5 Days Rwanda Wildlife And Gorilla Safaris
Volcanoes National Park is best known as the home of the rare endangered mountain gorillas; the park is located in the north western region of Rwanda in the province of Kinigi and Ruhengeri. Volcanoes national park occupies an area of about 165 square kilometers of the rainforest.
Volcanoes national park is comprised of five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountain, namely Gahinga, Karismibi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Muhabura. The park habituated ten gorilla families/groups, all ready for trekking. Volcanoes national park is well known for gorilla trekking but there some more activities that take place from the park like golden monkey tracking, village walks and research.
Akagera National Park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda, hugging in the border with Tanzania. The park was established in 1934 and its covers an area of 2500 square kilometers. Akagera national park is characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah vegetation. The park is home to variety of mammal species and hundreds bird species, some of the mammals include king of the jungle the lions, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, impala, baboons and bush babies to list the few. Safari to Akagera national park comes with visit to Lake Ihema where you will meet plenty of wildlife by lake shores, expect to see a school of hippos and crocodiles.
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park
Chosen Expeditions and tours experienced guide/driver will meet you from the hotel in Kigali town or from Kigali international airport for transfer to Akagera national park. The journey from Kigali to Akagera national park takes 2-3 hours’ drive. The journey will start with Kigali city tour where you will visit famous places around Kigali town like historical sites, Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, local markets, Kigali Convention center and Presidential palace and Museum. Have lunch from any local restaurant and after lunch, you will proceed with the journey to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival at the park, you will have an en-route game drive in search of wildlife like the African Elephants, giraffes, Antelopes, Zebras, Buffaloes, gazelles, Impala, Baboons, Oribi, Burchell’s zebra, Topi, Bush baby, Leopard, Bushbuck and so many others. After the game drive, head to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- Ruzizi tented lodge [Luxury]
- Akagera Game lodge [mid-range]
Day 2: Game drive and boat ride
Wake up early, head for morning game drive in search of the early hunters before they go back to their hides out. You will encounter different wildlife like Elephants, Lions, buffaloes, giraffes and plenty of bird species. After the game drive, return to the lodge for late breakfast and early lunch. Relax bit and in the afternoon you will set off for boat cruise where you will meet more wildlife drinking water at the shore of the lake and you will view different bird species. Return to the lodge with an en-route game drive, dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Have morning breakfast and then check-out of the lodge for transfer to Volcanoes national park a home to the remaining endangered mountain gorillas. The journey from Akagera national park to Volcanoes national park takes 4-5 hours’ drive. You will view beautiful rolling hills as you proceed to Volcanoes, local homestead and local people doing their daily activities along the road. On arrival to Volcanoes national park, you will check-in at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
- Mountain gorilla view lodge [luxury]
- Le Bambou Gorilla lodge [mid-range]
- Kinigi Guest House [Budget]
Day 4: Gorilla tracking and community visit
After morning breakfast at your lodge, carry your packed lunch and enough drinking water and head to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking from park wardens. The warden will then lead the group into the jungle in search of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour to spend with the mountain gorillas and then head back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded certificates of participation in gorilla trekking. Meet your guide/driver who will transfer you back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
Have morning breakfast and check-out from the lodge for departure to Kigali. You will have lunch from
Kigali and after lunch the guide/driver will drop you at the Hotel in Kigali or he will drop you off at Kigali international airport for your flight back home.
End of the safari.
Safari is inclusive of
- gorilla permit
- park entrance fees
- boat cruise fees
- transport
- accommodation
- meals full board
- mineral water
- English-speaking guide/driver.
Safari excludes; Laundry, tips