The 5-day safari will take you East of Rwanda’s capital- Kigali to Akagera national park along the border with Tanzania. The park is home to many large plains game species and species restricted to the papyrus swamps such as the Sitatunga and much sought after Shoebill. Notable plains gem include elephants, buffaloes, Zebras, roan antelope, eland among others. It will then connect you to the 160 km2 Volcanoes national park in the north for gorilla tracking and will end with a city tour in Kigali.
Safari Summary
Day 1 Pick up from the airport and drive to Akagera national park
Day 2 Morning game drive in Akagera and afternoon boat cruise on L. Ihema
Day 3 Transfer to Volcanoes national park and afternoon nature walk
Day 4 Gorilla Tracking
Day 5 Drive to Kigali, do a half-day city tour and then depart.
Day 1 Pickup from the airport and drive to Akagera national park
Our driver-guide will meet you at the airport upon arrival and will drive you to Akagera national park about 3 hours East of Kigali. The park is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes and the largest being Lake Ihema. Check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan (D)
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Camp (High end)
Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range)
Dereva Hotel (Budget)
Day 2 Morning game drive in Akagera and afternoon boat cruise on L. Ihema
Wake Up early, have breakfast, and embark on the morning game drive for the early risers like the leopard, hyena, striped Jackal. Join your guide and ranger for a half-day game drive, it will offer you an opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife like topi, zebras, bushbucks among others. You will return to the lodge for lunch after the drive.
In the afternoon, do a boat cruise on L. Ihema which is the largest of all the lakes in the park. The cruise will bring you to close the aquatic like in the park-like hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife (525 species recorded in the park) like African fish Eagle, African Jacana, Kingfishers among others.
Meal plan (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Camp (High end)
Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range)
Dereva Hotel (Budget)
Day 3 Transfer to Volcanoes national park and afternoon nature walk
After an early breakfast, connect to Volcanoes national park (216km) from Akagera national park. Volcanoes national park is known as a haven for mountain Gorillas and is home to five of the Volcanoes that make the Virunga ranges. The park was base for Zoologist Diane Forsey. On arrival check-in at your lodge for refreshment and lunch.
After lunch do a walk through nearby forests to nearby crater lakes for scenic viewing, bird watching, and photography of the volcanoes.
Meal plan (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge(High end)
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Kinigi Guest House (Budget)
Day 4 Gorilla Tracking
Rise early and have breakfast at the lodge, then transfer to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by a park ranger on how to carry out gorilla tracking. Hiking on the slippery and muddy Volcanoes slopes with nettles is quite challenging. But the encounter with mountain gorillas erases all the challenges of the hikes. You will be allowed to stay with these gentle giants for an hour for observation and photography. (No flashlights allowed during photography)
In the evening visit the panoramic twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Return to your lodge for dinner and folk tales at the fireplace.
Meal plan (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge(High end)
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Kinigi Guest House (Budget)
Day 5 Drive to Kigali, do a half-day city tour and then depart.
Have an early morning breakfast at the lodge, thereafter drive for about 2hrs 30mins to Kigali. Here you will do a city tour in Kigali. Do a visit to Mt. Kigali where you will have the views of the city and the countryside, visit the neighborhood market and it will end with a visit to the Genocide memorial center.
After lunch, the driver guide will drop you at the airport for your departure. This will mark the end of your 5 days safari.
Meal Plan (B, L)
Inclusions
- Ground transport per private 4WD safari vehicle
- English speaking driver/guide
- Airport transfer
- Equator stopover
- Gorilla permit
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
- Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
- Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
- VAT for hotels and lodges outside Kampala
Exclusions
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, laundry etc
- Personal insurance
- Souvenirs
- Tip/gratitude
- Visas and international air tickets
- Any other items which are not included in the itinerary
A deposit of 40% is required when booking this safari.
The remaining balance will be charged 40 days prior to departure.
For any bookings within 40 days of departure, the full trip amount will be charged upon booking.
Why Book with us?
- Our Safaris Depart any day
- Unbeatable prices
- Authentic African experience
- Customizable safari packages
- Accommodation and meals inclusive
- Professional guides
Best time to go
The best wildlife viewing months in Uganda are during the Dry seasons from June to August and December to February. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Rwanda.
The habitat of rain forests is, by default, very wet, and one can’t avoid rain completely.
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