This 6 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari takes you into Rwanda, nicknamed the “land of a thousand hills.” Over six days, you will track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, then move to Akagera National Park for a boat excursion on Lake Ihema and classic wildlife drives.
Highlights for 6 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari
- Day 1: Pickup and travel to Ruhengeri
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans
- Day 3: Golden monkey trek
- Day 4: Head to Akagera National Park, afternoon boat ride
- Day 5: Full-day wildlife drive in the Northern circuit
- Day 6: Morning game drive and then back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 6 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Ruhengeri
A guide meets you at your Kigali-based hotel and takes you on a short city tour, including the genocide memorial site and Kimironko market. Have lunch en route, then continue to Ruhengeri town. Arrive at your lodge in time to settle in before dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Parc National des Volcans
Early in the morning, have breakfast. After receiving a briefing from the RDB officials, start your gorilla trek. This is viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Park rangers bring you into the forested hillsides, where you navigate up and down until you locate these remarkable primates. Once found, spend about one hour with them. The entire trek can last anywhere from three to five hours, contingent on the gorillas’ location. Later in the afternoon, visit Ibyi’wacu village to observe the local intangible heritage, such as dancing and singing performed by the intore group. Then go back for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trek
Wake early, have breakfast, and then make your way to the park center for a briefing before heading into the forest in search of golden monkeys. This can require three to six hours, or sometimes more, depending on where the monkeys might be. Once discovered, you have one hour with them. Return to the lodge for lunch, and spend the afternoon relaxing. Dinner and an overnight stay occur at the same lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Afternoon Boat Cruise
After having breakfast at your lodge, check out and proceed to Akagera National Park, pausing in Kigali for lunch. Continue to Akagera, usually arriving in the afternoon. Once there, take a boat excursion on Lake Ihema and watch for creatures like crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and varied bird species by the shoreline. Afterward, proceed to your lodging for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive – Northern Circuit
Get an early breakfast at your lodge, then go for a full-day wildlife drive around the northern portion of Akagera. Look out for lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and many others. Enjoy lunch and dinner at your lodge.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Transfer Back to Kigali
On the last day, have an early meal, then go on a morning drive to try spotting any animals missed earlier. Afterward, leave the park and travel back to Kigali, stopping for lunch along the way. The driver-guide will drop you off at a Kigali location of your choice, completing the six-day trip.
End of 6 Days Volcanoes and Akagera Safari