A wildlife and gorilla safari in Rwanda is a worth experience as you trek the only remaining refugees of mountain gorillas in the world that are found in the Virunga ranges. Also have a chance to take a game drive in Akagera national park where you will trek a variety of animals, plants and bird species that gives a breath-taking moment.
Among others are hippos, giraffes, crocodiles and leopards. You will also have a chance to visit either the Dian Fossey graveyard or the Ibyiwachu village and also the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Akagera national park
You are welcome to the land of a thousand hills – Rwanda. You will be picked up from the airport by the tour driver guides, who quickly give you a short briefing about the tour and the country at large.
You immediately transfer to Akagera national park where you will stay for your overnight on this first day. Akagera national park a savannah conservation area situated in eastern park of Rwanda bordering Tanzania is blessed with various wildlife and among others include hyenas, zebras, topis, impalas, oribis, leopards and bird species like papyrus gonolek, grey crowned crane, squacco heron and African open bill stock.
It is also a habitat for over 10 lakes and the most popular is Ihema which has the largest concentration of hippo in east Africa.
And this has favoured activities like a boat cruise, fishing among others. The journey to this park is rewarding and you will check in the accommodation facility for your overnight.
Day2: game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Enjoy an early game drive in this park with the help of the park ranger guide who will elaborate all that you will spot. You will be entitled to see several animals such as gazelles, zebras, topis, leopards, elephants, Masai giraffes, baboons, impalas, lions among others and this will be great photographic moments. You will head back to the safari lodge for your mid breakfast and then relax.
After lunch, prepare for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema where you will be able to spot a number of hippo, crocodiles and also birds like ibis, the herons, Jacanas and sandpipers and many more. Return to the lodge and enjoy stories at fireplace after your dinner and discuss more with other visitors plus the guides.
Day 3: Game drive and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Another game drive early this day to be able to spot the missed animals and other attractions in this park and it will be followed by the mid breakfast. Transfer to volcanoes national park after, which is located in the north-eastern part of the country consisting of the tropical rain forest and also found in the Virunga conservancy.
It is well famous for homing the remaining number of mountain gorillas that are highly attracted by tourists. Other attractions in this park include bush pigs, black and white colobus monkey, spotted hyenas, baboons and home of over 300 bird species like a blue-spotted wood dove, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, and barren long-tailed cuckoo among others. On the arrival, you will check in the lodge and prepare for your dinner after a hot shower.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and visit the Dian Fossey graveyard or Ibyiwachu cultural village
Head to the park headquarters after a spiced breakfast where you will be assigned with a park ranger guide and also taken through a quick briefing before trekking. You will penetrate the forest and then search for this remaining endangered species, among other attractions you will meet in the forest are the olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, bush pigs and birds like the barren long-tailed cuckoo, bee-eaters among others.
You will also have an hour in the sights of the mountain gorillas after locating them and spot them as they feed, play or even groom their young ones. Remember trekking can take over 2 hours and this depends on the movement of these great apes. Trek out of the forest and then head back to the lodge for your lunch.
In the afternoon hours after your lunch, you have two options of either visiting the Ibyiwachu cultural village to learn about the Rwandese culture or hike to Dian Fossey graveyard where you will be taught about the scientific researcher who saved several mountain gorillas. In the evening, you will disembark to the lodge for your dinner.
Day 5: Depart Volcanoes NP and visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera enroute
On this last day, you will embark to Kigali city, the capital of Rwanda and you will pass via the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and if time allows you will take a canoe ride on these lakes and discover their beauty.
Later on, proceed to Kigali and have a city tour and then you will be dropped off at the airport in Kigali to board your scheduled flight. This will be the end of the 5 days wildlife and gorilla safari in Rwanda.
