Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Warm Welcome to Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional safari team and transferred to the elegant Mövenpick Kigali for the beginning of your 7-Day Rwanda Big Five & Gorilla Trekking Expedition. Surrounded by serene gardens and refined ambiance, the hotel offers the perfect setting to relax and recover after your international journey while experiencing Rwanda’s renowned hospitality.
After a smooth check-in, unwind and settle into your accommodation before enjoying a refined dining experience featuring a blend of local and international cuisine. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing and preparing for the exceptional safari and primate experiences that lie ahead.
Accommodation (Luxury): Mövenpick Hotel Kigali – Standard Room
Meal Plan: Dinner served with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Game Drive & Boat Cruise Safari
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before checking out and departing for Akagera National Park by 9:00 AM. The transfer takes approximately 2.5 hours, taking your through Rwanda’s stunning countryside and rolling landscapes. Upon arrival at the park reception, your driver guide will assist with registration, after which you’ll begin winding through Akagera’s ecosystem en route to your lodge. Check in at the Ruzizi Tented Lodge and enjoy lunch as you settle into your surroundings.
In the afternoon, set out on a short game drive before boarding a boat cruise safari on Lake Ihema, offering close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and a rich variety of waterbirds, a serene contrast to the game drives on land. Afterward, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, resting up for a full day of game drives ahead.
Accommodation (Mid-range): Ruzizi Tented Lodge – Safari Tent
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages.
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive & Night Safari at Karenge Bush Camp
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before checking out and picking up your packed lunch. Bid farewell to the attentive lodge team and set off on a full-day game drive, tracking from the southern to the northern part of Akagera in search of the Big Five and other remarkable species, including rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, and various antelope that call this park home. Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the park as the day’s adventure continues, before checking in at Karenge Bush Camp, your base for the night’s excitement.
Later in the afternoon, embark on a night game drive from 5:30 PM to 8:30 AM abord a park safari vehicle, accompanied by a park guide, for a rare opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife in action. After this incredible experience, return to Karenge Bush Camp for dinner and an overnight stay beneath the African sky.
Accommodation (Mid-range): Karenge Bush Camp – Safari Tent
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages.
Day 4: Transfer from Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Karenge Bush Camp before checking out and departing Akagera National Park. Journey northward across Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, taking in rolling hills, terraced farmland, and shifting landscapes as you make your way toward Musanze, gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Along the route, stop for lunch as you continue the scenic transfer, soaking in the changing scenery from savannah to the volcanic highlands ahead.
Upon arrival in Musanze, check in at the charming Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, your base for the gorilla trekking adventure to come. Spend the evening at leisure, enjoying dinner and the hotel’s mountain ambiance as you rest and prepare for tomorrow’s unforgettable trek into the Virunga Mountains.
Accommodation (Mid-range): Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room
Meal Plan: Each guest receives one bottle of house wine upon check-in. All meals are served on a full-board basis, with a selection of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking and Conservation Insights at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
After an early, hearty breakfast at your hotel, set out for the highlight of your journey, a once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. Accompanied by expert trackers and guides, venture into the lush volcanic rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat is a truly profound and awe-inspiring wildlife encounter, offering an unforgettable connection with one of the world’s most iconic species.
After the trek, return to the hotel for a relaxing lunch and time to unwind in the serene surroundings. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where you will gain deep insight into gorilla conservation efforts and the enduring legacy of Dian Fossey. Conclude your day with a refined dinner at the hotel, followed by a peaceful overnight stay as you reflect on this extraordinary encounter with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Accommodation (Mid-range): Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served with a selection of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cultural Immersion Experience
Begin your day with a refined breakfast at your hotel, preparing for another remarkable chapter of your 7-Day Rwanda Big Five & Gorilla Trekking. Set out for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, where you will observe these playful and energetic primates in their natural habitat, an unforgettable wildlife encounter in Rwanda’s pristine wilderness.
After your trek, return to your hotel for a relaxing lunch and time to unwind in serene surroundings. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage with a visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village, where traditional music, dance, storytelling, and crafts offer an authentic insight into local community life. Conclude your day with a refined dinner at the hotel, reflecting on a perfect blend of wildlife and culture before a peaceful overnight stay.
Accommodation (Mid-range): Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served with a selection of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.
Day 7: Farewell Rwanda – Kigali Cultural Experience & Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Hotel before check-out, taking in the final peaceful moments of your 7-Day Rwanda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Expedition. Depart for Kigali, enjoying a scenic drive through Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes while reflecting on your unforgettable journey in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Upon arrival, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site for a meaningful and insightful experience that offers a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history, resilience, and journey of healing. Enjoy a refined gourmet lunch at Kigali Serena Hotel, before your final transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, making the end of a truly exceptional safari experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch, served with a selection of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.