Experience the best of Rwanda’s primate and wildlife attractions on this exciting 7 Days Gorilla Trekking & Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Verdant Safaris. This carefully designed itinerary combines the unforgettable experience of tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park with a rewarding wildlife safari in Akagera National Park. You will also explore Kigali, enjoy Rwanda’s spectacular scenery, and experience the country’s diverse landscapes and conservation initiatives. From close encounters with gorillas in the misty Virunga Mountains to searching for lions, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife across Akagera’s savannah plains, each day brings a new adventure. With comfortable accommodation, professional guiding and well-organised transfers, this safari provides an excellent introduction to Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife.
Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda and Kigali City Tour
Your adventure begins when you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you will begin exploring Kigali, a clean, green and vibrant city surrounded by rolling hills. Depending on your arrival time, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important historical site where you can learn about Rwanda’s difficult past and its journey towards reconciliation. You may then explore parts of the city centre, visit local craft shops and experience the atmosphere of modern Kigali. After lunch, you will have time to relax at your hotel or continue exploring some of the city’s notable neighbourhoods and viewpoints. Your guide will also brief you about the safari and gorilla trekking activities planned for the coming days.
Accommodation options: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre Kigali, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and drive eastwards towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination. The journey takes you through beautiful countryside, where you will see cultivated hills, villages and local communities along the way. After arriving at the park and enjoying lunch, you will begin your first game drive across the park’s scenic savannah plains, wetlands and woodland areas. Keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and a wide variety of bird species as you explore the park with your experienced guide. Akagera is also home to lions and other predators, giving you an opportunity to experience Rwanda’s growing wildlife population. As the afternoon progresses, you will enjoy the changing scenery and golden light before returning to your lodge for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Accommodation options: Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera Bush Lodge, Magashi Camp.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Akagera Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You will rise early for breakfast before heading into Akagera National Park for a morning game drive, when wildlife is often active and the temperatures are cooler. Your guide will take you through different sections of the park in search of wildlife, with opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos and numerous antelope species. You will also have excellent opportunities to observe Akagera’s rich birdlife, particularly around its lakes and wetland habitats. After the game drive, you will return for lunch before beginning the scenic journey towards northern Rwanda. The drive to the Volcanoes region takes you through the country’s beautiful rolling hills and changing landscapes, providing plenty of opportunities to appreciate Rwanda’s countryside. Upon arrival in the Musanze area, you will check into your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day’s highlight, your mountain gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your Rwanda gorilla safari, as you venture into Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park authorities before setting off into the forest with experienced trackers and guides. The duration and difficulty of your trek will depend on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned to visit and the terrain of the forest. As you hike through bamboo forests, montane vegetation and volcanic slopes, you will enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Virunga ecosystem. Once you locate the gorilla family, you will spend a strictly regulated period observing their behaviour and social interactions from a safe distance. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch and a well-earned rest, with the evening free to relax and reflect on this remarkable wildlife encounter.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking and Musanze Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will return to the Volcanoes region for another exciting primate experience, golden monkey tracking. These distinctive primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are known for their striking golden-orange coats and energetic behaviour. Accompanied by experienced guides, you will follow forest trails in search of a habituated troop, learning about the species and the conservation efforts protecting its habitat. The activity is generally shorter than gorilla trekking, giving you time to appreciate the forest environment and the spectacular volcanic scenery. After returning from the forest, you will enjoy lunch and have an opportunity to participate in a cultural experience around Musanze, depending on your interests and timing. You can learn about traditional Rwandan life, local crafts, music, dance and the relationship between communities and the surrounding conservation areas.
Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali
Following breakfast, you will begin your journey from the Volcanoes region back to Kigali. Before departing, you may enjoy a relaxed morning around your lodge and take in the impressive views of the Virunga volcanoes, weather permitting. The drive takes you through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, characterised by rolling hills, cultivated farmland and charming rural communities. Along the way, your guide can make suitable stops for photography and to give you a closer look at everyday life in Rwanda. Upon reaching Kigali, you will enjoy lunch before having time to explore the city further or purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs. You will then check into your Kigali hotel and enjoy your final evening at leisure, giving you time to rest after several exciting days of wildlife and primate experiences.
Accommodation options: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre Kigali, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Departure
Today marks the conclusion of your 7 Days Gorilla Trekking & Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Verdant Safaris. After breakfast, you will have some free time depending on your flight schedule, allowing you to relax at your hotel or enjoy a final short activity in Kigali. If time permits, you can visit a local craft market to purchase handmade souvenirs, artwork and gifts to remember your Rwanda adventure. Your Verdant Safaris representative will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport in good time for your departure flight. As you leave Rwanda, you will have experienced some of the country’s most remarkable attractions, from the savannah landscapes and wildlife of Akagera to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys of Volcanoes National Park. Your safari ends at the airport, with wonderful memories of Rwanda’s wildlife, landscapes, culture and conservation heritage.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Included
- Airport arrival and departure transfers.
- Private transportation throughout the safari in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park.
- Golden monkey tracking permit.
- Akagera National Park entry fees.
- Game drives in Akagera National Park.
- Kigali city tour and selected sightseeing activities.
- Cultural experience in the Musanze area.
- Bottled drinking water during safari transfers.
- Government taxes and applicable service charges.
Excluded
- International and domestic flights.
- Rwanda visa fees and related entry requirements.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and additional hotel services.
- Alcoholic and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Personal shopping and souvenirs.
- Activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Medical and emergency evacuation expenses.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Any expenses resulting from changes to the itinerary caused by circumstances beyond the control of Verdant Safaris.