7-Day Rwanda Wildlife Safari And Mountain Gorillas Tour

Upon arrival in Kigali, meet your professional driver-guide for a safari briefing and an introduction to the journey. Begin the drive east toward Akagera National Park, passing through Rwanda's countryside and rural communities.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a brief stop along the way before continuing to the park area. On arrival, check in at your selected safari lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch if your schedule permits.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing or enjoying the surroundings of your accommodation. If you arrive early enough and park access allows, an introductory game drive may be arranged, subject to timing and availability. Your guide will brief you on the wildlife expected in Akagera and the following day's activities. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay near or within the park, according to your selected accommodation.

Meals: Lunch and dinner, depending on arrival time.
Transport: Kigali to Akagera National Park by road, approximately 100–120 km and around 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on the lodge, route, traffic and stops.

Start early with breakfast before setting out on a game drive through Akagera National Park. Explore a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, woodland and areas around the lakes, in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and antelopes. With your experienced guide, learn how the park's different habitats support its wildlife and conservation efforts. The early morning can offer favorable viewing conditions, although sightings depend on animal movements and weather.

Continue exploring the park with a packed lunch or return to your lodge for a midday break, depending on the route and your preferred safari style. In the afternoon, search for predators such as lions and leopards, as well as other wildlife and bird species. An optional boat excursion on Lake Ihema may be arranged if available and compatible with your game-drive plan. Return to camp for dinner and a restful evening.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Guided game drives in a pop-up 4x4 vehicle. Driving distances and duration vary according to wildlife sightings, the selected route and park conditions. Any boat excursion is a separate activity.

Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a final morning game drive in Akagera, allowing time to explore another section of the park or revisit an area where wildlife was recently spotted. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other animals while enjoying the changing morning light across the savannah. After the drive, leave the park and begin the journey toward northern Rwanda, with a lunch or comfort stop arranged along the way.

Continue through Rwanda's green countryside toward the Musanze area near Volcanoes National Park. The journey is substantial, so the schedule should allow sufficient time for the drive and arrival at your lodge. On arrival, check in, enjoy dinner and prepare for the upcoming mountain gorilla trekking experience. Your guide will review the trekking arrangements and help you prepare the appropriate clothing and equipment.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Morning game drive followed by a road transfer from Akagera to the Volcanoes National Park area. Allow approximately 5–7 hours or longer, depending on the starting point, route, traffic and stops.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in the Musanze area, surrounded by the dramatic volcanic scenery of northern Rwanda. Depending on your interests, you may take a scenic drive, visit a local community experience or enjoy time at your lodge. Optional activities should be selected according to availability, your preferred pace and the trekking arrangements already confirmed. This day provides a valuable opportunity to recover after the transfer from Akagera.

Later, review the following day's gorilla trekking arrangements with your driver-guide. Confirm your permit, meeting time, clothing and any porter assistance you may wish to arrange. Your lodge can help prepare an early breakfast or packed refreshments if needed. Enjoy dinner and an early night so that you are ready for the forest trek the following morning.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Local transfers and optional excursions by pop-up 4x4 vehicle. Any optional community or nature activity should be confirmed in advance and may incur additional fees.

Begin early with breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Park staff will assign your group and explain the rules for approaching and observing the gorillas. Accompanied by specialist guides and trackers, enter the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may involve steep slopes, muddy trails and uneven terrain, with duration depending on where the gorillas are located.

Once the gorillas are found, enjoy the permitted observation period, generally up to one hour, while watching their interactions, feeding behavior and family dynamics. Follow all instructions from the park guides and maintain the required distance. After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer to your lodge for lunch or refreshments, depending on the timing. Spend the afternoon resting or appreciating the surrounding mountain scenery before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Lodge-to-park transfers by pop-up 4x4 vehicle, followed by a guided trek on foot. Trek duration and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy breakfast before choosing how to spend your final full day in the Volcanoes National Park region. An optional golden monkey trek can introduce you to these lively primates in the bamboo forest, subject to permit availability and advance booking. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic drive, a guided community experience or a relaxing day at your lodge after the previous day's gorilla trek. The choice allows you to tailor the experience to your interests and energy levels.

If you choose an additional activity, your driver-guide will coordinate the transfers and timing with the relevant park or local operators. If you prefer a quieter day, enjoy the mountain views and reflect on the wildlife encounters from the journey. Return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Volcanoes region.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Local transfers by pop-up 4x4 vehicle. Golden monkey trekking, community activities and other excursions are optional and should be confirmed separately.

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before checking out and beginning the drive back to Kigali. Travel through Rwanda's picturesque countryside, passing terraced hills, rural settlements and scenic viewpoints along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, you may arrange a comfort stop or a short visit to a suitable viewpoint before continuing toward the capital. Your driver-guide will coordinate the transfer to allow sufficient time for your onward journey.

On arrival in Kigali, transfer to Kigali International Airport, your hotel or another agreed drop-off point. Lunch can be arranged depending on your departure time and package inclusions. Your seven-day safari concludes with memories of Akagera's wildlife, the remarkable mountain gorilla encounter and Rwanda's beautiful volcanic landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast; lunch depends on departure time and package arrangements.
Transport: Road transfer from the Musanze area to Kigali, approximately 105–115 km and around 2–3 hours, depending on traffic, route and stops. Allow additional time for airport check-in.