezes of the savannah and the beautiful views of the landscape as you relax after a hefty, delicious lunch. View the birds as they sing the sun goodnight as it sets, giving way for the night, just as you have dinner to rest afterwards.

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

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ElephantOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

HyenaRare

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Akagera Rhino Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Game drive and boat cruise

The brightly shining sun rays on the savannah surface of the park unveil the exciting activities of the day that you are yet to enjoy after your breakfast at the lodge. Your driver guide will drive from the lodge into the savannah wilderness to begin your game drive.
Expect to encounter all the Big Five animals, in luck as they enjoy their territories, staying clear of the rivals. From hunting to grazing, the circle of life continues in the park as you enjoy the action from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Other animals like hyenas, zebras, warthogs, antelopes, and waterbucks, among others, can also be encountered.
Return to the lodge for lunch and proceed to Lake Ihema for a boat cruise in the afternoon. Sail the calm waters of Lake Ihema infested with hippos and Nile crocodiles. Once in a while, on a hot day, other animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and waterbucks, among others, can be spotted as they quench their thirst on the banks of the lake.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Accommodation:

Akagera Rhino Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Akagera NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Journey to Volcanoes National Park in the northern region of the country while enjoying the gentle breeze and calmness of the countryside, overlooked by the tall hills. Arrive at your lodge in the park by noon in time for lunch. Spend the entire afternoon relaxed, enjoying the scenic natural views of the park, wait for your dinner, and later have an overnight stay.

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:

Classic Lodge

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Gorilla trekking and Iby'iwacu Cultural Village

As the birds arise with the sun, so will you, and have breakfast before being driven to Kinigi, the park offices, and the briefing center. This briefing will involve what is expected of you while in the presence of the primates and will also take you through the rules and regulations. Venture into the dense forest of Volcanoes looking for the endangered mountain gorilla primates. As you navigate through the forest, you will encounter the mountain gorillas. Your hour in their presence will start counting down, and take pictures and watch the primates as they go by unbothered by your presence.
After your hour with these primates, our driver guide from the park offices will pick you return you to the lodge for lunch. Head to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in the afternoon for a cultural tour to experience. The cultural village offers an insight into the traditions of the people with a touch of entertainment by traditional singers and dancers. Return to the lodge later for dinner and rest.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Classic Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer to Lake Kivu

In the morning, have breakfast at your lodge in Volcanoes National Park, and after check out. Travel southwest of the park to Lake Kivu, the only savannah park in the country, for various wildlife safaris.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at your checked-in hotel, and in the afternoon, relax. Immerse yourself in the cool breezes of the lake and the beautiful views of the hilly landscape as you relax after a hefty, delicious lunch. View the birds as they sing the sun goodnight as it sets, giving way for the night, just as you have dinner to rest afterwards.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Kivu Lodge

• Budget lodge

Meals & Drinks:

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

Coffee plantation tour and boat cruise

After breakfast early in the morning, head to Kinunu and Kimbiri coffee plantations for an exclusive coffee tour. While on this coffee tour, expect to meet and interact with the local farmers as they take you through the various methods of planting and harvesting. You can take part in the harvesting as you watch how the farmers do it, and go step by step in the process of drying and roasting to a finished product. Have lunch back at your hotel after your coffee tour and drive downstream to the landing site to begin your afternoon boat cruise.
Enjoy the beautiful views of the lake with its dotted islands, with a backdrop of the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Watch the fishermen as they go about their daily activities of fishing on the lake. As evening comes to a standstill, watch the sun setting on the lake, casting beautiful bright rays shadowed by the Virunga Mountains. Return to the hotel for dinner and thereafter have an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Kivu Lodge

• Budget lodge

Meals & Drinks:

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

Departure

At dawn, have an early breakfast, which will be followed by a check out from the hotel and a meet up with our driver guide.
Travel back to Kigali International Airport or your preferred final destination, where all this, 7 days Akagera, Volcanoes National Park, and Lake Kivu safari started. Fast forward, upon reaching Kigali City, you will have your final lunch and proceed to the airport for your departure back home.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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