6 Days Rwanda Big 5 and Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport

Arrive at Kigali International airport, meet and greet assistance. You will be warmly welcomed by Luxland Africa Vacations representative outside customs and Immigration hall then you will be transferred to your city hotel. Tour briefing will be done at the hotel lobby over a welcome drink.

Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) or Hotel Des Collins (High end)

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park.

Early morning breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park. It is known for its vast landscape characterized by rolling highlands, wide plains, and swamp-fringed lakes containing incredible biodiversity and rare species. It is the only largest central Africa wetland and savannah national park in Rwanda protecting the BIG 5 including the elephants, buffalos, Rhinos, leopards, and lions, also hyenas, giraffe, zebras, antelopes like bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, water-buck, roan antelope and duiker, klipspringer, impala and world largest antelope – the Cape eland. The afternoon will be spent on the game drive to see the various wild animals which inhabit the Akagera National Park.

Overnight at Magashi Camp / (Luxury) or Akagera Game Lodge (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Game drive and Boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Early morning game drives on the savannah plains of Akagera exploring and discovering the BIG 5. The park preserves over 12,000 mammals including Lions, Leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos and antelopes with over 482 bird species. The afternoon will be spent on the Boat cruise on Lake Ihema known to be the largest lake in Rwanda and it shares its borders with Tanzania. It lies within the marshland of the Kagera River in which it empties via a very short channel with an area of 100 km². It is home to hippopotamuses and crocodiles. It has over 550 species of birds, including remarkable species such as the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) and the papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri). Among the endemic species, there are ibises, jacanas, herons, plovers, sandpipers, malachite kingfishers, hawks and many others. Return to the lodge in the evening for resting and dinner.

Overnight at Magashi Camp / (Luxury) or Akagera Game Lodge (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali and visit the remarkable genocide Museum which commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The remains of over 250,000 people are interred here. It also includes the visitor center for students and others wishing to understand the events leading up to the genocide that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. Later in the afternoon proceed to Volcanoes National Park known to protect the rare Mountain Gorillas and it is characterized by the steep slopes of the different mountain ranges, rich Mosaic  of Montanne ecosystem, open grassland, heath and bamboo forest which have supported the existence of the rare Mountain Gorillas.

Overnight at One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bisate Lodge/ Virunga Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

This is the highlight of your trip in Rwanda, early morning breakfast then proceed to the park headquarters for the gorilla trek briefing, there are 10 Gorilla families in Volcanoes,and sothe ranger guides will group you into 8 people to track a specific gorilla family. The Gorilla trek has been approved to be the most exciting experience in the world, so this is where your story begins and upon encountering this Mountain Gorillas, you are entitled to a full hour in the presence of these Gorillas. Experience their way of living, interaction, coupling, feeding as the young ones swing on the tree branches. Later, you will be picked by your guide back to the lodge for leisure and relaxation for the whole evening.

Overnight at One & Only Gorilla Nest/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Drive Back to Kigali International Airport

Have your relaxed breakfast, check out then drive back to Kigali International airport. Visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund opened in 2022 and is located near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, home to the mountain gorillas. It represents the culmination of the 20-year dream to build a world-class research and education center to continue Dian Fossey’s legacy and advance the work of saving gorillas from extinction. The Campus is open to the public every day. Visitors can explore state-of-the-art exhibits that tell the story of 55+ years of gorilla conservation, visit the gift shop featuring locally made crafts, grab a coffee or meal at the Gorilla Café, enjoy lush nature trails and meet with Fossey Fund staffs who have dedicated their careers to saving gorillas. Proceed to Kigali then airport for your flight to the next destination.

Meal Plan: Breakfast only

• Transportation by a 4wd safari vehicle.
• Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
• Gorilla permit to be paid and secured in advance ($1500 per person is included).
• Park entrance fees.
• Visit Ellen DE generous institute.
• Meet and greet service.
• Game drive.
• Boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
• Genocide Memorial.

However, the Safari excludes:

Airfares, Visas or Insurance, Tips to local guides, Porterage or Laundry, Soft or alcoholic, drinks or mineral water (excl. water in the vehicles), Items of a personal nature, any meals not indicated above, any tours not mentioned from the itinerary above.